Ex Felons Want to Help Kids Avoid Their Fate

 Senator Hendon's district has one of the highest percentages of ex-offenders not only

in Chicago but nationwide.  Some of them are trying to turn not only their lives around, 

but the lives of their youth.  Reginald "Akkeem" Berry spoke to the community meeting

about a problem in Chicago Public Schools policy, as well as possibly in state law, that makes 

their job harder.  Akkeem and some fellow ex-felons and allies had a demonstration 

outside CPS offices on March 18, encouraging CPS to take a look at ways to involve ex offedenders

in education.  He advocates a a policy that is watchful over the ex-offenders but doesn't 

ban their employment.  

Contact: Reginald "Akkeem" Berry, Jr., 773-957-4214   www.savingoursonsministries.org 

Interviews available from:Reginald "Akkeem" Berry, Jr.,Q.L. Anthony,
Bonni McKeown 


Ex-Felons Barred from Urging Youth to Give Up Their Guns

A diverse group of educators, community leaders and ex-gang members  
gathered in front of the headquarters of the Chicago Public Schools at  
125 South Clark Street and marched to the State of Illinois Building  
to protest a state law banning former felons from working in  
classrooms. 

Ironically, the same felons are allowed to speak in the classroom in 

volunteer programs. But they are not allowed to get paid as contractors,

which would allow them the opportunity to make a living--a problem

that often drives ex-offenders back to a criminal lifestyle. 

The law, intended to protect children, has instead had the  
effect of denying kids access to the best gang and violence prevention  
information around:  straight-talk from reformed, former gang  
bangers.  Speakers at the demonstration on Thursday lamented the  
recent, tragic surge of youth murders in Chicago, and argued that  
children were being systematically denied information that could save  
their lives. The law or policy, they argued, must be repealed.  Former gang  
members led the crowd of 40 in a chant: "Change the law, before its  
too late, let the kids learn--from our mistakes".

The event was sponsored by Saving Our Sons Ministries founded in 2006  
by Reginald  "Akkeem" Berry, Jr.  Berry, who turned his life around  
after decades of imprisonment for a murder he committed 22 years ago,  
is committed to stopping the cycle of gun violence. "I worked hard to  
put my life back on track, and now I work just as diligently to  
prevent youth from making the mistakes I did." Mayor Daley has  
recognized him for his work, and signs at the protest displayed  
glowing letters of recommendation from police officers and  
schoolteachers for his educational programs. Kids listen to him  
because he speaks from experience. "Real recognizes Real,” Berry said.

Another educator and ex-felon Q.L Anthony echoed the same themes,  
"Kids don't listen to pubic school administrators because they can't  
relate to them, but they see me and they know I am speaking from the  
heart." Anthony has led classes that literally disarm at-risk youth.  
"I have had kids hand over their guns at the end of the program,"  
Anthony said, "so I know I am doing something right." Because of this  
law against ex-felons however, he cannot be compensated for his work  
for the public schools, so he does it on a purely volunteer basis.   
Other protesters echoed his plea to "give us the chance to atone for  
the harm we have done, by preventing future violence."