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served as a neighborhood soundtrack.
Also filling the air was “the chorus of parents and neighbors
saying, ‘You be good, I got my eyes on you,’” Common said. “Now, it’s the pop of guns and the screams of sirens.”
As he introduced Maddox as a 2017 CNN Heroes honoree, Common described how she took that empty room in the basement and turned it into Future Ties, a program created by Maddox to help dozens of children and teens find an alterna- tive to violence and hopelessness.
“Inside those walls, the music of opportunity, love and hope take hold in a city that can be consumed with grief,” Common said. “I wish more police officers cared for our children the way she does. I’m proud to be a Chicagoan with this beautiful woman.”
Common welcomed Maddox to the stage, where she de- scribed herself as a police officer, mother and member of the community. She said the City can’t arrest itself out of the bar- rage of shootings and deadly violence, so she encouraged oth- ers to march less and do more. And, make no mistake, Maddox is steadfast when it comes her feelings on community policing:
“It works,” she emphasized.
Maddox didn’t mind not taking home the top monetary award of the night; she won in many other ways that capped off a whirlwind nine months since her son first contacted CNN to let them know about his hard-working mother.
“I’m still trying to take it in and absorb it,” Maddox related. “I’m just so grateful for the exposure. Because of where we’re situated inside of Parkway Gardens, we’ve always had negative press. There’s never really been anything positive that came
out of Parkway.”
Since 2007, Maddox has led the effort now known as Future
Ties that gives children living in Parkway Gardens a place to learn, have fun and gain new experiences. The idea sparked af- ter working the beat and not seeing much available for youth. It now serves as an after-school home for peer interaction and homework support. Future Ties also runs a summer program for teens.
A modest start only turned into a success story because of Maddox putting in long hours, dedication and her own dol- lars to ensure that Future Ties would fulfill its mission for kids and their families. Maddox’s son tipped off CNN early last year about this hidden gem on Chicago’s South Side. In the blink of an eye, Maddox and Future Ties were among the final 10 “He- roes” in a friendly vote for a $100,000 prize.
“I really didn’t know what to expect. It was something I’ve never participated in ever in my life,” Maddox said of the Dec.
38 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2018