Page 44 - April 2017 Newsletter

Protecting and serving kids,
and having a little fun,
in the 14th District
As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, in April, every police district across Chicago was encouraged to run educational programs and collect baby products.
Word was put out on March 31 in the 14th District about gathering supplies to be donated to two organizations, the Maryville Crisis Nursery and Cradles to Crayons.
CAPS Sergeant Adam Henkels said they were looking to “resupply their stock” of diapers, baby wipes, underwear, pajamas and other items for little ones. At a roll call in April, officers brought in seven grocery bags filled with di- apers and wipes, a good start for the month, Henkels said.
“Early on, people are already responding,” he said.
Also in April, the District has been working with com- munity organizer Liz Rios to conduct workshops at local schools to educate young mothers about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome. The goal of the workshops is to teach the women self-awareness and how they can be- come overwhelmed with a newborn, Henkels said. They want to help them set up a support system for the times
44 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ APRIL 2017
when they become unable to cope.
The focus on children took on a different form in March
as officers from the district held a couple of events for at- risk youth.
For one of the events, officers took kids to the Illinois High School Association hockey championship game at the United Center. Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk partnered with Inner City Impact (an organization for at- risk youth) and the district to arrange tickets.
To their surprise, 25 students signed up and went to the championship game. They were treated to food from the concession stands and got to see their names on the scoreboard.
“This is the first time doing it, and we didn’t think we’d get this much response,” Henkels said. “A couple of kids couldn’t believe (Tommy Hawk) was with the police.”d