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school style. When her then 13 year old daughter
and her 13 year old cousin, and their friends
started to tear up the block in their Roseland
neighborhood, she sought to reroute their youthful
passion and aggression into something a lot more
positive. Latiker’s mother suggested that the
neighborhood kids appeared to like her, and that
she should try to engage them in something more
constructive.
efforts. After three days of thoughts and prayers, I decided to see what they
were talking about, “Latiker said. “So I started going up to the kids and
asking them if there was a program that allowed them to pursue their
dreams would they participate, and they all said yes. They all said that they
wanted to do something with their lives.
implementations of KIDS OFF
THE BLOCK various after
school programs,
workshops, events and road
trips that taken by the youth
throughout the year.
sports. But what amazed me was that they all wanted to do something.
They didn’t want to want to be out there tearing up the streets. So in June
events done by KOB visit
our archive.
by what is happening to our
youth, the loss of a young man
who was murdered in our
community, (Roseland). The
young girl who tried to commit
suicide, and so many more
who have or will perish
because, (I feel), because they
don't have a way out. Everyday I
can only watch as society
builds it prisons, and fattens
the wallets of the funeral
homes with our youth.
For three days groups of boys
have been coming to my
house asking me when the
basketball program will start. I
must tell the truth, I was not
prepared this year. The reason
for this is because I was so
focused on networking and
collaboration, until I neglected
the mission, which is the
youth. Don't get me wrong, I
appreciate and understand
that we must reach out, but if it
is not directly benefiting our
youth, then I see no point.
I started this organization with
one purpose in mind, and that
was to give our children a
positive outlet. This to me can
save their lives if we can
change their mindset into
believing they can do and be
whatever they want in life. All
the programs, organizations,
meetings, mean nothing to the
youth if we are not there for
them.
I have or will cancel everything
that doesn't impact the lives of
these young people. Monday I
will be on track with the
basketball league, because I
know that it is important to
those boys. If I can keep them
engaged three days a week,
three hours each day, I'll know
that none of them will be killed,
or arrested, and they will be
safe, if only for that time.
Diane Latiker
19, a chance at realizing their dreams and eschewing trouble that beckoned them in the
streets. Latiker’s self-initiated alms reflect a tradition in the Black community of informal,
community-based action.
It may not always be considered philanthropic in the organized sense (save for copious
tithing at the city’s Black churches), but the Black community has a rich tradition of giving
from the heart to one another’s causes in many ways.
However, a new movement is afoot to bring some structure and formality to how we give.
That movement has been given from in the African American Legacy Initiative of the Chicago
Community Trust, a permanent contributing to African American life in the city. I think
Chicago is unique.
A Wondrous Formality
“The Trust has always been very active in addressing the needs of the community, either
through proactive initiatives or funding nonprofits, “said Mercedes A. Laing, a longtime
Chicago Community Trust board member, who is now chair of the African American Legacy
Initiative (AALI). But there was a lot of opportunity for more African Americans to become
involved in the Trust as donors. So this partnership really grew out of that because a part of
the Trust mission—in addition to addressing the needs of the greater metropolitan
community broadly is to advance and promote philanthropy broadly. So this was really a
great opportunity to do that in conjunction with the African American community”.
The Chicago Community Trust helps local residents manage their charitable giving by
serving as a receptacle for numerous gifts, bequests, and other contributions totaling more
than $1.3 billion. These assets are distributed in grants to nonprofit agencies working to
improve the lives of local residents through arts, community development, education
improvement, health and wellness, and in other ways.
In its 90-year history, the Chicago Community Trust has given generously to the African
American community, Stewart indicated. “It’s given away @60-plus million a year’, Stewart
said. “At least half of that is going to the African American community leaders in partnership
with The Chicago Community Trust with the goal of helping not-for-profit organizations
working to improve the quality of life for Blacks in the region, and encouraging philanthropy
across the community.
The board recently distributed AALI’s first round of grants to nonprofits in the Black
community, including Latiker’s Kids Off The Block. Latiker is using the $10,000 grant that
she received for Kids Off The Block to develop her nonprofit board, and for staff training. The
grant was the first her organization has received from any source.
“It’s amazing what this grant has done for me”, she said. “A couple of people (said), That’s
small money”. Well, not to me, not for an organization like this, because without a viable
board, without board members to actually participate, donate and get us exposure, we’re
just still here. This money is giving us the training that we so desperately need because I
started this green, very naïve, not knowing the legalities, what we’re supposed to do. I
learned by trial and error. But being able to go to training, and for the board members to be
to go to training, is awesome” by. Jean A. Williams
Youth Group
