Success Stories from Chicago Area Project & Illinois Council of Area Projects

Sign our petition at http://chn.ge/1C2vpHO.

David Elam, 24
Student, Harold Washington College,
President of the West Garfield Park Youth Counsel

CAP/ICAP Connection: David’s life was a mess in 2010 when at 18 he found himself convicted and incarcerated in a drug delivery case. That experience made him think. And Chicago Area Project’s summer jobs program and CAP Affiliate Fathers Who Care gave him the tools and mentoring that allowed him to not only succeed in his own life but also be a role model for his siblings who are following in his positive footsteps. He gave back to his family and now he is giving back to his community as a volunteer at Fathers Who Care and as President of the West Garfield Park Youth Counsel. His focus is on helping youth deal with drugs, violence and peer pressure.

David Elam’s Hope: “Because of Chicago Area Project, they gave me a new outlook, a second chance… What our young people need to know is that you will get a second chance.” David points out that he is living proof that Area Project programs work and deserve to be fully funded because they are important for youth and families in Illinois.

HELP OUR YOUTH GROW UP STRONG LIKE DAVID ELAM! Send a message to Springfield! Restore full funding to the Community Services line item in the State budget that by statute funds the statewide area projects. Contact your State legislators, the governor’s office and the Illinois Department of Human Services today! And sign our petition at http://chn.ge/1C2vpHO.