Outside the Walls

The public is welcome to join CCIL's Center for Workforce Development department in participating at the upcoming North Lawndale "Outside the Walls" picnic. Details are below.

What: Celebration of Freedom and Recovery
When: Saturday, September 6, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Where: Douglas Park, Chicago, IL
Who: All are welcome
Why: Educate and reconcile communities

This community initiative is geared to celebrate the lives and new found freedom of people who have paid their debt to society and to promote the reconnection of families once broken due to incarceration. The event will engage everyone involved in a spiritual atmosphere emphasizing the importance of faith-based consciousness in productive re-entry and in sustaining the effort to remain free, clean, sober and serene. The ultimate goal is to eradicate recidivism, restore self-esteem, reintroduce the individual back into society, reassemble families and reconcile communities.

Preparations are underway to welcome more than 800 people to the event. Guests can enjoy the following...

• Prepared food donated by Chicago area restaurants;
• Musical entertainment by various Gospel artists - invited guests include The Church Boys, The Douglas Singers, Pastor DeAndre Patterson and Destiny Worship Center, Hope House Men's Choir, Pastor Reggie Royale and JUDAH, Pastor Steve Nelson and The Christian Love Church Choir and The Serenity Drum Corps;
• Invited speakers include the Honorable Congressman Danny K. Davis, Mack McGhee of Transforming Lives International, Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele, Tio Hardiman and Tim White of Cease Fire;
• Men and women from the recovery community will share their stories;
• Entertainment and special activities will be available for children, including a Christian mime artist;
• Awards will be given in recognition of appreciation to contributors and field professionals;
• Free gift bags will be given to the first 500 guests

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact in the North Lawndale community.

"When I came out, I felt like a little baby. I had to learn everything all over again. How to act. How to make the right choices. How to live. I needed help. Thank you for being there." Quote from a Sheridan Correctional Center Parolee/2005

Contact Reverend Tommie Johnson at 773-454-1545 or Bblest2@yahoo.com for more event information.