The Peace and Education Coalition of the Back of the Yards, New City (PEC) organizes community resources to assist children and their families in great need. The Coalition is made up of the public schools, churches, parks, businesses, law enforcement, elected officials, and not-for-profits who meet monthly to reflect on and respond to the needs of families and children in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, on the near southwest side of Chicago.

Join us May 13, 2010 for our Peace and Education Coalition Annual Scholarship Fundraiser! The event will take place at the Stadium Club at U.S. Cellular Field, from 5:30 - 9 PM. Co-Chaired by Mayor Daley, and supported by an entire Peace and Education Coalition in the Back of the Yards area, the Coalition recognizes, with the Arturo Velasquez Leadership Award, three special people who have been instrumental in encouraging our youth in education: Ron Huberman, CEO, Chicago Public Schools for Leadership; Sandy Traback, former Principal of Cesar Chavez Multicultural Arts Academy for Community Leadership; and Sr. Angela Kolacinski, SH, Youth Director at Holy Cross/IHM Parish for Youth leadership. Click here for tickets, sponsorship and program information.

Mayor Daley joins several college scholarship recipients at the 2009 Schoalrship fundraiser. In all, 61 College students received scholarships - click here for the demographics of the student population. Students received the scholarships throughout neighborhood churches during Sunday services - pictured below is one group which received a special address from Carmen Velasquez, Executive Director of Alivio Clinic. Carmen reminded the students to keep studying Spanish and to pursue opportunities in health and medicine.