WEST ENGLEWOOD — LaTanya & The Youth of Englewood — which hosts a Peace Festival Friday — wants to grow its program that offers a safe space for young people to go afterschool.
The nonprofit has been around since June 2014 and its mission is to help build the self esteem and confidence of young people in the community. Founder Latanya Johnson works with youths ages 5-13 Mondays-Fridays at Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave. They participate in volunteer work like cleaning parks and helping serve food at community events. They even put on fashion shows.
Johnson, an Englewood resident, is trying to raise $15,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. The funding would help her purchase a van to get the children safely home from her program.
It would also help cover additional insurance to keep the program open for two additional hours, until 8 p.m. It currently runs 4-6 p.m. Other money will go to healthy snacks and a stipend for additional team members.
Johnson started the organization because she wanted to give young people a safe place to go.
“I said, 'I’m doing this,'” she said. “I was tired of all the violence and these kids getting murdered. Our kids are leaving faster than the elderly. They don’t have a chance to grow up and be who they want to be. I got fed up and knew I needed to step in.”
She loves working with the kids.
“It is so amazing working with them because they come to you scarred, but then they find out who you are, and that you love them,” she said. “I raise them all the way back up. I lift their spirits, which I love doing because when they’re happy, I’m happy.”
The Fun Town Peace Festival will be held at Hermitage Park, 5839 S. Wood St., from 4-7:30 p.m. There will be vendors, games, a bouncy house and more.
