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TLP Youth Attend Presidential Inauguration

Media Coverage

TLP youth take time to give back during Inauguration visit.
WGN Midday News, January 19, 2009

Formerly homeless youth ‘pay it forward’.
ABC7 Chicago, January 19, 2009
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The future first family was not the only group of people serving others on Monday.

Five Chicago teenagers who used to be homeless participated in a food drive. The youths said while their contribution was small, it means the world to them as they pay it forward.

Crystal Davis, 25, is passionate about feeding America because she knows who it's like to go without. At 18 she was homeless on the streets of Chicago. But thanks to the Teen Living Program, a non-profit organization that helps youth get back on their feet, she is thriving.

"I learned independence skills, how to take care of myself, how to maintain a job and how to survive out here," said Davis.

And now she is giving back.

Davis and other T.L.P. recipients are in Washington gathering food to distribute to the homeless.

"It's like a one-time experience. A lot of people wanted to participate but a lot of people can't, so little me being able to participate means a whole lot," said Davis.

"We're doing our part at Teen Living Programs. Other organizations are doing their part. We all need additional resources to be able to do it," said David Meyers, Teen Living Programs.

Meyer says 2,000 teenagers will be homeless tonight in Chicago so on this day of service it was especially important for the young people not just to pause and reflect but to act.

"It's overwhelming to see so much positive energy going around. You can just feed off it and it helps you be a better and you hope you can give that to someone else to make them feel better," said Eric Smith.

Smith says the generosity is contagious and so is the enthusiasm about the history being made in America as Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of the United States.

"I never really thought that this would actual this happen in my lifetime. To see a black man actually become the president, and get signed in, it means a lot," said Smith.

Dr. Martin Luther King would be proud of the Chicago youths because he always said that not everyone can be great, but everyone can serve.

Formerly homeless youths usher in Obama’s era of service.
Medill Reports, January 22, 2009
By: Nicole Cohen
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Five formerly homeless youths from Chicago say they are ready to carry the torch in President Obama’s “new era of responsibility.”

“Once upon a time we were in the situation where we were getting and not giving. And it’s important to give,” said Cherice Mull, 21, an alumna of Teen Living Programs, a Chicago agency that works with homeless young people.

Mull and four other formerly homeless youths from Chicago put their words into action earlier this week when they traveled to Washington, D.C. for Barack Obama's inauguration and to participate in the city’s National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Day. With a little help from U. S. Representative Danny K. Davis and United Airlines, they were scheduled to help with a food drive in the nation's capital.

“It’s just like Chicago,'' said Mull as she stood outside Washington's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on the cold, cloudy Monday morning. "Anywhere we go, we’re going to help. That’s what we do. We give back to the community.”

Mull, along with Kevin Hendrix, 23, who also made the trip, are peer educators with Teen Living Programs. Other Teen Living alums who traveled to Washington were Patricia Posey, Crystal Davis and Eric Smith. Posey is involved with a national program for runaway youths, Davis is working and studying nursing and Smith hopes to become a licensed massage therapist.

Hendrix saw a connection between his journey to Washington and Obama’s.

“We’re from Chicago,'' he said, a hit of hip-hop cadence in his voice. "We’re representin’ Chicago; we’re representin’ the rest of the states as he’s from Chicago and representin’ the rest of the country."

David Myers, executive director of Teen Living Programs, saw a greater parallel between the journeys his kids have taken and what the country is experiencing as a whole.

“They’re on the cusp of becoming independent," said Myers, "and coming into their own adult lives at the very time when the country is moving toward service and accountability.”

According to Myers, the message these five young people have sent through their service in Washington and Chicago is a simple one.

“They are Americans, and they are excited about being Americans. For the first time in many ways, these young people are seeing America being America as the true vision of America.”

Five TLP Youth head to Washington, D.C., thanks to Representative Danny Davis.
WBBM 780 Chicago, January 16, 2009
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Congressman Danny Davis gives Inauguration tickets to formerly homeless youth.
ABC 7 Chicago, January 16, 2009
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A group of young people - who were once homeless - will be going to Washington for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Illinois Congressman Danny Davis gave the teens his tickets.

"I am so excited. I cannot wait!" said Cherice Mull, who lived on the streets for two years before finding help and shelter at Belfort House, a Teen Living Program facility. She said she has wrestled her demons and now lives independently and has now started a new job and enrolled in college. Mull says he never gave up hope.

Patricia Posey is also going to the inauguration. Homeless for two years, she said her life changed at Belfort House.

"It makes me feel lucky," said Patricia Posey, who is most excited about the speed. "Some people don't understand that words can change someone's life and make a difference."

Posey, who lives on her own, works and goes to college. She wants to be a social worker.

"They've worked hard to get where they are," said David Meyers, Teen Living Programs. "It's not just from the street to the inauguration."

Meyers says United Airlines will be covering their flights. However, they are short about $15,000 to cover accommodations and expenses.

Five formerly homeless Chicagoans to see Barack Obama's Inauguration
Northwest Illinois Times, January 15, 2009
By: Meribah Knight
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CHICAGO - Their first dream was getting off the street.

No longer homeless, five black people now can look forward to another wish coming true.

Thanks to tickets that U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Chicago, donated, the five will be traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Cherice Mull, 21; Patricia Posey, 23; Crystal Davis, 23; Kevin Hendrix, 21; and Eric Smith, 20, are either recent graduates of or current participants in Chicago's Teen Living Programs, the only Chicago-area organization dedicated to serving homeless youth.

"Teen Living is one of the most outstanding programs of its kind," Davis said of the South Side program.

"It was a no-brainer to provide them with tickets."

Davis said he had 196 inaugural tickets to give away and received 11,000 requests. Teen Living Programs was one.

The organization offers housing, job training, educational support, mental health counseling, holistic health care and life skills training to participants. Its goal is to reduce the number of homeless youth through a comprehensive, long-term approach.

United Airlines has donated round-trip airfare for the group, and Jewel-Osco has provided $5,000 to help cover the cost of food during the three-day excursion. The group is seeking donations to raise the remaining $15,000 needed for the trip.

Other expenses include hotel accommodations and new outfits the group will provide to the youths to wear to the ceremony.

Nia Tavoularis, Teen Living director of communications, said the organization is "very protective of its youth and their success" and based the decision of who would attend on singling out "the youth that can best handle the pressure of going to an event like this."

Parker said she is looking forward to the trip and event.

"I couldn't be more thankful," she said.

She is particularly looking forward to Obama's speech, she said, because he is "such a charismatic speaker."

Posey, who left home when she was 17, is pursuing a degree in social work at Kennedy-King College and serves on the executive board of the National Network for Runaway and Homeless Youth.

"I wouldn't be able to do half the things in my life without the (Teen Living) programs," she said.

"There is a parallelism between Obama's message of hope for our country and the message we instill in our youth," Tavoularis said. "If you work hard, are committed and focused, you can achieve anything."

Davis struck a similar chord.

"Stumbling blocks can be turned into stepping stones," he said.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.teenliving.org/.

Five Chicagoans journey from streets to Obama’s Inauguration
Medill Reports, Jan 13, 2009
By: Meribah Knight
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Their first dream was getting off the street. On Tuesday, five formerly homeless African-Americans will have another one come true.

Thanks to tickets donated by U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Chicago), the five will be traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the historic inauguration of the candidate they voted for, Barack Obama.

Cherice Mull, 21, Patricia Posey, 23, Crystal Davis, 23, Kevin Hendrix, 21, and Eric Smith, 20, are recent graduates of and current participants in Chicago’s Teen Living Programs, the only Chicago-area organization dedicated to serving homeless youth.

“Teen Living is one of the most outstanding programs of its kind,” Davis said. “It was a no-brainer to provide them with tickets.”

Davis said that he was allocated a total of 196 inaugural tickets and received 11,000 requests. Teen Living Programs was one.

The organization offers housing, job training, educational support, mental health counseling, holistic health care and life skills training to participants. Its goal is to reduce the number of homeless youth through a comprehensive, long-term approach.

United Airlines has donated roundtrip airfare for the group and Jewel-Osco has provided $5,000 to help cover the cost of food during the three-day excursion, but TLP is seeking donations to raise the remaining $15,000 needed for the trip.

Additional expenses include hotel accommodations as well as new outfits TLP will provide for the youths to wear to the ceremony.

Nia Tavoularis, TLP director of communications said the organization is “very protective of its youth and their success,” thus making the decision of who would attend based on “the youth that can best handle the pressure of going to an event like this,” she said.

One of the five said she was looking forward to the excursion.

“I couldn’t be more thankful,” said Patricia Posey. She is particularly looking forward to Obama’s speech, she said, because he is “such a charismatic speaker.”

Posey, who left home when she was 17, is pursuing a degree in social work at Kennedy-King College and serves on the executive board of the National Network for Runaway and Homeless Youth.

“I wouldn’t be able to do half the things in my life without the [Teen Living] programs,” she said.

“There is a parallelism between Obama’s message of hope for our country and the message we instill in our youth,” Tavoularis said. “If you work hard, are committed and focused, you can achieve anything.”

Davis struck a similar chord: “Stumbling blocks can be turned into stepping-stones.”

Five TLP Youth surprised with Obama Inauguration tickets LIVE on camera!
WGN News at Nine, December 15, 2008