Three local churches will participate in CPS Safe Haven, Safe Summer program for 5,000 students

"Programs like Safe Haven, Safe Summer are important partnerships between CPS and faith-based leaders," said Chicago Public Schools' CEO Jean-Claude Brizard today, June 14.  "Keeping our students safe is one of our most vital priorities and the programming provided by Safe Haven, Safe Summer strives to provide our children with engaging activities and to create a creative outlet during the summer break."

Of the 100 churches scheduled to work with this effort, three are local churches:  Mision Cristiana Familiar, 1905 W. Schiller, Pastor Zilfredo Gonzalez;  New Life Covenant, 2401 W. North, Pastor Wilfredo De Jesus; and  The Upper Room Church of God, 1357 N. California, Pastor Secundino Mendoza.

The program is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays from June 27 until Aug. 5. Designed to help prepare children with life skills, it provides mentoring and tutoring. Each church is responsible for its own programming. Students can sign up through each individual church.

Brizard also highlighted CPS' summer classroom programs. Serving over 75,000 students this summer, CPS will be offering a variety of learning opportunities from Step Up to Kindergarten and Summer Bridge to Freshman Connection.