As a result of the growing recognition of our efforts, Unity Partnership recently received an incredibly generous donation of 3,500 pairs of children’s sports shoes. The brand is Super Heroic designed by Jason Mayden, a Chicago native. His inspiring story, which includes commentary by Magic Johnson, is featured in the following link under, “Watch our Origin.”   The Super Heroic Story  
Jason recently had another professional triumph, a billboard on Times Square heralding his latest business venture, “Hasbro and Super Heroic team up to promote new NERF apparel and footwear line.” 





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​The shoes are designed around the theme of heroes, and the topic provides a natural springboard for discussion of perceptions and feelings. We are exploring creative ways to make the giveaway a day to remember for the kids while promoting meaningful dialogue between youth and police. The Super Heroic, “Hero for a Day,” events are about reminding kids in challenging circumstances that everyone can be a hero. They also remind police that we recognize their heroism and that we care.

Unity Partnership is disseminating the shoes to law enforcement agencies, churches, park districts, schools, and youth homes across the Chicagoland area and downstate.  The shoes will be distributed to underserved youth from diverse cultures and backgrounds to encourage them to become all they aspire to be, no matter the situation. 

We hope that through these “Hero for a Day” events, Unity Partnership will create new long term partnerships with other mission driven organizations that can help us fulfill our goals, and we in turn can help them fulfill theirs.  Our hope is that the public can begin to see thall the work that Unity Partnership has been doing to improve the relationship between the police and the community, and to support our efforts by joining as members.

We thank the designer, Mr. Jason Mayden, and Mr. Albert Mayden, CEO of Super Heroic for the shoes; our sponsors, Mr. John Burgess, CEO of International Services, Inc. and the Cantigny Foundation.  We also want to acknowledge Stratford Square Mall for the use of the storage space.  And a special thanks to the volunteers who helped with the inventory and distribution of the shoes, and all who helped to bring many of these events to fruition.

We'll continue to update the site as the events unfolds.  We already have many wonderful stories we're excited to share!

There are many times during the holiday season, that I tend to reminisce about the good times shared with my parents and siblings while growing up as a child.  Even though at times things were complicated and we faced our share of challenges, we were all under the same roof and I felt loved. This is not true for many of our youth, who long to be at home with their loved ones at Christmas time.  They may reside in shelters, foster homes and many other places while trying to find their way back to some kind of normalcy of life.  It is our duty as a community to provide some type of additional holiday cheer by demonstrating to each and every one of them that they are loved and cared for, no matter the circumstances. On Wednesday, December 5th, Unity Partnership decided to treat several young ladies from the 360 Youth Services located in Naperville, for a night out with law enforcement agencies from the DuPage County Sheriff's department, Naperville Fire Department and the Naperville Police Department.  Four female officers took the time to come out to Bowlero Lanes to be partnered with the teens for a competitive game.  The counselors from 360 Youth were very excited about the evening and expressed their gratitude to UP for sponsoring the event.  After bowling, we all met and talked. I encouraged all the young ladies to live in the moment and not in the past, because someday they will look back and remember not just the difficult times, but the good times as well. There were hugs and tears of joy in appreciation for the gifts and the trophies they received. It was a wonderful evening!
 
I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Dep. Sharon Hood, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, Kathleen M. Anderson, Deputy Chief of Police, Sergeants Sherry Meine and Jennifer Johnsen, Naperville Police Department , Jessica Crowley, Sergeant of Patrol/CIT and Event Coordinator, Naperville Fire Department , and also the staff and residents of 360 Youth Services. Remember, change begins with ordinary people and it can begin with you, too.
 
 
Regina Brent, Founder & President 
Unity Partnership, NFP
 

Unity Partnership is delighted to have been asked to participate in this year’s Cantigny Community Trees Display in the McCormick House.  Seven nonprofit organizations are chosen each year.   Each organization receives a $2,500.00 donation.  Several members of Unity Partnership met Wednesday to decorate the tree.   We had great fun adorning the tree with symbols that we felt  illustrated our multicultural makeup and our organizational mission of bridging the gap between the police and the community.   The trees will be on display until December 30th.   Please come and check out the tree and show your support for our efforts by signing a gift tag.  We’ll add your tag and an ornament (we have both on hand for you)  to the tree making you a part of our community too!.  Visitors can also vote for their favorite tree.  The organization’s tree that gets the most votes receives another $2,500.00.  Cast a vote for Unity Partnership!    For more information about the event, here’s an article from the Chicago Tribune Beacon News which includes a beautiful glimpse of our tree. (Beacon-News Article)

​On Thursday, November 9th, from 7:00-9:00 pm, at the Lisle Village Hall, Unity Partnership hosted its third workshop on Traffic Stops.  Paul Scott, a member of the Law Enforcement Committee, introduced the program and the Police Chief of Lisle, David Anderson facilitated. The session was well attended and was also live streamed.  Chief Anderson explained protocol and explored the challenges of traffic stops from both the civilian and police perspective.  Video segments demonstrated routine stops and an investigative stop, i.e., a driver stopped because her car matches the description of a car involved in a retail theft.  The video segments and the presentation prompted lively discussion and questions, and participants also recounted some of their own past experiences with police. Following the session, participants graciously provided written feedback about what they had learned about best practices as a driver when being stopped, and about the complaint process. Sample comments included, “a complaint about the reason for the ticket is different from a complaint about the behavior of the ticketing officer,” and “the police department welcomes a complaint.” We also asked participants about specific topics that they would like to see addressed in future sessions.   While there are several, one in particular stood out: improving police and civilian engagement.  Our goal is to promote that engagement by continued outreach and training.  Please plan to join us for our next workshop to ensure that your voice is heard.     

Please join us at our second annual Backyard Party.

​The Chicago Urban League hosted the fifth annual Citywide Job Fair on June 20, 2018. Chief Robert Marshall and Commander Michaus Williams of the Naperville Police Department sponsored a booth with Unity Partnership. The department reached out to the Chicago community to recruit minority applicants in order to promote greater diversity. Last year there were 70 employers and more than 8,000 job seekers at the fair.  This year the attendance was even larger.
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Sargent Michael Son and Regina Brent manned the table and greeted several job seekers from all over the Chicago area.  Sergeant Son warmly welcomed each potential applicant and patiently explained the qualifications and the application process for both sworn and non-sworn law enforcement positions.  He was a great representative of the department and his efforts were much appreciated.  It was a good day!

​ILACP Law Enforcement & Unity Partnership, NFP 
host a private luncheonTuesday, January 16, 2018 
12:30 PM
At
The Craftsman Restaurant in Naperville, IL 60563 
In honor of The 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday
Featuring Guest Speaker

• Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King

Description here

Dallas Memorial

Backyard party 

Shop with a cop

Texas Roadhouse

This was an evening of fun and laughter as  our surrounding DuPage and Kane counties police officers and youth squared off in a game of bowling against their neighboring departments. The purpose of this event was to familiarize our young people with law-enforcement off-site and to establish a friendship based on the point of humanity. We wanted to build trust between one another for the safety of our communities. Many of our youth have not had non-service contact with police officers who serve and protect in their neighborhoods. It was a great opportunity to develop relationships as public servants and citizens to ensure a continuance of accountability and safety for our communities in DuPage County.

This event was an evening of fun and laughter to become familiar with the 360 youth and our surrounding law enforcement officers from the Lisle and Naperville Police departments. We dialogued with the youth about their dreams and aspirations regarding their future. What's happening now? What are their plans for the upcoming summer vacation? Our goal was to build relationships and partnerships with the surrounding police and civilians for the betterment of our community!