Unity Partnership hosted a Naperville rally for a call to action in response to what happened to George Floyd and racial incidents in the community.  See the video above and click this article link for more details and views from some of those who participated.  Several members of the community spoke.  Hear a few of their heartfelt stories and pleas for change.

Marcus Towns and Marquel Olliver

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!

​Several members of the Unity Partnership board brought flowers to the Aurora Police Department to honor those officers who had been injured during the shooting at the Henry Platt Company. We were welcomed by Sgts. Andrew Wolcott and Chris Whitfield.  We talked about how the injured officers are doing and how the department is coping.   A reporter from the Daily Herald was present as we shared our gratitude for the officer’s bravery and our appreciation of what an important role the police play in ensuring our continued safety.  The reporter included many of our comments in her aptly titled article, "They need us now."  Regina Brent, perhaps summarized it best stating, “We come to them when we are in trouble. And today, we know that they are in trouble. So we come to them in compassion."

​From there, we went to the site of the shooting to pay our respects to the victims.  Seeing the makeshift memorials for each of the victims was profoundly moving and brought home not only the loss experienced by family and friends, but reflected the collective grief of the entire community.

Our final stop was the Naperville Police Department.  They and other departments were called upon to assist when the shooting happened. We wanted to acknowledge their efforts as well. 
 
What a solemn day.

​Last fall, Regina Brent and Paul Scott met with Chief Brian King of the Hinsdale Police Department.  In that meeting, Chief King shared both his interest and his commitment to diversify the sworn ranks of his department.  Greater visibility of minority groups within departments can improve the relationship between the police and those in the community who feel marginalized and disaffected.  It is one measure of a larger commitment to changing attitudes and promoting trust.  See the attached for details about the Hinsdale PD openings.  

The IL NAACP Law Enforcement Committee led by retired Chief Robert Moore has informed us of IL State Police summer camp opportunities for students of color.  We are posting this notice to support outreach by both the NAACP and the IL State Police, and to further our effort to bridge the police and community divide. Please see the brochure below for all the details.  
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On January 15, 2019, The DuPage County Board, members of Unity Partnership and several of our police partners honored the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin King Jr. by formally recognizing the historic African-American Fraternities and Sororities collectively known as the “Divine Nine."  These organizations have a rich history of service in the west suburban counties, and support education, and a variety of social and charitable causes. We are so proud to celebrate their efforts!  The event was sponsored by Unity Partnership,  

​Below is the the Proclamation commemorating the community service of the "Divine Nine."

 
First Responder Wellness Conference
College of DuPage

Members of Unity Partnership attended the First Responder Wellness Conference to get a better understanding of what it’s like to serve on the force and to become familiar with the coping mechanisms officers use in daily life while dealing with an often toxic work environment. Kent Williams from Breach Point Consulting calls it, “The Caustic Risks of Performing Well in Law Enforcement.”    As the promotional materials state, his training is “based upon the principles of Servant Leadership, and how simple shifts in organizational perspective can profoundly reduce the stress, frustration and open anger expressed throughout the typical law enforcement agency. “ There are tools law enforcement officers can utilize to prevent failed careers, marriages and relationships.   “His work on the predictable transitional issues confronting the police officer’s family has led to numerous speaking engagements designed to keep the family of a police officer emotionally and spiritually healthy.”   The benefit of such training is that it allows officers a better perspective on their situation, which can improve their outlook and interactions with others.    Everyday life can be stressful for anyone no matter their career, education or status...people can suffer from many frustrations.  I came away with the hope that these tools might help officers not only in their relationships at work and with family, but in dealing with civilians as well.    I also left the workshop with a new outlook on how challenging police work can be. We, as a society, put a lot on officers’ plates.  It is a unique and very demanding career, one I appreciate, but would not want to take on.
Regina Brent
Unity Partnership
President and Founder

On Sunday afternoon, January 6, 2019, members of Unity Partnership kicked off the new year by attending an event hosted by several different faith-based organizations.  This event was held in Naperville at Wentz Hall. Tom Cordaro, from St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, organized the event and served as the moderator. They keynote speaker was from the Sikh community.  Representatives from a variety of faiths shared their reflections.  I represented the DuPage AME Church, and used as my theme the allegory of The Long Handled Spoons, a parable which has become part of the folklore of several cultures.   My message was that sometimes, thinking solely our own personal gratification, we stop caring for each other.  In so doing, we unconsciously harm ourselves since we are all interdependent.

​In reference to law enforcement too, we must realize that both civilians and police need one another.   Acknowledging our interdependence will ensure that we treat each with respect, and achieve our goal of life, liberty, and justice for all.  Remember, change begins with ordinary people, and it can begin with you.
 
Regina Brent, Founder & President
Unity Partnership

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

Please view our latest flyer here.

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Dallas Memorial

Backyard party