Kelly Hall YMCA’s 4th Annual Future Leaders Luncheon Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The Mid-America Club, 200 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL

This Y is in one of Chicago’s roughest neighborhoods, West Humboldt Park (Chicago Ave. & Hamlin).  It’s a bright & clean oasis in the city’s west side. It has to be seen to be believed. We’d love to have you visit the Kelly Hall or attend our 3rd annual luncheon & learn how to become more involved with us. I’ve been on Kelly Hall’s Board of Directors for a few years now.

For all questions and for more information, contact Davina Martin at dmartin@ymcachicago.org or 312.440.2411.

Community Partner Honoree: Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

Keynote presentation by Xavier McElrath-Bey
Xavier McElrath-Bey is a national spokesperson and Youth Justice Advocate with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth: a national collaboration and clearinghouse that coordinates, develops and supports efforts to implement age-appropriate alternatives to the extreme sentencing of America’s youth with a focus to abolish “juvenile life without parole”.When Xavier was 13 years old he was arrested, charged and later convicted to serve a 25 year sentence in prison for his involvement in a gang related first degree murder. After 13 years in prison he came out with a remorseful heart, a bachelor degree in Social Science from Roosevelt University and a mission to advocate for poor, disadvantaged and at-risk youth.

Soon after his release he earned a Master of Arts in Roosevelt University’s Counseling and Human Services Program. He has worked for Ceasefire as an outreach worker, as a street intervention specialist for Catholic Charities, as the Juvenile Justice Diversion Program Coordinator for Alternatives Inc. and as a Clinical Research Interviewer for Northwestern University’s Juvenile Project—a longitudinal study which assessed the mental health needs and outcomes of formerly incarcerated youth.

Much of Xavier’s advocacy work has been highlighted by various media sources and news outlets, such as New York Times, PBS NewsHour, The Steve Wilkos Show, Huffington Post, MPR and Al Jazeera America. Xavier also recently delivered a powerful TEDx Talk at Northwestern University, titled “No Child is Born Bad,” in which he shared his childhood experiences of abuse, neglect, incarceration and the unique capacity for change that exists within all children—demonstrating that children should never be defined by their worse act.