A chance to make a real differance (up on the soap box just this once)

Friends and colleagues,

Most of you don’t know this but I have been working as a mentor at The Howard Area Community Centers “Computer Clubhouse” for a couple of years now. I’m teaching kids who have very little resources how to use technology to carve out a better life. The fact that it keeps the kids off the streets after school is a side benefit.

The Howard area community center (HACC) has been serving the poor families of Rogers Park and their children for over 40 years.

Well, that might be coming to an end or at least the youth services part of it.

The state of Illinois has not kept its funding up to date and are more than 6 months behind, with no relief in site.

To be concise, HACC is out of money and will be facing an end to youth services within the next 30 days. You would be shocked to know how little money is involved. The programs can be saved for less than $10k

These programs as worth saving, more that a hundred kids age 9 to 19 come through our doors.

So I’m calling on you my friends and colleagues to join together and help save this needed safe haven.

On this web page there is a donate button. From now till the end of May every donation will go directly to Howard area youth services.

We have an offer of matching funds so every dollar counts as two. I will keep the records available and will post progress reports on a weekly basis. Donations can also be sent directly to HACC youth services vie their web site www.howardarea.org .

As a community of model railroaders, hobbyists, Artists, Musicians and Teachers, we can do this.

Thanks for your help

Thom Miecznikowski