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Maywood, Illinois…Save A Life Foundation (SALF) hosted the first  “Coalition of the Caring” forum on Saturday, September 1, at Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood. Community leaders and stakeholders discussed issues of safety and preparedness in our neighborhoods and schools, and vowed to work together to find solutions to the growing problems of violence, especially affecting school children. SALF Director of Operations, Vince Davis announced the passage of the organization’s Community Response System Initiative, or “CRSI ACT” within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, that is expected to provide a program to train children in cities and towns across the nation in Life Sustaining First Aid Skills. Illinois Homeland Security Director of Public Safety Col. Jill Morgenthaler accepted the “CRSI Award” for her efforts in support of the initiative.

The Coalition of Caring event was held in conjunction with September activities marking Save A Life Month and National Preparedness Month as designated by the Department of Homeland Security Citizen Corps.  SALF is a national affiliate of the Citizen Corps program, which promotes local preparedness efforts in chapters throughout the country. Col. Jill Morgenthaler told the Coalition members, “Some of our children live their whole lives in the danger zone. Unlike our soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, they don’t have training, they don’t have protective gear, and they don’t have anyone watching their backs.”

SALF’s Founder/President Carol Spizzirri accounted her experience as she   flew into Washington D.C. on 9/11 while the terrorist attack unfolded at the World Trade Center. “We touched down at Regan Airport and the pilot tearfully announced the events in New York. We were diverted to Dulles as the Pentagon was being hit”, she recalled. Spizzirri said the experience was one of fear and uncertainty, where no one knew what to do next. “That is why training our children and adults to care for the ill or injured in an emergency is the most important link in the chain of survival until emergency professionals can step in,” Spizzirri said.

Among the Coalition speakers was Chicago Police Officer Ronald Holt, father of 16-year-old Julian High School student Blair Holt, who was slain on a Chicago Transit Authority School bus in May of this year. Mr. Holt spoke of the legacy of his son, and the terrible pain he and his wife have endured after losing their only child to a senseless act of violence. Holt was presented with a Save A Life Foundation Certificate of Merit in honor of his son’s ultimate sacrifice to save one of his classmates from the gunfire in which four other students were wounded.  “Schools should be a safe haven for our children, as well as creating safe passage as they go to and from school, ” Holt said.

Also speaking at the three-hour event was Vance Henry, Director of Chicago Police Department’s Community Alternative Policing Strategy (C.A.P.S.). Mr. Henry thanked SALF for its efforts in promoting life saving skills in Chicago’s schools, and promised to work closely with the Coalition to address the violence issues. Other organizations represented included Cook County Sheriff’s Department Community Outreach, ABJ Community Services, National Crime Prevention Coalition, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and Lincoln’s Challenge Academy, the National Guard program for at-risk teens that mentors students from throughout the state to ensure they graduate from high school. Lincoln’s Challenge adapted the SALF training last year as part of the school’s regular curriculum.  LCA Director Command Sergeant Major Peter Thomas said, “We applaud SALF for its efforts and are looking forward to working with them in the years to come.”

SALF is planning future events including a Youth Summit that will provide youth with an opportunity to express their concerns and share their ideas regarding safety, security and training. The Youth Summit is expected to include Coalition of the Caring members, community leaders and educators

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