St. Sabina Church hosts peace carnival to promote smart choices among Chicago’s youth

CHICAGO — Through basketball, bounce houses and food, the youth of St. Sabina Church came together to encourage young people to make smarter choices this summer.

“This isn’t just about keeping kids off the street, but this is about teaching kids to make a positive impact in their communities,” Alexander Smith, St. Sabina Academy alum, said.

On Saturday, youth leaders hosted a Memorial Day weekend peace carnival to give young people a place to go during the holiday weekend.

“The streets don’t give you anything. No goals, no growth. Just distractions,” an attendee said.

They are urging Chicago’s youth to stay away from teen takeovers.

“To the teens, we have to start making safe and smart choices,” Zariah Boykien said.

Earlier this week, the Chicago City Council postponed a vote on using “snap” curfews to control teen takeovers.

The ordinance would allow the police superintendent to call for a “snap” curfew anywhere in the city, with a half-hour notice, if a group of 20 or more teens poses a threat to the public.

Many alders and community groups have expressed deep concern that the proposed substitute ordinance is not a path towards a solution.

“That curfew does not give us places where we can be safe but places where we cannot be,” Boykien said.

Parents say they don’t support the curfew for concern it would unfairly impact minority groups. They would rather see more investments in youth programs and are encouraging families to get involved.

“Reach out to your church. Reach out to your community. Reach out to your alderman. Reach out to your senators. That’s why we advocate,” Tracy Smith, a parent, said.

Father Michael Pfleger hopes the city’s decisionmakers are listening.

“I hope they understand that the youth know what they want, the youth know what they’re looking for, and the youth can be the ones that make the difference,” Pfleger said.

The organizers of the carnival say this is the first of several events planned throughout the summer.