A group of dedicated parents, youth, and community residents with the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) worked collaboratively with the leadership of District 89, Proviso Township, and the Village of Maywood to create the Smart Routes to School initiative that placed trained youth advocates outside of Irving Middle School during arrival and dismissal of classes and in the surrounding area for the 2019-2020 school year. Due to the pandemic, the initiative was put on hold.  We have heard from many parents, students, and residents that our youth often face dangers because of the risk of violence, inattentive drivers, bullying, and even ill-intentioned strangers. The Smart Routes to School initiative created safer routes for children and families to walk, connect with the community, and take ownership of their neighborhood. Routes were cleared of loiterers, fights were de-escalated, and bullying was reduced by the presence of the youth advocates and their mentorship. With the start of the new school year this fall, we need to make sure that Smart Routes to School starts as well.  

We need to show the leaders of Maywood, Proviso Township and District 89 that the community supports investing resources once again and for years to come into the Smart Routes to School initiative. This initiative requires the active support of governmental, school districts, and community and faith-based organizations. Support the parents and youth leaders of CSPL today by signing and sharing it on your social media pages, via email, text, and bringing your family and neighbors on board. The time is now.

We will be meeting with the leaders of Maywood, Proviso Township and District 89 over the next several weeks and we will be delivering the signatures of support at these meetings to show them that the community is behind this initiative.