[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” text_orientation=”center” content_max_width=”none” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” background_image=”https:\/\/thefreadomroadfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-freadom-road.jpg” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Carl Alaimo, Sr., Psy.D.” position=”Advisor” admin_label=”Carl Alaimo” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Dr. Alaimo retired December 2007 after 26\u00bd years of service as the Director and Chief Psychologist of Mental Health Services at Cermak Health Services of Cook County. Cermak is the on site health care provider for the Cook County Department of Corrections (Cook County Jail). The Cook County Jail is the largest single site jail facility in the United States serving an average daily census of 10,000 detainees.<\/p>\n
Dr. Alaimo has over forty years experience in the fields of mental health service, chemical dependency and substance abuse treatment. He has provided training and program assistance to jail and prison mental health and substance abuse programming. Dr. Alaimo has worked closely with the State of Illinois Division of Mental Health, the Circuit Court of Cook County – Criminal Justice Division, and the Chicago Police Department Crisis Intervention Team creating major changes in the provision of mental health care to incarcerated mentally ill detainees during and after incarceration.<\/p>\n
Dr. Alaimo currently teaches about the mentally ill incarcerated and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training at the Cook County Sheriff\u2019s Bureau of Training and Education, and with MH Consultants on Crisis Intervention Team training.<\/p>\n
Dr. Alaimo has served on the Board of Directors member for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Illinois, NAMI-Greater Chicago, and Thresholds Inc.<\/p>\n
Dr. Alaimo is the recipient of the 2007 State of Illinois Department of Mental Health Forensic Services Award, the 2007 Illinois National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Heroes In the Fight Award, and the 2005 National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Greater Chicago Mike Flannery Community Service Award, and the recipient of the Illinois Psychological Association 2005 Humanitarian Award. Dr. Alaimo is a 1998 Join Together National Leadership Fellow from Boston University School of Public Health.
\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”The Honorable William J.P. Banks” position=”Advisor, First Donor” admin_label=”William J.P. Banks” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Known as the \u201cLeader of Readers,\u201d the Honorable William J.P. Banks was the longest serving Alderman of the 36th Ward of the City of Chicago. In addition to his countless innovations and contributions, he supported three libraries and built a new multimillion dollar library in his Ward, was tireless in his support of lifelong reading, early childhood education, children and the annual Chicago Public Library Summer Reading Program.<\/p>\n
As principal in the law firm of Schain Banks Kenny and Schwartz LTD he counsels his clients on matters relating to land use, zoning, real estate development, real estate tax reduction, litigation strategy, developer incentives and state, county and federal governmental relations and approvals.<\/p>\n
In conjunction with his role as Alderman, The Honorable William J.P. Banks served as Chairman of the City Council\u2019s Committee on Zoning, and Chairman of the Mayor\u2019s Zoning Reform Commission which was responsible for updating and rewriting the City of Chicago Zoning Ordinance.<\/p>\n
Prior to his election as Alderman, The Honorable William J.P. Banks served as Chief Research Aide and Legal Counsel to U.S. Congressman Morgan F. Murphy. He later handled over 10,000 cases in his position as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago.<\/p>\n
He is the former 36th Ward Democratic Committeeman and former Treasurer of the Cook County Democratic Party.
\nHe has won over 600 awards for civic and professional achievements.
\n[\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_toggle title=”Education” admin_label=”Edu Toggle” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Bar Admissions” admin_label=”Bar Toggle” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Honors and Awards” admin_label=”Honors Toggle” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Leah Steele” position=”Advisor” admin_label=”Leah Steele” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Leah Steele, Director of the Irish Heritage Center Library, has a long history of leadership in educational, cultural and civic organizations in the Chicagoland area.<\/p>\n
During her tenure as Director of the Hild Regional Library which served the entire north side of Chicago she oversaw the construction of the new Conrad Sulzer Regional Library building. As Director she initiated collections, exhibits, programs and services that ensured support of all segments of the service population including small businesses, home schoolers as well as traditional students, the hearing impaired, artists and historians, among others. In recognition of these efforts Chicago Magazine cited the Conrad Sulzer Regional Library as the best library in Chicago for two consecutive years.<\/p>\n
Ms. Steele has served on the boards of numerous Not-for-profit organizations. She has held many offices including President of the Kiwanis Club of Lake View Chicago \u2013 part of an international organization serving the children of the world – Secretary of Chicago Ravenswood Lake View Historical Association and Vice President of the Edgewood Women\u2019s Club. She also serves on the boards of Chicago Bulldog Media and Friends of Lake View High School.<\/p>\n
She has received numerous awards including the Kiwanis Club Bridge Builder Award, the Conrad Sulzer Award, the Korean Artist Association Promoter of Arts Award, Swedish Covenant Partner Award and the Arthur Telcer Award presented personally to her by an Illinois Governor.
\n[\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_team_member name=”Frank Nicholas” position=”Advisor” admin_label=”Frank Nicholas Heading” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_toggle title=”Bio” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Frank Toggle” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Fifty years of professional experience in art direction and the creative process of advertising including 40-years in management roles. Advertising agencies Frank worked for were Campbell-Mithun and Erwin Wasey, in Minnesota, Tatham, Laird & Kudner and Leo Burnett Company in Chicago. Frank was the designer of Chicago’s Best Show award, and was part of a secret committee of Chicago ad people that helped get the show started. Frank has won awards in numerous advertising and design competitions including: Clio Awards, New York Art Director’s Club Show, Chicago International Film Festival, The One Show, Effie Awards, Globus Awards, Addy Gold Award, Hermes Award, Art Director’s Club of Minneapolis and St. Paul, 100 Best Television Awards, etc. His ads and creative work have been featured in several editorial magazine articles such as Art Direction, Ad Age, Ad Week, Chicago Midwest Flash and others. Along with his numerous commercial client responsibilities, Frank was called upon to design and produce Christmas Cards and gift packages for Leo Burnett Company for over 20-years. He has created and produced hundreds of television commercials, print ads and package designs, winning prestigious awards in several categories. Since 1970, Frank has been actively involved in prison ministry where he taught an Art class at PACE Institute within the walls of Cook County Jail. During his ministry at PACE, some of Frank’s experiences are included in a book titled \u201cThe Man Who Keeps Going To Jail\u201d… a story about Rev. John Erwin, founder of PACE Institute. PACE is now a significant part of Safer Foundation where detained men and women continue to work toward their GEDs and become law abiding citizens. Frank teaches Art to home-schooled children, creates advertising and other creative work for many charitable organizations including Safer Foundation, John Howard Association of Illinois, Inner City Impact, Chicago Crime Commission, Pacific Garden Mission and the Freadom\u00ae Road Foundation.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Monique McBride” position=”Advisor – Parent Participant Representative” admin_label=”Monique McBride” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Monique McBride has the distinctions of being our first and longest program participant, as well as our first official parent participant representative advisor. <\/p>\n
Long before being invited by us to be an advisor, she had taken the initiative in exemplifying that role. She has shared our program possibilities with other parents; shared ideas for topics and titles of books, and modeled the success of our literacy programs in her own children’s lives.<\/p>\n
It was thrilling to hear her tell us how she was offered a job at her daughters’ day care because the owner’s noticed how well she had prepared her own children to read and love books. <\/p>\n
It was not an easy achievement. When her daughter was only four months old, Monique found herself homeless and living in a shelter. Her drive to overcome that situation and give her child the best learning opportunities led her to seek participation in Family Focus, a family support organization, and through them, The Freadom\u00ae Road Foundation. Monique participated wholeheartedly in both programs, thriving economically, finding a home, and eventually moving to Indiana. Throughout it all, including the birth of three other daughters, Monique continued to lead her children in learning to read and loving to learn.<\/p>\n
It is clear that Monique is a special, protective, loving and energized parent – a leader and teacher. Perhaps her own words show it best:[\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_testimonial admin_label=”Monique Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I was born in Chicago, Illinois. I am a dedicated mother of four beautiful, smart girls. From the day I was a child until now I was a protector. I love seeing children grow and showing off their talents. On August 5, 2014, God blessed me with my rainbow baby. She came out smart doing things other babies weren’t doing at her age. So I decided to put her talents to a test. I was in a program called Family Focus that helps young pregnant mothers in different stages of pregnancy. After I had lost my first baby I still stayed and helped other mothers learn about the importance of having a safe delivery.<\/p>\n
Then God blessed me with another rainbow baby. At that time a new program came to Family Focus called The Freadom\u00ae Road Foundation – which was perfect because she loves books.<\/p>\n
I’m still with the program, helping my beautiful girls learn about the world and bringing smiles to my kids and their teachers’ faces. Because of The Freadom\u00ae Road Foundation and my dedication to my kids, my kids are now the number one readers in their classrooms.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”Rising Star Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
On November 12, 2019, Monique McBride was awarded the “Rising Star” award at our Inaugural Fundraiser.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Darrell Anthony White Woodard, Ph.D.” position=”Advisor” admin_label=”Woodard” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Dr. Darrell Woodard is the founding editor of PEACE Readers INTL, an e-publication for helping professionals and the communities they serve. PEACE Readers INTL is a wholesome platform of healthy expression dedicated to promoting the philosophy that having access to literacy is not just for a few, but for everyone, that literacy is not just being able to read, but being able to read balanced by the related abilities of being able to speak, write, and listen effectively i.e., balanced literacy. \u201cBalanced literacy in a multicultural society increases the probability of developing marketable skills that produce social worth and economic value within the local community and the whole global family.\u201d Balanced literacy, equally accessible to all, through its social and economic values, contributes to reducing violence and creating peace.<\/p>\n
Dr. Woodard is uniquely qualified to address, support, and promote balanced literacy and peace. He has a long history of education, leadership and practice in these areas. In addition to having founded PEACE Readers INTL, he serves as Minister of the McKeesport Church of Christ in suburban Pittsburgh, PA. He is a career educator and lifelong student of education having taught Social Studies, Language Arts, Special Education as well serving as a school counselor and in multiple administrative roles including principal. He has served at every level from preschool through high school and college. Dr. Woodard has also served as a family therapist and addictions counselor. As a result of his work and expertise as educator and counselor extraordinaire, Dr. Woodard is a sought after motivational speaker.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_toggle title=”Dr. Woodard holds numerous degrees and certificates:” admin_label=”Honors Toggle” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#474747″ global_module=”3858″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” admin_label=”Facebook Follow” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheFreadomRoadFoundation” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3b5998″ global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/thefreadomroadfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/candid-seal-toolkit-gold-2023.png” title_text=”candid-seal-toolkit-gold-2023″ url=”https:\/\/www.guidestar.org\/profile\/36-4109624″ url_new_window=”on” align=”center” admin_label=”Guidestar Gold 2023″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dr. Alaimo retired December 2007 after 26\u00bd years of service as the Director and Chief Psychologist of Mental Health Services at Cermak Health Services of Cook County. Cermak is the on site health care provider for the Cook County Department of Corrections (Cook County Jail). The Cook County Jail is the largest single site jail […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":5,"menu_order":50,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
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