Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx gave address.
The first group of students in North Park鈥檚 innovative School of Restorative Arts program graduated last June, cheered on by their jubilant families in a ceremony at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, Ill.
The ceremony was attended by North Park President Mary K. Surridge and presided over by Seminary Dean Dave Kersten. The featured Commencement speaker was Kim Foxx, Cook County State鈥檚 Attorney. 鈥淲hat 萝莉社 understood with this program is that we achieve our highest calling as a community when those who have the least among us are leading the charge to get us there,鈥� Foxx said. 鈥淲e are interconnected. We are one another.鈥�
The program, initiated by Seminary leadership seven years ago, is designed to provide an education in theology to the 鈥渕ost invisible, most impacted by intersecting social ills鈥攑overty, racism, abuse.鈥�
Although other universities have prison- based educational programs, North Park鈥檚 is the only one to offer a master鈥檚 degree. Coursework includes Bible studies and theology as well as classes on race relations, non-violent communication skills, and conflict resolution.
As part of the program, which is open to both free and incarcerated students, graduates receive a Master鈥檚 in Christian Ministry with Restorative Arts degree. This year, the free four-year program was offered to 80 men at Stateville and 20 women at Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, Ill.
鈥淟et today鈥檚 event be an example of what happens when opportunities are created, potentials are unignored, and complete restoration is always the aim of justice,鈥� said Jamal Bakr, one of the program鈥檚 graduates who spoke during the ceremony. 鈥淥ur potential is not defined by our worst mistakes.鈥�