CHICAGO, July 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bella
Cuisine Kids Cooking Club (BCKCC), a CPS after school program
for students 8 – 15 focused on the benefits of healthy eating
snagged a $25,000 'Peace Grant' award
from the Emerson Collective, a philanthropic
organization founded by Laurene Powell
Jobs, wife of the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Their "youth advisory council"
awarded BCKCC the grant so they can continue their innovative
partnership with Chicago Police
that pairs officers with the students on different turf – the
kitchen.
Just over a year ago, Bella Cuisine began Cooking with
Cops, an innovative program that pairs Chicago police officers with at-risk youth in
an effort to foster positive interactions among young people and
police. BCKCC believes this coming together in a safe, relaxed, fun
environment is the first step in changing negative perceptions of
the police.
Last Wednesday, the BCKCC students and their CPD partners from
the Area North CART Team and the 7th District Englewood
CAPS, came together to prepare a special luncheon for Mayor
Rahm Emanuel and members of the
City Council. It was there that the Mayor entered a
resolution of support for the organization, and made the
announcement about the Emerson Collective Grant. Earlier that
morning Alderman Derrick
Curtis, an early supporter of Bella Cuisine, held a
press conference about the grant alongside founder Latrice McArthur.
"The Bella Cuisine Kids Cooking Club prides itself on promoting
healthy eating in underserved areas of Chicago, while teaching kids about nutrition
and health, skills that will last them a lifetime," says McArthur.
"Receiving the Peace Grant will allow us to involve more youth in
our popular 'Cooking with Cops' program that not only teaches youth
culinary skills, but also fosters positive interactions with our
police officers."
Superintendent Eddie Johnson
became a fan of the program after visiting a class at Moos
Elementary School earlier this year. "There was a special
kind of teamwork going on as the officers and the students whipped
up their recipes," said Johnson, "cooking has a way of bringing
people together ... especially when it's time to enjoy the
results!"
The "Peace Grant" program received nearly 300 grant requests.
Winners were selected based on ingenuity and a demonstrated plan to
provide youth a role in making their communities safer and more
peaceful. All grants awarded will run through the end of the
year.
To learn more or to support Bella Cuisine Kids Cooking Club
visit www.bella-cuisine.com.
Follow the conversation using #bellacuisine, #cookingwithcops,
#peacegrants, #emersoncollective
ABOUT BCKCC
BCKCC was founded seven years ago to demonstrate to youth the
benefits of healthy eating. Today BCKCC engages nearly 500
students, ages 8 - 15 in schools on Chicago's South and West sides and the program
has been recognized as part of Chicago City Clerk Susana A. Mendoza's "Culinary Kids Initiative".
The BCKCC message is simple, make healthy eating a part of your
daily life and encourage families to cook together and cook from
scratch.
About the Chicago Police
Department
The Chicago Police Department,
as part of, and empowered by, the community, is committed to
protect the lives, property, and rights of all people, to maintain
order, and to enforce the law impartially. We will provide quality
police service in partnership with other members of the community.
To fulfill our mission, we will strive to attain the highest degree
of ethical behavior and professional conduct at all times.
About the Emerson Collective
We are an organization dedicated to removing barriers to
opportunity so people can live to their full potential. Established
by Laurene Powell Jobs, we center
our work on education, immigration reform, the environment and
other social justice initiatives. We use a wide range of tools and
strategies—partnering with entrepreneurs and experts, parents and
policymakers, advocates and administrators—to spur change and
promote equality.
Contact:
|
P.
Andrews-Keenan
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Tallulah
Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
P.Keenan1@comcast.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
312-206-2821
(cell)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twitter:
@PKeenan1
|
|
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160726/393065
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bella-cuisines-innovative-cooking-with-cops-program-wins-peace-grant-300304244.html
SOURCE The Bella Cuisine Kids Cooking Club