Albany Park Youth Raise Their “VOYCE”s

By Chandler Rollins

“Si se puede!” – or “Yes we can!” —  was the anthem chanted by Albany Park residents in the crowded basement of Our Lady of Mercy Church on Sept. 30, as the Albany Park Neighborhood Council celebrated 10 years of community activism.

The room was full of youth in green T-shirts ready and willing to create a change, not only in their own lives but in their community. Gov. Pat Quinn and other elected officials attended the anniversary meeting to hear the group’s concerns.

Founded in 2000 with the belief that people have the ability to learn, act and reflect together, the Albany Park Neighborhood Counci has strived to create a community where problems are solved by the residents themselves.

As one of the most diverse communities in the Chicago area, Albany Park is composed of 80 percent immigrants from more than 50 countries who have found a way to put differences aside to come together and face their community’s issues.

One of the hot topics during the anniversary meeting was whether or not funding for the VOYCE program under the Put Illinois to Work Act would be continued.

VOYCE: Voices of Youth in Chicago Education is one of the most successful programs implemented by the APNC,  said Diane Limas, an APNC volunteer and board member.

VOYCE is a youth-led collaborative that brings students between the ages of 14 to 18 together with teachers and parents to discuss and implement solutions to promote school reform. The program has involved more than 150 people at Roosevelt, Von Stueben and Mather high schools.

Approximately 50 youth in the program and numerous other graduates of VOYCE participated in the 10-year anniversary convention. Out of these students was Noeme Roman.

Roman, 18, started as a youth member of VOYCE three years ago in her junior year at Roosevelt High School. She began by going to the VOYCE office and from there started to attend meetings and retreats. Her involvement in the organization continued beyond her own self-interest when she attended an APNC meeting with Rodney Renim, where members discussed securing more government funding for the program. Roman told Renim why she thought VOYCE should receive more government funds, and asked him to make that happen. Roman says that the experience was “incredible.”

Looking back on her time and involvement with VOYCE, Roman, now a freshman at DePaul University, says, “I wouldn’t have made it to DePaul without the APNC.”

In response to APNC members’ demands for more funding, Quinn, said he would “look at the requests tonight, and do my best.”

“We will make the will of the people, the law of the land,” he promised.

Residents said they would wait to see whether Quinn would indeed secure funding for the VOYCE program and other community needs. Group leaders said they are overall confident their concerns will be addressed.

“We are very positive about the outcome of our event tonight,” said Limas. “It was important that our voices were heard and I am hopeful that the governor will look into our requests.”