Cantigny Park and the League of Women Voters invite the public to their next Civic Awareness Series program on Thursday, September 8, at 7 pm. The program, offered in-person and online, will address violence in our communities and how to restore safety.
Scheduled panelists include Phil Andrew, Principal of PAX Group, a crisis and conflict management consultancy; and Chris Paterson, Assistant Secretary for the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP).
Andrew was previously the Director of Violence Prevention for the Archdiocese of Chicago and served in the City of Chicago’s Office of Violence Prevention. A former FBI special agent, Phil has led hostage negotiation teams and has expertise in violence prevention, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and crimes against children. He is an adjunct instructor at Northwestern and DePaul Universities and advises the National Security and Human Rights Law Center at Kent College of Law.
Paterson, before creating the OFVP, was the Chief Program Officer at Friends of the Children-Chicago, an organization that provides children facing the greatest obstacles with paid, professional mentors. Prior to joining Friends of the Children, Chris was Senior Director of Programs and Policy for the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. He has been a thought partner and implementer for Chicago's largest violence intervention efforts, READI Chicago and Community Partnering 4 Peace.
Registration is not required for those attending the September 8 program at the Cantigny Park Visitors Center, and parking is free. Online participants should register at Cantigny.org to receive a Zoom link.
Questions may be submitted in advance to blaimins@gmail.com.
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League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy and does not support or oppose any political parties or candidates. Learn more at my.lwv.org/
About Cantigny Park
Cantigny Park, part of the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation and located in Wheaton, Illinois, is the 500-acre estate of Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It is home to the McCormick House, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitors Center with a banquet and meeting facilities, café, gift shop and theater. More information is online at Cantigny.org, including hours, directions, and upcoming events.