Antonia Pillot’s parents struggled after leaving the military—with finances, drug addiction and incarceration. For a time, Antonia and her four sisters lived with their grandmother. But Chicago LAMP (Lawndale AMACHI Mentoring Program) kept her grounded and focused. Antonia has known the organization’s executive director Betty Allen-Green, Ed.D., since she was in pre-school.
“The mentor that Dr. Green paired me with helped me navigate my feelings and understand that drug abuse is an illness and something I shouldn’t have a cold heart towards my parents about,” Antonia says. “Having a mentor helped me stay on top of my goals and she held me accountable.” Antonia, now a charter school teacher, has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and plans to pursue a doctorate in education.
Chicago LAMP was modeled after the National AMACHI Program, which focuses on children impacted by incarceration. AMACHI is a Nigerian Ibo phrase that means: “Who knows but what God has brought us through this child.” Children of incarcerated parents are at higher risk for emotional and behavioral problems, poor academic performance and involvement in the juvenile justice system.
“We started mentoring only those children whose parents were incarcerated,” says Dr. Green. “However, we realized that every child in North Lawndale would benefit from a mentor. Our mission is to see that every child has the opportunity to live a successful life, and we do that by providing educational opportunities, including tutoring; restorative justice and peace circles; a violence prevention initiative; and anything to help a child live a successful life.”
Having a mentor helped me stay on top of my goals and she held me accountable.
Antonia Pillot
Chicago LAMP works in six schools, currently serving about 160 youth in North Lawndale, where the now-retired Dr. Green was a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal. “After retiring, I wanted to be there to support this community and the children within it,” she says. The organization’s mentors and programs have supported over 1,500 youth.
LAMP offers summer youth employment and an after-school program. “When there is a program that they can attend after school, where they can learn, but also serves as a safe haven, it makes a great difference in their lives.” Dr. Green says.
Antonia has fond memories of activities at LAMP—from working in community gardens and clearing abandoned lots, to visiting farms and touring a downtown bank. Sessions at LAMP taught her to better listen and understand people and refrain from judging. She credits the emotional intelligence and stability that she gained for her success. “When you feel better emotionally,” Antonia says, “that helps you perform better in all aspects of your life.”
Through the Robert R. McCormick Communities Fund, dedicated people across Chicagoland help make sure that every child and family has opportunities to achieve their goals. With your support, we can create new possibilities and help make countless dreams come true. Funding from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Communities Fund assists organizations on the South and West Sides of Chicago to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children, young adults, and families each and every day.
