Ms. Beronica is a Children's Middle School Librarian and enjoys providing creative outlets for the tween community. When she's not at work, Beronica will be found: reading, sewing, cooking, building, watching movies (especially horror), conversing in Spanish with her family, and spending time with her two, rambunctious nephews!  

Sophia Manuel is the Corrections Project Manager for READI Chicago, a program at Heartland Alliance that aims to reduce community violence by providing cognitive behavioral therapy, transitional employment, and support services to men at highest risk of involvement in gun violence. In her role, Sophia develops and manages pathways for individuals returning from incarceration to become READI Chicago participants. She also facilitates group cognitive behavioral therapy sessions for participants in Cook County Jail. Prior to joining READI Chicago, Sophia worked as an investigator of police misconduct for the City of New York for several years. Sophia holds dual master’s degrees in social work and public policy from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in development studies from Brown University.

Robin Pettigrew is the elder of three, Father, Grand Father. A resident of the southside of Chicago for most of my life, Englewood, Woodlawn and Washington Park, graduate of Dyett Middle School and DuSable Highschool. I am a certified Environmental Tech by trade and found my way into the work of social service due to being in a homeless situation at a wonderful place by the name of A Safe Haven.

There I found my passion for working with and for the community as an Outreach Specialist and a Case Aid. This journey lead me to READI Chicago in Englewood, where I am presently the Crew Lead and serve on a few committees, the Behavior Consequences Committee and the Reentry Committee.

Here we work with young men who are victims or potential victims of gun violence. The program provides the service of cognitive behavior therapy along with trainings and work experience. The READI program is one of substance and value to the communities we serve and I am very proud to be an intricate part of this service.

The Example Setters Youth Poetry Squad is a dynamic group of courageous youth committed to social justice. Under the artistic direction of Sir Taylor Since 2012. The Example Setters are a motivational youth leadership and poetry team from the city of Chicago. These dynamic youth have had the opportunity to travel Breathing Life™ in front of the Chicago Mayor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. To date the team has breathed life into over 20,000 people. The team came together because they all believe the tongue has the power of life and death. As a team, they are dedicated to saving lives . Are you ready to Set The Example?