Fatherhood Symposium at St. Sabina Church Focuses on Crime Prevention, Protecting Children

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2014 Annual Symposium of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood (ICRF) calls on fathers to unite for the protection of children in response to the pandemic of street violence. Governor-appointed Chairman Jeffery Leving will host the free event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 11th at St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78^th Place in Chicago. Registration opens at 12 noon.

Father Michael Pfleger will welcome participants, followed by speakers who will offer unique insights and solutions to the heartbreaking headlines of violence dominating today's news. Chairman Leving will moderate.

Featured speakers include:

• Howard Lathan, Chicago Area Project, Changing the Culture of Violence – Strengthening the Communities of Men, a panel discussion
• Robert Messemer, FBI Special Agent (retired) Protecting Our Children from Internet Risks
• Dr. Odel Sterling, III, D.Min., Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation, A Father's Story of Loss
• LaVonte Stewart, Executive Director of Lost Boyz, Scoring a Homerun Against Crime

Invited special guests include:

• IL Gov. Pat Quinn
• U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis

About the ICRF
The ICRF council is comprised of experts from all professions and walks of life. Each member is dedicated to strengthening families by supporting unwed and divorced dads in Illinois. The goal of the symposium is to empower fathers and provide them survival strategies to take home.

Chairman Leving, a fathers' rights attorney and advocate serves at the pleasure of the governor. His latest book, How to Be a Good Divorced Dad, was endorsed by the Archdiocese of Chicago and praised by President Obama.

"The ICRF is here to help discover a solution to the issue of father absence by promoting positive paternal involvement and contributing resources to support all fathers in all communities," said Chairman Leving. 

Positive father involvement has been shown to improve academic test scores, reduce teenage pregnancy, and encourage confidence in children. Chairman Leving and ICRF council members want to ensure that fathers are provided the essential support and parenting tools to assume the important role they play in their children's lives.

Contact:
Zion Banks
[email protected]
312.296.8656

SOURCE Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood