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Citizen

Neighborhood Heroes Honored for Leadership During Recent Awards Ceremony — Page 3 Week of Nov. 14, 2018

| Vol. 54 | No. 33 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHATHAM SOUTHEAST

CHICAGO ACTIVIST AIMS TO REPLACE GUNS WITH HAMMERS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE

NEWS

Bobbi Wilsyn Receives Black Excellence Award From African American Arts Alliance of Chicago PAGE 3

BUSINESS

Social media … you can’t get away from it, so do it the right way PAGE 4

FASHION

Fashion Designer Mieka Joi Celebrates Rich Girl Candy Clothing Five Year Anniversary Fusing EDM and Hip Hop Culture PAGE 5

Demetrius Nash (pictured) recently founded Replace Guns With Hammers, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce violence in Chicago by giving young men an opportunity to work on a building renovation. Photo Credit: Provided by Demetrius Nash

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION

CPS STUDENTS COOK UP CHANGE Students from Chicago Public High Schools are Cooking up Change today at Skyline Lofts at the Bridgeport Art Center located on 1200 W. 35th Street. The event is part of Healthy Schools Campaign’s annual healthy cooking contest and fundraiser. Cooking up Change is a culinary competition founded by Healthy Schools Campaign that challenges student chefs to create healthy and delicious school meals that their peers will enjoy, while meeting strict nutritional standards and a tight budget, about $1.40 per meal —constraints schools deal with every day. The winning team’s dishes will be served at Chicago Public Schools next semester. The students will also win scholarships to a culinary school.

HEALTH

WHERE WILL THE NEXT BIG IDEA IN HEALTHCARE COME FROM? JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS COUNTING ON NURSES Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) recently launched a new campaign that does more than just recognize nurses as critical partners on the front lines of health care – it empowers them as innovators. Through the “Nurses Innovate QuickFire Challenge,” Johnson & Johnson is inviting the more than 3.2 million nurses1 in the United States to submit ideas for new devices, health technologies, protocols or treatment approaches. The company has committed up to $100,000 in grants and access to mentoring and coaching via Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS. To learn more about Johnson & Johnson’s 120 years of commitment to nursing and how to apply for the Johnson & Johnson Nurses Innovate QuickFire Challenge, visit nursing.jnj. com/home.

LAW & POLITICS

ABA RELEASES HOLOCAUST-ERA BOOK ON NAZI PURGE OF JEWISH LAWYERS IN BERLIN The American Bar Association has released a historical, rule-of-law book that details how one government – Nazi Germany – systematically undermined fair and just law through humiliation, degradation and legislation leading to expulsion of Jewish lawyers and jurists from the legal profession. As the rule of law comes under attack today in both developed and Third World countries, “Lawyers Without Rights: The Fate of Jewish Lawyers in Berlin after 1933” tragically details what can happen when the just rule of law disappears — and is replaced by an arbitrary rule by law that sweeps aside the rights and dignity of selected populations. First published in German two decades ago and updated in 2007, the book includes three significant additions — forewords from Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court; Benjamin B. Ferencz, at 99 years old the sole-surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials; and Ronald D. Abramson, a Jewish lawyer and philanthropist whose family foundation, the Anne and Ronald Abramson Family Foundation, provided underwriting for this book. The price of the book is $39.95 and can be purchased by calling 800-285-2221 or by visiting shopaba.

Chicago Activist Aims To Replace Guns With Hammers To Reduce Gun Violence Continued from page 1 BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

A local activist, Demetrius Nash, recently founded the nonprofit organization Replace Guns With Hammers as a way to reduce violence in Chicago’s most underserved communities. The goal of the organization is to give young men an opportunity to work on a building renovation as an alternative to committing violence. “Replace Guns With Hammers came out of my grassroots knowledge of once being part of the problem and now I’m one of the faces of the solution,” said Nash. “I was at a community meeting and heard a lot of people saying that we needed to get the guns out of these kids hands and I literally stood up and said that I was not going to ask these young men to put down their guns and then have nothing to replace them with.” From this seemingly small community conversation, the idea for Replace Guns With Hammers was born.

“It’s literally replacing a gun with a construction hammer in these young men’s hands. Regardless of what anyone says, in our community these guns represents protection, food, shelter, money, and clothing. Guns represent a lot of things to these young men and until we raise the quality of life in these communities they are not going to put down their guns,” said Nash. Through this organization, Nash hopes to be able to engage young men, ages 18-24, who are at the highest risk of perpetrating gun violence and being victims of gun violence. The young men will serve as the workforce for vacant building renovations and as a result, they will have a positive outlet for their energy and an opportunity to learn new skills that can help them to provide for their families. “Replace Guns With Hammers is really about targeting young men that are currently in the streets and I’m talking about the shooters, not the kids that are gonna be alright. I’m talking about the kids that aren’t in school and they haven’t had any structure in their life

for a while. I want to get those men into the buildings,” said Nash. Working on vacant buildings in their own communities and on their own blocks will create a greater sense of pride and a source of hope for these young men, according to Nash. “Taking an abandoned building in their community and then making it beautiful and actually being part of that and working with their hands to build up the community will give them an incredible sense of accomplishment and achievement. It’s going to change their mindset and get them really thinking about the possibilities of what could be and what should be and how it should look in their own community,” said Nash. Currently, Replace Guns With Hammers is just getting off the ground. Nash said he is in the process of securing the first building to be renovated and he is looking to connect with experienced renovators and is accepting donations to help buy construction materials. To connect with Nash you can send him a direct message on facebook

Region’s Largest Multi-Sport and Education Center Opens On Far South Side of Chicago BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

A grand opening ceremony was recently held for the new Pullman Community Center located on 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave. The 135,000 square-foot complex features three indoor turf playing fields for baseball, soccer, football and lacrosse, three hardwood courts for volleyball and basketball, batting cages, and classrooms where free tutoring will be offered for student-athletes. “I am forever grateful to everyone for their part in making this a reality in my community. You are looking at a $20 million facility that right now has only a $2.5 million mortgage. That means that we have raised $17 million for this project and what that will do for us is make sure that the community can use this facility without digging into their pockets,” said Anthony Beale, 9th Ward Alderman. Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) residents will have the first priority for 10% of all programming and team roster slots and will have all associated fees waived. The Pullman Community Center will also provide transportation to and from the Altgeld/Murray, Trumbull and Lowden Homes at no cost to its residents. On the Far South Side,

More than 300 members of the Pullman and Roseland community celebrated the grand opening of the new $20 million Pullman Community Center at 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave. Photo Credit: Provided by the Pullman Community Center

there are about 6,600 young people between the ages of 5 and 17 who are living in CHA housing that will now have access to the Community Center, according to a press release announcing the grand opening. “More importantly, with building a facility like this, is the fact that anyone that is enrolled in this facility can receive free tutoring and ACT and SAT prep across the board. What we want to do here today is make sure that we understand that we are going to produce smart athletes in this facility,” said Beale. The Pullman Community Center has the capacity to host up to 1,200 teams and 50,000 participants and visitors annu-

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ally, according to a press release announcing the grand opening. Some of the sports programs that will be offered at the Pullman Community Center include sports skills training and coaching, league and tournament sports, 3-point shooting contests. The education programs that will be offered include, technology training, reading, writing and math skills tutoring, ACT exam prep, work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, mentoring and personal development, and sports facility management certifications. Additional programming will be offered during school holidays and vacations. “I’m glad to be here today and to have played a small role

in helping to bring this together and I’ll be coming back often. I won’t be kicking a soccer ball, but I’ll be walking through here taking a look around and knowing that this is what builds a community, what builds a neighborhood, and what gives you a vision for the future,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. The Community Center will employ as many as 100 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees, coaches, instructors, and management annually. To register for a program or for a schedule of all available programs and additional Pullman Community Center information, please visit www. pccindoorsports.com.

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

NEWS Neighborhood Heroes Honored for Leadership During Recent Awards Ceremony Six inspiring Chicagoland neighborhood heroes were recently honored by Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS), along with civic, community and corporate leaders on October 30 during The State of NHS and 9th Annual Neighborhood Leadership Awards event, which recognizes inspiring community leaders for their commitment to revitalizing their communities. This year’s honorees represent NHS’ neighborhood revitalization efforts in the following communities: Chicago Lawn – Keana Lindo was honored for her efforts to strengthen her community. For over a decade she has actively supported her community as a parent mentor and recently participated in efforts to foster better police accountability. Englewood – The P.E.A.C.E. Community Center was recognized for their efforts to provide a safe space for youth. The organization plays an instrumental role in assisting with violence

reduction efforts in the community. The Peace is also known for being a full-service CEDA Energy Assistance Site under Action Coalition of Englewood Organization (ACE). North Lawndale – North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council was honored for moving the needle on development within a community that has been overlooked for many years and spearheading the first comprehensive plan for North Lawndale in over 50 years. Chatham/Park Manor – Darlene Tribue, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater Chatham Initiative was honored for her leadership in establishing the Chatham Chicago Connection, a resource for businesses in the area. West Humboldt Park – Leticia Segura was recognized for her community leadership efforts in the 11 District CAPS Program. It was through her persistence that a building that was once a

source of drug and gang activity in the neighborhood has been vacated and in the process of being rehabbed. Woodlawn – Terrance Miller is a lifelong Woodlawn resident and pastor and was honored for dedication to his community, including the creation of a program that provides free suits and mentoring support services to men who are unemployed, underemployed, and returning citizens. Sponsors of NHS’ State of NHS and 9th annual Neighborhood Leadership Awards included: main sponsor, State Farm; drink sponsor, Revolution Brewing; community champion, Preservation for Affordable Housing; and neighborhood champion, Chicago Community Loan Fund. Attendees included nearly 300 community development leaders, elected officials, corporate friends and neighborhood residents.

Wilsyn Receives Black Excellence Award From AAAA Bobbi Wilsyn, long-time Columbia College Chicago faculty member and coordinator of the Vocal Studies program, received a 2018 Black Excellence Award from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago (AAAA) for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Music. Wilsyn was honored at the AAAA’s annual awards event held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center on Oct. 29. “It was an honor to have been nominated for the 18th annual African American Arts Alliance Black Excellence Award in Jazz, but to have been the recipient is amazing,” said Wilsyn. “I was also pleased to see many of our voice students, past and present, including Izaiah Harris (Musical Theatre major) who received the award in the category for Best Actor.” Wilsyn is an international performing artist who has been an integral member of Columbia for nearly four decades, serving in different capacities including as adjunct instructor, senior lecturer, professor of instruction, and coordinator of the Voice and Choral Ensemble. She teaches a range of techniques in contemporary singing and vocal improvisation, as well as Pop, R&B, Jazz, Blues, and Gospel. “Bobbi Wilsyn is one of Chicago’s most accomplished jazz singers. Her voice is phenomenal, her presence on stage is breathtaking, and I can think of no other jazz singer that comes close to matching her style and charisma,” said Jackie Taylor, president of the African American Arts Alliance’s board. “She is one of a kind and this Black Excellence Award is long overdue.” Interim Dean of the School of Fine and Performing Arts Rosita M. Sands credits Wilsyn for her significant contributions to the Music Department’s curriculum and distinctive focus on the performance of contemporary, urban, and popular music. “Bobbi is not only an extraordinary musician, but an incredible teacher and mentor to our students,” said Sands. “She models what it takes to sustain a long, active performance career, one filled with consistently high-caliber performances. We are all tremendously proud of Bobbi for receiving

Bobbi Wilsyn, long-time Columbia College Chicago faculty member and coordinator of the Vocal Studies program, received a 2018 Black Excellence Award from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago (AAAA) for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Music. Photo courtesy: Bobbi Wilsyn

this well-deserved honor!” Wilsyn has performed at prestigious venues across the globe and in the Chicagoland area, including the Symphony Center, Ravinia, Harris Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and Millennium Park. She has performed with Jazz greats such as Ramsey Lewis, Corky Siegel, Joe Levano, Art Hoyle, Ari Brown, and the late Jazz legends Eldee Young, Von Freeman, James Moody, Buddy DeFranco, Johnny Griffin, Billy Taylor, and Johnny Frigo. Wilsyn founded the all-female Jazz

combo, SHE, featuring some top women Jazz instrumentalists and performs with Chicago’s Eleven Jazz Divas. As a masterclass facilitator, Wilsyn has presented workshops for the Jazz Institute’s Straight-Ahead Jazz Camp and internationally in Santa Arissi, Sardenia, Conservatorio di Bari, and the Conservatorio di Pescara. She was featured with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and has presented with Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic for the performances of “Through Ella’s Eyes.” Wilsyn’s album

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It’s About Time features some of her own compositions and her one-woman shows are tributes to famous ladies of jazz as well as musical theater cabaret. The Black Excellence Awards are given to outstanding artists in the fields of film, dance, music, literature, visual arts, and theater. Each year, the Black Excellence Committee is responsible for viewing artists in a particular field for 10 months after which the most outstanding individual in each field is given the award.

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BUSINESS

Social media … you can’t get away from it, so do it the right way BY RONA BORRE

Our current digital landscape provides a wealth of opportunities for networking that may not have existed pre-social media. With this increase in “connectedness,” however, comes an even bigger increase in risk. We are now open to the critique of hiring managers before we set foot in the door for a job interview. Rona Borre, the CEO and Founder of Chicago-based staffing agency Instant Alliance AKA The Chicago Tech Connector provides her “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to maintaining a professional social media presence: DO: l Get recommendations from previous coworkers and managers. These recommendations will build the credibility of your LinkedIn profile and provide fodder for your claimed skillset. I recommend asking for recommendations soon after you transition out of the position, so your strengths and skills are top-of-mind for the people who will be writing about you. l Engage with and share articles or news relevant to your industry. Hiring managers want someone who is smart and capable, but most

Rona Borre, the CEO and Founder of Chicago-based staffing agency Instant Alliance AKA The Chicago Tech Connector provides her “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to maintaining a professional social media presence.

importantly they want someone who is passionate about their industry. Showing that you are aware of what is going on in your industry will give you a leg up on others applying for the same job. This can be as simple as sharing an article; you don’t need to

be writing your own blog posts. l Remove old photos. No potential employer wants to Google you and find that photo of you funneling beer at a tailgate in college. It may have been cool then, but it is definitely not cool now. A single photo like this

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could cost you the job before you even get an interview, and you may never even understand why. DON’T: l Badmouth brands or previous employers. This is one of my biggest

pet peeves. I don’t care if your flight was delayed or your boss was a jerk. You never know how people and brands are connected. That airline may be the largest corporate sponsor of the nonprofit you’re applying to. And if you’re venting in a public forum about a manager, it makes me question your professionalism, judgement and composure. l Connect with everyone who sends you a LinkedIn request. Obviously, it’s great to build and maintain a large online network, but I’ve gotten some pretty sketchy requests (even on LinkedIn). Once you connect with someone, they are a reflection of you. Anything they do or say online can have an impact on your presence. I recommend only accepting requests from people you know or who were referred to you by someone you know. Get political. Look, we live in a complicated political climate these days. Everyone has opinions and feels the need to express them, but you never know who your hiring manager will be. If you feel the need to express yourself on Facebook or Twitter, please change your privacy settings accordingly.

For Fourth Consecutive Year, Unity Hospice Named Winner of the Chicago Area 2018 Top Workplaces Award Unity Hospice has been awarded a 2018 Top Workplaces honor by the Chicago Tribune. This is the fourth consecutive year Unity Hospice has received the award (2018,’17,’16,’15). The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC (formerly WorkplaceDynamics), a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. “Top Workplaces is more than just recognition,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. “Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottomline results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy

workplace culture that supports employee engagement.” “Our employees are the biggest differentiator for Unity Hospice,” said President and CEO Michael Klein, founder of Unity Hospice. “For more than 26 years, they have provided the most compassionate care to our patients and families. Their caring nature is shown towards each other, too, making Unity Hospice a great place to work.” Unity Hospice is the only hospice in the greater Chicago area to receive a Top Workplace award four consecutive years. In all, more than 2,600 organizations were invited to submit, with 150 emerging as 2018 Top Workplaces. “Becoming a Top Workplace isn’t something organizations can buy,” Claffey said. “It’s an achievement organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. It’s a big deal.”

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CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

FASHION

PRNewsfoto/KISS

KISS Teams Up With alice + olivia For New Limited Edition imPRESS Press-On Manicure Designer Collection There's BIG news in nails, as KISS unveils the alice + olivia x imPRESS Press-On Manicure Collection, which launched recently. The exclusive designs are available for a limited time on imPRESSManicure.com and in select alice + olivia retail locations nationwide. Designed by Stacey Bendet for alice + olivia, the fashion-forward collection features six striking nail designs. "Like alice + olivia, imPRESS is not afraid of bold patterns or vibrant colors. They were the perfect partner to bring my nail art visions to life," says Bendet. Nail designs are trending as the ultimate fashion accessory, and the alice + olivia x imPRESS Press-On Manicure collaboration brings fashion right to your fingertips, with looks from cool casual to total glam. Nails are now the ultimate fashion accessory, and with imPRESS Press-On Manicure, you have the ability to switch up your look in just minutes. "We initially partnered with the illustrious Stacey Bendet for New York Fashion Week, creating one-of-a-kind nails for her 'Passport to Wonderland' themed SS19 presentation," says Annette DeVita-Goldstein, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing for KISS Products, Inc. "The collaboration grew into an exclusive nail collection because we strongly believe Bendet's creative vision and empowering designs are a perfect match for the innovative imPRESS brand." imPRESS Press-On Manicure achieves a one-step gel manicure in minutes with patented SuperHold Dual-Layer Adhesive for optimal wear. imPRESS requires no glue, won't damage nails and offers hassle free removal. imPRESS Press-On Manicure redefines the press-on nail experience! For more information, imPRESSManicure.com Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @imPRESSManicure @aliceandolivia #AOxIMPRESS

Mieka Joi's Rich Girl Candy fashion line celebrates five years of fashion fun with an abundance of colorful creativity meshing the cultures of electronic dance music and hip hop!

Fashion Designer Mieka Joi Celebrates Rich Girl Candy Clothing Five Year Anniversary Fusing EDM and Hip Hop Culture When clothing designer Mieka Joi introduced her Rich Girl Candy concept in 2013, fashionistas knew she was unveiling an imaginative new concept. Fusing the psychedelic exuberance of the electronic dance music (EDM) lifestyle with the street savvy of hip hop culture, Mieka's Rich Girl Candy exploded on the fashion scene with an abundance of colorful creativity. She captured the hearts of women who wanted to feel as electric as the music that sound tracked their lives. Five years later, her line has expanded beyond an activewear brand comprised of just unique hoodies, hats and t-shirts. With new additions that include her wildly popular rainbow inspired Rich Girl Candy hair extensions, shimmering Rich Girl Candy jewelry, eclectic Rich Girl Fox Fur slides, and a fun assortment of festival gear and accessories, Mieka Joi has assembled a treasure chest of opulence for luxurious shopping adventures. Actress and media personality LaLa Anthony, recording artist Monica, performing artist Teyana Taylor and rapper Trina are just a sampling of the celebrity factor who now rock and roll with Rich Girl Candy glam. Juggling entrepreneurship with motherhood, fashion and the limelight run in the family for Mieka Joi. A Chicago native, Mieka Joi is the former longtime girlfriend of NBA player Derrick Rose. Their young son, six-year-old Derrick Rose Jr., has already grabbed his own headlines as a celebrity child model and accompanies his mom on many of her business ventures. Though Rich Girl Candy is celebrating a successful five years, Mieka Joi is no newcomer to fashion. In fact, she will tell you that she was born into it! "My mom has always been into fashion, so I was her dress-up doll as a child. Even after www.thechicagocitizen.com

delivering me, my mom and dad brought me home in a Gucci GG signature fabric bassinet and baby blanket! As a child, department stores were always my preference over playgrounds! My mother's good friend was well renowned fashion designer Barbara Bates. I remember going to Barbara's shop when I was six years old. We would design purses and clothes for my dolls, and then she would help me sew and make them." Mieka Joi initially launched her career as a stylist. She attended Clark University for mass media arts, majoring in public relations, marketing and advertising and began an internship at Roc-a-Wear during her sophomore year, assisting the district buyer for the brand in Atlanta. Her first business, "Socialite Styling," offered fashion, makeup, and hair consulting to everyone as well as celebrities that included tennis champion Serena Williams, reality TV star, Malaysia Pargo and athletes Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer. Mieka Joi has special plans closing out the year in celebration of her five-year milestone. December will see her hosting a "pop up fashion museum" for rap star Trina in Miami as well as the release of her unicorn influenced holiday line. Mieka is also planning to open her first stand-alone boutique in Chicago, to support her burgeoning online business. While Rich Girl Candy's theme channels the essence of mythical creatures like unicorns and mermaids, Mieka continues to emerge as her own mythical figure, by providing fashion seekers Rich Girl Candy in all its many delightful flavors. Visit her rainbow collection at www.RichGirlCandy. com. Follow Rich Girl Candy on Instagram at @ richgirlcandy; on Facebook at @Rich Girl Candy; on Twitter at @RichGirlCandy and on Pinterest at Rich Girl Candy.

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CITIZEN ON THE GO

Monarch Foundation Awards Highlights

Pictured are members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the 35th Monarch Award Gala “A Tribute to Black Men, A Royal Affairs. The event took place recently at the Hyatt Chicago. Ms. Tonya Francisco, WGN Co-Anchor served as Mistress of Cermonies. Photo by Tamiko Jones

Phi Beta Sigma Award Dinner Highlights

The EZRA Project 7th Annual Torchbearers’ Awards Luncheon Highlight

Rev. Gloria Randolph was the recipient of The Ervin_Carter Award for Church Leadership for over 35 years of service to the Church and Community. Pictured are: Candace Carter, Daughter; Rev. Gloria Randolph and husband Reese Randolph.

Top Ladies of Distinction

Members of Top Ladies of Distinction Chicago Chapter poses for a photo during a recent event held in Chicago. Photo by CREDD. www.thechicagocitizen.com

Congratulations to the 2018 Phi Beta Sigma, Upsilon Sigma Chapter “Crescent Moon Award”, Honorees. Phi Beta Sigma Photos by Darryl Earl

CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

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CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

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CITIZEN | Chatham Southeast | Week of Nov. 14, 2018

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SERVICE

theft by keeping their Federal Student Aid ID confidential, and reporting any suspected fraudulent account activity immediately. • Sync up. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool can expedite the process by automatically syncing and populating tax return information into the FAFSA. Note: the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is currently only available for those completing the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. • File every fall. Complete the FAFSA as a high school senior, and every year in college and graduate school. Filing a new FAFSA each year is the only way to remain eligible for federal student aid, and the amount of aid can vary year-over-year. Learn more by accessing free online resources, tips, tools, videos and more, available at salliemae.com/fafsa. “For high school seniors and returning college students, the time to start thinking about next year is now,” says Martha Holler, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “The simple act of completing the FAFSA can translate into thousands of dollars to pay for college, but it’s critical to start the process early so you don’t miss out.” ________________________________________

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EDUCATION

Get a Jump Start on College Financial Aid (StatePoint) With the changing leaves and autumn chill come a few staples students can count on: fresh notebooks, fall festivals, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students heading to college next year, returning college students, and grad students can already get started on the FAFSA for academic year 2019-20, which opened for applications on Oct. 1, 2018. Completing the FAFSA is the most important step to qualify for $150 billion available in financial aid including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. What’s more, completing the FAFSA early is critical because some aid is awarded first come, first served. In addition, schools use it to assemble financial aid packages, states use it to determine eligibility for state aid, and it’s required for many scholarship applications. To help your family prepare to complete the FAFSA, Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning and paying for college company, is offering the following tips: • Be first in line. The earlier families fill out the FAFSA, the better their chances of being in line for aid. Also, those who complete and submit the FAFSA early will receive their Student Aid Report sooner and may receive financial aid award letters from schools earlier. • Bring the basics. Before beginning the application, expedite the process by getting prepared. Both parents and students should create a username and password -- a Federal Student Aid ID -and gather Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank statements, tax returns and W-2 forms. • Get connected. New this year, students and families can complete the FAFSA using the myStudentAid app on any Android or Apple device. Regardless of what device you use, remember that it’s always free, so watch out for sites that charge fees or make promises that sound too good to be true. Students can reduce the risk of identity

Some experts say taxing scholarships comes at a cost for students and scholarship providers and even the federal government. “For students, it can harm their ability to pay for their education,” says Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit scholarship and education support organization. “For providers wanting to make the biggest charitable impact, it can make providing scholarships less attractive than alternative philanthropic efforts.” With most federal financial aid calculations based on the pre-tax value of the scholarship, students risk a shortfall in aid. All of this has a disproportionate impact on low-income students. Those from the bottom income quartile spend the largest percentage of family income on higher education; almost half of that money is spent on the nontuition costs for which scholarship awards are taxable. “Taxing scholarship funds may increase government revenue in the short term, but it’s shortsighted,” says financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz. “The federal government benefits financially longterm when students graduate and have the potential to earn more taxable income.” Should They Be Taxed? Kantrowitz, along with Scholarship America’s Despina Costopoulos Emerson, say restoring scholarships’ tax-free status will help certificateand degree-seeking students, and those who must work out of necessity, pursue their education without undue financial burdens. To learn more about taxing of scholarships visit blog.scholarshipamerica.org. “Scholarship America and our partners are in ongoing talks with members of Congress, and we hope to see some progress on initiatives that will ensure qualified scholarships are available to students to pay the full cost of education and allow scholarships to be used, tax-fee, to pay for room and board, transportation and other college-related expenses,” says Ballard. “In the meantime, students and their families should research the specifics of all grants, scholarships, fellowships and tuition waivers they are offered in order to understand the true value of their financial aid package after taxes and plan accordingly.”

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