The following article best describes Glenwood School for Boys best. In a nutshell this outfit provides education, guidance and a proper environment for some of societies troubled and endangered youth. They do a fantastic job and make a real difference. Maryville is another one in the Chicago area run by a Catholic preist. Modern day Boys Town. following the article is information on Glenwood. I should point out Glenwood is no "whitebread school", many students are minorities and truly in need (when they enter)....they come out educated, responsible and self-sufficient.
Best Regards,
Mad2
Copyright 1999 Chicago Tribune Company
Chicago Tribune
November 24, 1999 Wednesday, CHICAGO SPORTS FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 1; ZONE: N
LENGTH: 1085 words
HEADLINE: KIDS SAY THANKS TO THOSE WHO REALLY CARE;
A SCHOOL HONORS THE HEROES IN 3 BOYS' LIVES-- FROM THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
BYLINE: By Virginia Groark, Tribune Staff Writer.
BODY:
Philip Schouten lost both of his legs above the knee in Okinawa while serving in the 77th Infantry during World War II. But it was the way he stepped in to take care of his four grandchildren when their home life had fallen apart that made him a hero in the eyes of his grandson, Mike Krob.
Three years ago, Krob's family life was unstable. His father, a drug addict, had abandoned his children. His mother was an alcoholic. And just when Krob felt like he had nothing left to look forward to, his 73-year-old grandfather took his four grandchildren into his home.
On Tuesday, Krob, 14, had a chance to publicly thank his grandfather for his generosity by giving Schouten the Glenwood School for Boys' Medal of Courage before a crowd of more than 600 people at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. He and two other boys read award-winning essays at the school's 51st annual Thanksgiving luncheon about people in their lives who exemplified courage.
"I felt like my life should end right then and there," Krob said in writing of his turbulent home life. "But just when I thought it was all over, my grandpa took me into his home to live with him.
"He gave me an opportunity to start all over in a new society," Krob continued, shortly before draping a gold medallion around his grandfather's neck. "So when I moved in, he gave me a chance to come to Glenwood School for Boys. Ever since then, I have improved a lot. I found out that there are people in the world that wanted to help me out. I found out that there are schools that wanted me. My life has changed a whole lot since that day he took me in."
Schouten, of Manteno, was one of three Medal of Courage recipients honored at the luncheon.
During a week when people are gathering to recognize what they are thankful for, the three Glenwood students were given an opportunity to pay an emotional tribute to the role models in their lives.
"Your unswerving dedication to these young men and your courageous example serves as an inspiration to old and young alike," George S. Spindler, chairman of the board of trustees' executive committee, told the honorees. "You serve not in the glare of publicity but quietly, unsung."
The original school, on Chicago's Northwest Side, was founded in 1887 as the Illinois Industrial Training School for Boys by President Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, and Oscar Dudley, an agent of the Illinois Humane Society. Its mission then and now was to serve disadvantaged boys whose lives have been disrupted by death, divorce, desertion or poverty, though over the years the focus has shifted from farming and trades to academics.
In 1889, a board member donated a 300-acre farm south of the city to expand the school and ensure its future. In 1994, a second campus opened in west suburban St. Charles. Families pay whatever tuition they can afford--an average of $75 a month per student--toward the $2,000 per month it costs to care for the boys at the school, which is privately funded. Boys may live and attend school there from 2nd through 8th grade, at which point they may continue to live on campus while attending high school elsewhere.
The school first awarded a Medal of Courage in 1997 when it kicked off a $14 million capital campaign. But unlike in previous years when the school honored prominent officials such as Illinois Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan, Glenwood officials decided this year to redirect the focus and let the students write essays about people who had influenced their lives.
"What we said to them is, 'We are looking for someone who you feel shows courage in his or her everyday life,' " said Lisa Corrao, school director of development and communications. "Someone who is more quietly courageous, not a celebrity, not a superstar.
Of the approximately 280 students at the private school, about 225 submitted essays, according to John F. Irwin, school president.
A committee comprised of the Glenwood administration, directors from the school's Glenwood and St. Charles campuses and members of the board of trustees selected the winning essays.
Though Tuesday's honorees were notified of the award more than a week ago, the medal recipients did not know what the boys had written until Tuesday's
luncheon. Standing on a stage in front of a sea of faces, they smiled nervously and occasionally blinked back tears as the students told the school community why the nominees were so courageous.
Frances Wolfe, who was nominated by her 16-year-old grandson, was floored.
"I can't even put them (my feelings) into words," the 61-year-old Calumet City resident said after the event. "It was truly a blessing you know. I tell you, when I first heard about it I was speechless. I thank God, because all of my efforts, you know, were not in vain--all that I've put into Antoine (Baker)."
Reading from his essay, Baker said he wanted to pay tribute to his grandmother "who has faced many heart-breaking tasks in her life." In addition to caring for Baker's great-grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Wolfe took care of her daughter--Baker's mother--Pamela Copeland, who died of colon cancer in 1995. She was 37.
"Then my grandmother had another responsibility," Baker said. "She had to raise me, her grandson, after raising three of her own kids. She had to make sure I had clothes, and she had to take me to school and pick me up from school.
He added: "And I think she deserves this medal because if she didn't have the courage, I don't know how she would have made it through all the hard times in her life."
Joe Gengler, 13, wrote about his mother, Mary Gengler, 33, of Aurora, who decided to send him to Glenwood a month ago after he fell in with a bad crowd. Gengler was staying out as late as 1 a.m. on weekdays and getting failing grades, his mother said.
Since he started at Glenwood, the younger Gengler's grades have turned around. Just last week when his mother took him to a restaurant, he held the door open for her and addressed people, "Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am." his mother said.
To thank her for sticking by him, Gengler nominated his mother for the Medal of Courage.
"When I was younger and our family was having problems, my mom was the one who took everything upon herself," he told the crowd, as his mother smiled at him. "She protected me no matter what. Every time I got hurt, she was there for me. Every time I left when I shouldn't have, she would go out looking for me when gangs were out.
"Mom has always been there," he said.
GRAPHIC: PHOTOPHOTO (color): Philip Schouten, 73, makes his way to the microphone Tuesday after receiving the Glenwood School for Boys' Medal of Courage from his 14-year-old grandson, Mike Krob. Tribune photo by Chuck Berman.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: November 24, 1999
GLENWOOD SCHOOL FOR BOYS
18700 S HALSTED ST
GLENWOOD, IL 60425-1397 UNITED STATES
TEL: 708-754-0175 FAX: 708-754-7834
ABI-NO: 150428126
COUNTY: 17031 COOK
POPULATION: 1 - 24,999 AA
CARRIER-CODE: C001
PRI-SIC: 821103 SCHOOLS
2ND-SIC: 839998 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
FRANCHISE: ELEMENTARY
JUNIOR HIGH
PRESCHOOL
PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL
LOC-SALES: UNKNOWN LL
BUSINESS-SIZE: 1 - 299 STUDENTS AA
LOC-EMPLOYEES: 120
PAR-EMPLOYEES: UNKNOWN
BUSINESS-ORG: FIRM
EXECUTIVES: JOHN IRWIN, CEO
LINDA HEISER, VP FINANCE
AD-SIZE: REGULAR LISTING
CREDIT: INSTITUTIONAL
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: January 19, 1999 |
