Second Annual "Parkway Plays for Peace"

Parkway Center City Middle College students have invited police officers from the 16th District to play in a friendly flag football tournament to help build community-police relationships and to raise money for "Moms Bonded by Grief". "The moms", as we call them, use the funds to support the children of families who have lost loved ones to violence. They hold holiday parties and sponsor overnight trips, among other things. Our students will pay a fee to attend, and those fees go straight to "Moms Bonded by Grief". Staff and students will also use our social media connections to raise funds.

On a personal note, I wasn't sure how students would feel about outreach to the police when we returned to school in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. In fact, I predicted there would not be much interest. But as soon as we were in person, students started stopping me in the hallway asking me when we were going to start planning. When I asked about their feelings about police relations, invariably they responded that the state of those relations is exactly why they (we) need more opportunities to build trust. I hope you will consider encouraging this sense of optimism with your donation.

-Maureen Boland

Parkway Center City Middle College Teacher