I get a daily email from Marcus Ahmed detailing any and every activity going on at my high school alma mater, Hales Franciscan. Most times they serve as reminders of an alumni meeting, a school activity or the death of one of our alumni or a family member. Today I got a message that felt like the subject line read “bereavement notice.”
Without getting too entrenched into the emotional side of this news, allow me to speak plainly. If Hales Franciscan does not receive $300,000 within the next four weeks, it will be shutting its doors. This information was shared in a press release on May 4 by Joseph P. Moffa, chair of the Hales Franciscan board of trustees. He attributes lack of enrollment and the slow economic recovery as just two reasons for the school’s plight.
Hales is located in the inner city of Chicago and has traditionally been an all-boys school. Last year it switched to coed in order to boost the diminishing enrollment.
For the past 50 years Hales has represented educational excellence and integrity. Alumni such as myself speak of the long-lasting brotherhood we have fostered over the years and how it has helped us to grow and become better human beings. The school has been able to keep it doors open because of generous contributions by Michael Jordan and John Canning.
Save Hales Franciscan High School!
A GoFundMe page has been set up to aid in this effort. To help the school raise $300,000, please donate funds at https://www.gofundme.com/sc8gej4 or you can send your donation directly to The Hales Franciscan Donation Fund, 4930 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago Ill., 60615-2608. If you can’t donate, simply share this page.
Hales has been a shining example of what is right in our communities and proves that #BlackLivesMatter. In Virum Perfectum translated means “Unto Perfect Manhood.” Help Hales continue this legacy of greatness.
Twitter: @precise_chi
Eddy Lamarre aka Precise is a hip-hop artist-writer-actor from Chicago. The Chicago Reader recognized “Ladies Love Mixtapes” his latest release as one of the best projects of 2014. Listen/Buy Ladies Love Mixtapes at: https://precise.bandcamp.com/album/ladies-love-mixtapes-the-ep
