ISSA's brunch photos

Using a mixture of public policy, youth advocacy and professional development, among other means, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (ISSA) has helped keep schools safe state-wide for over a decade.

As the alliance held its annual brunch Oct. 17 at HUB51, members took a moment to reflect on recent accomplishments as well as future goals.

“This group works on the beginning of the problem. I work with plenty of orgs that deal with the end result (therapy, depression, suicide prevention),” said principal supporter Dan Polzin. Polzin was referring to ISSA’s proactive approach of quelling bullying before it leads to long-term problems.

The alliance works in many different capacities throughout Chicago, from advising and creating gay-straight alliances, to leading professional development with educators. Most recently, they partnered with legislators to pass an unprecedented piece of anti-bullying legislation.

Gov. Pat Quinn, who attended the brunch, signed the Prevent School Violence Illinois Act bill into law on Gay Pride Sunday (June 27) at Nettelhorst Elementary, one of the most gay-friendly schools in the city. The bill clearly defines bullying and ensures that all schools have a comprehensive anti-bullying policy.

During the brunch three awards were given: Advocates of the Year (State Sen. Kimberly Lightford and State Rep. Karen Yarbrough), Activist of the Year (Dillin Dee) and Ally of the Year (Ernst & Young). “For me, the most important part of the Alliance is policy,” said Crystal Ramirez, 16, of Lincoln Park High School. “We just passed the non-discrimination policy and we are trying to implement it at all of the different schools.”

“Schools are not places of zero tolerance, but places of zero apathy. There should be nothing that goes on in our schools that no one cares about,” said Executive Director Shannon Sullivan. Text by Blair Mishleau and photos by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com).