In an effort to honor Chicago area veterans and inform them about a free educational opportunity program, Roosevelt University’s Veterans Upward Bound program for low-income veterans will celebrate Veterans Day with an open house and party from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9.
Hot dogs and other refreshments will be served at the event, which will be held in the university’s Herman Crown Center, 425 S. Wabash Ave., Room 310.
Designed to help veterans prepare for college, Veterans Upward Bound is a U.S. Department of Education Federal Trio Program. Veterans Upward Bound student Dumont Moore, 54, will be the featured guest speaker.
A Vietnam veteran who had a prolonged period of involvement with drugs and the penal system, Moore turned his life around with the help of Veterans Upward Bound. He earned all As at Harold Washington College and has played a leadership role in the community.
“On Veterans Day, the nation acknowledges its gratitude to veterans,” he said, “but we must also acknowledge the importance of veterans serving veterans.
Veterans Upward Bound has served hundreds of veterans at its Roosevelt University location over the past six years. Director Chris Chalko said, “It knocks the rust off veterans’ educational skills through one-on-one tutoring, classroom instruction and computer assisted learning.”
The program also helps veterans apply for admission at the college of their choice, and when in need, in applying for financial aid. Veterans Upward Bound counselors also provide enrolled veterans information regarding employment opportunities and, on occasion, housing opportunities.
Chalko said a quote by President Kennedy in 1962 is particularly appropriate today. Kennedy was quoting an unknown author whose message was written on a Sentry Box in Gibraltar:
“God and the soldier all me adore
in time of danger but not before.
When the danger has past and all things are righted, God is forgotten and the old solder slighted.”
Roosevelt University’s Upward Bound program has been serving veterans since 1995. For more information, call Chalko at (312) 341-6387.
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