HEAR US Inc. is gathering hundreds of supporters for the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act. The event features Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and
Mary.
Back in August 1993, Ms. Boatwright’s three children were denied their right to stay in Indian Prairie District 204 schools they attended before becoming homeless. That conflict, settled against the family in court, led to
1994 passage of the Illinois Education for Homeless Children Act, the first
state legislation in the nation to clarify the civil rights of homeless
students. During months of court appearances and legislative hearings, Ms.
Boatwright spoke up for her children, keeping them out of the massive media coverage.
Diane Nilan, president and founder of the national
Naperville-based nonprofit HEAR US, hoped to reconnect with this family for
years as she traversed the country in her small motorhome raising awareness of
homeless children and youth. On the road since 2005, the former shelter
director at Hesed House has made several acclaimed documentaries used to
enlighten and inspire audiences about the plight and promise of homeless
families and youth.
After failing to locate Ms. Boatwright, she turned to the
HEAR US board for help, and they succeeded. In several conversations with her last month, the two got caught up on the past 20 years. Among other topics, the success of Boatwright's three children delighted Nilan. Sadly, the family will not be able to attend the May 8 event.
The Illinois law, nicknamed “Charlie’s Bill” for the bill’s
poster child, 4-year-old Charles depicted in
Nilan hopes that families staying at Hesed House in 1993 and beyond will attend
the event. The camaraderie during the court fight and subsequent legislative
advocacy campaign provided an empowering undercurrent for their shelter stay. “These
families benefited by the courageous action of Ms. Boatwright and her children,
and by the enlightened action of the Illinois legislature,” Nilan said. She
points out that millions of homeless students have also benefited by this
little-heralded civil rights legislation.
HEAR US will honor The Law Project of the Chicago Coalition
for the Homeless and Professor Laura Vazquez, Northern Illinois University
documentary maker, for their efforts on behalf of homeless children/youth
educational rights.
The event begins at 6:30 and is open to the public. Suggested
donation is $10 to benefit HEAR US. Area chefs Francois and Betsy Sanchez,
longtime supporters of Nilan’s efforts, are providing substantial hors d
oeuvres for the event. A cash bar will be available. HEAR US books and videos
will be available for purchase. More
information available at www.hearus.us.
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