la rabida children's hospital

Neophyte Neo Soul Fest Raises Money for La Rabida's Abuse and Trauma Programs

Thursday July 30th, 2009

Festival goers came out on a chilly summer night to enjoy smooth Neo Soul, Gospel Hip-Hop, and Alternative sounds of the 70's and 80's to benefit La Rabida Children’s Hospital’s abuse and trauma programs.

The first-ever festival drew about 50 new fans from the community and raised an estimated $2,500 for the Joli Burrell Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), which is part of La Rabida’s Chicago Child Trauma Center, (CCTC).

Radio Personality Dana Divine was Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening’s fundraiser, which highlighted the Truth, featuring La Rabida’s Berkeley Baker, Tanya Reed and Ice Cold Katy.

A group of 10 children, who comprise the CCTC’s Youth Advisory Board attended the Summerfest, singing songs and offering words of inspiration in what will be an annual fundraiser on the playground of the hospital’s lakefront facility.

The CCTC’s clients also designed a brochure, Keepin’ it Real, for the program, a six-page compilation of drawings, personal reflections and inspiring songs.

“We can only fly by embracing one another,’’ reads a quote from the back of the leaflet.

Chicago Bulls tickets, fitness sessions and hair styling services were raffled off as part of the evening’s activities.

La Rabida’s Chicago Child Trauma Center serves an estimated 400 inner-city African Americans and other Chicago-area children from ages 3 to 18 exposed to traumatic events including medical trauma, sexual abuse, witnessing violence, and complex trauma.

The CCTC is the only agency in Chicago that specializes in trauma-focused assesment and psychotherapy for the full range of potentially traumatic events experienced by children.

The La Rabida Joli Burrell Children's Advocacy Center is a safe, child-friendly environment for children who have experienced psychological trauma and for alleged victims of sexual abuse or other violent crimes.  The CAC provides investigative, therapeutic, and support services free of charge to children and their families throughout south suburban Cook County and is part of La Rabida’s Chicago Child Trauma Center.