CLAIM

CLAIM’s 2010 Jazz Benefit was a great success! We enjoyed the fantastic music of Dee Alexander, wonderful company and, of course, raised money for CLAIM’s programs.

Emcee Laura Washington led us as we honored the work of three amazing activists. CLAIM celebated volunteer Astrid Allen for her hard work and dedication to serving families affected by incarceration. Astrid was a full-time legal intern with CLAIM in the summer of 2009 and has continued to serve CLAIM clients two days a week since. Her great compassion and realistic client counseling exemplify her approach to client service. Astrid will graduate from the Loyola University School of Law in May.

Jessica Lee Jackson, this year’s Wenona Thompson Memorial Youth Advocate Award winner, teaches English in the St. Leonard's Adult High School for formerly incarcerated adults. She works as a Multi-Systemic Therapist, supporting families working to keep their children out of juvenile justice placements. At CLAIM, Beyondmedia Education, Critical Resistance-Chicago, and Girl Talk, Jessi provided crucial support for people impacted by the criminal legal system. As a key staff member of Girl Talk, she was a supportive colleague and friend to Wenona Thompson. Jessi notes “Wenona’s gift at making people feel comfortable and included in all of the spaces she was in. She is my model for generosity and for courage in working across difference.”

Joanne Archibald Award winner Loxiette Leake is a brilliant advocate for family-based treatment as an alternative to prison for mothers convicted of nonviolent offenses. She gave testimony for the Illinois House of Representatives’ Youth and Family Committee in September 2009 on the impact of state practices on children and the great benefit that the Women’s Treatment Center has been for her young children and her mother. Loxie is a member of CLAIM’s Visible Voices group, Leadership Council and Speakers’ Bureau. She serves as the Chairperson for the Chicago Chapter of Sacred Authority of the Rebecca Project for Human Rights and is a dedicated activist.