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Kid's Off The Block, Inc. (KOB)

by dianekob from Chicago, IL

Last Post 395 days, 17 hours Ago


Kids Off The Block Host First Annual
Nov 4, 2007 | 8:31 AM
Category: News
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Hi Everyone!  

 Kids Off The Block is hosting it's First Annual "Feed A Teen" Thanksgiving Day Dinner. 

  When: Thursday, November 22, 2007

Where: KOB Headquarters (11621 S. Michigan Ave.)

Time: 10 am to 6 pm  

Kids Off The Block, Inc. (KOB)is a 501© 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide at-risk low-income youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, violence, truancy, and the juvenile justice system. KOB is hosting its first annual “Feed A Teen Dinner”, Thursday, November 22, 2007 to promote higher education and non-violence among our youth... During this historical event the attending youth will join the KOB Peacekeepers Program.   Each child will take a pledge to refrain from violence and activities that lead to violence.   If you would like to donate or volunteer, please see contact information below. 

  All donations are tax deductible (a tax exempt letter will be sent upon request).   KOB and the youth in Chicago, IL thank you for your generous support and contribution. For more information, please contact Diane Latiker, Founder at (773) 995-9077 or Jamika Jackson, Event Coordinator at (773) 678-3638.  

Partners:   Mayor Richard M. Daley

CAPS (Community Policing Programs)

Park National Bank

Broken Winggz Foundation

National Block Club University

MAGIC (Metropolitan Area Group Igniting Civilization)

NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives)

Caps (Community Assistance Programs)  

Thank you,   Diane Latiker - Founder/President

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Before We Can Change the Children, We Must First Change Ourselves!
Sep 11, 2006 | 8:34 PM
Category: News
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Today I am still saddened by what is happening to our
youth, the loss of children being murdered in our
communities. There are so many more who have or will perish
because, (I feel), don't have a way out. Everyday I
can only watch as society builds it's prisons, and fattens
the wallets of the funeral homes with our youth.

As I was visiting several high schools to motivate youth, I wanted to know why were our children are failing in school. The only way to know was to ask them. Out of everyone's mouth came the same answer "violence". We continue to offer youth the same old solution to a new problem. What happened to our schools being the "safe haven"? Instead of a positive atmosphere, where we could learn, it has become negative for many youth in the inner-city.


I started this organization with one purpose in mind, and that was to give our children a positive outlet. This to me can save their lives if we can change their mindset into
believing they can do and be whatever they want in life. All
the programs, organizations, meetings, and marches mean nothing to the youth if we are not there for them.

If I can keep them engaged five days a week,
four hours each day, I'll know that none of them will be killed, mamed or arrested, and they will be
safe, if only for that time.
Diane Latiker
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dianekob

My name is Diane Latiker, and I am Founder/President of Kids Off The Block, Inc. (KOB), in the Roseland Community. I started KOB to give at-risk youth positive alternatives to the streets. In July of 2003, I was fed up with complaining about how the kids would tear up our block. They tore up flowers, broke fences, left garbage everywhere, and every year my mother and I would spend money to fix it up again. These kids included my daughter (age 13 at the time and my nephew, also 13). My mother saw that I had a bond with the kids, and one day she asked me to do something with them. I prayed for three days before actually approaching them. It was about ten kids outside playing, I asked them if I started a program, would they participate. They all said yes, then I asked them if they had dreams and goals. At first they looked as if they didn't believe in dreams, then they told me how they would like to be doctors, lawyers, nurses, singers, dancers, etc.. Amazingly, I saw these same things in them. Never in my lifetime have I been involved in something so rewarding. I LOVE WHAT I DO! The kids are awesome, and often times teach me more than I do them. I have eight children of my own (4 boys & 4 girls), 12 grandchildren. Currently, KOB has over 174 active members, with a waiting list of over 100. The programs are conducted from my home, which is now overflowing. We have been featured in N'Digo, Citizen's Newspaper, Chicago Tribune, Final Call, and on ABC-7's "Someone You Should Know" with Harry Porterfield, CLVT News, 2 ABC-7 Special Segments about Youth Violenc, Ebony Magazine, and Chicago Sun-Times. I believe the secret to changing our children's lives is to give them life changing resources. In other words, find their interest, dreams, and goals, then you can k

Member Since: 9/11/2006