Chicago police officer Jennifer Maddox founded the after-school program Future Ties to give children a safe space for tutoring, mentoring and establishing life goals. Because of her work, she has been honored as <a target="_top" href="/newspapers?url=http://www.cnn.com/specials/cnn-heroes">a Top 10 CNN Hero for 2017</a>. CNN caught up with Maddox and the Future Ties kids for a day in the life of the program. Click through the gallery for more information and photos.
Chicago police officer Jennifer Maddox founded the after-school program Future Ties to give children a safe space for tutoring, mentoring and establishing life goals. Because of her work, she has been honored as a Top 10 CNN Hero for 2017. CNN caught up with Maddox and the Future Ties kids for a day in the life of the program. Click through the gallery for more information and photos.
Joshua Lott/CNN
As a police officer and Chicago native, Maddox has seen how violence and lack of structure affect youth on the city's South Side. She knew she had to help. "We can't arrest our way out of this. Law enforcement needs the people in the community to work with us to solve some of the grassroots issues that are causing the violence," she said.
As a police officer and Chicago native, Maddox has seen how violence and lack of structure affect youth on the city's South Side. She knew she had to help. "We can't arrest our way out of this. Law enforcement needs the people in the community to work with us to solve some of the grassroots issues that are causing the violence," she said.
Joshua Lott/CNN
The Future Ties program is located in the Parkway Gardens Homes. "Parkway used to be a beat I covered on my patrol," said Maddox. "I saw lack of opportunity, lack of resources, lack of community spaces for young people, and it sparked something inside of me."
The Future Ties program is located in the Parkway Gardens Homes. "Parkway used to be a beat I covered on my patrol," said Maddox. "I saw lack of opportunity, lack of resources, lack of community spaces for young people, and it sparked something inside of me."
Joshua Lott/CNN
Future Ties mentors help the program participants with their homework. And sometimes the kids work in a game of Uno.
Future Ties mentors help the program participants with their homework. And sometimes the kids work in a game of Uno.
Joshua Lott/CNN
Future Ties kids take a moment to sit and reflect. Maddox says the program should be a haven from some of the tougher elements of life. "I want them to have that feeling of being at home, safe and at peace."
Future Ties kids take a moment to sit and reflect. Maddox says the program should be a haven from some of the tougher elements of life. "I want them to have that feeling of being at home, safe and at peace."
Joshua Lott/CNN
A meal, a conversation, a smile -- and ultimately a sense of belonging. That's what Maddox hopes participants get from coming to Future Ties.
A meal, a conversation, a smile -- and ultimately a sense of belonging. That's what Maddox hopes participants get from coming to Future Ties.
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Future Ties' ultimate goal is to reach all 1,200 children that live in Parkway Gardens. Maddox works a second job to support these efforts.
Future Ties' ultimate goal is to reach all 1,200 children that live in Parkway Gardens. Maddox works a second job to support these efforts.
Joshua Lott/CNN
Maddox was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and says it's changed, but not for the better. "My investment in this community is because I know what it used to be, and I know what it can become again. At the end of the day, we need each other. When we talk about solutions to repairing the rift, I think we should talk more about working together towards the same common goals to give our young people an opportunity of survival."
Maddox was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and says it's changed, but not for the better. "My investment in this community is because I know what it used to be, and I know what it can become again. At the end of the day, we need each other. When we talk about solutions to repairing the rift, I think we should talk more about working together towards the same common goals to give our young people an opportunity of survival."
Joshua Lott/CNN