StarKeshia and Siretha are 2 young ladies who lost thier lives to senseless violence in 2006 in Chicago's Englewood community.  StarKeshia Reed a well liked honor roll student enrolled in nearby William R Harper High School had just exited her home preparing to go to school 1 morning when shots rang out. StarKeshia ran back into the house where she decided to wait until things calmed down. A few minutes later when she thought the coast was clear she peeped out of her front room window and was struck fatally by a bullet. StarKeshia was 14 years old. 

Siretha White was pleasantly surprised by her grandmother 1 Saturday when her grandmother had thrown her a party at her house. Siretha's birthdays was still a few days off which is why her grandmother knew she wouldn't be expecting it. Siretha and several others were standing in front of her house when shots forced them into the house. Siretha had ran into her house only to be killed by the gunman who had followed the crowd up the stairs and into the house. His indiscriminant shooting left Siretha dying on her living room floor. Siretha was 10 years old celebrating what would have been her 11th birthday.

We decided to name our project after these 2 children who fell victim to these unfortunate and cowardly acts, least we forget. We also selected a site which is in the Englewood community not too far from where these young ladies lived. The site we selected is a vacant lot currently  used to house cars and store drugs. It sits in the middle of our block and is almost always litered with cars, trucks and garbage. We have set a date that should indicate a sense of urgency which is by design. Englewood is a high crime area. This has pushed property values way down. It would be nice to have something positive in the wake of all the negative activity and press.

 

We have set a funds goal of 150,000.00. We are anticipating the need to purchase the lot before we can build our playlot. We appreciate you spending time here and we hope to hear from you soon. We hope that this playlot will be a catalyst for greater things to come. The children, the community and I thank you,  God bless.