Class of 1955 Reunites and Visits PP55 Fellows in Chicago
By Kim Hendler
Executive Director, Princeton Project 55
November 6, 2007
At a well-attended June 2007 Class of 1955 Chicago mini-reunion, 35 members of the Class of 1955 met with current Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program fellows and toured a few of the organizations that are hosting Project 55 fellows this year. The group also met with Harrison Steans ’57, a long time supporter of Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, including providing funding to several organizations to host Project 55 fellows.
John Fish, Project 55's Public Interest Program Founder and Leader, reflected to his classmates after the trip, "At our marvelous Chicago reunion, I am glad you all could get an ‘on the ground’ glimpse of the PP55 Public Interest Program, hearing from some of our outstanding current Fellows, Rebecca (Mt. Sinai Hospital), Erica (National Association of Charter School Authorizers) and Chioma (Access Community Health Network) as well as the inspiring comments from leaders of North Lawndale College Prep, Free Spirit Media, and North Lawndale Employment Network, all of whom have PP55 Fellows, and, not least of all, Harrison Steans '57.
"If we had more time we could have had equally moving experiences at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Umoja Youth Development Corporation or the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. We could also have met with those who are taking the lead in making Chicago a "Green City," The Delta Institute and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, all placements for our Fellows.
"In short, PP55 is enabling some of our most outstanding graduates to have an inspiring year in challenging and exciting placements in Chicago and in 6 other cities. I am pleased that you all were able to get a first hand look at what our class has accomplished and the legacy we are leaving."