The ECHO Development Center in Aurora is hosting events the next two weekends to promote healing in the community.
Empowerment Hope Community Organization, or ECHO, was established in 2015 by Arlisa Dockery Pryor and Laparis Pryor. Their love for helping children started in 1995 when they managed a group of children singing.
The organization focuses its attention on low-income families, and works to provide a safe haven for them.
By 2015, the ECHO Program flourished into a summer camp and nutritional program in collaboration with Aurora Township and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
On May 18 and 25, the center will host events in partnership with Healing Illinois, a statewide awareness campaign to promote healing in communities.
The events are done in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Services, The Field Foundation, YWCA, the ML Fund1 Inc., and 21 Soul Entertainment.
ECHO Development Center invites all ages to the events, which will be public workshops including vendor tables featuring local businesses and panel discussions on healing our communities.
“Today’s young people should be able to imagine a life where their skin color doesn’t matter,” said Anita Lawson of ECHO Development Center. “Part of healing our country is understanding and accepting each other’s differences.”
The events will feature giveaways and a chance to win prizes, as well as live music, a live DJ, and performances by Chicago-based artist Maurice Mahon.
“We want families to come out and experience a much-needed opportunity to have very meaningful conversations around racial barriers, but also have a fun time,” said Arlissa Dockery, CEO of ECHO Development Center. “Healing starts in our communities and we must put in the work to help heal our next generation of leaders.”
The events will feature local influencers and business leaders discussing tactics to help address racism in America, organizers said.
The first event was last Saturday, but day two is from 3 to 8 p.m. this Saturday at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.
The third event is from 3 to 9 p.m. May 25 at Society 57, 100 S. River St., Aurora.
“Healing Illinois is about building knowledge and strengthening trust in our communities,” said Lawson.
Vendor tables are still available for both events. Interested vendors should contact ECHO Development Center at 630-962-7734 or 630-333-6927.
To learn more about ECHO Development Center, go to its website at www.echodevcenter.org.
