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Probation Challenge 30th Anniversary Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2009

CONTACT:
Rev. Harold E. Bailey
773-978-3706
mrheb@aol.com


PROBATION CHALLENGE 30TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

'Portrait of Achievers' Awards Dinner and the 'Show of Shows'


Rev. Harold E. Bailey, Founder

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) - The Rev. Harold E. Bailey, founder and president of the Probation Challenge organization, has for over 30 years served at the helm of constructively changing the lives of thousands of youth filtering through the criminal justice system who were court-mandated to his program. Bailey, who was originally ridiculed for taking on such a mammoth task dealing with the mentalities ex-offenders, now reflects back with spiritual dignity and invites the public to join with their organization's 30th year celebration.

Probation Challenge, the first program of its kind in the country, will present its 30th year 'Show of Shows' stage presentation, Friday, August 21, 2009, 7:00 PM, at the Condesa del Mar, 12220 South Cicero, Alsip, Illinois. The evening will consist of: A Complete Dinner, Awards, Entertainment and the 'Show of Shows.' Tickets for this extravaganza are only $50 per person with free parking.

Past events have featured such artists as: The Chi-lites, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, The Impressions, Ray, Goodman and Brown, Eugene Record, The Barrett Sisters, Albertina Walker, Vernon Oliver Price, Butch and The Gospel Trio, Maurice Jackson, The Notations, and other noted artists have lend support to this organization over the years.

This 30th year anniversary celebration will feature: Marcus Gentry, Maurice, Charles Wright, and Sidney C. Evans. Maureen Forte will serve as MC. Award presenters are: Chinta Strausberg and Juanita Bratcher. Probation Challenge is a 501 C-3 Organization and Tax-deductable. For reservations and information: 773-978-3706.

The Rev. Harold E. Bailey Vision: Bailey, served 14-years as a Chicago/Cook County Adult Probation Officer and from the courtroom of the late Justice R. Eugene, he envisioned an escape back into reality for men and women enslaved by crime. The program-concept would be called Probation Challenge, and the method offered clients would be education! Justice Pincham a man of wisdom, allowed Bailey to introduce an educational program that would bring about a remarkable difference in the lives of thousands.

Probation Challenge since being introduced in 1979, has become an institution in the City of Chicago, and was located on a City College Campus for 27-years; however at the death of Justice Pincham, in the same breath the program was asked to vacate the premises. The historical program now seeks new housing for the many youth who have now fallen through the cracks and have returned to the streets. However, prior to Pinham's demise he strongly suggested that Bailey fight for the program's existence. Bailey adhering to Pincham's plea...now seeks a new facility to continue the vision of returning meaningful and productive persons back into society -- as tax payers rather than tax burdens.

Probation Challenge by virtue of its proven-track-record has become an Illinois State-Statue program and by law should be undergirded with state-dollars; but minus the allocated funding, Bailey has over the years kept the program afloat with some few grants, with other dollars derived from his out-of-pocket finances.

The Probation Challenge program has been challenged during its 30 years and has suffered numerous set-backs because of Bailey's refusal to fall into the devious traps of political foes who dared to suggest he prostitute the program's principles of honesty and integrity. To this day, Bailey remains faithful to his beliefs that you can only lead youth -- but by good examples.

Success is not new to Bailey, who achieved recording acclaim and was at the top of the gospel music charts in earlier years with The Harold Bailey Singers. He ceased his travels and recording success with Rush and Savoy labels, to follow a spiritual bidding which started him on a new journey. He then became a Chicago/Cook County Adult Probation Officer, and while there he would note that the intents geared toward helping African Americans and Hispanic probationers (at that time) were less than honorable. He expressed his observations to probation administrators; and was warned to be concerned only about receiving a bi-monthly pay-check. Not taking heed to their advice, Bailey quietly discovered ways to help those assigned to his case-load and in doing so he would fall from the department's grace. The results were; Bailey would sufferer greatly at the hands of unfair bureaucracy and though with an excellent work-record he would receive no promotions. In months to follow, those persons opposing Bailey's efforts to help probationers were separated from office.

A positive chapter came to past, as the Justice R. Eugene Pincham was elected to the criminal courts system and was assigned to the criminal courts division. Pincham legally requested Bailey to become his personal probation officer, and only after a lengthy battle by the Judge did the probation authorities yield to the appointment. Bailey was then instructed by Pincham to bring about new and creative measures in helping probationers assigned to his court. Bailey earnestly prayed as to what vehicle to utilize and in November 1978, an answer to prayer would be...Probation Challenge, a court mandated educational program. The program was implemented in January, 1979, for the express purpose of serious rehabilitation.

Noting the resistance to education, the Late Mayor Harold Washington, who supported the Probation Challenge concept, requested that Bailey take an official leave-of-absence and re-locate the program to the Olive-Harvey College Campus, where for 27-years the program served as a beacon-light to youth and elders educationally. Thousands of youth received their general education and vocational skills, graduated and went on to colleges and universities.

After years of watching the program prosper, Justice Pincham fell critically ill, and after hearing that the program was asked to vacate the remises immediately, Pincham strongly suggested that Bailey fight for the program's existence. Following the demise of Justice Pincham, Bailey now continues the struggle to keep the vision alive and the doors open.

Bailey has served: 14-years with the Chicago/Cook County Adult Probation Department and 14-years, as a member and chairman of the Chicago/Cook County Board of Corrections. The dedicated God-fearing gentle-spirit has served 30-years as president of the Probation Challenge Organization. Awards and citations are numerous from local and abroad.

Rev. Harold E. Bailey wanting to pass on his legacy of investigated truth, has written his autobiography entitled: The Criminal Just Us System, which tell of his spiritual-travels and experiences with the justice system to bring about positive change. He has now broaden his horizons to further educate and unite the people-of-the world by launching the PCC Internet Broadcast Network, which travels the universe. This around-the-world telecast venture is viewed and heard by millions around the clock without cost to the public. Broadcast programs audio and video, are played On-Demand-24/7 on the Probation Challenge web-site: www.ProbationChallenge.org

To View and Listen: For the best in Education, Community News, Talk Shows, Music, Church Services, and other positive entertainment go to Probation Challenge/PCC Internet Broadcast Network at: www.ProbationChallenge.org or Email: MRHEB@aol.com

The Probation Challenge is requesting support in their cause to keep violence, crime and drugs out of the hands of youth and to better replace with the tools of education. They are asking that if you cannot attend the benefit-fundraiser, to please help by sending a donation toward the Probation Challenge Building Fund Drive. Address: Probation Challenge, Post Office Box: 498293, Chicago, Illinois, 60649.

PayPal: Probation Challenge, Inc. is a 501 C-3 Not-For-Profit Organization and for those wishing to purchase tickets or to make a donation...PayPal is Available on the www.ProbationChallenge.org site.

TheHistoryMakers.com has set-forth many of the Rev. Harold Bailey's accomplishments.


Contact Person: Rev. Harold E. Bailey, President
Reservations and Information: 773-978-3706



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