Dear friends,
As we usher in a Fall season brimming with community gatherings, the Moran Center is grateful to you for helping make our community-based advocacy possible for young people and families.
October is Youth Justice Action Month, and all of us at the Moran Center hope you'll join us in celebrating: by grabbing a sweet treat at Jeni's on October 1, reading about youth justice, learning about the team members behind our work, or simply introducing a friend to what the Moran Center does.
Thank you for helping us advance justice for young people every month as a part of our Moran Center community.
Yours, Patrick Keenan-Devlin Executive Director & Youth Defense Attorney
Did you know... the Moran Center just celebrated 45 years of service to the Evanston community?
On September 10, 1981, we were first incorporated as the Evanston Community Defender Office (ECDO). Our focus was making integrated legal defense and social work available to our community's young people. In the decades to follow, our programs have grown to include education advocacy, civil legal support, and more - through a restorative lens.
October is Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), celebrated nationally to raise awareness for youth advocacy organizations and resources, like the integrated legal, social work, and restorative services at the Moran Center.
This month, we've made special community partnerships to help amplify our belief that all young people deserve justice in the court room, access to the classroom, and restoration in their community.
We invite you to join these partners in supporting the Moran Center to keep community-based, restorative legal aid accessible to young people and families in crisis.
OCTOBER 1 Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream (Andersonville) 25% of sales between 4-7 p.m. donated to the Moran Center @ 5306 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
OCTOBER 10 Chicago Fire Football Club Special ticket rate & $5 from each ticket donated to the Moran Center @ Soldier Field
ALL MONTH YJAM Media
Read for Youth Justice curated lists of books, films, podcasts, and more to enrich your Youth Justice Action Month and inspire your own advocacy journey.
ALL MONTH Show Your Support
This October, support the Moran Center in a way that feels meaningful to you!
Wear your Moran Center t-shirt, share this newsletter with an advocacy-minded colleague or family member, or consider making a gift to our Justice Fund to ensure no young person's life is forever defined by one mistake.
Do you know your child's rights in their classroom?
We love this free resource from our friends at the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights about the protections for students and parents in Illinois.
Need help defending your child's rights? The Moran Center's Education Advocacy Program supports students with IEPs, 504 plans, special education cases, exclusionary discipline issues, and more.
Jared Davis is Chair of the Moran Center Board and, as a fifth-generation Evanston resident, brings deep community roots to his service. By day, he is a Deputy Director for the Cook County Government, working alongside Cook County Commissioner, 13th District, Josina Morita. In previous roles, Jared was a personal banker with Wintrust Financial Corporation, and he has helped own and run four family businesses.
Jared has a passion for serving his community, including board service with the Evanston Chamber, ETHS Foundation, Black Business Consortium of Evanston, and the Black Professionals Network of Evanston. Jared's civic engagement also includes appointments by the Mayor to sub-committees of the City of Evanston Illinois Government Council.
Carmen Francellno is Secretary of the Moran Center Board. Born and raised in Evanston’s 5th ward, Carmen currently works as a Family Engagement Coordinator at the Evanston Public Library. In this role she attends community events, connects with community partners and produces programs with an emphasis on the African American community. Carmen is a former public school teacher and she has worked in the non-profit sector. She has a passion for empowering her community and supporting others on their journey. She holds a master's degree in education and bachelor's in general studies and sociology.
Hank Thompson is Treasurer of the Moran Center Board and is Vice President of Strategy & Operations at Hippo Technologies. Before joining Hippo, he led strategic and financial initiatives at Walgreens and began his career in commercial banking, providing financing to healthcare organizations.
Hank holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and brings experience in financial oversight, strategic planning, and nonprofit governance to his role on the Moran Center Board of Directors.
Moran Center Board Member Janet Alexander Davis will receive the Isibani Award from Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church for her service to the Evanston community.
The award will be presented at the HBCU Experience ft. the Fisk University Choir. This event is not hosted by the Moran Center, but by our partner Sherman UMC.
Moran Center Immigration Attorney Emma Soglin will receive an Alumni of the Year award from Mudlark Theater this month at Larkabout 2026.
Moran Center Executive Director and Youth Defense Attorney Patrick Keenan-Devlin will receive a Special Service award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago at the 2026 Red Mass & Reception.
Neither event is hosted by the Moran Center. To learn more, click on the fliers below.
Maddie's Emancipation
Maddie connected with the Moran Center for support with a complicated emancipation case following the passing of both of her parents.
Watch this video to meet Maddie and hear her story.
The Moran Center celebrates the richness in culture and talent that our Hispanic and Latine team members, clients, and friends bring to our community this #HispanicHeritageMonth AND each day as we advocate for justice and equity in opportunity for all young people targeted by systems of oppression.
Swing by the Moran Center table at these upcoming community events!
Save the date for this Fall's two-part Legal Clinic with specialized support about TODIs (Transfer on Death Instruments).
Webinar
October 29, 2026
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
In-Person
November 12, 2026
5 - 7 p.m.
Information to follow on our social media channels (all @morancenter).
You've made it to the end of our Fall newsletter,
but our work doesn't stop here!
When life challenges become legal issues, the Moran Center is here to help.
We are able to sustain our lifeline of integrated legal, social work, and restorative services thanks to the support of our community.
If you were inspired by what you read above, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Moran Center today.
