Steven Boose
November 6, 1999 – July 5th, 2020
Steven was a member of CHAMPS for several years while he attended Gary Comer College Prep HS from 2016 – 2018. Steven died tragically over the 4th of July weekend 2020 when he accidentally drowned in a lake in Minnesota while visiting family. Steven was a natural leader with a lot of positive energy, a big heart and joyful spirit. He was a talented athlete who loved football. To know Steven and be in his presence meant a good laugh and a great party. In his short time Steven touched a lot of people and made a deep impression on all who knew him.
Patrick Franklin
January 30th, 2017
Patrick tragically lost his life at the age of 19 due to an accidental shooting. Patrick was a member of CHAMPS while he attended Gary Comer College Prep HS and was a long-time resident of the Greater Grand Crossing community. Patrick was a very bright student with a brilliant smile who could light up a room. He had an infectious personality and a sharp mind. Patrick was involved in the early days of CHAMPS and was a valued member of the CHAMPS community who could always be seen walking around the neighborhood with a big smile and warm heart.
William Taylor
William graduated from both Gary Comer College Prep HS in 2019, where he was involved in CHAMPS for all four years. William made enormous strides throughout high school thanks to an army of loving supporters, including his CHAMPS mentors, teachers and most importantly his mother. William overcame many obstacles and graduated as a strong young man ready for the next phase of life. William was a soft-spoken, loving young man who was always willing to help his peers and was eager to support underclassmen in navigating the rigors of high school. William was lost to gun violence in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood at the age of 19 on March 8th, 2020.
Jaleel Hood
December 6, 1995 – February 9, 2020
Jaleel was a senior at Gary Comer College Prep when CHAMPS was first established, and he became involved out of a desire to be an influence on younger students in the school. He was a member of the GCCP football program and had a true passion for helping others. Jaleel attended college at Both Westminster College in Fullton, MO and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and was employed with Amazon at the time of his death. Jaleel was very active in his community and had a passion for exposing young men to the game of football. Jaleel passed suddenly one afternoon in 2020 due to an undisclosed medical condition, and is missed by many friends and family.
Martarese Gentry
Martarese Gentry was lost to gun violence in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood on June 16th, 2015 at the age of 15 as a freshman in high school. Martarese was new to CHAMPS and was just beginning his journey in high school and manhood. According to his family Martarese loved basketball and wanted to be just like Chicago native Derrick Rose. “If he wasn’t at Horan Park’s basketball court, he was at the center off California and Gladys playing basketball,” his aunt Tina Gentry said. “It was his life.”
Caleb Springfield
June 6th, 2000 – May 14th, 2019
Caleb Springfield was a proud member of CHAMPS, an avid boxer, a beloved son and brother and a young man on a mission when he was lost to gun violence on May 14th, 2019. Caleb graduated from Gary Comer College Prep in 2018, a beloved member of the Hassell Advisory. He was part of the cohort of young men who traveled to Washington, DC with CHAMPS in the spring of 2015 for the White House Student Film Festival. During high school Caleb was introduced to boxing at the Ring of Hope in Greater Grand Crossing, which led him to participate in the Golden Gloves competition. He had successfully completed his freshman year at National-Louis University, where they graciously bestowed an Honorary Degree on him after his passing. Caleb was a strong young man who loved his family and had a passion for serving his community.