Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD — Have you ever wondered what happens when your professor gives you an assignment to attend a local event on campus, but the event was canceled last minute?
On Sept. 15, the founders of Tower ofRefuge Inc., Lorenzo and Bevey Louden, were scheduled to speak at the Student Life’s Soup & Stories series in the R.H. Stephen Room.
Tower of Refuge is a community-based nonprofit organization that mission is to support, assist and equip current and former prisoners to have a successful re-entry into today’s society.
A medical emergency, however, forced the cancellation of the speech just 10 minutes before it started.
It had been rescheduled for 12 to p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10 in the R.H. Stephens Room.
In addition to the rescheduled event, “we will offer several Soup & Stories events each semester,” said Amber Berman, the assistant program director of LLCC’s Student Life.
Several students were already attending the event on Sept. 15 before it was canceled. They had promises of extra credit and a free lunch. In fact, many of them may have thought, “Yes, a free lunch!” Only later might they have been concerned with losing the extra credit.
While some professors don’t offer extra credit to students who attend the Soup & Stories events, there are many who do.
“I offered extra credit for my students if they attended the event,” said Ellen Watkins, a professor of sociology at Lincoln Land Community College. “Alternative opportunities are always available if an event is canceled, such as attending the Multi-Cultural Fest, instead.”
Lorenzo Louden is the founder of Tower of Refuge Inc. because he is a parolee. He now acts as a mentor and encourages people to focus on self-development.
Lorenzo and Bevey Louden strive to help individuals become productive members of society, while remaining healthy and being able to adjust to a different lifestyle.
They also try to educate the community, prevent homelessness of parolees and expand employment opportunities.
Tower of Refuge offers several programs and services in many aspects of a parolee’s life after incarceration.
Rhonda Leonard can be reached at 217-786-2311 or [email protected].