On June 4, 2008 MaineStay Youth and Family Services hosted a free and wonderfully informative program on Gang Awareness presented in Spanish by Laura Morask and Julia Morales. Laura and Julia are experts on local gangs and gave an in-depth look at gang identifiers such as signs, colors, and names. They described what signs to watch for in children that might indicate gang involvement and what actions parents can take. Many parents and several Park Ridge and Des Plaines police officers attended this important presentation.

As a career prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorneys Office for the past twenty years, Laura puts her experience to good use when it comes to issues involving crime and juvenile delinquency in Maine Township. Laura recently appeared on WGN Morning News and spoke about recent statistics and trends as well as offered tips to parents, educators, and community members as to how best to best protect our children. Laura's appearance was the third time she has been featured as an expert by WGN and/or FOX News. You can watch a video of Laura on WGN Morning News or view photo highlights of Laura's April 23, 2008 presentation on Gang Awareness given in English at the Township.

Julia is a victim-witness expert with twenty-two years experience helping victims and witnesses of violent and gang crimes navigate through the court systems. Julia is a lifelong resident of Pilsen and is personally and professionally familiar with the importance of reaching our youth before a gang does.