Carol Stream to host King celebration

The Carol Stream community is invited to the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Wheaton Christian Center, 610 E. North Ave., Carol Stream. The event is free.

This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Theon Hill, civil rights expert and assistant professor at Wheaton College. In addition, the Outreach Community Center's Children's Choir will perform and a student from the center's College Opportunity Program will share the impact of this comprehensive college and career preparation program.

Attendees are invited to come early for a community circle dialogue about the lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work from 6 to 6:45 p.m., led by RESTORE: Carol Stream Peacemakers.

The event is sponsored by Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream, the Village of Carol Stream, Wheaton Christian Center and Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Hill completed a Ph.D. from Purdue University after earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in biblical studies and rhetoric, respectively. He teaches communication courses in the areas of politics, race and religion at Wheaton College, and is working on a book on the Civil Rights Movement.

Theon also leads prison ministries and mentoring programs for at-risk youth. Theon and his wife, Amy, reside in Aurora.

The mission of RESTORE: Carol Stream Peacemakers is to address harm experienced by members of the Carol Stream community who seek a peaceful resolution through restorative circles, a collaborative and effective dialogue process facilitated by trained group members.

RESTORE: Carol Stream Peacemakers members represent several area churches, social service organizations and DuPage County Court and Probation Services (Juvenile Division).

For more information, call (630) 653-1044.