They held a prayer vigil outside the Cook County juvenile temporary detention center on South Hamilton at around 11 a.m. Reverend Kenyatta Smith led the vigil.
Chicago Bulls superstar Bob "Butter Bean" Love and former NBA player Dr. Earl King were also there. The goal was to show the youth behind bars that they are loved and not forgotten.
"We thought in this holiday season that we will stop and let them know that we are praying for them and that we are with them," said Rev. Smith.
"We believe each and every one of them was meant for greatness. they were never meant to be a number in the system," said Love.
Organizers say they want the youth behind bars to turn their lives around and become productive citizens.
