About Kimberly: South Holland resident with two children. Bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Iowa State University. Graduate of Police Training Institute in Champaign-Urbana. Employed by Village of South Holland since October 2005. Served in the U.S. Army Reserves for eight years. Member of Come Alive Ministry of Faith in Chicago.

Accomplishments: Patrolman Kimberly Johnson-Abogunrin is piloting the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program for South Holland Police Department. During the school year, she goes into elementary and junior high classrooms at five schools to teach children personal, resiliency, resistance and social skills. The elementary component is six lessons following an orientation where she allows children to ask questions. The junior high program is 13 weeks, 12 lessons and a community project presented to the class. "It's a great program. I've actually seen the difference," she said. "The benefit is the children become more aware of their surroundings and what's going on in their community." Johnson-Abogunrin is organizing Great Summer, a three- to four- week program that will meet four days a week with lessons, discussions, activities and field trips. Prior to joining the force, she worked as an administrative assistant at University of Chicago and served eight years in the

U.S. Army Reserves. She is part of the Youth Initiative Task Force with the Village of South Holland, active in her church and working to start a mentoring program for young women.

Personal hero: "I look up to my mother, Dorothy Cook of Chicago. She was a single parent and raised three children. She's been a very strong backbone, pushing me to succeed and has the kindest heart."

What I read: "I like to read nonfiction, autobiographies and mysteries. I read everything."

Advice: "You should always say what you want to say while you're alive."

Best thing about my job: "Right now working with the kids. When I'm out and take a patrol assignment, they yell out and wave. They recognize me in a positive light as the police and as a friend. Breaking through and getting through to the kids. They are our future."

People might be surprised to know: "I love to do jigsaw puzzles."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate a civil servant for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com.