Vernice Johnson-Warren’s years of service and leadership in Park Forest were recognized on Mar. 23 as part of Women’s History Month, reflecting her ongoing impact on youth programs and community initiatives.
Johnson-Warren has been involved in a range of activities designed to strengthen the community, from organizing events to mentoring young people. Her efforts are part of a broader commitment by residents and local leaders to promote engagement and support for families, according to the official website of Village of Park Forest.
A longtime member, former vice chair, and chair of the Park Forest Youth Commission, Johnson-Warren has helped develop programs that serve hundreds each year. She is also a member of the Park Forest Hall of Fame. “I’m 100% committed to the community that I live in,” Johnson-Warren said.
After returning to Illinois from Texas in 1994, she prioritized involvement at Talala Elementary School by leading its Parent-Teacher Organization through significant changes. Under her guidance as president from 2006 to 2015, the PTO became a nonprofit capable of securing grants for improvements such as upgraded facilities and new playground equipment.
Through her role with the Youth Commission, Johnson-Warren expanded events like Youth Day with limited resources by bringing together local school bands and business sponsors. “We were able to do more with less,” she said. She also helped revive large-scale events such as a community carnival that raised funds for scholarships supporting students already attending college.
Her focus on youth led her to organize initiatives like a haunted house event downtown between 2015 and 2019—an effort that collected thousands of food items for families in need while attracting visitors across five years. After serving on the commission until 2024, she reflected on challenges facing communities today: “People want the events,” she said. “But not everybody wants to help create them.” Johnson-Warren encourages residents: “If you like something, be a part of it… If you want it better, help make it better.” She added: “When children see a parent who is a doer and not a sitter, they become doers.”
The Village operates under a council-manager government featuring six trustees and one mayor according to its official website (source). The village has received recognition for sustainability efforts in town planning (source) and supports national climate protection agreements (source). It also offers educational opportunities through its Civic Leadership Academy (source), aiming to address key issues collaboratively while bolstering economic conditions (source).
As Park Forest continues developing new programs focused on health and engagement (source), Johnson-Warren hopes more residents will get involved: “It’s your community,” she said. “You have to give back to it.”
