CHSD 218 staff member donates inspirational first book to school libraries

A Community High School District 218 (CHSD 218) staff member has donated several copies of her book to our school libraries.

Sylvia G. Miles, a job coach in the Adult Transition Program (ATP), recently penned her first book, “In the Heart of a Fatherless Child.” She wrote stories and poetry about her experiences of growing up in a fatherless home.

"My hope is to reach an audience of young people who grew up without a father figure, offering a sense of direction and a potential blueprint of life that they may have been missing," Miles said. "For fathers who have lost their way, this book can be a catalyst for change, a wake-up call or a source of inspiration to reclaim their role as a leader and a positive force in their families' lives by offering them a path back to their purpose."

The book was donated to the Learning Resource Centers (LRCs) at Eisenhower, Richards, and Shepard high schools. A social worker at Delta & Summit Learning Center also received a couple of donated copies of the book.

About the Author

Sylvia G. Miles, affectionately known as Tina, is an emerging author whose words come straight from the heart. With her first book, “In the Heart of a Fatherless Child,” she shares her story shaped by lived experience, resilience, and a deep desire to heal, uplift, and inspire meaningful change. A lifelong resident of Chicago’s West Side, Tina is a proud mother and grandmother who has spent decades nurturing and empowering children and young adults across all stages of development—from preschool to high school and beyond. Her work includes supporting foster youth and underserved students, always offering compassion, guidance, and a listening ear. Tina has written more than 1,100 poems, each a reflection of her lived experiences and her passion for helping others find their light through difficult times. Her love for laughter, family, and real conversations shines through in her work and in everyday life. Growing up in a fatherless home gave Tina (Sylvia) both the pain and the purpose that fueled her writing. Through this book, she offers not just her personal story, but a reminder that present and loving fathers matter more than words can say. Her hope is to inspire reflection, healing, and the motivation for men to show up with love and reclaim their place in their children’s lives.