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CCH sent the following letter on May 27 to the Chicago Loop Alliance, taking issue with its new campaign regarding interactions with homeless people downtown. The campaign is described in a story on DNAinfo.com, “Don’t Give to Panhandlers, Give to Charities, New Loop Campaign Advises.”

Michael M. Edwards, President & CEO

Chicago Loop Alliance

27 East Monroe Street

Chicago, IL 60603

Dear Mr. Edwards:

The Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) has become aware of the “Change for the Better” brochure which the Chicago Loop Alliance (Alliance) has created and is promoting in the Loop area. As perhaps you know, our organization does not support the use of this brochure which both targets homeless persons in public places for special scrutiny by others thereby demeaning them; and urges calling police on those engaging in lawful conduct. Because the brochure is inaccurate and misleading, CCH requests that – at a minimum — the Alliance correct it immediately.  Continue reading On Chicago Loop Alliance’s new tactics regarding homeless people

CCH is a leader in the Responsible Budget Coalition, which released this statement on May 27 regarding General Assembly budget action:

This spring lawmakers – reflecting the views of business leaders, human service providers, educators, seniors, and everyday families – have consistently registered their opposition to budget proposals that impose drastic and short-sighted cuts to services for families and communities.

Instead of the severe cuts originally proposed by the Governor, budget bills that do more to invest in services that make Illinois families and communities strong are currently being considered by the General Assembly.

The Governor and the General Assembly have many revenue options available to them that will produce a responsible state budget with adequate revenue to avoid cuts and make wise investments for the future. They must work together to develop the revenue solutions necessary to produce such a budget.  Continue reading May 27: Responsible Budget Coalition issues statement on state budget priorities

This month CCH hosted two organizing fellows from Central Europe, in a program managed by The Great Lakes Consortium (GLC) for International Training and Development. CCH hosted six organizers from the program in 2012-13. In June, Associate Director of Organizing Hannah Willage will be the fourth CCH organizer to travel to Central Europe to offer more training there.

By Ionela Maria Ciolan

My interest in fighting for housing rights and preventing homelessness comes from my passion for promoting and spreading human rights in Romania. Since back home I am working with very poor, mainly Roma people in the Ferentari neighborhood of Bucharest, I want to discover new methods of positively influencing the community.

During my placement at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), I wanted to learn how to become a community organizer, to empower minorities to stand up for their rights, and how to create stable and sustainable advocacy campaigns that can change the current policies on housing and forced evictions in Romania.  Continue reading Learning to organize in Romania’s impoverished Roma community

This month CCH has hosted two organizing fellows from Central Europe. The Great Lakes Consortium (GLC) for International Training and Development manages the organizers’ exchange, a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. CCH previously hosted six organizers through the program in 2012 and 2013.

By Johanna Laszlo, Professional Fellowship Program

I am a social worker from Hungary, where I work at the Hungarian Anti-Poverty Network (HAPN) in Budapest as a program manager of campaigns that draw attention to income poverty. The focus of my interest – also the topic of my Ph.D dissertation, since I am about to finish my doctoral studies – is how to engage people with a social change. The idea of an inclusive society is not only professionally, but personally important for me as well. I have gained so much from interacting with people with various backgrounds, listening to their stories and sharing mine.

Having the opportunity of talking to homeless mothers and youth of Chicago in the last weeks had a deep impression on me. I was especially touched by the story of a young woman, homeless during her high school years, who tried to help her mother to raise up her little siblings. Even though she was still homeless, she finished her college education as well. Right now she is planning to participate in a Ph.D program – and I am sure she will succeed. I felt touched by her words and I recognized again that listening to the life stories of people like her empowers me too.  Continue reading Community organizing as a tool for anti-poverty work in Hungary

 

May 13 – More than 200 homeless and community advocates from organizations in Chicago, Aurora, Waukegan and Maywood protested proposed state budget cutbacks to vital homeless, mental health, disability, and community programs on Wednesday afternoon.

Gov. Rauner’s FY16 budget would cut $18 million from programs for homeless youth, emergency shelters, and supportive housing for those with mental health and substance abuse needs.

After gathering in Millenium Park, we held a short program before marching to one of Gov. Rauner’s penthouses, at 340 E. Randolph.
We camped out in a homeless settlement in the park that we called Raunerville.  Continue reading ‘Raunerville’ state budget protest outside one of Gov. Rauner’s luxury homes