Mutual Aid Fund distribution nearing completion

Updated July 29 – Chicago Coalition for the Homeless has notified 341 people who are receiving one-time grants from its Mutual Aid Fund. The distribution of funds will be completed by early August. 

Those whose applications were denied have been notified via email or phone call.

The coronavirus pandemic amplifies hardships experienced by people who are homeless as well as those who have been homeless and risk facing it again.

Responding to pressing community need, CCH created its Mutual Aid Fund. The fund provides direct cash support of up to $500 to Illinois residents in need. Continue reading Mutual Aid Fund distribution nearing completion

CHHRGE coalition urges city, Cook County courts to enact robust plan to ensure safe, equitable participation in hearings and reduce COVID–19 exposure among the most vulnerable

Editor’s Note: Chicago Coalition for the Homeless has signed on to the following letter, sent July 13 to Timothy C. Evans, chief judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and to E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., presiding judge of the First Municipal District Court Civil Division.

The letter was submitted on behalf of the Chicago Homelessness and Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE), a coalition of healthcare and emergency shelter providers responding to the COVID–19 pandemic among those most vulnerable to the virus.

Subject: General Order 2020-12 Procedures for Civil Division Matters

The courts opened on July 6, 2020 with a massive influx in litigants appearing for non-emergency civil matters. At times, lines have grown long and dense at Daley Center with limited space to adequately distance. We have serious concerns relating to the courts’ and court-stationed Chicago police officers’ ability to adhere to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID–19 guidance and, in turn, the risk associated with people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness appearing in court. We fear that a more robust plan is needed to ensure safe and equitable participation in hearings and reduce COVID–19 exposure among the most vulnerable members of our community. Continue reading CHHRGE coalition urges city, Cook County courts to enact robust plan to ensure safe, equitable participation in hearings and reduce COVID–19 exposure among the most vulnerable

CCH increases college scholarships, awards to seven new students

Seven students awarded $14,000 college scholarships by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless this June are new high school graduates who live in Chicago, Joliet, and Tinley Park.

CCH offers a renewable scholarship to students who succeeded in school while coping with homelessness. Twenty-one students will be assisted next school year, including five sophomores, five juniors, and four seniors.

CCH is pleased to announce that the scholarship award for all students will increase to $3,500 a year. This first increase in five years is thanks to a substantial gift in memory of Jill L. Meinzer. Continue reading CCH increases college scholarships, awards to seven new students

In memory of Jill Meinzer, CCH increases awards in college scholarship program that’s grown through long-time donor support

A generous donation given in memory of the late Jill L. Meinzer has allowed the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless to increase its four-year college scholarship awards, to $3,500 a year.

Jill’s family gave a $30,000 gift in her name in spring 2019. By early 2020, Jill’s family had made gifts to eight youth-serving programs, including a second substantial gift to the CCH college scholarship program.

“Jill wanted to support youth in Chicago who want to get the education and training to further their lives,” said her sister, Karen Whitaker, an Indiana resident. She and Jill’s other two sisters and their parents planned the gifts in Jill’s memory. Continue reading In memory of Jill Meinzer, CCH increases awards in college scholarship program that’s grown through long-time donor support

CPS Focus Group parents and grandparents write public officials with concerns about summer school, resuming fall classes

The following letter was delivered this week to Dr. Janice Jackson, CEO, and other leadership at the Chicago Public Schools, including its office of Students in Temporary Living Situations. This letter also was delivered to officials in the mayor’s office and the Illinois State Board of Education. The parents group is seeking meetings with CPS and state education leaders.

We are a committee of parents and grandparents with lived experience of homelessness who have children and grandchildren enrolled in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). We are writing because we have many concerns for the summer of 2020 and the 2020-2021 school year. These past few months with schools closed were extremely challenging and disorienting for our children. Our children and other students experiencing homelessness will need robust and compassionate supports to successfully navigate the new school year. This letter addresses our specific concerns and asks that CPS and its Students in Temporary Living Situations office (STLS) implement certain supports for students experiencing homelessness. Continue reading CPS Focus Group parents and grandparents write public officials with concerns about summer school, resuming fall classes

Public health experts call on city to expand housing for homeless people jeopardized by COVID-19; say current proposal leaves gap in need

Group At Center of Efforts to Protect the Homeless From Disease Favors Robust Expenditure on “Shield Housing” for Population at “High Risk” of Infection; Part of Multi-Point Recommendations Outlined in New Report by Team Coordinating Health Care For Homeless People

A COPY OF THE REPORT CAN BE RETRIEVED HERE

PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO ACCESSED HERE

The city of Chicago’s proposed investment in housing to curb the spread of COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness falls $5 million short of the amount recommended by a group of public health experts focused on protecting that vulnerable population, according to a new report released Thursday.

Members of the Chicago Homelessness and Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE), a coalition that has helped identify and address COVID-19 risks threatening the embattled homeless population, urged city officials to designate $21.9 million in existing federal aid to fund 1,750 units of “shield housing” – rental apartments reserved for victims of homelessness who are at high risk of succumbing to coronavirus infection. Continue reading Public health experts call on city to expand housing for homeless people jeopardized by COVID-19; say current proposal leaves gap in need

Families, rights groups demand the U.N. investigate U.S. police killings and protest suppression

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is among over 650 advocacy organizations from over 60 countries that joined with families of black Americans killed by police to demand the United Nations Human Rights Council investigate escalating police violence and repression of protests in the U.S.

GENEVA — In an unprecedented move, the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown, and Philando Castile, together with over 650 rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union and U.S. Human Rights Network, are demanding the United Nations Human Rights Council swiftly convene a special session to investigate the escalating situation of police violence and repression of protests in the United States. Additional signatories include Black Lives Matter and the NAACP.

“Mamie Till Mobley made a decision to open the casket of her son Emmett Till so the world could see the atrocities Black people faced in America. I want people across the world and the leaders in the United Nations to see the video of my brother George Floyd, to listen to his cry for help, and I want them to answer his cry,” said Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd. “I appeal to the United Nations to help him. Help me. Help us. Help Black men and women in America.” Continue reading Families, rights groups demand the U.N. investigate U.S. police killings and protest suppression

RROCI reentry leaders: Publicizing names of people released due to the pandemic exemplifies a system that demonizes those with records

We could not leave unanswered letters published recently in regional newspapers by State Rep. John Cabello (Machesney Park), State Sen. Brian Stewart (Freeport), a group of Republican state senators, and the Fraternal Order of Police (Chicago Lodge 7). Each letter represents a public act of violence against returning citizens like us.

Publicizing the names of people released from incarceration due to the pandemic, then painting everyone as a repeat offender or exploiting tragic loss of life, exemplifies a system that demonizes people with records.

With our lived experience, we want readers to understand the odds stacked against us. For generations, Black and Brown individuals have been set up for a life of poverty. People of color are disproportionately incarcerated, often enter the system with substance and mental health issues, and do not receive adequate resources during or after incarceration.

Our society prioritizes punishment over healing. After completing our sentences, we are never treated as full members of society. We are prosecuted in the court of public opinion. Every sentence becomes a life sentence.

We advocate for people to receive a fair opportunity to thrive after incarceration. As one of our grassroots leaders put it:

“It’s been three decades, yet I still face barriers to this day. A lot of us don’t get the chance to be seen past our record. It’s letters like these that build up that shame many of us have inside and keep us from moving forward.”

Submitted by the Reentry Leaders Committee at the Restoring Rights and Opportunities Coalition of Illinois (RROCI)

RROCI is a partnership of the Reentry Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Community Renewal Society, Cabrini-Green Legal Aid, and Heartland Alliance.

Statement: We stand with those protesting white supremacy and systemic racism

What Chicago is experiencing in this moment is the result of white supremacy and systemic racism. We saw it as the pandemic took hold, and we see it as police officers continue to murder Black members of the community.

Where does someone experiencing homelessness go when the city institutes a curfew? How do they access essential needs like food and medical care when the city shuts down public transportation? Where do students and families experiencing homelessness find food when Chicago Public Schools (CPS) shut down food distribution?

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless’ grassroots leaders, staff, and board stand in solidarity with those protesting in the wake of the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. The protests are about more than these three tragedies. These protests are about a long history of violence and injustice that has been actively ignored by those with the power to change racist systems and policies.

In this moment, we demand the following actions be taken:

  • Reverse the decision to shut down food distribution at CPS schools so that impoverished families and their children have access to the food they need to survive.
  • Fully reopen Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) lines so that people, particularly those who are experiencing homelessness, can access services, food, and shelter.
  • Stop any and all sweeps at encampments that are not specifically requested by people living there and ensure no people experiencing homelessness are harassed due to their housing status.
  • Invest in real housing to serve the close to 80,000 people in our city who are living on the streets, in shelters, and doubled-up. This action includes:
    1. Using CARES Act funding to create rapid rehousing that will serve as a bridge to permanent housing with supportive services.
    2. Create real, dedicated funding at scale in Chicago for permanent housing with supportive services.

As an organization, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will provide financial and personal support to our peers leading this movement. In addition, our white staff commit to showing up and following the lead of leaders of color as we push for systemic change.

Homeless student advocate positions now open at 14 Chicago public schools

New positions won in the historic 2019 CTU strike will be full-time and dedicated solely to removing barriers between families and public education.

CTU Communications: The Chicago Teachers Union is pleased to share news of 18 new Students in Temporary Living Situation (STLS) advocate positions secured in last year’s historic teacher strike. Fourteen schools throughout the city of Chicago are now able to hire STLS advocates to assist Chicago Public Schools students and their families in finding the resources necessary to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and comfortably integrate into their school community.

By law, all CPS schools currently designate a staff person to serve as an STLS liaison. This position is responsible for identifying and enrolling families, managing CTA passes and removing barriers between STLS families and public education. In the past, these duties went mostly to clerks and counselors, who won stipends in last year’s Agreement that acknowledged the additional responsibilities outside of their primary CPS job classification.

The new STLS advocate positions will be full-time and dedicated solely to this work.

The schools with positions are: Clemente High School (filled), Chicago Vocational High School, Chalmers Elementary, Nicholson STEM, Fenger High School, Simeon High School, Dewey Elementary, Julian High School, Bowen High School, Howe Elementary, Gage Park High School, Parker Elementary, Beethoven Elementary, Faraday Elementary and Melody Elementary.

“With all that is going on, we realize that what once was normal is no more, and we have students who have lost family members, housing and stability,” said Lucille Thompson, a PSRP and STLS liaison at Schurz High School and member of the CTU rank-and-file bargaining team. “Having these advocates in our buildings, whose sole responsibility is to help these families adjust to this major trauma, is awesome.”

During the strike, CPS refused to bargain over any housing demands, with Mayor Lori LIghtfoot claiming that the CTU/Chicago Board of Education contract is “not the appropriate place” to address Chicago’s shortcomings in providing affordable housing. Chicago is one of the most unaffordable cities in the country, however, and needs policies to help protect working class and middle class communities that are experiencing rampant gentrification. CPS has been losing tens of thousands of students every year for the past decade, with much of that loss attributed to the city’s housing crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic will make the lack of affordable housing in Chicago even worse as CPS caregivers lose employment due to shelter-in-place orders and the economic downturn. It is going to be more important than ever that every CPS school building has a trained STLS liaison who has strong roots in their community and understands the unique needs of this segment of the student population.

“I’m certain that our STLS number will increase when this is over, and to have someone already in place to provide resources, comfort and genuine concern for our students and families as they go through this is a major asset in education right now,” Thompson added.

Mobility rates are extremely high at some schools. CPS punishes schools where attendance rates go below 95 percent, yet does not provide enough support to help those families improve attendance; and poverty is the main driver of low attendance, especially as it relates to transportation and health issues. The Union hopes these new advocate positions are a step in the right direction to change district policies that punish low-income schools that are unable to meet the same academic outcomes as wealthier schools because of housing instability.

“The STLS advocate positions are so important because there are innumerable barriers students experiencing homelessness face to access and succeed in school,” said Alyssa Phillips, education lawyer for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “The STLS advocate positions allows for a full-time staff member to dedicate time and resources to connect families with school and community supports that are vital to the educational advancement of students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”

STLS advocate positions are now open and schools have begun the hiring process. The Union encourages all of its members and community partners to help promote these positions. For more information and to apply, search keyword “STLS” on the CPS Careers website.