DID YOU KNOW THAT...
The annual expenditures for conventions held in Chicago are higher than the total city government budget.

Chicago is home to the world's busiest airport - O'Hare field. In 1997, 180,000 travelers per day passed through the airport- that's over 70 million passengers for the year (and that doesn't even count the traffic through Chicago's two other airports--Midway and Meigs Field). Chicago's airports generate 339,000 jobs for the region.

Chicago is known as "The Neighborhood City". The metropolis is divided into 77 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own name.

The Cubs haven't won a World Series title since 1908, the longest such run of frustration in major sports history.

PEOPLE, PROBLEMS, ISSUES
Chicago houses the largest public housing project in the world--the Robert Taylor Homes. Located just across the expressway from Comiskey Park, home for the Chicago White Sox major-league baseball team, these high-rise apartments extend in an unbroken 2 1/2-mile stretch.

The Chicago public school system is one of the nation's poorest. Less than 50% of Chicago's public school students can pass the national aptitude test.

Women with children comprise 34% of Chicago's homeless population. Most often, they're fleeing domestic violence they suffered in their former residences.

INSIGHTS ON THE CITY
BY CINDY MENZ-ERB (former City Director)

While driving through Chi-town (as it's affectionately known), I often point out the Sears Tower- the tallest building in the US, Adler Planetarium- the oldest planetarium in the country, Shedd Aquarium- the largest aquarium in the country, and Buckingham Fountain-the largest fountain in the country. Chicago prides itself on having the biggest and the best. However, what sometimes gets neglected on the "-est" lists are the Robert Taylor Homes-the largest housing project in the country, Stateway Gardens- the poorest housing project in the country, or the Dan-Ryan Expressway- the most congested expressway in the country.

Beyond the beauty of the Chicago lakefront, in the shadows of the grand skyline, and below the street of the Magnificent Mile there is another world that is just as colorful, exciting and touching. Chicago is one of the most ethnically diverse cities, and at the same time is one of the most segregated; racial tensions are high. There are an estimated 165,000 homeless (according to the Coalition on the Homeless) during the course of the year, with scarcely enough beds. Many find shelter from the cold in alleys, on the train, abandoned buildings, or on underground streets. Thousand's of units of public housing are being torn down each year, leaving more families homeless, and often hopeless. HIV/AIDS, prostitution (male and female), gang violence, and drug abuse are prevalent. All the while, the upper-economic area's of the city grow and thrive.

The issues that exist in Chicago are more than just space and money, they are emotional and spiritual. The joy and hope are the people sprinkled all over the city who understand and are committed to bringing justice to hurting people, and communities. We are convinced that, as God's people are mobilized to face the tough problems of urban life head-on, the Church can make a real difference in the city. That's why we're in Chicago. We invite you to join us.

CSM MINISTRY SITE SAMPLER

Good News Community Church operates a soup kitchen in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the far-north side of Chicago. They serve an evening meal seven days a week, 365 days a year. Last year, they served more than 59,000 meals. Tony, the director of the kitchen (and a WONDERFUL guy) also heads up a children's program, reaching out to the kids in the neighborhood. Our groups help serve meals and get to eat dinner with the guests.

Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO) is located in Blood Alley of the Uptown neighborhood. The alley used to be very dark and was a haven for gang violence, prostitution, and drug dealing. CCO came into the alley and brought light (both figuratively and literally). They installed street lights to make the alley safer and also bring the light of Christ to the people of the neighborhood. CCO has a women and children's transitional shelter (guests can stay for up to 3 months). They have 60 beds for women and children. Our groups put on a VBS during the summer and help serve meals throughout the year.

Casa Central is the largest Hispanic social service agency in Illinois. They offer a myriad of programs for children and families. Our groups usually help with day care and after school programs and special projects.

St. Thomas Soup Kitchen is a feeding program that serves the Uptown neighborhood. Homeless and low income people receive meals and other services. Our groups help serve and clean up evening meals.