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Chicago
This month we’re heading on over to Chicago! Be sure to visit our opportunities page for more information about serving with us in the “Windy City.”
News from the Chicago City Director
Sometimes it seems like winter will never end. I sit here on March 11, 2008, and we just received word that the high will, yet again, not break 32 degrees. I mean, come on, it is March, and it just seems like winter doesn’t want to end. Sometimes the things we would like to see end the most just stick around, and we can’t do anything about it.
Back in 2006 Chicago’s mayor Richard Daley announced a 10 year plan to end chronic homelessness. My first reaction to hearing that was, “Yeah right.” While I would love for the problem of homelessness to end here in Chicago, it seems like an insurmountable task to take on. At times I’m really happy about the progress Chicago has made through offering aid to those in need. At times I’m frustrated at the displacement of the poor through the tearing down of the housing projects.
Since 2005 chronic homelessness has been in decline by 12%, which is a great thing. And we continue to pray that chronic homelessness decreases. We pray that those who are no longer chronically homeless in Chicago have found homes and not just moved onto another city.
Continue to pray for Chicago. Pray for those who are homeless here and the difficulties they face. I’m struggling with the winter that doesn’t want to end, and I have a roof over my head. The struggle for those who have no place to sleep is that much more intense and insurmountable. Pray that our city officials and social service agencies would be able to devise strategies that make significant strides in curing chronic homelessness in Chicago, and that they wouldn’t try to just push the poor to other cities. Pray also for churches in the city, that they would rise up to God’s great call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the wanderer, and care for the sick and imprisoned. Pray that churches would take seriously God’s commands to serve the poor.
– Tim Reed, CSM Chicago Co-City Director
Local Resources
- Poetry from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
- Chicago Tribune's Focus on Immigration Issues
- Chicago Tribune's Classic Chicago Photo Gallery
Local News Links
- Climbing to the TopÉOne Business at a Time February 21, 2008
- Emmaus Ministries Helps Men Engaged in Prostitution Get Off the Streets February 20, 2008
- Beds, Help Lacking for Homeless Youth December 20, 2007
- Chicago's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness is Already Successful August 13, 2007
CSM Urban Updates
CSM now has its own blog! Find out what’s happening in urban centers throughout North America, make comments and dialogue with others involved in urban missions.
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