Capitol Fax: Crowds ease at Mexican border, but will that lead to fewer asylum-seekers in Chicago?

 Many of us are concerned about the illegal immigrants who have been bused from such places as Texas or Florida to Chicago which is considered a "sanctuary city". This may be old news to some of you, I've heard that a lot of these immigrants are being housed in some of our closed schools, those that were closed over a decade ago.

It's been in the news that many of these illegals immigrants are sheltering in many of our district police facilities also. Just look for any local news story about them on WGN, WLS, or WBBM.

Then I see that that the number of immigrants have begun to slow at the Southern US border, does this mean less busing into Chicago? Check out today's post from CapFax

Crowds ease at Mexican border, but will that lead to fewer asylum-seekers in Chicago? https://t.co/UH34AMcazZ

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) June 2, 2023

WTTW: Jahmal Cole - Firsthand Coronavirus

 

[VIDEO] Other than digging out snow in Englewood I haven't showed much of the good work of Chatham's Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City. He's actually running for Congress against Bobby Rush and well we have time to know more about Mr. Cole.

In this video, Cole is showing his operation as he helps seniors during this pandemic. Other than helping to dig out snow for those who need it - and beyond that public market in Englewood he does this for snowed in senior citizens - he's insuring seniors have care packages. Especially those who don't want to go shopping especially for things that were in short supply once we had two weeks to flatten the curve - toilet tissue, face masks, hand sanitizer, Lysol, etc.

Free produce distribution for Greater Roseland #Ward09

The flyer here you may have seen in a recent e-mail blast from Ald. Anthony Beale's office. This event will happen on Friday at the Dollar Tree Parking Lot located on 209 E. 103rd Street. Across from the Burger King and Churches. Open to anyone who is in need of support. Refer to flyer below

 

WGN: MBMHMC near MLK Memorial Bridge this morning

 

[VIDEO] That 15 second clip shared earlier on another post didn't do justice to what My Block My Hood My City did at the Charles Chew Secretary of State facility on this MLK holiday. And I also wanted to share this FB post over at MBMHMC today regarding this volunteer PPE giveaway.

ABC 7 Chicago: Roseland church spreads joy, feeds community members with hot meal delivery service

[VIDEO] The necessary work of the Allen Metropolitan C.M.E. Church located at 10946 S. Lowe Ave:

"We feed our block club members, we feed our congregation, the sick and the shut-in and any other persons that have a need for a hot meal," volunteer Sharon Hendricks said.

With carry-out and delivery, the Allen Metropolitan C.M.E. Church is making sure their neighbors have access to a hot meal.

The church started hosting a weekly community meal in 2018, but when the pandemic began, the need for their services grew.

"Our numbers have escalated because of the tremendous need in the community," Pastor David Bryant Jr. said. "Now, all of our meals now are prepared to go."

Meals are prepared and packed in the church's Fellowship Hall, then hand-delivered to community members every Wednesday afternoon.

Also:

But this wouldn't be possible without some help, from local block clubs, community centers and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

"That allowed us to have more resources and for us to focus on getting the food out," Pastor Bryant Jr. said.

Because right now, their services are needed more than ever.

"There's no obstacle that we can't overcome by working together. No one should ever be hungry in our community," Pastor Bryant Jr. said. "It's a lack of our ability to have empathy, compassion and love for each other. We can do this and we're going to get through this together."

You can help Feed the Love by donating to our virtual food drive.

If you're in need of food, you can call 773-247-FOOD or click here to locate a food pantry near you.

Food insecurity

 

[VIDEO] The video above from ABC 7 should cause us to be thankful to be able to put foot on the table during this pandemic. According to this report food insecurity has risen exponentially. Food distribution via the Greater Chicago Food Depository is up 50% since January. From November 2019 compared to November 2020 the need has become 125% higher.

According to Jim Conwell of the Greater Chicago Food Depository many are turning to food pantries for the first time in their lives. The current situation is unlike anything he's ever seen in his organizations 41 year history.

I also wanted to share with you a story regarding My Block My Hood My City's Jahmal Cole who stated that it matters to him if someone is hungry in other parts of the city. It should matter to all of us if someone is hungry.

Uprecented times. Here's hoping you and yours are managing.

Does CPS need police officers at their schools?

[VIDEO] Alderman Roderick Sawyer (Ward 6) speaks with WGN on a proposal to remove Chicago Police from CPS schools.

A couple of things that resonate with me from this discussion. First, should students be concerned that some minor mischievous actions could quickly turn into a police situation. Ald. Sawyer noted that a student spent a night in jail for mouthing off to a police officer. One shouldn't get smart with police anyway, however, was it worth a night in jail?

Second, while police were stationed at schools initially to keep out bad influences could the schools find other resources to help students. Let's say CPD or CPS ended the contract for police at the schools, perhaps they could find a way to bring in resource officers. We've heard a lot about bringing in nurses, psychologists, social workers, etc into our schools. So let's say we do take police out of our schools, we can replace them with resources for our students.

What do you think?

Fire destroys south side food pantry #Ward09

[VIDEO] Been quite a while since I've shared a local story on this blog. On Monday there was a fire in Roseland near 111th/Michigan where a church operated a food pantry. You see the story above from WGN.

There is a GoFundMe drive page [CLICK HERE] for this church and also it was reported that Rev. Jesse Jackson is pledging help for this church as well. From ABC 7

But soon after it burned, Reverend Jesse Jackson reached out to the congregation's bishop launching a relief drive to help keep the mission going.

"This means the world to me and for them to show this kind of love you know some times when you've been giving for so long,and no one gives back and when someone finally gives, you're just stuck, you don't know what to say but thank you, " said Bishop Jerome Powell.

Jackson acknowledges that the church at 111th Street and South Michigan Avenue has been a resource for 75 families since 2004 and a helping hand for the area's economically challenged, feeding people on Sunday and giving out clothes.

"Ministries is a beacon of light and hope and we want to keep that light burning and keep hope alive," Rev. Jackson said.

Thursday, a truck is parked outside the church for people to donate non-perishable goods, clothing and toiletries

Friday, it will be parked outside of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters at 930 East 50th Street.

I also wanted to share this from the YouTube channel CharlieBo313. After they leave a crime scene on 103 Street west of Wentworth near a Dollar General store there they head up towards the fire at Beacon Light Ministries. You will see this at about the 1:15 min mark of the video [VIDEO]

Former CPS school to be adapted into a community center

I posted a quick blurb at The Sixth Ward about a community center to be located in a former CPS school named for an illustrious late president of the prestigious Morehouse College. It's a shame that the school had been closed since 2013, but it's great that it had found a reuse as a community center in Englewood.

As so far there have been no further updates that I know of with regards to the now closed Shedd School, I've always maintained this as one idea to reuse that property. Of course, it has to be reused with the right team to execute their plan. Here's hoping there are some updates as far as what's next for the former "John G. Shedd Public School".

Time for an updated pic of Shedd School

DNA Info: Metropolitan Family Services To Host A Jazzy Fundraiser in Roseland

http://www.metrofamily.org/

If you're looking for some events add this to your calendar via DNA Info:

The nonprofit Metropolitan Family Services, which provides social services to needy families, is hosting an annual Jazz at the Met fundraiser featuring live jazz from local performers at its far South Side office.

Music will be provided by local DJ Mike Burns and jazz artists The Beverly All-Stars featuring Liane Williams and Margaret Murphy, Jamiah On Fire and The Red Machine, and Russoul.

The event runs from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at 235 E. 103rd St. Tickets, which are available online, are $50.

This event takes place no more than one block away from Bennett School!