2011 Recap: JCUA’s Year in Review

A year’s work for JCUA, “the Jewish Conscience of Chicago”

JCUA provided a zero-interest loan through our Community Ventures LLC to help Breaking Ground rehab 75 foreclosed homes in North Lawndale over three years.  Learn more about Community Ventures.

JCUA assisted public housing residents at Lathrop Homes to avoid displacement. Learn more about Lathrop Homes.

JCUA joined forces with community partners to form the Multifaith Foreclosure Reclamation Initiative, working to secure properties in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood and planning for more. Learn more about the work on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

JCUA leaders were instrumental in passing the Illinois DREAM Act, putting Illinois at the forefront in recognizing that we all benefit when immigrant students have opportunities for higher education. Learn more about JCUA’s involvement in the DREAM Act.

JCUA marked Black History Month with the “Garment of Destiny” multi-media project, an online campaign to combat racism. Watch and read the “Garment of Destiny” project.

JCUA, in meetings with the White House, advocated for comprehensive immigration reform and the creation of additional affordable housing to meet the critical needs of very low income families and individuals. Learn more about JCUA’s advocacy work in the White House.

JCUA’s Or Tzedek Teen program developed a cadre of 75 Jewish social justice leaders who have taken action on the most pressing social justice issues in Chicago. Learn more about Or Tzedek, a Teen Institute for Social Justice.

JCUA brought together more than 1,000 Jews and Muslims, helping to create a more open, embracing society. Watch and read about “Iftar in the Synagogue.”

6210 Fairfield Becomes Symbol of Community Reclamation

By Judy Levey
Community Development Manager, JCUA

In the midst of an ongoing economic crisis that is displacing families and destabilizing communities, Jews and Muslims are reimagining what we can accomplish when we come together based on our shared commitment to social justice. Putting that energy to work locally, together we are tackling the foreclosure crisis that is devastating communities across the nation.

A young community member standings in front of photos of foreclosed homes in the area

This is a story of how we can go beyond interfaith dialogue to collaborative action, and how you can get involved.

Since 2009, residents near the intersection of Fairfield and 63^rd Street have grown increasingly distressed about an abandoned house in their neighborhood.  With over 5,500 foreclosures in the 60629 area code on Chicago’s Southwest Side between 2006-2010, there are scores of houses that are creating danger zones and wreaking havoc on neighborhood stability.

Community Organizations Take Action to Reclaim Neighborhood

 

For Immediate Release

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Chicago  |  www.jcua.org
Media:  Katherine Randall  |  katherine@jcua.org

CHICAGO — Residents, local religious and school leadership and community organizations are holding an action to announce progress and plans for reclaiming the abandoned, vandalized property at 6210 S. Fairfield in Marquette Park, a neighborhood that has seen more than 5,500 foreclosures since 2006.

Collective pressure from JCUA, the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) and the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) has recently led to the boarding up and securing of the building. On Thursday, May 19, community members will demonstrate their commitment to reclaiming their neighborhood and reviving the property by painting a mural on the house, creating a community garden in the backyard, and engaging in festivities on the lawn and down the block.

A news conference on the project will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the 6210 S. Fairfield house with community activities to follow until 5:00 p.m.

“This project is all about taking collective action against a place which has been the source of much fear, intimidation and pain for over a year,” said IMAN Executive Director Rami Nashashibi.

Nashashibi, Father Tony Pizzo and JCUA Executive Director Jane Ramsey will lead an interfaith prayer service to demonstrate the depth of commitment and unity on this issue. Invited legislators include: Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and Ald. Toni Foulkes (15^th).

“The impact of bank foreclosures on area properties has been truly devastating,” said Judy Levey, JCUA community development manager. “Working together we can build the momentum necessary to fix this problem.”

About JCUA (www.jcua.org)

The mission of the Chicago-based Jewish Council on Urban Affairs is to combat poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with diverse communities. Guided by prophetic Jewish principles, JCUA pursues social and economic justice for our most vulnerable neighborhoods by promoting a vision of empowering communities from within. Since 1964, JCUA has assisted groups in low-income and minority communities, built coalitions with diverse groups, advocated on issues of poverty and racism and mobilized a Jewish constituency to create a more just city and nation.

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