The Feed

Below are the initiatives that have been created by the members of the Chicago meet-up and have begun to see some traction from our collective efforts to respond to God’s call for love and justice from his people:

For more information on any initiative email: contact@thejustlife.org

Community building in Cabrini through addressing the education gap in the city:
Key Contact: Jennifer Swezey – jennifer.swezey@gmail.com

• The C2A tutoring program has been pivotal success and needs more support.
• A new kids bible study is starting that will welcome youth from the neighborhood.
• Several opportunities with the local school (Jenner) are being developed.  Specifically, energy is beginning to focus behind a “Real Men Read” program supported by Park small groups.
• The energy behind an adult education outreach program is still high – matching professional acumen with community needs (computer skills, credit counseling, health care, etc.).  We are looking for a key leader to bring this idea to life.

Christian Community Development in Cabrini Green/Parkside:
Key Contact: George Hauch – gmhauch@gmail.com

• A community development initiative has begun to provide intentional collaborative projects (beyond education) for our community on both “sides” of the street.  The ideas currently in focus are neighborhood bible studies, supporting a community day-care, and catalyzing a new community center/gym.  To learn about the Christian Community Development movement visit the CCDA’s website: www.ccda.org
• A team is forming that is focused on listening to and learning from our neighborhood. Being proactive about discovering and making connections and building/developing community – door by door, family by family, name by name.

Stewarding professional social capital through social entrepreneurialism and micro enterprise:
Key Contact: Jeff Houston – jefflhouston@gmail.com

• We are moving forward with our vision to create community development opportunities through social entrepreneurialism. The most promising idea so far comes from an advertising venture called “sign spinning.” You can learn more about what this is all about here:
  http://thejustlife.org/home/2010/05/14/social-enterprise-launch-arrow-ads/
• Several other great ideas are being discussed and we hope to be able to announce additional projects soon.

Combating the gross injustice of human trafficking head on as a community of action:
Key Contact: Traffick Free – volunteer@traffickfree.org

• The anti-human trafficking initiative rapidly exploded into the budding organization Traffick Free. That team will continue to be the backbone of anti-human trafficking efforts within the Park community while it grows to include much more diverse local, national, and global support networks.
• We also continue to coordinate with Not For Sale and International Justice Mission to support their efforts in every possible way.

Understanding and Breaking destructive cycles:
Key Contact: Jason Gonzales – gonzo@gonzodev.com

• Beginning with a new prison ministry in cooperation with Prison Fellowship.

Relationship and community development with the homeless:
Key Contact: Kelsey Cameron - kelsey.j.cameron@moody.edu

• We are setting to work on developing creative ways to minister to the homeless through street community while expanding the traditional venues of homeless ministry.

Addressing extreme poverty by supporting effective organizations through creative partnerships and fund-raising:

• Ideas are in the works to raise funds for our friends at Blood:Water Mission and others. Also, several microfinance ideas are being discussed.

Global community development:

• Achieved through combining new ESL education, our refugee ministry program, and Park’s global missions vision.

Professional Fellowships:

• A Medical Professional Fellowship has been going very well.
  Key Contact: Jacob Chako – jacob.chacko@gmail.com
• A Legal Professional Fellowship has started strong.
  Key Contact: Micah Hamstra – micahhamstra@gmail.com
• A Trader Professional Fellowship is set to start in the near future.
  Key Contact: Brook Bisrat – brook.bisrat@gmail.com
• A Technology Fellowship is also set to start soon.
  Key Contact: Mike Chuck Bretzlaff – mike.bretzlaff@gmail.com
• Energy behind a “creative’s” fellowship is still high
  Key Contact: Brian Kammerzelt – Brian@thejustlife.org

In addition to the education and conversations from within the existing initiatives, a couple of “emerging conversations” have begun to develop that are essential justice issues:

• Immigration Issues
  Key Contact: Luis Arredondo – Luis.Arredondo@moody.edu

There is no limit to the initiatives and conversations we can start.  Please feel free to suggest/begin something new.