View topic - Occupy Chicago Volunteer Program
Occupy Chicago Volunteer Program
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Occupy Chicago Volunteer Program
by Philip DeVon » Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:01 pm
Occupy Chicago Community Volunteer Proposal
This proposal is simple. We propose that Occupy Chicago’s General Assembly approve an ongoing community service project at Cornerstone Community Outreach center in Uptown.
With the help of many other occupiers, we have established a relationship with a not-for-profit shelter, Cornerstone Community Outreach. Cornerstone sits in the center of Uptown, a section of Chicago credited with having more drug treatment centers and homeless shelters than any other neighborhood in Chicago. Cornerstone has been there for decades and serves hundreds of people everyday, through multiple shelters, the largest of which is a center solely for families. They provide food, shelter, clothing, mental health services, childcare assistance and job-training classes to anyone willing to put in the effort. There are many reasons for homelessness. Of course there is substance abuse; those with mental illness. There are those to blame for their own situations. But there are also many others causes, from domestic violence to natural disasters. The lack of living wage jobs continues to push many to the brink and it’s time we assist those most affected by our broken system.
We all agree that we want to continue to reach out to our communities, that we want to give back to our communities, and ultimately garner the support of those within our neighborhoods across the city, country and globe.
After several meetings with the Director and Volunteer Coordinator at Cornerstone, we have established a preliminary plan outlining the ways we can work together to achieve our mutual goal of improving our communities.
Beginning immediately, we can serve meals twice a day, lunch & dinner, on multiple days of the week. Lunch shifts are 2 hours. Dinner shifts are 2.5 hours. We also have a list of days/times that we can volunteer. Cornerstone can use 8 to 10 people for each shift. It’s our hope that we can fill each and every shift. Any arrestees are welcome to serve their community service hours here. At 1130AM on Thursday the 15th, several occupiers showed up to kick off the first of what we hope will be many meals served by Occupy Chicago at Cornerstone. When we establish a consistent presence, Cornerstone would like us to assist with sorting and distributing clothing from their clothes pantry. Finally, Cornerstone would like to work with us to create a ‘Flying Squad’ that would, through the guidance and direction of Cornerstone, reach out to those that refuse shelter and assistance, bringing them food & blankets and talking with them about their situation.
Born out of the Chicago Spring proposal we passed this fall, this proposal seeks to formally recognize the efforts already underway within Uptown by seeking approval from the General Assembly. When we passed the Chicago Spring proposal, agreeing to occupy in the spring of 2012, we voted for a proposal that stressed the importance of community action during the winter; a proposal that stressed the importance of outreach and involvement as a way to garner support for this movement. If we want to reach the people, we have to get out and engage them. Within our movement, we often say that we are building the community we want to see. But to do that, we must begin healing the broken communities that already exist. If we can create a successful, and visible program here, we can branch out and do it in each and every community across the city! This proposal is a call to action, that we come together and work with this shelter to improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Chicago while creating a positive platform from which we can convey our message to the public.
This proposal is simple. We propose that Occupy Chicago’s General Assembly approve an ongoing community service project at Cornerstone Community Outreach center in Uptown.
With the help of many other occupiers, we have established a relationship with a not-for-profit shelter, Cornerstone Community Outreach. Cornerstone sits in the center of Uptown, a section of Chicago credited with having more drug treatment centers and homeless shelters than any other neighborhood in Chicago. Cornerstone has been there for decades and serves hundreds of people everyday, through multiple shelters, the largest of which is a center solely for families. They provide food, shelter, clothing, mental health services, childcare assistance and job-training classes to anyone willing to put in the effort. There are many reasons for homelessness. Of course there is substance abuse; those with mental illness. There are those to blame for their own situations. But there are also many others causes, from domestic violence to natural disasters. The lack of living wage jobs continues to push many to the brink and it’s time we assist those most affected by our broken system.
We all agree that we want to continue to reach out to our communities, that we want to give back to our communities, and ultimately garner the support of those within our neighborhoods across the city, country and globe.
After several meetings with the Director and Volunteer Coordinator at Cornerstone, we have established a preliminary plan outlining the ways we can work together to achieve our mutual goal of improving our communities.
Beginning immediately, we can serve meals twice a day, lunch & dinner, on multiple days of the week. Lunch shifts are 2 hours. Dinner shifts are 2.5 hours. We also have a list of days/times that we can volunteer. Cornerstone can use 8 to 10 people for each shift. It’s our hope that we can fill each and every shift. Any arrestees are welcome to serve their community service hours here. At 1130AM on Thursday the 15th, several occupiers showed up to kick off the first of what we hope will be many meals served by Occupy Chicago at Cornerstone. When we establish a consistent presence, Cornerstone would like us to assist with sorting and distributing clothing from their clothes pantry. Finally, Cornerstone would like to work with us to create a ‘Flying Squad’ that would, through the guidance and direction of Cornerstone, reach out to those that refuse shelter and assistance, bringing them food & blankets and talking with them about their situation.
Born out of the Chicago Spring proposal we passed this fall, this proposal seeks to formally recognize the efforts already underway within Uptown by seeking approval from the General Assembly. When we passed the Chicago Spring proposal, agreeing to occupy in the spring of 2012, we voted for a proposal that stressed the importance of community action during the winter; a proposal that stressed the importance of outreach and involvement as a way to garner support for this movement. If we want to reach the people, we have to get out and engage them. Within our movement, we often say that we are building the community we want to see. But to do that, we must begin healing the broken communities that already exist. If we can create a successful, and visible program here, we can branch out and do it in each and every community across the city! This proposal is a call to action, that we come together and work with this shelter to improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Chicago while creating a positive platform from which we can convey our message to the public.
- Philip DeVon
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:34 am
- Location: Uptown, Chicago
Re: Occupy Chicago Volunteer Program
by Philip DeVon » Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:26 pm
- Philip DeVon
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:34 am
- Location: Uptown, Chicago
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