SWOP invites all to confront community concerns

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

Remember the term Reclaiming Southwest Chicago? It goes back to 2013 when the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) formed a partnership with United Power for Action and Justice and Real Estate developer Brinshore.

Their plan began with buying and refurbishing abandoned properties and then converting them into affordable housing. They were so successful in their initial targeted area that they were able to extend their reach faster than anticipated.

To Reclaiming Southwest Chicago the group added issues of mental health and criminal justice. The pandemic may have slowed progress down a bit, but the work now continues.

On Sunday, July 17, these and other issues will be addressed in a live in-person action. You can be a part of the progress simply by being there. You can join an expected 2,500 people from 100 member organizations from across the six-county Chicago area–meeting with top officials from local, state and federal government as well as religious leaders, to address root causes of problems we are all facing.

It always feels good to do something. Travel together with SWOP members. Reserve your seat on the bus now. Sign up by emailing Imelda Salazar at [email protected] or call (773) 987-4070.

On Tuesday, June 28, anyone that cast a ballot at the Marquette Park fieldhouse was treated to dinner. Now that was quite a surprise to me. As I watched the roast pork and potatoes go by, I was sorry I had already eaten.

Dinner was courtesy of Hope Church. Pastors Ben and Jordan Arias were serving up the eats, along with church members. I spoke with Pastor Jordan and asked her about this generous gesture.

“We hold these community dinners to get to know the community,” she answered. “We plan on being here every Tuesday for a while. So please tell anyone you know not to cook on Tuesdays, but to join us here at 6 p.m. We’ll be happy to have them!”

So, there you have it. No need to cook dinner on Tuesdays.

Last week, I took my little granddaughter over to the Chicago Lawn Branch Library for CircEsteem. The concept was begun in 2001 by a former Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus employee with the purpose of using the arts of juggling and clowning to promote self-esteem in children.

Doug Grew hosted the workshop and incorporated some historical facts, along with a bit of clowning around as he showed the audience different kinds of juggling and circus tricks. Everyone, both children and adults, were encouraged to join in and try their hand at the different tricks. It was a unique program that everyone certainly seemed to enjoy.

The newly elected officers of the Clearing Post 600 American Legion were scheduled to be sworn in yesterday, for the 2022-2023 year. Congratulations to the incoming Commander Rick Chlarella Sr., Vice Commander Al Cadena Jr. Vice Commander Jerry Rangel, Finance Officer Marv Gadbaw and Sergeant-at-Arms Ron Kalat.

On Saturday, July 9, the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, will screen the 2021 modern day retelling of the classic story of Cinderella at 2:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 13, it is Pre-School Story Time at the library from 11 a.m. to noon. Then from 4 to 5 p.m., it is Family STEAM Hour where families get together and complete a simple project.

The Young Adult group of St. Rita of Cascia Parish is hosting Theology and Tacos on two Saturdays, July 16, and July 30 at 3 p.m. in the garden of St. Rita (behind the rectory), 6243 S. Fairfield. All adults over the age of 18 are invited to join in. The guest speaker on the 16^th will be Jeff Bartow, executive director of SWOP. On the 30^th Emily Cortina, coordinator of outreach and formation for Kolbe House, will speak. For more information, call or text (773) 656-0776.

We had an early deadline for this week’s paper, so no one would have had a chance to answer last week’s history question in which case we will let it ride another week. What was the name of the business at 3927 W. 63^rd St., before D C Sales and before R & S Liquors?