Hi everybody,
What are the impacts of the ongoing depression in North Lawndale? What are potential impacts of cuts Mayor-elect Rahm Emmanuel doesn't know the size of yet in the City's social services budget? What can we do to counteract less government funding?
Is it time for Executive Directors in North Lawndale to sit together? Political Scientist Michael Rich, did a study of how the City of Chicago and other Illinois communities distributed CDBG funding. He found social services $$$ where disproportionately distributed into the poorest communities while community economic development $$$ mostly went to wealthier community areas. In Chicago there is a correlation between politics, organizing and levels and where which types of government $$S and other resources (UIC's Barry Rundquest did a similar study of how Chicago Police are distributed).
The 2012 City Budget process is starting under new Mayor Emanuel, already. Typically, at the end of August public hearings have started. Now is the time for North Lawndale's leadership to put together a strategy and partnerships that extend beyond each of our own "silos". What some are doing for youth are impacting how effective our schools are, and visa versa. North Lawndale according to the Chicago Reporter has the highest youth unemployment, in the nation! Bet no matter whether you are working in the community, schools, with families, with employers, in real estate or economic development, are a building owner, with the police or courts--- this is impacting the success of your program. Lets engage the community collectively to figure out what we need to reverse likely significant cuts in programs, North Lawndale needs. I am especially concerned about training and youth employment related funding impacts. I propose we help North Lawndale organize a youth unemployment summit to voice their concerns and begin developing their own job creation strategies so they are heard in both the upcoming 2012 City Budget process and 2012 Presidential Elections. Many of you may have missed it---Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter, yesterday took the federal government to task for not doing more to help cities create jobs. If we want them to do more we have to push them to do more, is something President Obama has said. What do you think?
Also, FYI, attached is a draft of a paper, my colleague Stacey Flint, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Associate Executive Directer has written about the Black Exodus- Middle Class Black Flight, in Chicago's inner city communities. Please read and share your comments. Any of you that have worked in collaboratives and partnerships know collaboration is not a natural act. (Except maybe for ants that link together to float on water, which is why the survive floods). Our communities and programs as well clients are being deluged by continued disinvestment and underinvestment in programs that would create jobs for us. As they say if we keep doing the same thing and expecting different results...
Brian
brianlbanks@gmail.com
brianlbanks@gmail.com
312 985-7715
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Brian Banks <brianlbanks@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Subject: Evelyn Diaz | John Pfeiffer | Emanuel Names New Social Services Leadership
To: "post@brianlbanks.posterous.com" <post@brianlbanks.posterous.com>
From: Brian Banks <brianlbanks@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Subject: Evelyn Diaz | John Pfeiffer | Emanuel Names New Social Services Leadership
To: "post@brianlbanks.posterous.com" <post@brianlbanks.posterous.com>
Emanuel says new strains on social services budgets are coming from the federal and state governments. He didn't know how much money the city might lose for its programs.
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