National Service as an investment in communities

Today President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which will among other things expand AmeriCorps, a network of organizations provide opportunities for Americans to provide community service, from 75,000 to 250,000 members. AmeriCorps volunteers commit to part- and full-time terms of service in programs that range from beautifying national and state parks to providing literacy support for elementary school students in the urban core. Most AmeriCorps members receive a small living stipend and are eligible an education award upon completion of the term of service. The Kennedy Act will increase this education award, making terms of service more viable for people of all economic backgrounds.

Chicago is quite lucky to have a number of worthwhile programs currently serving communities across the city and the benefits go far beyond after school programs in elementary schools, teacher training and support in high schools, regular help in shelters and community beautification projects in blighted areas. While these types of services are needed more than ever as economic downturn drives the need stretch social services to more people and provide opportunities to take pride in themselves, these types of programs are a long-term investment in Chicago and vitality of its communities.

Community service and the opportunities AmeriCorps programs provide draw talented young people from around the country to Chicago, provide opportunities for native Chicagoans to serve in their hometown, and expose countless individuals to the social, political and economic realities of urban life. Following college and without any geographic anchor one AmeriCorps program, City Year Chicago, drew me to this city. In my first year I worked as a tutor at McCutcheon Elementary in Uptown where I learned about the challenges that immigration, homelessness and poverty pose to children and their families. I moved up in the organization and led teams working on the South and West sides of the city where I learned how disinvestment and depopulation strip communities of their vitality. In addition I learned technical skills in team leadership, grant management, program analysis and organizational politics. My time with City Year also exposed me to the number of organizations and theories of how best to build our community. I decided to stay and see myself having a long career of public service in Chicago.

Many of my fellow AmeriCorps members similarly came to understand their responsibility to learn about their community, build their skills in being productive members of it, and pass on their lessons to others in the community. Some may have only stayed here for a year or two, but while here they made it their responsibility to be full time big citizens. During my tenure with AmeriCorps we only did a few projects in Rogers Park, the relatively low rent, youth-friendly atmosphere and safety of the neighborhood makes it a host to dozens of AmeriCorps members each year. The passage and implementation of the Kennedy Serve America Act is good for the country, our community and individuals. This is the type of long-term investment that is worth far more than any sports exhibition or quick-fix solution to our current economic problems.

IL Campaign Finance Reform- A Betrayal of Corruption

Thursday, April 10th CHANGE IL held a rally outside the Thompson Center against political corruption in the state. CHANGE IL, a coalition of community groups headed by Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, brought together 200+ people of all ages on this cool Maundy Thursday to support HB 24, a bill put forth by Rep. Harry Osterman to limit campaign contributions and the number of political committees candidates and office holders may have at one time.

The hope is that these basic limits on money in politics will curtail corruption and make elected officials more responsive to all constituents in a state that continues to earn its reputation as the Wild West of campaign finance. Currently candidates face no limits for the amount contributors may give to their campaigns allowing those who can write massive checks an undue amount of influence. Under HB 24 candidates in Illinois would face contribution limits at the same level as Federal candidates. While those who are able to write $2,400 checks to campaigns are small minority of the state population, it does force candidates to talk to far more people in order to fund their campaigns.

After enjoying a doughnut provided by CHANGE IL and receiving my press packet, I took my spot in the crowd to experience the closest thing I will come to church this Easter season. The first speaker and MC was Rev. Patricia Watkins of the TARGET Area Development Corp who gave a call and response sermon against corruption that even got this lock-jawed congregationalist hooting and hollering. Rev. Watkins was followed by Rami Nashashibi of Inner City Muslim Action Network, Merri Dee of AARP Illinois, Peter Bensinger, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia of Enlace Chicago and the Rev. Phillip Blackwell, Senior Minister of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. The final speaker, Rev. Blackwell, called on us as Illinois residents to betray the old ways and betray corruption by supporting reform and rejecting the status quo.