Ever heard of Marillac? A lot of Chicagoland residents may not have. But it's been in this area for more than 90 years; started by Catholic nuns of the 'Daughters of Charity' order, it's helped the poorest of the poor in ways that money can't buy. Thing is, without more money soon.. Marillac could be in danger of going under, according to those who run it.
Marillac, on Chicago's west side, is a victim of state funding cuts to social services programs. So, next time you see an Illinois state budget story talking about these cuts, those affected no longer need to be entirely faceless. Check out my report below:
Question: If a lifeblood of an already impoverished and blighted community is eliminated..
what happens?
Are we looking at a time bomb waiting to go off, as jobs and other activities to keep kids off the streets disappear, as working parents can no longer find affordable child care, as seniors can't get needed help close to home?
Marillac is asking people to call on their state representatives, to try and get them to help. Marillachouse.org
I also wonder why the Chicago Catholic Archdiocese (even though Marillac is an independent operation) isn't coming to the rescue?
Comments (2)
WHILE REPORTING THIS STORY, YOU USED THE WORD GHETTO TO DESCRIBE THIS AREA. I FIND THAT TO BE AN INSULT.
******IN RESPONSE*********
(Just want you to know that I used the word, as it is what a lifelong resident of that particular neigborhood called the area. In fairness, perhaps 'partial' ghetto area may have been better, as there seem to be some signs of slight rebirth; newer construction. But the fear is that this area could face rapid deterioration if the broad social services Marillac supplies are suddenly terminated. So in the end, my use of the term 'ghetto' was *not* meant to insult, but rather convey the dire need for outside support for this neighborhhod and its many upstanding, though impoverished, residents who many believe deserve the kind of help a Marillac provides.
Monica)
Posted by Anonymous | July 5, 2009 11:12 AM
Posted on July 5, 2009 11:12
Thanks for your report on Marillac! I, too, am trying to raise awareness for the social service agency so they can fight the potential funding cuts.
I work for a non-profit film & media literacy education company called Split Pillow (partner of Marillac's since 2004) and we have an outreach program coming up on July 20 - 22 at Marillac.
Posted by Brooke | July 4, 2009 10:20 AM
Posted on July 4, 2009 10:20