Is a community fundraiser in order?
Those who live and work here can thwart impact of the DOJ's cut
Just as Chicago was starting to see a drop in violent crime, the City and one of its largest nonprofit organizations, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) got whacked with a multi-million-dollar reduction in a grant aimed at reducing violence. Three of the anti-violence organizations that MFS funds through the federal grants also will be impacted. They are Think Outside the Block, Target Area Development Corp. and Project Hood.
Losing $3.7 million in grants probably couldn’t come at a more injurious time as Chicago experiences upticks in shootings and homicides in the Spring and Summer months. MFS’s executive director, Ric Estrada, estimated that at least 250 workers trained to intervene and lessen violence - particularly in the Englewood and Woodlawn communities are likely to lose those jobs. With 112 murders through April, Chicago is on track to have approximately 375 murders this year. Most likely that number would be lower if all of the anti-violence organizations were at full strength all year.
Anyone paying attention knows this latest salvo is President Donald Trump nibbling around the edges to cripple this city financially and socially. It all stems from his disdain for migrants and sanctuary cities and states that won’t assist the Federal government in detaining and deporting them.
MFS has until the end of June to appeal the decision regarding the cuts. Of course, there is no guarantee an appeal will be successful. If it isn’t MFS, which operates a “peace circle” and the three other organizations will in essence have to do at least as much, if not more, than it has been doing when there is a full complement of violence interrupters.
Chicago has a tremendous opportunity to intercede and blunt the fed’s action. A $1 donation from every Chicagoan would replace the lost grant dollars. There is no doubt the level of violence we have witnessed and experienced is a city-wide problem. That is why a citizen-based city-wide solution is called for. Any donations from outside of the city, as well as from the corporate community should be welcomed. It should be an initiative void of politics or government.
Our city is home to folks representing dozens of ethnic groups and this is an opportunity, be it tangential, for everyone to work together toward a common and necessary goal.