Monday, March 31, 2008

Lights, Camera, Action


CCIL’s Spring 2008 Premier Television Season on CAN TV

Beginning April 3, 2008 CCIL will appear on Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. through June 26, 2008.

Tune in to Chicago’s local cable station on channel 21 and see a variety of guests every week. Channel 21 is a live, interactive, call-in show. Viewers are encouraged to call 312-738-1060 during the segment and ask questions or offer comments regarding the discussion topic for each show.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Overview of Administration’s FY 2009 Budget

The President’s budget proposal was released on February 4, 2008 for fiscal year 2009. Although this budget reflects the Administration’s funding priorities, Congress will make decisions on actual funding levels later this year. This budget is meant to guide the House and Senate as they decide on funding levels for programs during the appropriations process. Most of the work being done to influence these funding levels is on securing support from Congress as they approve appropriation bills to make them into laws along with the Administration.

Some key points to note as they relate to people CCIL serves:

The budget proposes increased funding for the Department of Defense, cuts to health care programs, and about $2.4 billion less for domestic discretionary programs outside of Homeland Security. These programs include most of the housing, human service, veterans, education, and infrastructure programs that help low-income people. Taking inflation into account, these programs would be cut by 4 percent from last year.

The Administration’s budget proposed increasing funding for HUD’s homeless assistance programs (McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Grants) by $50 million to $1.636 billion. This is an inadequate funding level as permanent housing renewal programs alone will increase by approximately $95 million. This proposal does not include a prisoner reentry initiative or a rapid rehousing initiative for families. $1.8 billion is needed to make progress toward national goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2012.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was suggested to receive a $53 million cut in funding, leaving it with $100 million. This grant funds overnight and transitional shelters as well as supportive services.

**Statistics taken from the National Alliance to End Homelessness website. For more information on advocacy efforts being done to influence appropriations made on housing and homelessness issues, sign up for advocacy updates at their website: www.endhomelessness.org **

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Brunch, Baskets and Brushes…


CCIL hosts Easter meal for homeless families

CCIL hosted a complimentary Easter brunch for its residents and citizens in the North Lawndale community on Sunday, March 23, 2008. More than 40 volunteers served a delicious meal of egg bake, turkey, ham, dressing, vegetables, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries and assorted beverages to at least 250 disadvantaged families. Easter baskets overflowing with treats were distributed to children of all ages. Volunteers also collected and distributed kits of toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes throughout the day.

CCIL Executive Director Judy McIntyre said, “Great progress is being made in assisting those facing unbearable challenges and obstacles. CCIL is thankful to be a in a position where we can provide much needed services to our residents and the community. We couldn’t do the work we do without the help of our dedicated volunteers and staff.”

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Second Chance Act

Reentry Bill Awaits President’s Signature

On March 11, after months of delay, the Senate passed the Second Chance Act of 2007, S. 1060, by unanimous consent. The Second Chance Act is designed to help ex-offenders reenter their communities successfully. The House passed its bill, H.R. 1593, which is identical to the Senate bill, last November with overwhelming bipartisan support, 347 to 62. The bill has been sent to the President’s desk and is expected to be signed into law. The lead sponsors of the bill are Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) and Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE).

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 2.25 million Americans were incarcerated at the end of 2006. Of those incarcerated, 95 percent will at some point be released and will reenter their communities. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of the 650,000 prisoners released annually are re-arrested within three years of their release. The Second Chance Act aims to stem these alarming trends by providing people leaving corrections with more adequate support. The bill authorizes $362 million over fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for Justice Department inmate treatment and reentry programs, plus an additional $20 million over the same time period for initiatives at the Bureau of Prisons to better prepare prisoners for reentry into the community.

The Second Chance Act takes a comprehensive approach to reduce recidivism by providing states and localities with grants to implement successful strategies to ensure safe and successful reentry. States can use the funding to offer various support services, including job training, education, and substance abuse and mental health services. Housing activities are also considered eligible uses of program funds. Advocates consider this an essential provision given the high rate of homelessness among people released from jails. The bill also establishes a national resource center for research on reentry; commissions reentry-related research; and authorizes grants to nonprofit organizations for mentoring and transitional programs.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Hungry and Homeless to Honorable and Heroic…

Alderman JoAnn Thompson joins CCIL Board of Directors

CCIL is proud to announce a new member to the Board of Directors. Former CCIL resident and now elected official, Alderman JoAnn Thompson is the newest addition to CCIL’s 16-member Board of Directors.

CCIL Executive Director Judy McIntyre comments, “This is a notable moment for CCIL. Our mission is geared toward working with homeless individuals and families, helping them reintegrate into society as self-sufficient, confident people. Having someone on our board that has experienced homelessness is powerful. JoAnn is an inspiration – we’re truly fortunate to have her as an advocate and representative for our organization.”

Chicago’s 16th Ward Alderman JoAnn Thompson is a prime example of someone who is giving back to her community. She credits CCIL as a constructive catalyst in her journey to recovery.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Opportunity Clicks

City of Chicago and CCIL provide online career resources
Opportunities for job seekers are one click away as the Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL) extends its bank of resources to include free online access to CAREERS, the city's new online application system. Chicago Automated Recruiting Evaluation Employment Reporting System uses the latest technology to make applying for City of Chicago jobs easy and efficient. CCIL is one of the designated locations where candidates can search for city job opportunities and apply for multiple positions using an online profile and without using a single sheet of paper.

"Our new online system gives potential applicants greater access to available job postings within the City of Chicago and allows them to apply for positions with greater easee and efficiency," said Michelle Y. Burton, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources. "Partnering with the Chicago Christian Industrial League in our outreach efforts will ensure that our CAREERS website is accessible to more people than ever before."

The CAREERS website, www.cityofchicago.org/CAREERS, can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Candidates create a User ID and password allowing ongoing site use and the ability of searching for jobs; completing a candidate application; receiving automatic updated job postings and creating a candidate profile.

CCIL Executive Director Judy McIntyre reiterates, "This is a great resource. CCIL prides itself on assisting our residents and the community in finding jobs. People are welcome to utilize our facility for employment research. Our Center for Workforce Development staff is trained in helping new internet users navigate the city's online application system."

Monday, March 10, 2008

Feinstein Challenge 2008

$1,000,000 Giveaway to Fight Hunger
Alan Feinstein, one of the country's leading philanthropists, has issued a challenge to all agencies dealing with homelessness and hunger - he is giving away $1,000,000 to anti-hunger agencies across the country. Donations sent to CCIL in March and April qualifies our organization for additional funding from this challenge. Visit http://www.feinsteinfoundation.org/ for more information.