Children in grades 3rd – 5th at
Chalmers Elementary School, located across the street from CCIL, focused their service learning project on homelessness this spring. Upon visiting CCIL, the students learned first-hand about the issue. Compelled and motivated by their CCIL experience, the students thought about various ways they could help. In partnership with
America SCORES Chicago, the girls’ team presented the poem below.
Just Like Me and YouAmerica SCORES ChicagoChalmers 3rd - 5th Grade Girls Team
Help the homeless,
Yeah, that’s what we said.
You can’t treat them like garbage
just because they don’t have a roof over their head.
CCIL (repeat x4)
Homelessness can happen to anyone,
it could happen to you.
We’re the Chalmers Cavaliers
here to tell you what you can do.
Donate money.
Volunteer your time.
Read books to kids.
Write a poem.
Draw pictures for the families.
Cook a meal.
Shake their hand.
Smile and laugh.
Don’t be afraid to reach out your hand.
We need to understand
the lesson that we planned.
CCIL (repeat x4)
They might need a friend.
The CCIL knows what to do.
Think about how we can help.
Homeless people have talents too.
At first we felt sad
because we didn’t know what to do.
Now we understand that they are families,
just like me and you.
Happiness comes from who we are
not from what we have.
So do something to make a difference,
and you will feel glad.
About America SCORES…
America SCORES Chicago strives to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifiying value, America SCORES Chicago inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities.
On Monday, June 29, 2009 trainees from CCIL's Foodservice Training Program were honored at a graduation ceremony in CCIL's chapel. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White took time out of his busy schedule to attend the ceremony offering words of encouragement to the graduates. After the ceremony, Mr. White stayed for lunch and mingled with the graduates, guests, CCIL residents and staff. 
CCIL participated in the 24th Annual Greater Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The 2.5 mile walk along Lake Michigan raised support for CCIL’s residential foodservice program and CCIL's Community Food Pantry. CCIL residents, staff, volunteers and Community Food Pantry clients all joined together to take a stand against hunger in Chicago.
Children in grades 3rd – 5th at Chalmers Elementary School, located across the street from CCIL, focused their service learning project on homelessness this spring. Upon visiting CCIL, the students learned first-hand about the issue. Compelled and motivated by their CCIL experience, the students thought about various ways they could help. In partnership with America SCORES Chicago, the girls’ team presented the poem below.
Staff and volunteers of the Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL) and more than 5,000 others will join the march against hunger on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Montrose Harbor. The 24th Annual Hunger Walk directly benefits participating food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that are member agencies of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, including CCIL. Food Depository pantries have seen an increase in demand of 33 percent in the past year, including many people who have never turned to a pantry before.
A special thank you to everyone who helped make the 5th Annual Spring Into Health & Fitness Fair hosted by Rush University Medical Center a huge success on Saturday, May 16, 2009! The citywide health and job fair was held at CCIL's main campus on Roosevelt Road and was the hub for a variety of activities.
