Dear Friends,
We hope that this email finds you in the best of health and spirits possible.
Like many of you, we've been devastated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the racist treatment of Black and Asian migrants trying to flee Ukraine, the massive and rising death toll, and the double standards that are emerging as a majority white country receives global solidarity at a scale that Palestinians, Syrians, Yemenis, and more have been denied for decades. At the same time, Ukrainians and Russians opposing Putin's war, and grassroots solidarity from everyday people has been giving us hope. Amidst it all, we know that some of the most important work we can do as folks based in the US is continue fighting for racial, economic and gender justice that undermines the global war economy and can create meaningful opportunities for lasting peace with more just futures. We appreciate these helpful offerings from our friends at Dissenters as we navigate the current crisis, and thought you might too.
In this month's newsletter, you'll find a number of exciting updates about our upcoming summer program, an opportunity to celebrate the Michael McConnell Peace with Justice Youth Fellowship, and more. We look forward to connecting with you in the coming weeks, and appreciate your ongoing support of our work.
Don't forget you can get more frequent updates by following our new Instagram account! Please donate if you feel inspired, and many thanks to our monthly donors for keeping our work going.
-Debbie,
AFSC Chicago Peacebuilding Coordinator
Youth Organizing Updates
We couldn’t be more excited about what we’re getting ready to launch this summer, and we get to grow our team to help make it happen. For the past six years, our summer youth organizing internships have only been available to a small, select few - between 2 and 12 interns. This year, that all changes.
Thanks to a generous gift from Wellington UCC, an active and supportive community that’s thrown down for social justice for decades, we’re going to pilot ‘WILD!’ - a month-long, paid youth organizing institute for twenty young people, ages 15-19! More info about that program will be dropped soon. But we can’t do all that without a powerful team ready to lead, facilitate, coach and throw down with us.
Could that be you? We’re hiring three part-time coordination interns to join us mid-April and stick with us until August. This Spring, hours would be around 10 per week, with July being our ‘all-hands-on-deck’ month, with more like 20-25 hours per week. You’ll have support and mentorship from experienced community organizers and youth workers, and work in collaboration with other orgs and campaigns from around the city. Pay is $20/hr, with a transit stipend.
Click the button below to apply, or help us spread the word! Deadline March 31st.
Apply Now!
In just six months, thanks to the generous support of more than 80 individual donors including many of you, and the support of Crossroads Youth Fund, we've successfully reached our initial fundraising goal for the Michael McConnell Peace with Justice Youth Fellowship! In December, we hired our inaugural fellow, Alicia Brown, and she has been hard at work in just three short months, already launching two new youth projects with us at AFSC Chicago Peacebuilding.
On Sunday April 3, during a special hybrid virtual and in person service, we'll be joining Wellington UCC to celebrate the launch of this fellowship. We hope to see you there, but space is limited so RSVP today if you plan to attend in person!
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2022
Time: Doors open 10:00 AM, Service at 10:30 AM
Location: 6212 N. Clark St
Virtual Option: https://ministrelife.zoom.us/j/91732186458
RSVP
Community Safety Beyond Policing
For the past year and a half, AFSC has been organizing a webinar series to explore how communities across the U.S. are working toward a future where we rely less on police—and ensure community safety for all. All of the recordings of Webinars that feature organizers from across the country can be found on our website. We want to highlight the most recent event, and an upcoming study to action group!
Global Policing (February 10, 2022)
Drawing on AFSC's international programs and partners, we talk about the impact of policing on local communities in several places outside the United States. Recording available in English and Spanish.
WATCH (ENGLISH)
In Loving Memory of Anthony Alvarez, Travon Chadwell, and Adam Toledo (Vigil)
Nearly one year ago the Chicago Police killed three young people within six days, Adam Toledo (13), Travon Chadwell (18), and Anthony Alvarez (22). We invite you to remember them as we approach this painful anniversary, and commit to working to end police violence.
Join us and our partner PO Box Collective for a vigil at 6:30 pm on March 29th at 6900 N. Glenwood Ave. in Rogers Park.
Read this blog post by Debbie Southorn: Anthony Alvarez, Travon Chadwell, and Adam Toledo should be alive today
#FreeThemAll
#FreeBernina
Last month, dozens of you attended our virtual 'Love & Letters' event alongside Love & Protect, People's Law Office, Illinois Prison Project and more to help #FreeBernina, and all incarcerated survivors. To date, we've received 24 individual letters of support for Bernina's clemency petition, which is phenomenal.
So what's next?
The Prisoner Review Board (PRB) will hold a public hearing for Bernina during the day on Thursday April 14, 2022, in Springfield, beginning at 9 AM. We want the PRB to see that Bernina has a community of love and support behind her. Bernina is not allowed to appear at the hearing, and so we invite and encourage you to attend the hearing to help humanize Bernina in front of the PRB.
Interested in joining us in person? Sign up using the link below and we'll reach out with more information, including transportation options to travel with us.
For more information about what to expect at a clemency hearing, see this resource from the Illinois Prison Project.
Join us in Springfield!
COMMUNITY SHOUTOUTS
Chicago Childcare Collective New Volunteer Training!
If you've wanted to join the Chicago Childcare Collective and support children and families in leading movement work, now is your chance! They are hosting an April virtual training- check out the graphics and please share!
- April 3rd | 2-4:30pm | Virtually on Zoom
- Please sign up at: chichico.org/volunteer.html
- When you sign up, we will contact you to chat to see if it's a good fit!
MORE INFO
El Pueblo Canta: A Concert to Celebrate the Movement for Immigrant Justice, Un concierto para celebrar el Movimiento para la Justicia al immigrante.
For the thirteenth year, Wellington UCC will co-sponsor El Pueblo Canta along with Centro Romero and the Chicago Religious Leadership Network in support of a community where all are welcome. El Pueblo Canta brings people together from across the city to celebrate our diversity, embolden the work for immigrant justice, and embrace the belief that who we are, is greater than any fear. All proceeds benefit the work of immigrant justice.
AFSC is honored to co-sponsor, and we hope you'll consider attending!