A reader writes:
"I know the topic of responsibly managed social service agencies comes up a lot on Uptown Update. I would like to donate used clothing and other items to a non-profit in Uptown, but would like to give to a group that is really doing some good. I have a lot of very nice and very gently worn clothing to donate and I hate just putting it in the green bins since I don't know what really happens to that stuff. In the past, I have donated professional clothing to Bottomless Closet to help disadvantaged women enter the workforce, but would love to help out a group close to home. If you or any of the UU readers have any suggestions that would be great."
We've always been partial to
Apna Ghar, but with all the social services around, we'd love to hear from readers what ones you recommend.
Heartland Alliance does awesome work! They have a large refugee program that helps families get resettled into the community. I believe they would gladly accept donations. They have many other programs as well in Uptown, including a health clinic at Lawrence and Sheridan.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I wouldn't mind putting stuff in a green bin. Do we have any of those in our neighborhood?
ReplyDeleteScott - There's a new blue bin in the Walgreen's parking lot.
ReplyDeleteUnique Thrift Store on Sheridan is affiliated with the Purple Heart Veterans.
ReplyDeleteThat place is always teeming with locals (non-hipsters, mind you) who need access to inexpensive clothing, plus they have a handy bin in front.
I also like that they allowed Uptown Baptist to do that colorful mural on the side of their building to brighten up a rather gritty area.
There's a green bin on Sheridan just north of Argyle. It's often so stuffed items are falling out.
ReplyDeleteSeparately, I bought a book at the Uptown Borders yesterday and was asked if I wanted to donate $1 to REST at checkout.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have an opinion of this place?
Laura, there may be shelters out there worse than REST, but none come to mind. I would suggest going down the street to Salvation Army at Lawrence and Marine Drive.
ReplyDeleteLost respect for the Salvation Army for their anti-gay policies. They went double-down on the stupid when they then asked to be exempted from federal anti-discrimination laws so they could still qualify for federal human services funding.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with S. Elder.
ReplyDeleteA good friend of mine who is gay works for Salvation Army and finds Salvation Army to be quietly supportive. Other religious anti-gay organizations that help the homeless are JP/USA, St. Thomas, and Uptown Baptist. I don't like it but I still like the work that Salvation Army does.
ReplyDeleteDonate to Care for Real.
ReplyDeletehttps://sites.google.com/a/edgewatercommunitycouncil.org/home/Home/programs/careforreal
Good point H.M.
ReplyDeleteThe Brown Elephant - 2 locations
ReplyDeleteHalsted / Waveland and
5404 N Clark St
holy,
ReplyDeletewhen you say jp/usa is anti-gay I must assume you know nothing about it or the shelter it runs. I've volunteered there before and saw no evidence of what you are mistakenly claiming- there was no differentiating based on anything but need and whether people qualified for the programing.
You can't prove otherwise.
You can't prove otherwise.
ReplyDeleteWell .. there's a difference between helping people in need who might be gay, and supporting the biblical picture regarding homosexuality.
It's not like anyone's saying that homosexuality is a sin, or some sort of choice that a person can make.
Oh. Wait, maybe someone is:
Homosexuality is simply sin and very volitional.
You should be mindful of generalizations.
What about Sarah's Circle? They had a coat drive several Christmases ago and I donated there.
ReplyDeleteoh, yo, so you were looking for a list of sins. how about gluttony, drunkenness, pride, haughtiness, self righteousness, and coarse jesting?
ReplyDeleteIt is a requirement that you be a simmer to be a part of Christianity or jp/usa for that matter. It doesn't exclude people- it is an inclusive thing.
This thread is about denying service to people based on their personal choices and finding groups that are responsible with our donations. Lets try to keep it on topic. Some organizations restrict their services to certain people groups, but it is clear that jp/usa is not very selective or discriminating about whom they serve.
sorry for the misspelling. I was out at the bar pretty late last night!
ReplyDelete*sigh*
ReplyDeleteAll I was saying was that you were using general terms to defend your point; which is a dangerous thing to do based on how easy it is to deconstruct generalizations.
The same holds true for contradictory statements.
Compare this statement:
It doesn't exclude people- it is an inclusive thing
With:
jp/usa is not very selective or discriminating
And/Or:
there was no differentiating based on anything but need and whether people qualified for the programing.
See how easy that was?
Look, no one was passing judgment on JPUSA's existence, or their work in the community.
The point raised was that JPUSA is anti-gay.
Viewing homosexuality as a sin kinda' casts one into the position of being anti-gay.
And, following the topic of the thread, if anyone wishing to make charitable donations might be hesitant on donating to organizations that are anti-gay, then maybe there are organizations to consider other than the Salvation Army, Uptown Baptist, and St Thomas.
Though, speaking of passing judgment:
how about gluttony, drunkenness, pride, haughtiness, self righteousness, and coarse jesting?
How 'bout Matthew 7:1?
Or 7:5, for that matter?
Matthew 7 talks about correctly taking the splinter out of your brothers eye. It speaks of an intimacy that most are not willing to have with other people. It speaks of being able to see the splinter, not ignoring it, but doing something about it. It speaks of dealing with your own junk in front of others so they can be assured of your intentions and they can know that you won't hurt them in the process. It speaks of know each other so well that we know each others business and we are sticking our fingers in each others eye, ie: dealing with very sensitive areas. It speaks strongly that there are things we are unable to deal with on our own and it is necessary to have other people in deep relationship with us to help us.
ReplyDeleteA very deep passage. I don't know why you quoted it in light of this conversation, but it speaks very much of what I saw at cornerstone. It wasn't about judging the clients behaviors but it was about relationships and helping people in sensitive areas of their lives that they may have been afraid to reveal to most people.
I'm glad you see that heart as well.
Ok, fellas, back on topic. Which is not theology, and is well-managed social services to which you recommend donating gently used goods.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, Thanks for mentioning refugee resettlement services. I have a lot of nearly new furniture that I'm looking to donate.
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned about things I've read about Heartland Alliance, however. I've heard questionable things about their homeless voter registration programs, and have read that they don't do a great job of monitoring the quality of resettlement housing - see the following article about their relationship with high-problem "slum" buildings in Edgewater.
As we fight the bad landlords in Uptown, I'm not inclined to support an organization that works with bad landlords in the neighborhood just north of us.
http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/chicagos-heartland-alliance-admits-placing-clients-in-slums/
Not trying to cast aspersions on Heartland Alliance - just looking to see if anyone else has an opinion on the quality and conscientiousness of their work.
Thanks.