Some light reading.
From: ****** (****@howardbrown.org)
Date: November 7, 2013 at 5:20:35 PM CST
Subject: Urgent request from the BYC!
Dear trusted friends and allies of the Broadway Youth Center,
I am reaching out with an urgent request. BYC staff, youth, and community supporters request your attendance at a meeting on Monday, November 11 (7-9 PM) in support of the Broadway Youth Center services and programs. This meeting will take place at Second Unitarian (656 W. Barry).
We are in the process of requesting a special use permit to operate services at Wellington Ave UCC (615 W. Wellington) and have been engaged in conversations throughout the summer with a neighborhood group called SELVN (South East Lakeview Neighbors). On Monday, we will be providing an update on our special use permit application and opening the dialogue for a “Good Neighbor Agreement.” We are hopeful this written tool will support proactive, ongoing, and meaningful dialogue between the BYC and its residents. SELVN hosts these monthly meetings to engage residents in neighborhood-related issues.
We need our allies and friends to attend this meeting to show solidarity and support. We
anticipate, similar to previous meetings, that many individuals who attend this meeting will become hostile and verbally violent. Many comments and viewpoints will be expressed—many of which are racist, homophobic, transphobic, classist, ableist, and ageist. Many of the most hateful participants do not even live in the neighborhood.
We are hoping that you might attend and, if you feel comfortable, say a few words about why our programs are necessary. Please wear YELLOW to show your support. We are in the process of developing talking points as well.
The Chicago zoning board will vote on our request in January 2014 but we are working closely with SELVN because we believe it is important to engage residents with an open heart and accurate information about our programs.
In short, your presence would be very meaningful.
Thank you for your support during this challenging time—
****
