Message From Angela Hurlock
Executive Director, Claretian Associates  

Let me start by saying, I am thankful for each of you – each citizen, every neighbor living in the Claretian Communities in South Chicago—the place we all call home.

Like many of you, I’m unpacking and sorting out life during the pandemic and in light of recent events of civil unrest.

I am a wife and mother raising a Black young man in South Chicago. I’m angry, frustrated and at times, distraught. And like you, I’m doing the best I can to respond as things continue to unfold.

The loss of resources in our community due to property loss during the protests, will impact the distances we may have to travel for resources like food, clothing, and other services.

I’m hopeful we can over time rebuild and reconnect the livelihood of the business community and restore resources desperately needed in our community.

I am also heartened by the many acts of kindness, the resilience you are showing, the open acts of humanity to one another, caring about our families, neighbors and friends in South Chicago.

Life as we know it continues to change…almost daily.

Since mid-March, Claretian Associates continues to answer the need of the community by being able to:

• Provide over 150 families with housing payment assistance of up to $1000 through the generous support of the COVID-19 Response fund and City of Chicago’s Department of Housing.
• Provide over 300 food boxes full of produce & canned/dry goods and/or hot meals to families in need through support from the Greater Food Depository, Catholic Charities and Roma’s Restaurant.
• Provide 500 re-usable masks, 1000 rolls of toilet paper and 600 bottles hand sanitizer to local residents.

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We will continue to share relevant news and updates with you.

SO…NOW WHAT?
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As we all continue to sort things out and construct our own “new normal”, the
advice of my grandmother I grew up hearing seems appropriate for the moment, her words were simply, “Just keep living…”

In the spirit of that great advice from my grandmother, “Just keep living...”

Now…we continue to fight to rebuild and improve our neighborhood. The fight for families to increase opportunities for safe and affordable housing with life resources easily available in South Chicago is more critical today than ever before. 

Now…we must work together to destroy the inherent structures of inequity that negatively impact people of color and those with the least income or life resources.

Now…we must not let all the rage, destruction and loss or hopelessness be in vain. Claretian Associates stands for activism that engages the community toward the goal of our collective desire for true change calling for different actions, different accountability and different commitments from the powers that be especially those elected to serve the people.

Now…we must restore our selves and the neighborhood we know and love. We can continue making South Chicago safer for our children; improving schools and connection resources for our seniors and working individuals and families.

Now…we can continue making our neighborhood what we want and need for our future, right here.

Now…we focus our fight and harness our energy toward fueling REAL, true change being a true voice and representation for EQUITY in the WORLD.

Please be safe and enjoy the holiday weekend!

We want to keep you informed about food pantries that are still open during COVID-19. The South Chicago Food Network has compiled a list of food pantries that are still opened. Additional Food Emergency needs are listed too. Please view the PDF of food pantries opened in the 60617 zip code area below.