SOUL’s Year End Appeal

MI23

I love the fact that SOUL is an organization that fights against racial and economic injustice day in and day out. I love how SOUL thinks big and acts big. We just don’t settle for what is just winnable, we fight to transform our communities.2014 was a big year for us and I am asking you to contribute so we can do even more in 2015.  Our goal is to raise $10,000 by the end of year.

These are only some of things we’ve accomplished this year:

  • Ending Mass Incarceration: Launched in January, we have taken to the streets, met with elected officials and worked with allies to reform the criminal justice system in Illinois. In December, more than 200 people marched on the Cook County Jail, calling for Anita Alvarez to stop locking-up young people of color for petty offenses.
  • Good Jobs: We lobbied Cook County Commissioners and met with Cook County Board President Preckwinkle to support an ordinance that would force large corporations in Cook County to pay a living wage their employees. We plan to take this ordinance to the Board Floor in 2015.
  • Arts & Rec Center in Bronzeville: SOUL leaders have been fighting for 15 years to bring an arts and recreational center to the near south side. In December of 2013, Mayor Rahm Emanuel publicly committed to finally make it happen. They are breaking ground this month for a new $15 million facility.
  • We battled alongside our sisters and brothers in the Fight for 15. In May, we had over 75 leaders join in a 2,000-person march at McDonald’s headquarters in Oak Brook. Ten of our clergy and seminarians were arrested in support of the campaign.
  • In June, SOUL launched its first voter registration drive that resulted 10,000 new voters on the south side and south suburbs. Then in November, leading up to Election Day, we contacted 20,000 people to get them to the polls.

We keep it moving at SOUL, but in order to continue this momentum, we need feet on the ground and we need your support! In 2015, our plan is to go bigger, to speak louder, and continue to WIN fights that ensure justice and equality for all. We have but a few short weeks to reach our goal.

Sincerely,
Byron Hobbs
Executive Director – SOUL

P.S. SOUL is a 501c(3) organization all donations are tax deductible.

P.P.S. Don’t want to make an online donation? You can also write a check made payable to SOUL and mail it to 6400 S. Kimbark Ave, Chicago, IL 60637.