Of particular concern is the ripple effect that these cuts will have throughout the community. No longer will Mutual Ground, the only domestic violence agency in Aurora, be able to offer shelter services to women and their children who have been forced to leave their homes for safety reasons. According to Linda Healey, Executive Director of Mutual Ground, "the loss of $541,780 in funding means that we have to close the doors of the shelter. I have no where for those families to go - every domestic violence agency is in the same situation."

An already overcrowded situation at Hesed House, an agency serving homeless families and individuals, is likely to get worse. Already we have people sleeping in chairs every single night because we are out of beds. If these cuts are allowed to go through, we will not be able to shelter everyone who becomes homeless as a result. Some individuals and families will be forced to sleep on the street.

The Campaign for Better Health Care has invited the Illinois Conference of Churches to participate in the Health Care Justice Action Week which will be held June 22nd-June 27th. The next couple of months will determine if health care reform occurs. The information coming out of Washington is that the differences between the House and Senate proposals will be debated during August and September, with a final proposal to be voted on in late September or October. Attached is some information regarding the activities that your judicatories/congregations can be involved during this week to join other Illinoisans across the state in this opportunity.

You may call the CBHC Office at 217-352-5600 (downstate), or 312-913-9449 (Chicago area) or visit the CBHC website at www.cbhconline.org for additional information about the Health Care Justice Action Week.

 

Bishop Shamana event at Garrett Seminary, Evanston: June 24-25

School of Congregational Development, Evanston: July 29-August 2

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The conference calendar is reserved for conference, district, and general church events. If you would like to promote a local church event, the communications office can help you reach out to people in your area through local media.

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Please send content, story requests, questions and feedback to: communications@umcnic.org