At a Crossroads

By Jim Soderberg, Executive Director

The faith traditions represented in CHUM stress the importance of community and the nurturing of values
and commitments that make for community.  Indeed, the quality of our relationships, especially with those
who suffer poverty or marginalization, is held up as a barometer of the health of our relationship with God. 

Our collective space both reflects and shapes the contours of our souls.  What makes the current political
environment so painful is the debasement of the commons through the interjection of fear, hatred, and
resentment into our public discourse.  As ties of mutual support and responsibility are broken, the commons
becomes a hellish domain where we meet our neighbor with dread and mistrust.

As people of faith we are called to enter the public arena as, in the words of Isaiah, repairers of the breach
and restorers of the streets to live in.  We are called to invest ourselves in building a just and
compassionate community.
We are at a critical crossroads.  At both the federal and state levels budgets are now being drawn up that
will impact the lives of millions of people for years to come.  The decisions these budgets embody are a
concrete expression of our deepest values and commitments.  They testify to who or what we truly worship. 

To live our faith is to engage in the work that being community requires.  Let us do so prayerfully, with
humility and courage.  And let us carry the message of compassion and hope that is so central to our
collective work here at CHUM.  In the days ahead please share with your neighbors and our policy makers
the need to invest our collective resources towards the goal of creating the community that we are called to be.   
 

Jim Soderberg attends JRLC Day on the Hill

Homelessness & Mental Health Stats

� While only 4% of the US population has a serious mental illness, up to 25%  

of people who are homeless have serious mental illnesses. (1)

� People with serious mental illnesses are homeless more often and for longer  

periods of time than others experiencing homelessness. (1)

� Over 60% of people who are chronically homeless have mental health conditions. (2)

� About 50% of people who have experienced chronic/long term homelessness  

have co-occurring substance use problems. (2)

� Providing supportive services to people in housing has proven effective in achieving  

residential stability, improving mental health and reducing the cost of homelessness to the community. (1)

1. Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless 

2. Department of Health & Human Services, USA 

SAVE THE DATE

CHUM Rhubarb Festival, Saturday, June 25, 2011

11th Ave East and London Road, Duluth, MN

Featuring: Peter Mayer, Minnesota Singer Songwriter

Listen to a sampling of his music at www.petermayer.net

New This Year:  Duluth Running Company's Youth Rhubarb Run

Support the Duluth Diaper Drive by dropping off size 3-5 diapers at CHUM by May 1!

Letter Carriers Food Drive will be held May 14, 2011

Volunteers are needed. Contact Meg at 218-727-2391 if you or your group would like to help!