Summer of Faith and Action Gets Underway in Chicago

Pastor Robbie Wilkerson, New Birth Christian Center, Chicago.
Pastor Robbie Wilkerson, New Birth Christian Center, Chicago.

During the summer months, when violence usually soars in Chicago neighborhoods, community leaders desperately seek out violence prevention initiatives.

One such project, the second annual Summer of Faith and Action, a citywide violence prevention program has already kicked off and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday joined residents, community, faith and business leaders at Garfield Park Fieldhouse, 100 North Central Park Ave to promote it.

“While we may be a city of different neighborhoods, when it comes to keeping our kids safe, we are one Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Whether it is West Side, South Side or North Side, Faith and Action is about one city coming together with a common purpose to keep our children safe, secure, and supervised this summer.”

On the Friday before Memorial Day, May 22nd from 7-9 p.m., as part of a Summer of Faith and Action, church pastors, community leaders, business owners and residents are encouraged to gather together on street corners in their communities in an effort to create safe and secure environments throughout the city.

“Our children deserve to live and grow up in a community where they can play in parks and enjoy the sunshine in summer,” said Pastor Robbie Wilkerson of New Birth Christian Center. “To make that reality we as adults have to come together, block by block, community by community to provide opportunities for our children to be safe. It’s our responsibility to make sure they can grow up.”

Last May nearly 1,000 residents gathered at over 100 locations across the City marking the first night of Faith and Action. This year participants have planned barbeques, street corner prayer and rallies, block club parties, CAPS activities and events for youth.

To register to participate or to host an event in your community email MayorRSVP@cityofchicago.org or call 312-744-1718.

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