Facilitators: Chris Mathews cwmathews@gmail.com
Linda Kucera lkucera13@yahoo.com
The Protecting People subgroup of WFF is focused on providing assistance and support to those for whom the social safety net is disappearing due to threats to funding or legislative protection. Immigrants, the unhoused, the LGBTQ community, veterans and women seeking reproductive health care are some of the examples of communities who need support, advocacy and resources.
Upcoming Events:
May 8: Equality Illinois will rally in Springfield for Advocacy Day to advance LGBTQ+ equality. A bus will leave downtown Chicago at 6 am and is expected to return by 9 pm. Info is available at
May 9: Members of Worth Fighting For/Protect People will make and serve lunch for 110-120 homeless at Willow Creek, Crystal Lake. To donate food or funds to purchase food, contact Gail Maize at 312-518-0859.
June 14-15: Woodstock Pride. Woodstock Square, 121 W. Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Il. See Resources below for more details.
Ongoing:
YWCA LaVoz Latina project
Members of Worth Fighting For/Protect People are organizing a drive to collect personal hygiene products to be distributed by the YWCA LaVoz Latina.
Following is a list of items that would be useful. Feel free to create a bag with several items to help out. We will have a box at the next HAD meeting or you can drop items off at Patty's address below.
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
Toothbrush Chapstick
Toothpaste Hand/Body Wipes
Shampoo/Conditioner Soap
Deodorant Comb/Brush
Razor Feminine Hygiene Products
Band-Aids Clean Sox (Unisex)
Water Tumbler Clean T-Shirts (Unisex)
Gift Card for food
Thank you.
Patty Piwowarski
12230 Azalea Ridge
Huntley
224-520-4559
Resources:
Help for the Unhoused:
Willow Creek Church Crystal Lake
· Community Resource Days every Friday
· Accepts donations, needs volunteers to provide Friday lunch for 100 people
· Contact Julie Davis at juliedavis@willowcreek.org
· Website https://willowcreek.org (choose Crystal Lake location)
Warp Corps
· Provides camping supplies and cold weather gear to the unhoused
· Provides food, Covid tests, Narcan kits, hygiene supplies
· Connects people to community services and shelters
· Website https://www.warpcorps.org
The Night Ministry
· Provides food, hygiene products,clothing
· Has a Health Outreach Bus to reach, provide service to the unhoused in Chicago
· Operates two shelters for teens and young adults, one is LGBTQ+ friendly
· Distributes sack suppers, donated gift cards and transit passes
· Donations of meals, time, money, hygiene products etc accepted
· Website https://www.thenightministry.org
Immigrant Resources:
YWCA La Voz Latina
· Helps with applications forIDHS services
· Helps find housing, employment
· Workshops on relevant topics
· Assistance during crisis
· Accepts donations of coats, money, hygiene products
· Website https://www.ywcanwil.org
LGBTQ+
Woodstock Pride
· Holds Pride Fest June 14-15
Woodstock Square, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, Il.
· Family friendly event with parade and vendors 6/15
· Details at https://www.woodstockilpride.com and https://www.events@mchenrydems.org
PFLAG
· Information about advocacy, toolkits, support and education
· Websites https://www.pflag.org and https://www.pflag.org/chapter/mchenry
Equality Illinois:
· Political and legislative advocacy for LGBTQ+ community
· Website https://www.equalityillinois.us
Get the Facts about Bans on Sports Participation by Transgender &Non-Binary Students, published by the Human Rights Campaign at https://www.hrc.org/resources/get-the-facts-about-transgender-non-binary-athletes
Women’s Issues/ Reproductive Rights
NOW
· National Organization for Women
· Issues they focus on includes, ERA, violence against women, reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, economic justice, racial justice
· Website https://www.mchenryconow.org
Other
Grafton FoodPantry
· Accepts donations and volunteer workers
· Website https://www.graftonfoodpantry.org
Keeping Families Covered
· Provides diapers, period supplies and incontinence products to families in need
· Accepts donations of these products
· Volunteers needed to unload trucks and to pack products (packing parties)
· Opportunity to be a “Subdivision Superhero” by leading a donation drive
· Website https://www.keepingfamiliescovered.org