Before school started, I received an email from my daughter asking for donations for MASK (Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings). My Amanda knows several supporters of the organization and she helped redesign their website. Here is a follow-up response from one of their major supporters, Casey.
MASK, an anti-violence group in Englewood, Chicago was started when some moms got together to sit on the block and watch. We play with kids, grill and feed the community. After our first summer, 75th & Stewart went from being one of the most dangerous blocks in the city to having a whopping 0 fatal shootings, and the first block party in over 35 years. The block party also serves to get kids the school supplies they need each year, plus we host a massive Christmas party where Santa gives gifts to 150+ kids, and throughout the summer there are food pantries.
Over the last year we have been retrofitting shipping containers on our lot to become schools. Initially intended to be for GED completion, the pandemic has shifted the focus to taking in kids whose parents are essential workers. We provide food, water, diapers, toys, whatever the kids need, all powered by volunteers, all following strict protocol to keep everyone safe. And with CPS being a fully remote learning curriculum at least through the first quarter, we’ve acquired tablets and wifi so the kids can follow along with their coursework.
Just before school started someone broke into one of the classrooms and stole EVERYTHING. With nothing to support these kids, we put together an Amazon Wish List of things we needed to get started.
With supporters and a story on the local news, donations came from across America. Within a few days we received 89 tables (more are needed) and 1,000’s of masks, wipes, diapers, snacks, and bottled water.
Casey concluded with, “I am grateful and humbled. My heart is full from the reminder that there are good people in this world.”
I rejoice with this good news, 2020 isn’t all bad.
For more information or to help, see MASK’s Amazon Wish List and www.ontheblock.org.
