Anti-Racism & Equity Ministry

Summer Book Read

Please join First Pres for our all-church summer book read of Heather McGhee's The Sum of Us, sponsored by CARE (our Committee on Anti-Racism and Equity)!

Heather McGhee is an economic and social policy expert. Her book The Sum of Us is a "powerful exploration and inequality and the lesson that generations of Americans have failed to learn: Racism has a cost for everyone--not just for people of color" (Penguin Random House).

First Pres community members ages 14 and up are invited to read this book on your own and make plans to join a discussion. You could read the book, listen to the audiobook, or even check out the adaptation for young readers.

Discussions will be moderated by CARE Team members. There are two opportunities:

* In Person: Sunday, September 15, 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM

* On Zoom: Wednesday, September 18, 7:00-8:30 PM

Drop-ins are also welcome.

The Mosaic Hub is a Christian discipleship community in North Chicago that hosts Bible studies, fellowship, and worship as well as youth programming in the arts, cooking, fitness, and gardening. They also make their space available for local art exhibits and community events. The Hub is part of Mosaic House Ministries. Volunteer opportunities include working in their new gardens.

Contact: mosaic@mosaichouseministries.org

First Pres members who are involved include Leslie Koehler, Beth Schrag, Rob Heinrich, Tucker Olson, and Dan Brame.

Youth Conservation Corps in Waukegan mentors young people, ages 16-24, who have left high school without a diploma and are unemployed. Participants earn their GED and participate in training for jobs in construction, IT, and conservation while they also learn career and life skills to get back on track.

Volunteer with beautification projects at their location, help with a community garden, and much more.

Contact: Jennifer Yonan at info@youthconservationcorps.org First Pres members who are involved include Jennifer Yonan (Executive Director) and Bob Shears.

Roberti Community House is a community center in Waukegan that provides free lunches and a food pantry as well as classes in English, sewing, and cooking. They also host after-school activities and summer camps. Their culinary program trains people to work in the food service industry through their catering program and cafe. Volunteer opportunities include working with children and youth and making food pickups and deliveries.

Contact: Pam Fisher at volunteerrch@gmail.com

First Pres members who are involved include Carmen Lago, Dan Brame, and Dave Marsden.

Waukegan to College fills a crucial gap in the Waukegan school system by preparing first-generation college students and their families for university admissions and beyond. They provide tutoring and mentoring for middle and high school students, assistance with college and aid applications, and resources for students and parents. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring, mentoring, and reading assistance.

Contact: Laura Rios at office@waukegantocollege.org

First Pres members who are involved include Elyse Danckers, Founding Executive Director, and Dan Brame.

The Legacy Reentry Foundation in Waukegan is a faith-based not-for-profit organization that helps people who are formerly incarcerated reintegrate into society. They assist with employment and therapeutic services, social service applications, home furnishings, clothing, and life skills. Additionally, they mentor at-risk youth and provide them with experiences in the arts. Volunteer opportunities include sorting clothes at the Community Closet, staffing the front desk, and tutoring at the youth center.

Contact: Pastor George and Regina Moore at legacyreentryfoundation@gmail.com

First Pres people who are involved include Rob Heinrich and Rev. Amy Heinrich.

Big Brothers Big Sisters in North Chicago is part of the oldest mentoring organization in the United States. They match adults and children in a 1: 1 relationship to foster educational achievement, positive choices, and socio-emotional competency. Volunteers can either serve as a site-based mentor, meeting their "Little" in a facilitated group setting, or as a community-based mentor, picking up their "Little" for community outings.

Contact Dawn Steffen at steffen@bbbschgo.org

We are not aware of any First Pres members involved yet.

The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery is a group of people who work together to mobilize Christian church communities to dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and follow Indigenous leadership. First Pres members have been exploring the work of the Coalition and working on building relationships with Indigenous neighbors by sponsoring and attending the annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow in Zion, Illinois each August (August 24 & 25, 2024). To learn more about ways to participate in the Coalition visit https://dismantlediscovery.org/join-the-coalition/.

First Pres members involved with these explorations and projects include Dan Brame, Vanessa Griffin, Beth Schrag, Anna Groebe, and Barb Peter

Over many years, the two pastors have exchanged pulpits and words of encouragement, members have worshipped together, youth group members have traveled and served together, and the two congregations have partnered on various cooperative acts of service and mutual support.

Most recently, the two congregations worked to provide school supplies to Vacation Bible School students attending and learning at Hope Presbyterian in the summer of 2021. Work is underway to explore ways the partnership can continue to grow, evolve, and grant mutual support, including ways for our congregations to pray for each other.

For more information about this partnership or to get involved, email our CARE Team here.

Find out more about Hope Presbyterian Church here.

Find out more about the long history of Hope Presbyterian Church here.

Find out more about the congregation’s HopeTEC career and job training programming here.