Volunteers not welcome?
Dear Editor:
I am a 28-year-old Tri-Taylor resident, mom of two, both under 4 years old, and a business owner. That’s why when I first thought about volunteering in a local hospital, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. But this idea was following me for some time. Then a friend mentioned that she volunteers in a hospice for just one hour a week. I also read on the University of Illinois Medical Center website that minimum time requirement is 45 hours per year. And I said to myself, “I can do that.”
When I called U of I Volunteer Center first, I was told that “actually, this is not the best time.” It seems that they have many volunteers, time minimum is a few hours per week, plus it takes very long to get trained and actually get in the program. Plus the information on their website is outdated. Kind of they don’t need me. “But you can try at John H. Stroger Hospital; they don’t have time requirements,” I was told.
In John H. Stroger Hospital I asked right away about one hour per week programs. “What are you thinking to do in one hour?!” the woman said ironically, like I am asking about something ridiculous. “You just want to get in and leave?!” I explained that this is as much time as I can offer, and I am looking to fit in a right program. But the woman didn’t hide that for her I am making a fool of myself. She kept repeating, “What can you do in one hour?” I wish some of the patients, who are in need, could hear her. “And if you find some one-hour program somewhere else, I will be just very curious to know what you can do in that time,” she said at goodbye.
So, is the conlcusion I have a wrong concept of volunteering? While other people don’t give away even one hour of their time, here I am – not very useful. Tri-lingual, hard-working, passionate, and commited to everything I do, not looking to build my resume or seek employment. All I wanted was to “comfort those in need,” make a little difference in someone’s life. Maybe just one-hour-a-week difference. Too bad that I was not given a chance.
Joanna Marszalek
Arrigo moving to active
Dear Editor:
I have lived near and relaxed at Arrigo Park for the last 12 years. While that's a blink of an eye to many of my neighbors, it is enough time to have made some observations about the park's use and history.
I would argue that there has been a definite move to make Arrigo an active park over its history. It seems that when the park district filled in the pond that was the centerpiece of the park, the intent was to have more space for activities. The same idea was in mind when the baseball backstop was installed. What I love about Arrigo is that the larger east end of the park is available for activity, and the tree-line west end is a calm respite for loungers and dogs.
It is true that the last two to three years have seen an increase in organized sports and leagues at Arrigo, but the problems with the field are older. As long as I have been in the neighborhood the center of the east end has been dirt by July or August. It seems to me that the problem with the turf is deeper, and requires more repairs, than what is caused by Arrigo's current usage. Maybe it's time to write our Alderman. I have.
Charles Nelson
‘Looking forward to 50th anniversary’
Dear Editor:
When we read the Gazette, we trust that the Gazette has researched, interviewed, and checked all its resources when writing an article. Your paper covers the important issues as well as the little neighborhood things. We enjoy reading it, and knowing what is going on in our neighborhood, as well as other areas of the City. We've enjoyed visiting many new places, as well as finding new services that are available nearby all because of your advertising.
You have much to be proud of. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your 50th anniversary, and many more interesting articles still to come.
Best wishes,
Mario (Skip) DiPaulo and Maria DiPaolo
Thanks for Article
Dear Editor:
I want to thank you for the excellent piece on St. Leonard’s Ministries written by Stacie Johnson in the June 1, 2007, issue of the Gazette. The piece told our story well, balancing the challenges of our endeavors and the very positive outcomes. People in the community who read this piece should feel glad that we are in their midst, daily addressing a pressing community problem.
You can feature us in the Gazette any time.
With sincere gratitude,
Robert Dougherty
Executive Director
St. Leonard’s Ministries
‘Important and impartial’
Dear Editor:
Congratulations to you and your staff on your 25th anniversary. It seams just yesterday that you were dropping off the first issue. You have been an important and impartial voice in our community on so many issues. ay the next 25 be as meaningful!
John Chandler
Vice President
St. Ignatius College Prep
‘Pleasant informative reading’
Dear Editor:
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! Thank you for 25 years of service to our community and many days of pleasant and informative reading for us. May you thrive and continue for 25 times 25 years and longer! God bless.
Sincerely yours,
Carmen Decolongon
Enough gun violence
Dear Editor:
As the school year comes to an end and the weather begins to warm up we are once again faced with an all too familiar problem, violent crime.
Every year it is the same thing: as temperatures rise, so does the frequency of violent crime in our community. Recently, we saw the murder of Blair Holt in broad daylight on a CTA bus. There also was a drive by shooting at 39th and King Drive. The police at the scene were shocked to see a new high powered hand gun, capable of piercing their body armor, had made it to the streets of Chicago. It is time for the people of this community to stand up and say they have had enough of the gun violence!
In order to provide a voice to the people of our community and to help focus attention on this issue, I will be circulating petitions this summer. This petition calls on state and federal lawmakers to take action by renewing our commitment to making our neighborhoods safer for children and families by enacting common sense gun safety laws.
I feel that true, effective change can be achieved when communities mobilize and grassroots efforts ensue. Please join me in voicing your opposition to crime by contacting my office at (773) 373-9400 to find out how you can help.
Elga Jefferies
State Representative, 26th
District
HIV/AIDS prevention Ambassadors needed
Dear Editor:
The ravages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the black community are
well-documented. With HIV/AIDS still the leading cause of death nationwide
among African American women age 25-34 and the second leading cause of death
of African American men age 35-44, a viable answer must now command our
attention.
One answer is BASUAH: Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS, a
statewide initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health supported
by the Broadcast Ministers’ Alliance of Chicago.
To date, we’ve designated more than 200 BASUAH ambassadors and are seeking
to certify an additional 200 by November. These ambassadors, themselves
young people, work to spread the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and
prevention to their peers. Ambassadors are trained for certification from
the Illinois Department of Public Health to work with churches, youth
ministries, colleges, universities, and other organizations to reach their
peers. They speak on the importance of getting tested, changing risky
behaviors, and minimizing chances of infection.
One of BASUAH’s most important and successful programs addresses pre- and
post-natal care for HIV-positive women.
For more information, call (312) 316-1859.
Dr.
Leon Dingle
President and
CEO
Advance
Health, Social, and Educational Associates Inc.
Durbin thanked
Dear Editor:
The Humane Society of the United
States would like to thank and congratulate
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
(D-IL) for passing legislation in the
U.S. Senate to protect the food supply
for people and their pets.
Following the massive pet food
recall, Senator Durbin introduced
the Human and Pet Food Safety
Act (S. 1274), which would require
the Food and Drug Administration
to set processing and ingredient
standards for pet food, strengthen
labeling requirements, establish
an early warning system and
mandatory recall authority for
contaminated human and pet
food products, improve oversight
of foreign foods, and take other
steps to help prevent needless
deaths and illnesses. The Senate
swiftly approved, by a vote of 94 to
0, similar legislation that Senator
Durbin offered as an amendment
to a broad bill regarding the Food
and Drug Administration.
Two-thirds of American households
have pets, and these members
of our families deserve safe and
unadulterated food, as do people.
We are grateful to Senator Durbin
for working to ensure food safety for
all, and we urge the full Congress to
quickly pass this legislation.
Sincerely,
Michael Markarian
Executive Vice President
The Humane Society of the
United States
