This July attendees at
the ICOC International Campus Ministry Conference (ICMC) will join with
HOPE worldwide in a Day of Service in the 16th Ward, located in the
Greater Englewood community. Englewood has 2,000 vacant lots littered
with trash and debris.
All participants must register and submit a waiver to participate: CLICK HERE to REGISTER and DOWNLOAD WAIVER
According to Keith Calloway, Commander of
the Chicago Police Department’s 7th District, this attributes to local
violence. The neglected land reflects a lack of care and concern –
resulting in more harmful acts in and to the community.
In
addition to property clean-up, a lead testing program is also proposed
at the site. Chicago leads the nation in the number of children
identified with lead poisoning. Childhood lead poisoning is linked to
learning disabilities, hyperactivity, speech and behavioral disorders,
reduced intelligence and can lead to long-term health and socialization
problems.
Englewood and West Englewood rank first and third, respectively, in the
Chicago area. Forty two percent of the community’s housing units are
considered a high risk for lead paint hazards. The numbers may be even
greater since statistics are based on less than half of the total
population of children being tested in these communities, despite the
fact that state law mandates testing for all children under the age of
six.
