Students talk about Lots of Change!

Tomorrow 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. 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.

To find out more about Englewood, watch the video below.