Tag Archives: poverty

Feeding the Problem

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

We navigated the never-ending hallways of power-walking nurses and blinking machines looking for our friend, a neighbor from the Cabrini-Green rowhouses.  He was about to be discharged after spending nearly a week in the hospital for issues related to his … Continue reading →

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A Walk for Change

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

“Be safe!” “Stay away from the Southside.” These are a few examples of the many advice friends and family gave me before I left for Chicago. Up until now, most of them did not know about some of the areas … Continue reading →

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Listening to the Voices of the Streets

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

  We approached her home like we do every week, excited to see our friend, expecting to crack a few jokes, get a good hug, and proceed down the street. There was nothing unusual about the day, and no major … Continue reading →

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For the Least.

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

In one of our usual strolls through the Cabrini Green row-houses, the sidewalks were abandoned and the air eerily still. Where was everybody? We soon understood. As soon as we spotted our teenage friends, an unmarked police car swooped onto the … Continue reading →

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Judgment v. Love

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

In Chicago, the murder rate is rising. In the thirty years that Brothers and Sisters of Love has been facing violence on the streets of Chicago I am amazed at how much Chicago has changed. Then I visit a victim’s … Continue reading →

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Two Rights Make A Wrong

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Brother Jim and I began to hear bits and pieces of a news story that did not form a coherent narrative nor receive large media attention. Here’s what we do know: A young … Continue reading →

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Chicago Fun Facts Part II: Chicago Public Schools Edition

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

1. Chicago Public Schools have extended time…for recess. Chicago Public School teachers recently went on strike for what they deemed to be unfair contracts. Their slogan: “Our students deserve better.” One of the points of contention was the length of … Continue reading →

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Traitors.

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

“Why are you wearing that?!” The question was typical, but the tone of voice was not. “So you know we’re from the Church.” Brother Jim gave his usual response to the question asked of his blue-jean patchwork habit that stirred … Continue reading →

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Getting By With A Little Help From Our Friends…

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

Walking in the Back of the Yards had led to a few closed doors recently. Families we had attempted to find were not present, and roadblocks seemed to appear instead of grace while we were on our own. Nevertheless, strolling … Continue reading →

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Looking at the Truth from Both Sides Now

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Brothers and Sisters of Love

Walking up to the casket, the two-month-old looked like a baby doll–a tiny frame with polished skin–that had never experienced life. The nineteen-year-old mother made her way up the aisle, leaning against the father of the child and weeping into … Continue reading →

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