2016 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ANNUAL WELCOME As we reflect on JCUA’s impact in 2016, JCUA is proud of As I look back on 2016, I am genuinely inspired by the great victories JCUA has helped to bring about. Working with the strength we have demonstrated, working with diverse diverse coalitions from across the city, JCUA has made communities and coalitions to combat the root causes of significant strides for social justice in Chicago: for South inequality in Chicago. Last year JCUA continued to mobilize Side residents seeking emergency care and domestic its growing membership to address pressing issues of social workers seeking equal labor rights; for affordable housing injustice in Chicago. Through community organizing campaigns, and community development undertakings seeking to youth programming, leadership development, and community expand access to decent housing and much-needed investment, JCUA and its members made a distinct impact on employment; and for young people who are passionate the root causes of inequality in Chicago. about repairing the world. Last year JCUA had several significant highlights: Guided by our longstanding mission to combat poverty, • The passage of the IL Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights racism and antisemitism, we have embarked on new campaigns standing with immigrants, refugees, those who • Initial implementation of the Level-I adult trauma have been victims of excessive police force, and our own center on Chicago’s South Side, along with the creation community which has faced increased threats in a post- of a Community Advisory Board which now includes election wave of fear. two members of the Trauma Care Coalition • The launch of JCUA’s involvement in a community-led JCUA’s work is driven by our members, members that do campaign for police accountability and community this work fearlessly, tirelessly, and confidently. Why do we safety in Chicago choose this path to meaningful social change? I believe it is because our members are motivated by the same core • The creation of “Do Not Stand Idly By,” JCUA’s Jewish values that drive my work as a Rabbi and JCUA’s post-election rapid response initiative to stand with work as a champion for social justice. We have said it immigrants and refugees before, and it bears repeating: at the core of the Jewish people’s story is our slavery and liberation in Egypt, In addition, JCUA’s community investment fund provided and that this liberation points toward a responsibility to zero-interest predevelopment loans to five affordable housing undermine oppression wherever we meet it. and community development projects. Through our Or Tzedek teen social justice initiative, 28 high schoolers were Thank you for doing your part. Together we strengthen trained in social justice organizing through a Jewish lens. And one another. our programs continue to evolve! This past year we laid the groundwork for our new JCUA Organizing Fellowship. Area B’vracha, college students will engage in community organizing, making connections between this work and their Jewish identities. I am personally inspired by the extraordinary energy and commitment that so many of you bring to this work. JCUA’s presence in Chicago is enduring and vibrant because of you. Your determination to put your Jewish values into action is Rabbi Capers Funnye how we bring about meaningful social change together. JCUA Board President With warm regards and deep gratitude, Judy Levey JCUA Executive Director MISSION The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) is the Jewish voice for social justice in Chicago, combatting poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with Chicago’s diverse communities. JCUA and its members are powerful advocates, working in partnership with directly-impacted communities to decrease disparities in our city. PROGRAMS With Membership as the key vehicle for engagement, JCUA brings a mobilized Jewish voice to three program areas: Issue-based Campaigns, Community Investment and Youth Programming. No other Jewish organization in Chicago is using a community organizing model to advance systemic change on domestic issues with a local focus. MEMBERSHIP JCUA has 1,600 Members, 400 of whom actively participated with JCUA Of the 400 Participating Members in 2016: There were 300 Engaged Members (participated at least 1+ with JCUA in 2016), 60 Active members (participated 4-9 times with JCUA in 2016), and 50 Core members (participated 10-55 times with JCUA in 2016). The 400 active JCUA members had a total of 1,720 points of engagement in 2016. 46.8% of JCUA members live in the City of Chicago, while 43.6% live in Chicago’s suburbs, and 9.6% live out of state. OR TZEDEK Facilitated social justice workshops HIGHLIGHTS at 6 synagogues, 5 Jewish Student Began a new partnership with Oak Park Temple and Connection Clubs, and 3 other ran a successful Year of Action Program with their 10th Jewish youth groups. grade confirmation class, including bringing 13 of their teens to L’Taken Advocacy Retreat of the Religious Action Center. 94% of teens completed the Or Tzedek Led workshops for teens on restorative justice, summer program stating they had a solid community organizing & campaigns development, root- grounding in systemic oppression and root- cause analysis & systemic oppression, Jewish & social cause social justice. 90% of teens completed justice identity, JCUA trauma center and domestic the Or Tzedek summer program stating that workers’ campaigns, the civil rights movement, and activism is an expression of their Judaism. police accountability. Co-hosted a collaborative Racial Justice Book & Film Series with Mishkan Chicago Repair the Facilitated workshops for two NFTY World, and Silverstein regional events and over 40 teens Base Hillel. Led 2 voter registration sessions with teens, JCUA members, and partner synagogue congregants COMMUNITY ORGANIZING/ ISSUE CAMPAIGNS DO NOT STAND IDLY BY – POST ELECTION CAMPAIGN WORK HIGHLIGHTS In November 2016, JCUA launched its “Do Not Stand Idly By” campaign to stand against the unjust legislation and policies of the new 250 people attended our initial meeting, two administration. weeks after the election.50 people became new JCUA joined the Unity Coalition of 20 JCUA members after this inspirational event. organizations committed to creating unity and respect in our communities. This coalition passed two resolutions through Cook County and Chicago City Council, and then passed changes to the Cook County Human Rights JCUA joined more than 300 Ordinance to make it more inclusive of people in the Unity Coalition undocumented people. for a march in -2 degree weather! Using our own history as immigrants and refugees as guidance, JCUA has been in partner with the Illinois JCUA formed a rapid Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) response team of 100 to advocate for more just people who support our immigration legislation in Illinois. community partners in times of need. DOMESTIC WORKERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS JCUA presented at 10 Congregations and Jewish spaces The Domestic Worker Bill of Rights was signed to over 200 people on the into law in August 2016. JCUA was part of Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. the winning coalition that made Illinois the 7th state to pass protections for this long exploited work force. The Bill of Rights went into effect on January 1, 2017. Since then, JCUA has been working Over 175 people signed a pledge hard to educate employees and employers on committing to advocating for the new law, and ensure that all workers have dignity and respect in the workplace. domestic workers in our state. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Over the course of 2016, the JCUA Community Ventures Loan Fund helped to support five projects: 1 Gracie’s Catering, which trained 10 participants in the food services and the culinary arts 1345 W. Jarvis, Affordable Senior Housing 2 rehabbed by Verigreen Development 182 total 1420 W. Farwell, Affordable Senior Housing units 3 rehabbed by Verigreen Development Mayfair Commons, Affordable Senior Housing 4 rehabbed by North River Commission The Hatchery, an innovative food services incubator in East Garfield 5 Park which is aiming to create 900 jobs over the next five years To JCUA has invested $4.7 million dollars in creating and preserving 3,798 units of high quality affordable Date housing across the city in both disinvested neighborhoods and in neighborhoods where the affordable housing is scarce. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Over 1,700 people, from across the city of Chicago participated in Year Ended December 31, 2016 community conversations around Audited Over 50 accountability for the Chicago More than 100 JCUA Police Department. 60 JCUA Revenue and Support members and supporters joined members members joined their neighborhood JCUA for our MLK Interfaith Contributions from Individuals & Board attended conversations to add their voices Two members Dinner and Shabbaton, held in Foundation & Corporations actions for the to the groundswell of support of the Trauma conjunction with the unveiling of Special Events (Net) Illinois Budget for an overhaul of our Police Center the MLK memorial in Marquette Crisis. Accountability system. Coalition were Program Income Park, and Inner-City Muslim invited to join In-Kind Action Network’s (IMAN) 1000 the University Investments Mile March and Takin’ It To The of Chicago Total Streets Festival. $ Trauma Center Community Expenses Oversight Programs Board. 28 Members participated in a one-day JCUA Management & Administrative organizing training. Development & Fundraising 22 Members