Claretian Associates Host Advocacy Breakfast in South Chicago

Claretian Associates welcomes elected officials, community leaders, and South Chicago residents to an advocacy breakfast hosted by Claretian.
Angela Hurlock, CEO of Claretian Associates, welcomes elected officials, community leaders, and South Chicago residents to an advocacy breakfast hosted by Claretian.

Elected officials, community leaders and neighbors gathered in South Chicago for an advocacy breakfast hosted by Claretian Associates on October 21, 2024. The event centered around housing needs in the community, addressing gun violence in the area and policy advocacy’s importance in strengthening community violence intervention efforts across Southeast neighborhoods. Claretian Associates is 1 of 15 organizations representing Communities Partnering 4 Peace  (CP4P), a coalition of nonprofit organizations dedicated to gun violence prevention across 28 Chicago neighborhoods.

 “We’re so thankful you are with us for advocacy purpose. It is important that we connect to those who are representing us in the district, in the area, and let them know what we are doing. We thank you,” said Angela Hurlock, CEO of Claretian Associates in her opening remarks welcoming those in attendance. Guests included Kenya K. Merritt, Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Business and Neighborhood Development; Illinois State Senator Robert Peters; Lissette Castañeda, Department of Housing Commissioner; and representatives from the offices of Alderman Peter Chico and Alderman Desmond Yancy.

Kanu Iheukumere, Chief Policy Officer of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives spoke on the need of community violence intervention and Claretian Associates’ hard work within different cities. “The work of CVI focuses on the humanity of Black and Brown communities. Not simply to protect but to restore and empower. When you consider the work of Claretian Associates collaborating with partners across the city of Chicago in 28 of the most gun-violent communities, you see a snapshot of the work.”

Claretian Associates Program Manager James Sims shares his story during the advocacy breakfast.
Claretian Associates Program Manager James Sims shares his story during the advocacy breakfast.

This year alone, Claretian Associates has served over 3,000 families through its housing programs and violence intervention efforts. Between April and June, 41 street outreach workers were employed across Chicago wards 5 and 7, expanding the organization’s reach. During this period, Claretian hosted nearly 50 events and made 127 referrals to essential support services.

The advocacy breakfast not only provided an opportunity to recognize the individuals driving these initiatives but also fostered connections among community members and local leaders. Hurlock’s final words conveyed a shared vision of the morning: “We choose to live here, we choose to thrive here.”