(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Advocates and experts say some people in local communities are working to make sure they direct what social services may be needed in their neighborhoods.
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago reports that, like elsewhere, Illinois is seeing individual donations to charitable organizations dropping, though big corporate donations are up.
But Angela Hurlock, CEO of Claretian Associates, a United Way agency partner that provides housing and other services in South Chicago, says people who can't afford to donate are finding other ways to help.
“Where we’d like a check, don’t get me wrong, it’s just as important to have someone who is saying, ‘I’m willing to donate, you know, two or three hours a week to work with our youth. Or I’m willing to mentor an adult, a mom who needs someone to journey with her.’”
They volunteer their time, or their talent and, she says, that is vital too.
Sean Garrett, the Local United Way President, says others are pushing for more community benefits from mega developments like the Quantum Computing campus planned for the South Chicago neighborhood.
“Well, we're proud to be a partner of Angela and the team at Claretian. They are the voice of community. They are an incredible partner and really bringing others to the table. I mean, the, the beauty about creating a quality of life plan is there's no one voice that speaks for community, but it takes people to bring people together.
The PsiQuantum developers say they are listening.
United Way and Claretian Associates hope to help guide benefits from a Quantum Computing campus being developed in the area.
We survey the landscape of charitable giving on our At Issue program this weekend and you can hear more at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
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