Donate to Evanston’s Reparations Fund: October 8, 2021
At last Sunday’s Interfaith Reparations workshop we learned about an exciting opportunity to support Evanston’s Reparations program. A group of UCE members has pledged up to $11,000 to match any contributions made to the Evanston Community Foundation’s Reparations Fund. Contributions to the fund will be doubled.
Donations are tax-deductible and will be used to “directly benefit Evanston’s Black community and to heal racism and address harm caused by discriminatory practices.” Plans are underway for funds to be used to improve health care, pay for education, and help expand housing and business opportunities for Evanston’s black community. To find out more, you can visit the group’s website at Evanstonforever.org.
Donations should be made in the next four weeks. To donate by mail, write a check to ‘Evanston Reparations Community Fund’ at 1560 Sherman Ave, Suite 535, Evanston IL 60201. You can also donate on-line by visiting the online donation page. In both cases make sure to write “Interfaith Reparations Workshop” on the memo line of your check or in the space reserved for ‘Tribute Information’ on the on-line form, that way the Community Foundation will know your contribution qualifies for matching funds.
You’re also welcome to give directly to the housing fund established by the City of Evanston and supported primarily by cannabis taxes. You can donate to the housing fund here. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to work out a way with the City of Evanston to double donations made to this site.
Either of these funds provide a great way for us to live our values, show our support for the city of Evanston’s Reparations efforts, and atone for the discrimination suffered by the city’s black community. We hope you’ll consider making a donation today.
Many thanks to those who’ve contributed to the matching fund. This announcement is not for you. We’ll ask you to fulfill your pledge in a few weeks, after we know how much money has been collected from the rest of the congregation.
Also at last week’s Reparations workshop, we heard inspiring words from former Ald. Robin Rue Simmons, the driving force behind Evanston’s program. She urged people of faith to actively support the work that’s begun in Evanston, healing rifts in our congregations and working for better housing and more city services for all. She also urged support for the national Reparations bill, HR-40. The workshop closed with time for participants to offer suggestions on how we all can stay involved. Be looking for information on next steps in upcoming issues of the newsletter.