Action Now

(North Lawndale) Chicago; Peoria, IL Contents

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

(Brighton Park) Chicago, IL 1 Introduction

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless 2 Homelessness

(Englewood) Chicago, IL 3 Elashune Calhoun

4 Domestic Violence
Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network 5 Tara Nance
(South Shore) Chicago, IL
6 Hunger
Grow Your Own Teachers 7 Mary Beth Long
Peoria, IL
8 Inequitable Funding
9 Shani Smith
Illinois Hunger Coalition
Marion, IL 10 Community Violence
11 Amalia Montoya
Service Employees International Union 73
Skokie, IL 12 Teacher Training & Women of Color
13 Tanya Gross
14 Linda Wilson
Service Employees International Union Health Care
Springfield, IL 15 Long Term Care
16 Janet Mulvaney
Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation 17 Eva Washington
(Englewood) Chicago, IL
18 Conclusion & Recommendations

19 Endnotes

Acknowledgements

The Grassroots Collaborative unites nine membership-based organizations
in Illinois in order to create equitable policy change on local and statewide
levels. Our alliance spans diverse ethnicities and a variety of organizing
networks, and includes low-wage service employees, the homeless, senior
citizens, immigrants, peace activists, faith leaders, and residents of poor and
working class neighborhoods. Marginalized people, despite their differences,
have broad common interests and come together within the Collaborative to
improve all of their lives. By bringing together organizations across movements,
especially labor and community, we build the broad and deep base necessary
for furthering our vision for a just and equitable society.
Member Organizations in the Grassroots Collaborative:
Action Now
American Friends Service Committee
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Illinois Hunger Coalition
Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation
Service Employees International Union 73
Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois and Indiana
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881
Grassroots
The
Collaborative
Introduction
During times of economic security it is often easy to overlook disparities between populations, but this
illusion quickly dissipates in the face of a crisis like the current recession. One such disparity remains the
over-representation of women in poverty. Whether because of wage inequity, inaccessible childcare, or the
sometimes subtle sometimes blatant sexism in the policies and norms of our society, women increasingly
bear the brunt of poverty in the US and in Illinois.
Women’s experience of poverty cuts across traditional dividing lines. Rural women are trying to figure out
how they will get their food stamps now that the closest DHS office is closing, and working women in Elgin
are struggling in the face of a 1/3rd reduction in early childhood centers in their district. While these women
may have ethnic, cultural or social differences their problems are the same: less state funding for vital human
service programs and education that pushes them and their families further and further into poverty.
The current budget proposal also makes professional women more vulnerable to economic insecurity as it
erodes available employment opportunities. Women are highly represented in educational services, health
care and social assistance industries; in fact, more women worked in this industry group than any other.1
When budget cuts target human services, education, and health care services those cuts are directed at the
livelihoods of women.
This budget has increased children’s vulnerability to poverty as well. The Brookings Institution estimates
that even after employment begins to recover in late 2010, child poverty is expected to rise for several
more years, reaching 24.2% nationally in 2012. For single-mother headed households, the estimate is a
staggering 45% by 2011. Compare this to the projection that the poverty rate for all individuals will peak at
14.4% next year.2
Poverty is gendered, and it has an age.
Currently, Illinois’ tax system places an unnecessary burden on working families, and fails to generate the
funds necessary to employ an adequate amount of workers to meet the needs of families across this state.
Without new revenue, programs that serve Illinois residents, who are predominately women and children, will
continue to be devastated, leading to poverty that may take decades to recover from.
In this report, we listen to women who have utilized state-funded programming and women whose lives
have been negatively impacted by cuts to programs. We look at the impact of this budget crisis on leaders
within the Grassroots Collaborative and ally organizations as a picture into the reality of women and children
throughout the state of Illinois.
1
 Homelessness When I became homeless in 2000 because of a
house fire I was numb. We had no place to stay.
Women face many risk factors that make them vulnerable to homelessness like long-term unemployment, My mom has stayed in a shelter, and I swore
divorce, domestic violence and abuse, illness, and the loss of social support networks.3 to myself and my children that I will never take
them to a shelter, and I have not. I couldn’t do
that.
• 44% of homeless preschoolers have two or more major
developmental delays and experience heightened risk for After living with family in Wisconsin, I came
homelessness in adulthood.4
back to Chicago and someone rented me an
• 53% of working single mothers in the Chicago area are rent- abandoned building. There was no running
distressed, spending more than one-half their incomes on shelter, water. After that we doubled up with my mom
increasing their vulnerability to homelessness.5 for a while.

• The number of homeless young moms increased three times from I finally got housing, but had a series of bad
2007 to 2009.6
landlords. Three different landlords in three
different places I’ve lived offered to lower rent if
I would sleep with them. When I refused, each
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) successfully advocated for homeless prevention grants that
one made it so difficult to live there I had to
provide funds to augment a family’s income during difficult times. These grants were cut in the last fiscal year move.
alongside programs that fund homeless shelters, educational services, and programs for homeless youth.
Elashune’s story makes visible the delicate web of support these programs provide for women and children When I went to Chicago Coalition for the
Homeless they referred me to many agencies to
in Illinois.
help me find stable housing. I was able to get
help through a low-income housing program
and now I’m waiting for a voucher for furniture,
but for many programs the funds had been cut
and desolated.

Right now I live in a nice apartment. To make

money I do a lot of things: I make decorative
towels, I make baskets, I cook, I do different odd
jobs like cleaning churches and homes. I sing at
funerals and churches and they pay me. I don’t
know how long that’s going to be enough.

2 Elashune Calhoun Chicago Coalition for the Homeless 3

 Domestic Violence The abuse started when I was 18 and pregnant
with our first child. It started with a push. Then
Domestic violence occurs to 1 in 4 women regardless of their race, socio-economic status, ethnicity, religion, a shove. Then a punch and a kick. It just got
age or educational background.7 While abuse can happen to men, 85% of domestic violence victims are worse and worse.
women.8
I got an order of protection almost 14 yrs ago,
and an advocate met me at the court. It was
• In a 24 hour time frame, 2,830 victims of domestic violence and overwhelming to see all the papers I had to fill out.
their children across Illinois receive life-saving services from
local domestic violence service providers. At the same time, 711 She walked me through the entire process.
requests for services go unmet, largely due to lack of funding.9
I would see how women would be extremely
• More than half of female victims of intimate violence live in intimidated standing before the judge – you’re
households with children under age 12. Exposure to violence can
have serious negative effects on children's development.10 standing next to your abuser. Without the court
advocacy program, I would have had a defeated
• Boys who witness violence in the home are twice as likely to be mentality; I never would have gotten to the place
abusive when they become adults.11 where I am now.

I’ve done a lot of work to talk about my story

Since survivors who make the bold choice to change their situation are at 75% greater risk of severe injury without bashing him. He went through programs
or death from their abusers than those who stay, it is imperative that survivors have access to resources that for abusers. He genuinely regrets the pain he
will provide safety during the transition to a less violent world.12 caused, and he is in our children’s lives now in
a positive way. I can’t imagine where my family
Domestic violence and rape programming does exactly that. By funding a network of shelters, counseling would be if that funding was cut.
services, prevention programming and resources, the state supports the efforts of organizations to break the
Today, as board president of Family Rescue,
cycle of violence in the lives of survivors and child witnesses. The Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s
and as a survivor, I see clearly all the women’s
Network, and their member organization Family Rescue, work everyday to meet the needs of survivors of lives that are on the line with these budget cuts.
abuse like Tara. Staff already are stretched thin from the current
cuts – what will women do with more cuts? It
would be devastating.

4 Tara Nance Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network 5

 Hunger Right now I work with Early Head Start in Franklin
and Williamson counties. I’m responsible for the
health and nutrition components of the program.
More Illinois families need increased support to meet the nutritional needs of their families. In December I help families get LINK cards, WIC, and I take
2009, 1.6 million Illinois residents participated in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly parents to DHS offices.
known as the Food Stamp program, an 18% increase from the year before.13
We are finding that more people need the
services but with DHS offices closing there is
• In Illinois, over 56% of participants in SNAP were female.14
less staff: one county office now has to cover
• 23.5% of single moms participate in SNAP.15 two counties. When there is less workers you
obviously get less attention. It’s become really
• Women aged 60 and older comprise more than 65% of participants hard for our families. Applying for assistance
in the food stamps program.16
can be a scary process.
• 896,245 women and girls in Illinois participate in SNAP.17
The biggest problem is unreturned phone calls.
For instance, I recently had a 19 year old girl
Programs supported by line items like Food Stamps, Transitional Assistance, and TANF demonstrably reduce
who we got out of this horrible place she was
hunger for families and are a systemic approach that combats the root causes of hunger.18 Unfortunately,
living in with her mom. At the time she was
while the need for the programs has increased, the accessibility of these programs remains complicated and pregnant so she needed a LINK card. I sat with
enshrined in needless bureaucracy that prevents people from getting the help they need. When families are her and watched her call the caseworker. Three
not able to participate in these programs, communities lose out on the financial stimulus SNAP funds pour or four days later she still hadn’t gotten a call
into local economies.19 back. Every day she didn’t get a call back was
another day she didn’t have food.
In addition, funding cutbacks have forced the consolidation of social service agencies.20 These consolidations
I’ve been fortunate enough to be in the trenches
remove vital services from people who need it by increasing the miles they have to travel to see a caseworker,
and work with our families. It’s one thing to
apply for the services they need and make corrections to their documentation. hear it on the news, but legislators don’t see the
faces, they don’t see the challenges that these
Organizing done by Illinois Hunger Coalition to ensure that DHS offices are properly funded and to stop office families have day in and day out. I’m afraid it’s
closures helps direct service workers like Mary Beth navigate the public benefits system for the women and going to be a social disaster. What I see with my
families she serves. families is that they can’t take anymore cuts.

6 Mary Beth Long Illinois Hunger Coalition 7

*Stock photo
 Inequitable Funding I am a single mom with one son. When he was
entering first grade my sister had some hard
Illinois ranks last for state contributions to education, only contributing 26.9% of the total revenue for K-12 times and I ended up getting custody of her
education.21 The budget proposal for FY 2011 calls for even less funding by cutting an additional $922 million children. I pretty much raised them and had a
from K-12. This inadequate funding forces local districts to depend on property taxes for the remaining chance to see the school system through their
revenue. In neighborhoods with low-property values this policy has been disastrous for public schools, experiences.
causing implemented and proposed cuts to have greater impact.
Even though the schools weren’t the best, the
community offered good after-school programs.
Vital learning and developmental support programs are among the primary cuts for low-income schools. For There was a community center that offered a lot
example, after-school programs provide comprehensive education that fosters healthy, culturally relevant of after-school programs for the students, it kept
environments for students’ education. These programs address the concerns of 87% of working mothers the kids out of trouble, it allowed the parents to
who say the time after school is when they are most concerned about their children's safety.22 work with ease and not have to worry about
the kids running the street. It was a resource
After-school programs provide financial relief to working families by offering cost-effective, educational for groups within the area, groups and single
parents. They don’t have that anymore.
opportunities for their children.

This community center offered some type of relief

• For families living under the poverty line, the majority being single for the kids but now they don’t even have that.
mothers with children under 1823, childcare consumes nearly 25%
of earned income.24 That’s a lot of what’s being cut in our community
– after-school programs – and what’s happening
• Students who spend no time in after-school programs are 49% as a result? Moms can’t stay at home because
more likely to have used drugs and 37% more likely to become teen they have to work and make money somehow.
parents than those who spend 1 to 4 hours a week in activities.25
I know some parents working 2 or 3 jobs to
• Children who participate in after-school programs experience support their homes. This is what parents have
significant improvements in math, reading, and other to do to make ends meet. But without after-
subjects.26 High-risk students showed the greatest increase in school programs kids are getting in trouble.
achievements.27

I know that there are shared responsibilities

Shani, a leader with Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, experienced herself that properly funding in education: between parents, teachers and
after-school programs levels the playing field for Illinois’ children and supports Illinois’ working families. government. In terms of funding I don’t feel the
government is being responsible in funding the
public schools.

8 Shani Smith Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation 9

 Long Term Care
Community Violence
- SEIU Healthcare I first heard about the Parent Patrol when my
son was in kindergarten. I was really motivated
Parents
As they age,
involved
women
in the
face
classroom,
major challenges
in safety patrols
in beingand
able
other
to live
school
with programs
independenceinterrupt
and community
dignity. With violence
longer to get involved because this is my community
and increase safety within neighborhoods. These parents increase and I worry about my child’s safety. Every parent
lives, less income than men on average, and higher rates of chronicthe quality
health of community
problems, women lifeneed
by decreasing
long-term
wants their child to be safe.
children’s
care exposure
at higher rates to community
then men. violence.
Before the parent patrols, it was really chaotic
• The hours after school from 3-6 PM are peak hours for teens to around the schools. When I started patrolling
• commit
78% of seniors
crimes, in need ofkids
innocent long-term care victims
to become rely solely on informal
of crimes, kids – helping direct traffic, helping students cross
care.
to have premature sex, smoke, drink, and use drugs.28 the street, stopping fights – I saw change in my
son’s school and in my community.
Over 70%
• 10.7% of of residents
Chicago at nursing
girls homes
report that theyaredid
women.
not go to school
because of safety concerns.29 For example, when I was going home after a
• Among people age 75 and older, women are 60% more likely than
men toofneed helpgirls
withreported
eating, bathing, or dressing. patrol I witnessed a woman in a car accident
• 28.1% Illinois getting into a physical fight one or
more times within a year span.30 while she was taking her son to school. The
• 97% of caregivers of long-term care are female. woman asked me to please take her son into
• Children exposed to community violence have decreased academic school. Because I had my Parent Patrol vest,
• performance,
The typical caregiver is a 46byyear
as measured old woman
grades, with attest
standardized leastscores,
some she trusted me. People are recognizing that
college
and experience who provides more than 20 hours of care each
attendance.31 we are in the schools; we are here to serve the
week to her mother. community.
Mothers and fathers who spend time at their child’s school are actively participating in increasing their child’s When I first started the Parent Patrol it was only
Cutting
academic in-home care
success. services
Parental disproportionately
involvement impacts the livelihoods
through volunteering increases aofchild’s
women.
skill SEIU Healthcare fights
in communicating with for my son. When we began to go down to
to protect
adults, andthe jobs of home
increases youngcare workers
people’s and to make
awareness sureskills,
of many they have living
talents, wages. They
occupations, andalso advocate on
contributions of Springfield against the cuts, I realized it wasn’t
parent of
behalf andtheother
tens volunteers.32
of thousands of clients who depend on their providers for quality care. Janet, a client who going to be just my family, but many families that
would be affected by these cuts. It was not just
receives care in-home from her provider, knows that her home care worker is the key to her maintaining a life
my husband or my son and I, it was our entire
Currently
with youth programming
independence, likerespect.
dignity, and Early Intervention, teen pregnancy prevention, Healthy Families, Redeploy community, people that I knew; our community
Illinois, Teen REACH, Unified Delinquency Intervention Services and the Safety Net Works face budget cuts. now had a face.
Yet
SEIUfunding youth programs
73 represents givesworkers
social service young people key state.
across the opportunities to learn leader
Eva, a worksite new skills, gainlocal,
with the support,
caresand
for I feel cutting the Safety Net Works program
experience a broader swath of life that leads to healthier, safer, and more educated families. Programs like
some of the most vulnerable residents in our state. Her employer, a large social service agency, provides would be a step backwards. All the work that
these give communities a chance to take back ownership of their neighborhoods. was done building trust among parents, gaining
a range of services to the community. They rely on a mix of state, federal, and private donors. Illinois’
the respect of the children it would be all
backlog of unpaid bills carried over at the start of the FY11 will be $4 Billion. This already has forced many
This is nowhere truer than in Brighton Park where the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council has used funding thrown away as if it didn’t matter; that what the
organizations to severely cut programs and layoff workers, devastating individuals, families, and communities community did didn’t matter.
from the Safety Net Works program to put together a parent patrol, counseling services and a leadership
across the state, and continues to threaten hundreds more.(citation needed)
program which represents how proper funding can support programs that create a sense of safety, ownership (translated from Spanish)
and empowerment in the community.
10
10 Amalia Montoya Brighton Park Neighborhood Council 11
 I’m a Certified
Teacher Nursing
Training andAssistant,
Womenand I’ve been
of Color
Teacher Training and Women of Color at this long-term care facility in Skokie for 8
years. I help residents get up, shower, I make
I decided to teach because I want to make a
A child’s community serves as the context for their education. This is particularly important in communities beds, check their vital signs. I love coming out
difference. We live in a high crime, drug infested
of color, where too often commuter teachers view students’ families and communities as obstacles to every day to help the senior citizens – you have
neighborhood so kids need to know that there
to be very patient with them, like they are your
academic success, rather than partners working towards the goal of educational achievement.33 are other things out there. By being in the
own mother, grandmother.
Grow Your Own program I feel I offer kids in my
Seeing this problem, members of Action Now, along with other community organizations, decided to “take neighborhood an alternative view of life which is
If there wasn’t enough staff here, it would
back their schools and teach their kids.”34 Grow Your Own Teachers (GYO) – a program that identifies really rewarding to me.
impact residents because they wouldn’t get the
community leaders and paraprofessionals within the schools – offers a way for them to pursue careers as proper care that they need. That would be a big
When I heard about the cuts I was sad and upset
teachers. problem. They need full care.
at the same time. I thought to myself, what are
we going to do now? When they said we’re
Teaching is a profession in which women are highly represented, and attain economic independence. One resident I’m especially close to, I’m very
going to go to the State Building to march and
fond of her – she’s very special to me. If she
However, women of color make up less than 10% of teachers nationwide.35 rally I went to Springfield. I know if they cut this
didn’t get the proper care, my heart would be
program there aren’t that many other avenues
broken. I always go check on her. Sometimes
people have to go back to school. Without
• A woman with a bachelor’s degree earns 75% more than a woman when I’m not here, I’ll call and just make sure
these opportunities our community gets pushed
with only a high school diploma.36 she’s doing okay. I’ve known her for three years.
further and further behind.
I call her my bubby. That’s what Jewish people
• In Illinois, 73.3% of educational professionals are women.37
However, most Illinois universities have less than 5% people of call their grandmothers – she’s my bubby. And
I fight for Grow Your Own because I feel as a
color in their programs.38 I think I mean a great deal to her too. We have
teacher I can empower my students to say, “Hey,
a good relationship, and her family knows that
• Women in the Grow Your Own cohorts are 81% of the program, you know what? I can have an impact too!”
when they are out of town, their mother is
and people of color make up 85% of participants.39
getting good care. If I’m not here, she doesn’t
let anybody else give her a shower. Like for
Passover, I made sure she was ready.
Cutting teacher training programs like GYO, educational supports like MAP grants, and funding for community
colleges disproportionately affects women of color. This narrows the options of students like Tanya and We always think about our patients – when we
Linda to achieve economic independence and pursue their dreams to impact their communities. go home we hope that they are doing okay if
they are sick, we just hope they are still here the
next day when we come back. I’m just glad that
I’m here for right now.

12 Eva Tanya
Washington
Gross Action Now 13
 Teacher Training and Women of Color Long Term Care
Long Term Care - SEIU Healthcare
I work for Peoria public schools; this is my ninth As they age, women face major challenges in being able to live with independence and dignity. With longer
As they age, women face major challenges in being able to live withyear
independence andassistant.
as a teacher’s dignity. With longer
lives, less income than men on average, and higher rates of chronic health problems, women need long-term
lives, less income than men on average, and higher rates of chronic health problems, women need long-term
care at higher rates than men.
care at higher rates then men. Being in the community I think I have a connection

with a lot of the children because I’m a native
Peorian and native of the South End. I know • 78% of seniors in need of long-term care rely solely on informal
• 78% of seniors in need of long-term care rely solely on informal care.40
care. their parents or someone in their family. I already
know what our district is about; I’m a part of the • Over 70% of residents at nursing homes are women.41
• Over 70% of residents at nursing homes arecommunity.
women.
• Among people age 75 and older, women are 60% more likely than
• Among people age 75 and older, women are 60% more likely than men to need help with eating, bathing, or dressing.42
Being from the community I have helped the
men to need help with eating, bathing, or dressing.
middle-class teachers to understand what a lot • 97% of caregivers of long-term care are female.43
• 97% of caregivers of long-term care are female. of low-income children are encountering on a
daily basis. There was a particular incident a few
• The typical caregiver is a 46 year old woman with at least some Cuts to long-term care and programs like Circuit Breakers and Community Care, disproportionately impact
college experience who provides more thanyears ago where
20 hours of carewe voted on a uniform policy.
each
Some of the teachers wanted to be really strict female seniors, women with disabilities, and the women who care for them.
week to her mother.
saying the shirts needed a collar. I shared that
when I was a single-parent I couldn’t afford a SEIU Healthcare organizes home care workers to make sure they have living wages. They also advocate
Cutting in-home care services disproportionately impacts the livelihoods of women.
shirt with a collar. SEIU Healthcare
The principle camefights
to me later on behalf of the tens of thousands of clients who depend on their providers for quality care. Janet, a client
to protect the jobs of home care workers and to make sure they have andliving
said,wages.
“I’m gladThey
youalso advocate
spoke up.” on who receives in-home care, knows that her home care worker is the key to her maintaining a life with
behalf of the tens of thousands of clients who depend on their providers for quality care. Janet, a client who
independence, dignity, and respect.
I want to
receives care in-home from her provider, knows that her home care worker seekey
is the thistocommunity thrive
her maintaining because I
a life
with independence, dignity, and respect. don’t go somewhere 10 miles down the road, I
go three blocks down the road. I know when the SEIU 73 represents social service workers across the state. Eva, a worksite leader with the local, cares for
school is doing well, my community will do well. some of the most vulnerable residents in our state. Her employer, a large social service agency, provides a
SEIU 73 represents social service workers across the state. Eva, a worksite leader with the local, cares for
range of services to the community. They rely on a mix of state, federal, and private donors.
some of the most vulnerable residents in our state. Her employer, a large social service agency, provides
a range of services to the community. They rely on a mix of state, federal, and private donors. Illinois’
Illinois owes more than $4.5 billion to providers, and the comptroller's office estimates that number will grow
backlog of unpaid bills carried over at the start of the FY11 will be $4 Billion. This already has forced many
to $6 billion by the end of this budget year. 44 This has forced many organizations to severely cut programs
organizations to severely cut programs and layoff workers, devastating individuals, families, and communities
and layoff workers, devastating individuals, families, and communities across the state, and continues to
across the state, and continues to threaten hundreds more.(citation needed)
threaten hundreds more.

14 Grow Your Own Teachers Linda Wilson 15

 Long Term Care
I come from a family of seven children that my
dad left when my mom was pregnant with his
seventh child. I am the second from the oldest
so I helped raise them; I had a paper route and
cleaned people’s homes to help buy food. I’ve
been doing hard labor since I was a little girl.
When I got older I worked at one of the local
hotels in waitressing and bartending. That was
my main career and it just wore me out. You get
broken down from it.
One night I had to go home early because I was
hurting so bad; the next morning I got up and I
couldn’t walk. It was devastating and scary.
I’ve had back surgery to fuse my lower spine
together. I live with chronic pain.
About 5 years ago I got into the Community
Care Program here in Springfield, and it’s been
the one thing that has allowed me to hold on to
my independence. If I didn’t have my home care
worker, I just really don’t know how I would do it
– there’s a multitude of ways that she helps me.
And the cuts that they want to do, I think it’s
just outrageous. I don’t think they realize how it
would impact people’s lives. People who need
home care should be able to be taken care of.
We’ve been out there and worked and done
hard labor for all of these years. And I feel like
we want, need, and deserve care.
16 SEIU Healthcare Janet Mulvaney
I’m a Certified Nursing Assistant, and I’ve been
at this long-term care facility in Skokie for 8
years. I help residents get up, shower; I make
beds, check their vital signs. I love coming out
every day to help the senior citizens – you have
to be very patient with them, like they are your
own mother, grandmother.
If there wasn’t enough staff here, it would
impact residents because they wouldn’t get the
proper care that they need. That would be a big
problem. They need full care.
One resident I’m especially close to, I’m very
fond of her – she’s very special to me. If she
didn’t get the proper care, my heart would be
broken. I always go check on her. Sometimes
when I’m not here, I’ll call and just make sure
she’s doing okay. I’ve known her for three years.
I call her my bubby. That’s what Jewish people
call their grandmothers – she’s my bubby. And
I think I mean a great deal to her too. We have
a good relationship, and her family knows that
when they are out of town, their mother is getting
good care.
We always think about our patients: when we go
home we hope that they are doing okay; if they
are sick, we just hope they are still here the next
day when we come back. I’m just glad that I’m
here for right now.
Eva Washington SEIU Local 73 17
 Conclusion I’m a Certified
Endnotes Nursing Assistant, and I’ve been
at this 1.
long-term
US Dept ofcare facility
Commerce, in Skokie
Women’s for 82010, US Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/pdf/cb10ff-03_
History Month:
womenshistory.pdf, (April 12, 2010).
Women and children disproportionately bear the burden of Illinois’ fiscal crisis. The stories in this years. I2. help
Emilyresidents
Monea andget Isabelup, shower,
Sawhill, I make
Simulating the Effect of the “Great Recession” on Poverty, Brookings Institution, www.brookings.edu/~/media/
Files/rc/papers/2009/0910_poverty_monea_sawhill/0910_poverty_monea_sawhill.pdf p. 8 (April 12, 2010)
study beg the question not what will be cut, but who? The low-income mother with a year left of education beds, check their vital signs. I love coming
3. Barbara Adkins, Karen Barnett, Kristine Jerome, outMaree Heffernan, and John Minnery, Women, Housing and Transitions out of Homelessness,
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/2538/1/Women_and_Homelessness_report.pdf (March 28, 2010).
towards her teaching degree? A new parent trying to get food for her baby? The senior woman holding on every day
4. toMary
helpEllenthe senior
Caron citizens
and Katie Dealey,–“Homeless
you have Children Need More than just Housing”, Illinois Kids Count 2010 http://www.voices4kids.org/
to be very library/files/KC2010/KC-Chpt-4-Housing.pdf,
patient with them, like they are p.42 (February 15, 2010).
your
to her independence through in-home care? Behind every line item are thousands of women, children, and 5. http://www.voices4kids.org/library/files/KC2010/KC-Chpt-1-EmploymentEarnings.pdf, p. 11.
families who will have even fewer options and opportunities without state-funded support. own mother,
6. Dariagrandmother.
Mueller, “Homeless Children and Youth”, 2009.
7. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf, (March 28, 2010).
8. http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf
9. Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, http://www.ilcadv.org/CensusPressRelease3-8-10%20%282%29.pdf, (March 28, 2010).
Illinois’ funding for education and human services impacts women and children to greater degrees because If there10. wasn’t enough staff here, it would
http://new.abanet.org/domesticviolence/Pages/Statistics.aspx#children
11. http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf
women and children utilize those state-funded programs to greater degrees. Women also represent the impact residents
12. Barbarabecause they wouldn’t get the
Hart, http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/statistics.shtml, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (March 28, 2010).
13. http://www.voices4kids.org/library/files/KC2010/KC-Chpt-3-EconomicSecurity.pdf , p. 26.
majority of those employed in these occupations. We all suffer when kids do not have access to early proper care that Doherty,
14. Diane they need. That wouldwith
email correspondence beauthor,
a big(April 16, 2010).
15. Timothy S. Grall, Custodial Mothers and Fathers and their Child Support, U.S. Census Bureau, http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/p60-237.
childhood programs, when batterers do not have access to intervention programs, and when women lose problem. They need full
pdf, (April 15, 2010) care.
16. Jean Accius, The Food Stamp Program and Older Americans, AARP Public Policy, http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/fs20r_food_stamps.pdf
out on months of food stamps because the back-log is too great. It is not in the interest of our economy. (April15, 2010).
17. Diane
One resident I’mDoherty, email correspondence,
especially close to, (April I’m 16,very2010).
And it certainly is not in the interest of our families and communities. 18. Dottie Rosenbaum and Zoë Neuberger, Food and Nutrition Programs: Reducing Hunger, Bolstering Nutrition, http://www.cbpp.org/
fond of her cms/?fa=view&id=510
– she’s very special (April 16,to2010).
me. If she
19. The Hatcher Group and Food Research Action Center, SNAP/Food Stamp Toolkit for Changing Times: Rebranding, Program Improvements and
Budgets direct the state’s obligation to its most vulnerable residents. They provide insight into the values didn’t get the proper
Economic care,http://www.frac.org/pdf/SNAP_toolkit.pdf
Hardship, my heart would be (April 16, 2010), p. 10.
20. http://www.voices4kids.org/library/files/KC2010/KC-Chpt-2-IncomePoverty.pdf, p. 24.
of society; they map the morals of a community. Enacted and proposed cuts on the backs of Illinois’ broken. 21. I always
A. Terpstrago& check
A. Rynell,on her.
2009 Sometimes
Report on Illinois Poverty, Heartland Alliance Mid-America Institute on Poverty, http://www.heartlandalliance.org/
whatwedo/advocacy/reports/illinois-poverty-report-2009-final.pdf, p.4 (March 12, 2010).
women and children are a shameful reflection of our values. We need a real revenue solution, one that puts when I’m 22. not here, Alliance,
Afterschool I’ll callIssue
andBriefjust make
Number sure
16, http://www.after-schoolalliance.org/issue_16_work_family.cfm (April 5, 2010).
23. Chicago Foundation for Women, http://www.cfw.org/Page.aspx?pid=1140, (April 13, 2010).
resources back into the state, moving women and children forward. she’s doing okay. I’ve known her for three years.
24. http://www.after-schoolalliance.org/issue_16_work_family.cfm
I call her25.
myIllinois Center for Violence Prevention, Afterschool Needs and Benefits Fact Sheet, http://www.icvp.org/downloads/Needs-Benefits%20Fact%20
bubby.
Sheet.pdf, That’s
(April what Jewish people
12, 2010).
26. http://www.icvp.org/downloads/Needs-Benefits%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
call their27.
grandmothers – she’s
CT Afterschool Network, myand
Before bubby. AndFact Sheet, http://www.ctafter-schoolnetwork.org/PDF%20Files/Research%20on%20After%20
After School:
Recommendations School.pdf, p. 1 (April 12, 2010).
I think I 28.
mean a great deal to her too. We have
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten After-School Programs for over 24,000 IL Children, http://www.fightcrime.org/sites/
• Pass legislation such as HB 174, or its equivalent, that raises the state a good relationship, and her family knows that , (April 12, 2010).
default/files/reports/IL%20Afterschool%20Brief.pdf
29. Mariame Kaba, Melissa Spatz, Michelle VanNatta, Status of Girls in Illinois, http://womenandgirlscan.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Final-
income tax and provides Illinois with much-needed revenue. when they Status-of-Girls-in-Illinois-2009-Report.pdf
are out of town, their mother p. 70. is
30. http://womenandgirlscan.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Final-Status-of-Girls-in-Illinois-2009-Report.pdf p. 74.
getting good
31. Taracare.
Mathews,If I’m notDempsey,
Margaret here, she doesn’t
and Stacy Overstreet, “Effects of Exposure to Community Violence on School Functioning: The Mediating role
of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms” in Behavior Research and Therapy, www.elsevier.com/locate/brat, p. 586 (March 27, 2010).
• Analyze the state budget through the impact on women and children, let anybody elseEpstein,
32. Joyce give her a shower.
Epstein’s Framework Like of SixforTypes of Involvement, http://www.cpirc.org/vertical/Sites/%7B95025A21-DD4C-45C2-AE37-
D35CA63B7AD9%7D/uploads/%7B1310DD65-F94A-457D-A680-9EE824084458%7D.PDF , (March 28, 2010).
ensuring that fiscal decisions lead to greater gender equity. Passover, 33. I made
Wayne A.sureReed,she“The was
Bridgeready.
is Built: The Role of Local Teachers in an Urban Elementary School”, The School Community Journal Spring/Summer
2009, vol 1, Academic Development Institute p. 69 (March 27, 2010).
34. Katelyn Johnson, interview with author, March 4, 2010.
• Reform education funding to ensure that it is both adequate and 35. Said Yasin, The Supply and Demand of Secondary and Elementary School Teachers in the United States, ERIC Digest, http://www.ericdigests.
We always think about our patients
org/2000-3/demand.htm (April 15, – when we
2010)
equitable, and ensure that human services funding meets the needs of go home 36. Women Employed, Increased
we hope that they are doing Access to Education,
okay if http://www.womenemployed.org/index.php?id=25 (April 12, 2010)
37. US Census Bureau, Occupation by Sex and Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months: American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, http://
all Illinois’ residents, especially women and children. they are sick, we just hope they are still here the
factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US17&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_S2401&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_
G00_ (April 13, 2010)
next day38. when weJohnson,
Katelyn come “Growback.YourI’m Ownjust glad that
Successful Design”, June 2009.
39. Ibid.
I’m here40.
for http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=440
right now.
41. AARP, Women and Long Term Care 2007, http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/fs77r_ltc.pdf (April 12, 2010).
42. http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/fs77r_ltc.pdf
43. Coalition of Women in Long-Term Care, Coalition of Women in Long-Term Care, http://www.cowl.org, (April 12, 2010).
44. Monique Garcia, Cash Strapped Illinois Owes Companies $4.5 Billion: Smaller Firms Squeezed When State is Slow to Pay, http://www.
chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-deadbeat-illinois-0412-20100412,0,1683135.story, (April 15, 2010).
18 Eva Washington 19
 A c k nowle dgme nts

Tanya Lane Amisha Patel elisa armea Grace Printing

Principal Researcher Editor Graphic Designer Printer

The Grassroots Collaborative would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the women who
shared their stories, staff who helped make it all happen, and to our advisory council whose
insight and feedback helped sharpen the report:

Action Now Tanya Gross Katelyn Johnson Madeline Talbott

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council Patrick Brosnan Amalia Montoya Andres Rojas

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Dollie Brewer Elashune Calhoun Ed Shurna

Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network Dawn Dalton Tara Nance

Food Research and Action Center Anne Bellows

Grassroots Collaborative Eric Tellez

Grow Your Own Teachers Ruthie Hamer Linda Wilson

Heartland Alliance Gina Guillemette

Illinois Hunger Coalition Mary Ellen Abbott Diane Doherty Mary Beth Long

SEIU Healthcare IL IN Jessica Angus Keith Kelleher Sadie Kline Janet Mulvaney

SEIU Local 73 Christine Boardman Nick Carrone Eva Washington

Shriver Center John Bouman

Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation Sharon Briggs David Hatch Shani Smith

United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations Josina Morita

Voices for Illinois Children Larry Joseph Sheena Panoor

Special thanks to the foundations who support our work:

Chicago Community Trust
Marguerite Casey Foundation
Wieboldt Foundation
Woods Fund of Chicago

G r a s s r o o t s C o l l a b o r a t i v e 637 South Dearborn, 3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60605

phone 312.427.0510 info@thegrassrootscollaborative.org www.thegrassrootscollaborative.org