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Community Corner

Celebrating the past, present and future of Uptown

More than 300 supporters of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) and Chicago Uptown Ministry gathered March 8th for the grand finale of the Chicago Uptown Ministry Luncheon and Fashion Show.

 

Food, fellowship, fun and fashion were all in abundance at the event, “Fashion Works for Uptown.” A need to redirect resources toward other uses meant this year’s event was the fashion show’s grand finale. There were thanks expressed to those who produced the fashion show for 25 years and for what their partnership has meant to Chicago Uptown Ministry.

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But this year’s event was also a celebration of the ongoing ministry and services provided by Chicago Uptown Ministry. Ministry Clients spoke about how their lives have been positively changed through their participation in ministry programs: Andrea Cervantes - Juntos after school/summer program; Tamela Milan - Ways to Work program and Robert Lee, Alcoholics Anonymous program. Pastor Tom Tews, one of the co-founders of Chicago Uptown Ministry more than 40 years ago, offered prayer prior to lunch. All agreed that Chicago Uptown Ministry has a vital role to play in caring for and serving those in need in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood by providing services including:

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·         Food pantry

·         Ways to Work

·         Help navigating the greater social service network, healthcare enrollment and other systems like the public schools, legal, immigration and public health

·         Clinical counseling

·         After school/summer programs

·         English as a Second Language classes

·         Parish nursing

·         Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

 

LCFS Executive Vice President and COO Mike Bertrand noted how the support received for Chicago Uptown Ministry in the past, present and future has and will continue to make a difference in helping the residents of the Uptown community. “It is the many partnerships with congregations, government institutions, social service organizations, local businesses, foundations and ordinary caring citizens that make a difference for those in need.

 

Chicago Uptown Ministry is a program of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, a non-profit social ministry organization serving some 40,000 individuals annually with foster care, adoption, counseling and youth residential treatment programs, along with a variety of community services. For more information on Chicago Uptown Ministry or LCFS’ other programs and services, visit www.lcfs.org or www.facebook.com/LCFSIL or call 800-363-LFCS.
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