Brighton Park neighbors demand state restore mental health services
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council holds 2019 Public Meeting
In the midst of strong political turmoil, threats to immigrant communities, attacks on black and brown youth, and a push for a higher wage, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and community members organize a Public Meeting with legislators.
WHAT: Public Meeting held by community members to discuss state and city legislation regarding Fair Tax, Census 2020, Welcoming City Ordinance, the Gang Database, and Raise Chicago.
WHERE: Brighton Park Elementary School, 3825 S Washtenaw Ave Chicago, IL 60632
WHEN: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019 at 4:30pm
WHO: Youth and Health Promoters from Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, State Representative Celina Villanueva, State Representative Aaron Ortiz, State Representative Theresa Mah, Alderman George Cardenas (12)
For the fourth consecutive year, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) will host a community meeting with elected officials. As a leader in campaigns like reopening of the shuttered mental health clinics and #EraseTheDatabase, BPNC youth will share their experiences with the Gang Database, access to mental health, minimum wage, and more.
In June, BPNC joined several community organizations and residents at Malcolm X College for a Mental Health Town Hall. Over 50 people, including therapists, licensed clinicians, and more, described how the closing of half of the city’s mental health clinics has impacted their lives.
Estela Diaz, Promotora de Salud with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, who has been fighting to reopen the mental health clinics that were closed in 2012 shares, “People do not choose to have depression, anxiety, or any mental illness, just like one does not choose to have pneumonia or diabetes. We demand the necessary funds required to reopen clinics. There must be personnel that is culturally competent to work with our community, as we need them to speak our native tongue. It’s time to reopen the clinics”.
During the Public Meeting, elected officials will address community concerns regarding the upcoming Census and legislation at the city and state level.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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