On May 16, 2024, over 100 community members and 50 students from across Chicago joined Communities United in partnership with the Community Renewal Society, Access Living, All Stars Project, Inc., Indo-American Center, National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter, and Strengthening Chicago's Youth of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago by journeying 200 miles to Springfield, IL., to rally and advocate for a future rooted in healing, wellness, and safety.

 

Through a youth-led rally and legislative office visits, youth leaders, adult allies, and community partners collectively demanded a healing-centered Illinois by releasing the Grounded in Community: An Agenda For Creating a Healing-Centered State platform urging the Illinois General Assembly to support policies that are grounded in healing, wellness, and safety.