Grounded in Community: An Agenda for Creating a Healing-Centered State
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.
Our Demands
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Affordable Mental Health and Healthcare Services: Expand access to equitable mental health support and healthcare services for youths and families across Illinois, regardless of one’s immigration status. Investment and development could look like:
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Pipeline of Mental Health Workers: Creating a pipeline of mental health professionals from different communities, especially from Black and Brown communities, who are encouraged to practice within communities they identify with.
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Reducing Barriers to Recovery: Shifting low-level drug possession from felonies to misdemeanors in Illinois.
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Partners
