North Lawndale Kinship Initiative
The North Lawndale Kinship Initiative is a community development partnership between people in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago’s West Side and Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Despite the racial, religious, and political division we often experience in society today, our diverse collaboration aims to set a different course. We are a movement of engaged churches, schools, community organizations, government officials, businesses and individual leaders in North Lawndale and at Old St. Pat’s that choose to work together to address the pressing issues of our city and times.
Kinship Mission
Through the Kinship Initiative, people of North Lawndale and Old St. Patrick’s Church walk alongside one another in friendship, sharing our talents and resources to secure justice, opportunity and the transformation of our communities.
Kinship Mission
Through the Kinship Initiative, people of North Lawndale and Old St. Patrick’s Church walk alongside one another in friendship, sharing our talents and resources to secure justice, opportunity and the transformation of our communities.
Bread for The World Offering Of letters
Sunday, May 3rd | After the 9 AM & 11 AM Masses
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We are called through Social Catholic Teaching and our Old St. Pat’s Mission to help our sisters and brothers. Food insecurity is a real issue not only in the world, but here in the US and our own Chicagoland community.
Our Kinship Initiative is asking Old St. Pat’s members and friends to help take action to write brief letters to Congress about domestic and global nutrition programs which are vital to food justice for hungry people. Join us on Sunday, May 3rd after the 9 AM and 11 AM Masses to compose these letters to our elected officials in Washington, D.C. All are welcome, no registration is needed. Join us during Sunday Hospitality in the Church Courtyard to help live into the Vision of Old St. Pat’s. Live our Faith. Heal the world. Questions? Email Vince at [email protected] |
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Will you host a Kinship Exposure Experience?
Exposure Experiences are transformational activities and outings Old St. Pat’s members provide free of charge for people of Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood to enjoy otherwise unfamiliar or unaffordable places and opportunities. The experiences, for groups of 4 -100 youth or adults who may have rarely or never experienced Chicago’s vibrancy outside of their own neighborhood, can include:
How it Works
Exposure Experience sponsors envision the opportunities, issue the invitation and help make the arrangements. Old St. Pat's Social Action Ministry staff members receive the invitations and connect sponsors with interested North Lawndale neighborhood organizations. North Lawndale organization staff members coordinate with the OSP Social Action Ministry staff and Exposure Experience sponsors to manage all necessary logistical, supervision and legal matters. Tax exempt charitable donation letters can be provided to the sponsors when requested.
To Sponsor:
Contact Vincent Guider, Kinship Initiative Director at [email protected] or Johnny Jones, Social Action Program Coordinator at [email protected].
- Restaurants, receptions, parties
- Workplace, museum or cultural tours
- Professional or major college sporting events
- Nature, fitness or high adventure experiences
- Arts, theater, concerts or live entertainment seating
- Spa, salon or barber reservations or free necessity shopping sprees.
How it Works
Exposure Experience sponsors envision the opportunities, issue the invitation and help make the arrangements. Old St. Pat's Social Action Ministry staff members receive the invitations and connect sponsors with interested North Lawndale neighborhood organizations. North Lawndale organization staff members coordinate with the OSP Social Action Ministry staff and Exposure Experience sponsors to manage all necessary logistical, supervision and legal matters. Tax exempt charitable donation letters can be provided to the sponsors when requested.
To Sponsor:
Contact Vincent Guider, Kinship Initiative Director at [email protected] or Johnny Jones, Social Action Program Coordinator at [email protected].
Want to partner with a North Lawndale Neighbor?
Kinship Initiative Partners is a new collaboration between Old St. Pat's members, the North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN), and the Lawndale Christian Legal Center's (LCLC) Dennis Deer Restorative Justice Residence. Through this program, Old St. Pat's volunteers pair one-on-one with NLEN and LCLC clients who are pursuing employment and career advancement. Pairings will require a minimum of 4-6 hours per month interaction both in person and via Zoom, lasting for 3 months. Pairing can be extended by mutual agreement.
The partners form supportive relationships rooted in accompaniment, encouragement and mutual growth. Old St. Pat's members will serve as career path mentors, walking alongside North Lawndale partners who are navigating challenges of self confidence, literacy, job readiness and future goal planning.
Old St. Pat’s partner volunteers will receive cultural competency orientation, assigned a NLEN or LCLC staff member and other assistance. No specific professional background is required of Old St. Patrick’s partners.
Kinship Partnership is at the heart of Old St. Pat’s Vision calling us to “Live our faith, heal the world.”
To learn more about Kinship Initiative Partners, contact Johnny Jones, Social Action Program Coordinator at [email protected].
The partners form supportive relationships rooted in accompaniment, encouragement and mutual growth. Old St. Pat's members will serve as career path mentors, walking alongside North Lawndale partners who are navigating challenges of self confidence, literacy, job readiness and future goal planning.
Old St. Pat’s partner volunteers will receive cultural competency orientation, assigned a NLEN or LCLC staff member and other assistance. No specific professional background is required of Old St. Patrick’s partners.
Kinship Partnership is at the heart of Old St. Pat’s Vision calling us to “Live our faith, heal the world.”
To learn more about Kinship Initiative Partners, contact Johnny Jones, Social Action Program Coordinator at [email protected].
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The Dr. Dennis Deer Restorative Justice Center
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A Call to Alleviate Food Insecurity
Adult volunteers needed for outreach opportunities with the Young Men’s Education Network (YMEN)
1241 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago
Free parking available
Old St. Patrick's contact: [email protected]
1241 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago
Free parking available
Old St. Patrick's contact: [email protected]
My Brother's Kitchen
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Monthly on 3rd Saturdays, 8 AM to Noon, YMEN Gym
Volunteers (15 max) prepare, serve and share a hot, nutritious meal among 120+ women, men and children and clean up afterward. Children 8 years and older must be accompanied by an adult. Dress appropriately for food preparation and not to bring valuables to the facility. Register by the prior Wednesday. Contact Allyn Pilewski at [email protected] or Jim McLean at [email protected], Old St. Pat’s My Brother’ Kitchen Coordinators. |
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Garden-To-Doorstep Pipeline
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Tuesdays, Noon to 2 PM
Volunteers provide a “pantry-on-wheels” by loading boxes of high-quality produce to homebound residents of North Lawndale. Ten volunteers and five vehicles are needed every week. Volunteers are paired up and will visit five homes to deliver two produce boxes to each. Boxes weigh 10-15 lbs. Contact Tony Evensen at: [email protected]. |
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Garden-To-Kitchen Pipeline (G2K)
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Fridays, Noon to 3 PM at the YMEN Community Center, located at 1241 S. Pulaski Rd, Chicago. Free fenced in parking.
Volunteers (8 max) unload and sort food and clothing items for distribution to community meal centers, pantries, etc. Contact Patricia Christophersen at: [email protected] or Nancy Giacalone at: [email protected]. |
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Green Team Fridays
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Noon to 3 PM
Volunteers (10 max) help to revitalize and maintain the Harding Garden in the community under the guidance of a North Lawndale community host. This spring/summer project is for those who like getting their hands dirty and caring for God’s green earth. It occurs in conjunction with the Friday Garden 2 Kitchen Pipeline. Contact Kimberly George at: [email protected]. |
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North Lawndale Partners
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North Lawndale Athletic and Recreation Association |
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OSP Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI)
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