Audio by artist juanita_irizarry

Inspired by this phrase from author Tom Sine,
“we will consider whether money has become
our God in this country.” As we do so, we will
look at some history of religion and politics
in the United States. And we will think out
loud together about the implications for what
we should be teaching our urban youth as
we seek to be models for them and mold
them into mature Christians and “successful”
Americans.

What do Islamic terrorism, the tide of
socialism/populism in Latin America and
urban violence in the U.S. have to do with
one another? In this workshop, we will
explore the concept of “shalom” and discuss
what the U.S. has/has not been doing to
promote peace and stability across the
globe as it relates to fighting poverty and
oppression. We will discuss how our own
individual roles relates to the government and
church’s role by addressing similar needs in
our own needy communities.

What is gentrification and what are the impacts on youth when
gentrification and displacement overtake a community? This
workshop will look at gentrification-related community development
issues in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood and elsewhere.
It will borrow from secular community organizing and development
models in that community to glean ideas for engaging and
empowering youth as they confront head-on some social justice
issues that impact their daily lives.