Community Based Services
Notes: Meeting July 31, 2008
We spent a lot of time on question 1: How do we view each other and how do we view the community? We agreed that there is division not only among the communities, but with individuals as well. Think of children that are in preschool through kindergarten. They see the have different skin color, different shapes of eyes and they acknowledge their differences. Then they forget about it and go play together. At what age do prejudices start occurring?
Things that divide us individually
| Cultures (dress, appearance) | Social Status |
| Religion | Where we live |
| Ethnicity | Education |
| Age | Stereotypes |
Preconceived ideas |
Division by Community
Perceptions regarding Winthrop Harbor is still a “white” community
Racial issues
Demographics – people that are moving out and moving in
Young people vs older people
Years ago people that settled in the Harbor were from the South. Not so anymore.
Zion was a “dry” community. Now liquor is permitted. Big issue for lots of people.
Now if we look at our Community Services handout: Question 2: What would a healthy, well-connected community look like….we answer the question “what is the vision for our community”.
We started talking about “What can we do right now to make our vision a reality”:
- People need to open emotionally. We all have the same basic hierarchy of needs, i.e. want our children to have a good education, want a good job to support my family, etc.
- Get the pastors of churches involved.
- Get Youth Pastors involved in programs for kids.
- Get park districts involved, i.e. wouldn’t it be nice to have Zion’s baseball team play in Winthrop Harbor’s parks and maybe even having kids from all three communities on each team.
- Get mayors, city officials talking.
Please come to the Sept. 11th meeting prepared to offer practical suggestions for the following:
- What can we do right now to make our vision a reality?
- What community strengths can we build upon?
- What do each one of us need to do to make this happen?
If we’re not part of the solution, we’re part of the problem. Every one of us is busy. We’ve been challenged to “put up or shut up”. Which will you choose? See you next week.
Next Meeting Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, 7PM Zion Library
Debbie Gonzalez 847-208-5615
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