One of the participants sent me this note afterwards:

How can I even begin to say thanks? You did a great job of igniting the spark here in Chi-town. Thank you, thank you, thank you to you and your team for all the work you’ve put it to this … from the dreaming to the strategy to the presentations. We don’t take lightly the gift you all have given to us. You’re efforts have allowed us to move quickly on this and with all the violence that’s going on in our city, we MUST move quickly.

Indeed, we must move quickly!  Schools have been deteriorating for decades, and generations have reaped the consequences of our neglect.  It’s time to overcome our legacy of indifference.  Thanks, Chicago, for joining the movement.

This is from their announcement:

In the first seven months of 2008, the number of murders in Chicago has increased 13% over the same period in 2007. More Chicago Public School students were violently murdered in the first four months of 2008 than any other year on record. …

Also hear local testimonies of churches that are being used in local schools here in Chicago.We are praying that God would draw over 100 churches and over 1,000 individuals by the end of the school year in 2009 to partner with their local schools to make an impact on our children and youth socially, academically, physically and spiritually. …

There are roughly 7,000 churches in the city of Chicago. That is 1 school to every 10 churches. Imagine if 10 churches would partner with their local school and assist the present administration to create the best environment possible for the students. Imagine if believers would volunteer a couple hours a week to read to a kid, coach a basketball team, paint walls, assist in ACT prep, etc. Imagine if the Church would have the impact on the world that God intends.

We are beginning to explore the possibility of adopting the 20/20 Vision for New York City as our strategy in Chicago which would help us facilitate this dream. …

Rally Details

Where: Marshall High School
3250 W. Adams
When: Saturday, September 13 2008
10:00am-1:00pm