On Saturday, June 4, 2016, ALSO hosted the 21^st Annual Walk for Peace at the McCormick Tribune YMCA. The event marked the launch of our Community Collaboration and Resident Empowerment grant from Get IN Chicago, a grant shared with LSEA (Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance) “a group of social action-oriented congregations and organizations in the Logan Square.”

Before the walk around Humboldt Park, ALSO Executive Director Lori Crowder issued a call to action. She addressed the rise in violence, the scarcity of resources, and the need to hold law enforcement and elected officials accountable. She charged us as a community to act now for peace: “We are the people we’ve been waiting for.” The community heard further remarks from Kara Ervin (ALSO Board president), Narestus Coley (McCormick Tribune YMCA), Cook County Commissioner Luis Arroyo, Jr., Board member Pastor Bruce Ray of Kimball Avenue Church, and LSEA member Pastor Drew Rindfleisch (San Lucas United Church of Christ) and joined in celebration of the youth participants who completed ALSO’s 10-10-10 Program.

Following the walk were free food, including hot dogs donated by Vienna Beef Hot Dogs, raffles, and entertainment featuring spoken word, dance, and dance fitness. Special thanks to our performers, Zarena Leblanc, Erica Gabriel Arias Soto, and Rosa Martinez (Chicago Zumba Classes), Demiyon Eastling (Association House High School), Katie Bezares, and En Fuego dancers (Nuestra Senora de las Americas) and to 10-10-10 and New Level Sound, who provided music and technical support.

Thank you to all who came out for peace and all who donated their time, treasure, and talents to make this event possible. Special thanks to our in-kind donors: Danny Waller, Vienna Beef Hot Dogs, Global Maintenance Solutions, Windy City Appliances, Alderman Maldonado 26^th Ward, (IGCG Illinois Governmental Consulting Group, LLC), and McCormick Tribune YMCA of Metro Chicago.

Visit flickr to see photos from the event! Check out ALSO’s awesome Running Man Challenge video and the raffle drawings.