IC-SS Weekly Update: May 4, 2020
Time to Order Your Postcards
Thanks to all who submitted a postcard survey last week, volunteering to help with writing, funding stamps, or distribution. Your responses are helping us organize Indivisible Chicago-South Side’s participation in the regionwide effort to send 2 million postcards to voters in Wisconsin and Michigan. The postcard writing will start up soon after May 10 (once we get our postcards) and will continue over the months.
Even if you didn’t have a chance to do the survey, you can still take part – just send us a quick email anytime to let us know you’re interested.
To recap: Indivisible Chicago-South Side belongs to the Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA). ICA has joined the Postcards to Wisconsin & Michigan effort, but we’ll be operating mainly through ICA’s Postcard Posse. The Postcard Posse will have teams and standings and the chance for members to work together via online connectivity tools.
Get started – do these steps, even if you submitted a survey:
1. Fill in your order form at the Postcard Posse order page.
- Whether you’ll be writing on your own or with a team, you’ll need postcards >>>> Go here to order them.
- We recommend you order 100. (If you’re certain you will need 200 or more, go ahead and order that many. Otherwise, request 100, and order more later as needed.)
- Be sure to select HYDE PARK as your pickup or delivery area (assuming you live on the South Side).
- NOTE: While it’s possible to order postcards directly from the main Postcards to Wisconsin & Michigan website, ICA requests that we instead order through their Postcard Posse order page.
- Questions? Email us.
2. IC-South Side Co-Leader Esther Peters is the Hyde Park hub manager for postcards. Wait to hear from Esther re pick-up or delivery.
- Using info supplied by ICA from the form you submit (#1 above), Esther will contact you to arrange for pick-up from her Hyde Park home or delivery to you by volunteer.
- Together, you and Esther will arrange for the pick-up or delivery to be safe and socially distanced.
- Questions? Email us.
3. Get info about signing up for the contest part of the Postcard Posse.
- Team players: If you want to be on an IC-South Side team or you want to create your own team, we’ll get back to you about signing up for that on the ICA website. (There’s time!)
- Solo performers: If you already know you’ll be writing postcards all on your own – not part of a team – then go ahead and sign up now on the Postcard Posse registration page.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO ORDER POSTCARDS (#1 above)
ICA’s Postcard Posse Kick-Off – May 4
Tonight – Monday, May 4th – 5:00 pm: Indivisible Chicago Alliance will kick off the Postcard Posse on Facebook Live. This will be a fun way to learn more about the citywide postcard effort. Attend if you’d like!
Listen & Learn: Postcards to WI & MI
- Do postcards to voters really make a difference?
- What postcard messages are effective?
- 2,000,000 postcards – really?
You’ve wondered. Hear the answers on the Indivisible Chicago Podcast, episode 152. Host Tom Moss interviews Jason Rieger of Indivisible Chicago Alliance and Reid McCollum of Postcards to Wisconsin & Michigan. Take in the whole podcast episode or tune in at about minute 10:30.
Michigan Mondays – Phonebank from Home
We can’t knock doors, but we can ring phones. Join Indivisible Chicago Alliance to call voters on “Michigan Mondays.” Each session starts with a 30-minute orientation. Sign up for Michigan Mondays phonebanking on one or more date/time: May 4 (today!) May 11, or May 18.
PS What if you’re new to phonebanking? Or experienced but seeking tips? Attend a free, 30-minute training from the phonebank experts at Indivisible Chicago Alliance. At the end, you have the option to go straight into the phonebanking session that follows. Sign up for the Phonebank Training for Bashful Activists – pick the date/time that works best for you.
Lift the Ban Coalition – A Request
Lift the Ban Coalition is working to lift the statewide rent control ban and, now, in the face of the coronavirus-related housing crisis, institute a rent and mortgage freeze. LTB is shifting its tactics solely to pressure Governor Pritzker to use his emergency executive powers to lift the ban and then cancel rents and mortgages for the duration of the stay-at-home order and three months afterward.
LTB is asking concerned citizens to call Governor Pritzker, using the LTB call guide.
Do You Sew? Make Masks
Hyde Park resident Leslie Travis has been sewing masks since the beginning of the pandemic. Now she’s helping others produce masks as well.
From Leslie’s recent Facebook post, shared with permission: [Shown above:] Two-layer tee-shirt mask with optional filter pocket. This is a no-sew, no-elastic, no bias tape five-minute mask, which works quite well. If you need instructions, let me know.
Meanwhile, free kits to sew 10 face masks with fabric ties are still available for porch pick-up in Hyde Park. Text your name to me at 773-307-6441, and I will text back the address.
If you would like to volunteer to sew hospital gowns, I have pre-cut kits of those too, but until I get elastic for the wrists, you would need to supply your own, 1” or 1/2” for the wrists (about 24” per gown). The gowns will be given to an assisted-living facility for their nursing staff.
COVID-19 Resources
City of Chicago.Chicago’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
Cook County. Cook County Government’s Information on COVID-19 page
State of Illinois. coronavirus.illinois.gov. (And get updates via Governor Pritzker’s website, Facebook and Twitter.)
South Side Weekly’s COVID-19 Tracker by ZIP Code, showing how many deaths each Chicago community area has suffered; updated daily: SSW COVID-19 Live Tracker.
Chicago Reporter.How is COVID-19 affecting your ZIP code in Illinois?
City Bureau. Chicago COVID Resource Finder (new listing)
South Side Weekly.COVID-19 South Side Community Resource Guide
Chicago Jobs Council.Resources regarding employment/unemployment, SNAP benefits, and COVID-19
Illinois Call4Calm Text Line: If you or a loved one are struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and need emotional support, text TALK to 552020 for English or HABLAR for Spanish. This service is free and available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line, a nationwide service. If you are in crisis and don’t know where to turn, you can text the word Home to 741741. Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, offering 24/7 support via text. (Recommended at a City of Chicago forum hosted by South Shore Works.)Get info on Crisis Text Line.
Serve Illinois – Volunteer opportunities
Where to donate on the South Side – some suggestions from Hyde Park Herald (new resource)
Greater Chicago Food Depository – Ways to help or get help
University of Chicago info & service resources:
- UChicago Community Support
- UChicago Coronavirus Updates
- UChicago Medicine Information and Resources
- UChicago Medicine Ways to help
- UChicago Ways to help campus & community
Got a local resource to recommend?Email us!
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