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Community Corner

Open Communities' SAY YES! Justice Awards Benefit

Join us at the The “Say Yes!” Benefit for Open Communities to honor our justice award winners! Tickets are $75.

Father Robert Oldershaw: Pastor Emeritus of St. Nicholas Church in Evanston is the winner of the Rayna and Marvin Miller Community Justice Award for his leadership in all areas of housing, economic and social justice that manifest as grassroots action for inclusive and diverse north suburban communities. He walks the walk instead of merely talking the talk, welcoming Latino residents throughout the northern suburbs to his community and encouraging his parishioners in support of myriad human rights campaigns.

Ellen and Ed McManus: Wilmette residents and long-time advocates for affordable housing and accessibility to people with disabilities were named the first Jean R. Cleland Social Action Award recipients. As the parents of a daughter who is disabled, they have worked not only on behalf of people with disabilities in housing, small businesses, public accommodations, schools, but also for racially and economically diverse housing, gun control and peace. Created this year, the award honors one of the North Shore’s most stalwart champions for housing justice. Cleland was a founder of Open Communities along with the Millers. 

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To learn more about how you can become involved in social justice work in the northern suburbs, or to purchase tickets to the June 10 event, visit www.open-communities.org


Find out what's happening in Park Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

About Open Communities

Founded by local activists in 1972, Open Communities’ mission is to educate, advocate and organize to promote just and inclusive communities in north suburban Chicago.  Its membership includes residents, congregations and civic organizations.  A not-for-profit organization, its free and confidential services include investigating fair housing discrimination and landlord/tenant complaints, foreclosure and predatory lending counseling and prevention, Homesharing, immigrant leadership development, education justice advocacy, fair housing education and affordable housing advocacy, and grassroots organizing. Formerly known as The Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, Open Communities expanded its mission and changed its name in 2012.

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