UIC GEO SUPPORTS THE BROADWAY YOUTH CENTER

November 20, 2013

Alderman Tom Tunney

44th Ward, City of Chicago

3223 N. Sheffield Ave

Chicago, IL, 60657

Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals

121 N LaSalle St #905

Chicago, IL 60602

Dear Alderman Tunney and the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals:

We are writing this letter to express our support for the youth and homeless services located in your ward and the congregations that sponsor and/or house them. As members of the Graduate Employees Organization, we share the vision of a diverse, united North Side of Chicago where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We respect the efforts you have made, along with service providers, to encourage community dialogue and agreement. We want to support those efforts in any way possible.

At this point, we know that the issue of Broadway Youth Center’s use of space at Wellington UCC is at the forefront. Howard Brown Health Center and BYC have been community partners and provide a much needed service to young people struggling in our community and city. We value and support their work. Wellington UCC has been a pillar in the community for 103 years, and we support their right to meet their mission and values by housing BYC.

We want to assure you that many people in the community value these services and we encourage you to continue your strong support. Please feel free to contact us at 312-733-9641 or geo@uic-geo.net to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

The Steering Committee of the UIC Graduate Employees Organization

cc: Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals

cc: Alderman Tom Tunney

cc: Howard Brown Health Center