SustainC3 – The Cause for saving the Chicago Conservation Corps

The Chicago Conservation Corps‘s (C3) existence is being threatened due to lack of funding and resources from the city of Chicago. Since 2006, C3 has been funded by the city (currently as part of the Department of Transportation), and on June 30 that funding will expire, unless someone picks up the tab to sustain C3. So who is C3?

The mission of the Chicago Conservation Corps is to recruit, train and support a network of volunteer leaders who work together to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and schools through environmental service projects that protect our water, clean our air, restore our land and save energy.

C3 represents the epitome of why humanity has plenty of happiness to look forward to–when we put our minds together, we can achieve anything. This group of individuals cannot be left behind. The city of Chicago will be looking for partners/investors/businesses to share, and eventually fully fund & manage C3. The package comes with 400 volunteers, programs for 1,500 Chicago Public School students, and a plethora of other projects (see: Accomplishments of C3). The return on investment is guaranteed to be positive. So where do we go from here to sustain C3?

We resort to old school tactics–dropping a letter off at the Mayor’s office. But that won’t be enough. C3 volunteers are asking for public support among the Chicago community to raise awareness of this city program before its funding is extinct. If you want to forge a friendship with an organization dedicated to teaching conservation and sustainability (being friendly to our beautiful planet), support us in one of the following ways:

1. Twitter: @SustainC3  Facebook: SustainC3

2. Blog post: Celebrate the Accomplishments of the Chicago Conservation Corp

3. Why This Is Important: a petition created at Change.org (you don’t have to sign the petition. First read C3’s profile, then decide if you believe in our cause)

Stay tuned, the Sustain C3 story is just beginning, and so is my “career” as a photoblogger (the less qualified, but social media-based form of photojournalism). There are many small, yet happy stories to tell; let’s do it!

Other pictures from my morning at City Hall

My first visit onto the 4th floor of Chicago's City Hall

Near City Hall, under the Chicago Theatre sign, I stumbled into a meeting for the Grassroots Collaborative to raise awareness of unemployment and community violence in Chicago.

She is smiling!

The most interesting shoes of the day (belonging to someone in the media, or a blogger whom I didn’t ask for a name or card. If you’re reading this, who are you?)

Do you think these are comfy shoes?

Last, George Washington, who stands proudly at Chicago City Hall, and a quote by him.

Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

My quote: Be patient.

Thank you for reading. Keep spreading happiness, #letUbeU.