In response to recent hate crimes against homeless people in Chicago, the Heartland Alliance Health (HAH) outreach team joined the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and several other institutions for a candlelight vigil to pay respects to the lives lost and affected by this senseless violence.
Larryl started working with Heartland Alliance in 2017 in Heartland Housing, serving the organizations’ Northside facilities. He shifted over to the outreach team in June. He believes in service without prejudice – and at a time like this, that’s a critical element.
Why was it important to participate in this vigil?
This is about bringing this awareness directly and personally to the community. I’ve been a resident of Uptown for over 20 years – and there’s a lot of people who don’t pay attention to the struggle of people who are out on the streets. It’s so important for us to make sure that people know this is their neighbors.
Why do you continue to serve in this capacity, even during COVID-19?
I’m a person that likes to be involved in their community. I’ve got my own history of traumas, and I know how difficult it is to heal. To be a part of something like this is empowering. Some people have a passion for helping others, I feel blessed that I have that passion.
What do we need to do as a community to ensure an end to these hate crimes? What do we need to do to ensure an end to homelessness?
There’s no doubt that homelessness can be ended – but we just haven’t chosen to contribute enough resources to do it. The solutions are there, but our communities and our society haven’t chosen to end it.
