Chicago's LGBT community provides Day of Service on MLK Day
Mon. January 16, 2012 9:56 AM by Brett Anthony
g4g joins other volunteers at project in lawndale
photo credit // miguel torres
Chicago, IL -
Members of Chicago's LGBT community are commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a Day of Service in the North Lawndale community.
The Chicago chapter of Gay For Good (G4G), an LGBT group which aims to mobilize the community to volunteer their time to various social service projects, kicked off its first project with the MLK Day of Service Monday morning.
"Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream where people were treated equally regardless of their differences and the Gay for Good programs allows us to openly serve and show that the gay community is more than the stereotype often portrayed," said participant Miguel Torres. "This allows me to do my part in our next civil rights battle that is equality for gays."
Most of the work in Monday's project included painting of rooms, mural painting and some light construction at Henry Ford Powerhouse High School, Bethune School of Excellence and the North Lawndale YMCA in the North Lawndale community on Chicago's west side.
G4G has chapters in Los Angeles, Boston, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco and Orange County. The Chicago chapter was started by Kevin Purvis and Buck Dodson, who then reached out to Robin Petrovic, Mark Petroelje and Michael Wilcox.
The second scheduled event in Chicago is slated for Saturday, Jan. 28 with additional projects planned throughout the year. According to organizers, projects are designed so that anyone, no matter their skill level, can participate.
"Our most important goal is to help as many people as we can while bridging the gap between the LGBTQ community and other communities around Chicago," Purvis told the Windy City Times. "We want to become good citizens and stewards of our area."
Purvis said his goal for the Chicago chapter is to hit 500 members by mid year.
To participate or learn more about G4G-Chicago visit www.gayforgood.org.
The Chicago chapter of Gay For Good (G4G), an LGBT group which aims to mobilize the community to volunteer their time to various social service projects, kicked off its first project with the MLK Day of Service Monday morning.
"Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream where people were treated equally regardless of their differences and the Gay for Good programs allows us to openly serve and show that the gay community is more than the stereotype often portrayed," said participant Miguel Torres. "This allows me to do my part in our next civil rights battle that is equality for gays."
Most of the work in Monday's project included painting of rooms, mural painting and some light construction at Henry Ford Powerhouse High School, Bethune School of Excellence and the North Lawndale YMCA in the North Lawndale community on Chicago's west side.
G4G has chapters in Los Angeles, Boston, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco and Orange County. The Chicago chapter was started by Kevin Purvis and Buck Dodson, who then reached out to Robin Petrovic, Mark Petroelje and Michael Wilcox.
The second scheduled event in Chicago is slated for Saturday, Jan. 28 with additional projects planned throughout the year. According to organizers, projects are designed so that anyone, no matter their skill level, can participate.
"Our most important goal is to help as many people as we can while bridging the gap between the LGBTQ community and other communities around Chicago," Purvis told the Windy City Times. "We want to become good citizens and stewards of our area."
Purvis said his goal for the Chicago chapter is to hit 500 members by mid year.
To participate or learn more about G4G-Chicago visit www.gayforgood.org.