McDonald's Programming

Program series at McDonald’s near Chicago Police Headquarters where the Chicago 400 men and women can receive legal advice, campaign updates, and fellowship

2019–present

McDONALD'S LEGAL TALK DESK

To address the unique and invisible problems the Chicago 400 are having with the extremely complex registry law, I organize an ongoing legal clinic at McDonald’s with volunteer attorneys. I manage the case coordination for people seeking help, and follow-up with Illinois State Police, Chicago police, and other attorneys as needed. I also convene a roundtable for these attorneys and other interested advocates. We discuss the best way to bring relief in individual cases, to leverage these cases into changes in state law, and to build more legal resources to address this huge gap in services. The Legal Talk Desk has been critical in finding out how these state laws are administered by police and to decipher the best legal and legislative strategies to address them.

McDONALD'S FELLOWSHIP WEEKS

Because of the stigma and banishment faced by the Chicago 400, they rarely receive or feel deserving of blessings or compassion from others. These men and women struggle with legal crises, drug addictions, loss of faith, and cycles of grief, despair, loss, and shame. Working with Kolbe House Jail Ministry and volunteer social workers, we program shifts at McDonald's where people are available to provide support, good will, and/or spiritual uplift. We also receive it.