UNA-Chicago Chapter

🌐 Spring Newsletter Sent May 30- Check out our latest events! Get on Mailing List! 🌐

Fireside Chat for UN-SDG #2 Goal on Zero Hunger: Register Here on Eventbrite

On Wed., July 31, 2024 from 6-7pm Central Time, Mr. Steven D. Ericson, Executive Director at Feeding Illinois, will join Global Goal #2 Ambassador Seyi Akerele on Zoom for a fireside chat titled "Achieving Zero Hunger - The Impact of Food Banks". We will explore the critical role food banks play in addressing hunger and fostering food security. Mr. Ericson will share his insights and experiences in leading efforts to combat hunger, providing valuable perspectives on how food banks can drive community impact and policy change. This event promises to be an enlightening discussion for anyone interested in social causes and food security initiatives, offering participants the opportunity to ask questions and get answers from an industry expert.

Join us for our free webinar on Zoom titled "Addressing Water Scarcity: Strategies for Sustainable Development" hosted by the Global Goals Committee with Global Goal #6 Ambassador Omotolani Oyelade and Dr. Fikayo Benson, Director. Register anytime on Eventbrite.

Click on image above for full Great Lakes Region Summit info!

Annual Meeting from Sat., Dec 9: 3-5pm

Our 2023 Annual Meeting was Saturday, December 9 from 3-5pm at Polsinelli Law Offices located at 150 N. Riverside Plaza in person or online. Meeting included presentations from all attending candidates. Voting was for the two contested positions of Advocacy Director and Vice President. There was no Treasurer applicant, so the board will try to appoint one until next Annual Meeting. Applications were received during the whole month of November. Click here for a description of board positions. Elections started at 5:00pm after meeting and continued for 24 hours with an online ballot for members. Meeting also included a year-in-review and guest speaker about Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of UDHR.

UN Day Event October 28

Our annual United Nations Day event was Saturday, October 28th from 3:00-5:00pm at Polsinelli Law Offices located at 150 N. Riverside Plaza. Doors opened at 2:30. The event began with inspiring opening remarks by our keynote speaker, IL State Senator Mike Simmons, 7th Senate District. The Global Goal Award 2023 was presented to the Peace School, for its unwavering mission advocating for peace locally and globally. The second half of the event welcomed guest speaker, multiple award recipient, Executive Director and Founder of the Syrian Community Network, Suzanne Akhras. The event concluded with a presentation from student leaders and refugee advocates from the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition. Light refreshments were served.

Day of Dignity

Chicago’s 2nd Day of Dignity event is August 3, 2024 at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse. Last year's Day of Dignity was a big success, serving over 600 participants from diverse and underserved communities alongside 30 partner organizations. UNA-Chicago is again a community partner to Day of Dignity sponsored by Islamic Relief USA and hosted by the Chicago Refugee Coalition. UNA-Chicago will again host an information table and distribute supplies to support refugees in Chicago and worldwide. Below is State Senator Mike Simmons, District 7 in Rogers Park, with a message of gratitude for Day of Dignity.

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Apply to Be our Treasurer, Secretary, Education Director, Marketing & Social Media Director, or Membership Director- Here is a description of board positions and current board list.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and begins with Teacher Appreciation Week! Join UNA-Chicago in our Online Wellness Workshop on May 8 from 6-7pm hosted by our Global Goals Ambassador for Quality Education María Barragán Ortiz. María is an award-winning educator, coach and international speaker who has provided seminars, workshops and professional development on conscious leadership, building relationships and safe environments to hundreds of educators and advocates around the world. This event is free and open to everyone. We hope to see you there! #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #globalgoals #advocatewellness

UNA Chicago Board members, UNA Chicago, Ambassadors, members and friends with special guests, our friends from the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition.

Our keynote speaker, IL State Senator Mike Simmons, with student leaders and advocates from the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition.

Master Kim and Jennifer Kim from the Peace School, recipients of the Global Goal Award 2023, accompanied by the UNA Chicago Board members, from left to right, Director of Communications and Technology, Charles Gunn, Director of Special Initiatives, Sana'a Hussien, and Chapter President, Cecilia Torres.