Dear Chicago Association of REALTORS® Members:
Today we acknowledge the events of this past week, ignited by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. These events are traumatic and difficult to bear, especially for African Americans. If you are hurt, bothered and saddened by the current events and unrest unfolding, we grieve with you. If you are confused and don’t understand, we are puzzled with you. If you want to help and don’t know how or where to start, we can begin together.
We need to be clear: racism in all its forms cannot be tolerated. We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of those choosing peaceful ways to take a stand and allow their voices to be heard at this time. And we appreciate the efforts of our first responders who are dealing with not only a global pandemic, but the aftermath of violence and trauma. The work in eradicating the disease of racism is far from over.
When the intensity subsides, we will begin the real labor of rebuilding. Chicago REALTORS® are critical in the fulfillment of the dream so many have of homeownership. But that dream cannot be fulfilled when people do not feel safe in their communities. CAR’s mission is not only to help you be successful in your business, but to also help drive the economic development of Chicagoland communities. We have an opportunity now to assist our communities as we rebuild and reconnect as humans. We will rise above this moment by working together. And we will be part of the dialogue helping our communities heal.
The response from REALTORS® who want to be part of the solution has been overwhelming. As an immediate need, we are mobilizing our Diversity Committee, The 77, representing all of our neighborhoods, to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in communities affected by looting and vandalism. If you are able, we ask that you contribute to the CAR Clean-Up and Recovery Fund. Your tax-deductible donation through the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation will provide supplies and tools needed to clean up our neighborhoods together. We will be coordinating REALTOR® Clean-Up Days hopefully starting this week. Once we have additional volunteer information, we will send out a call for volunteers.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE Chicago Clean Up & Recovery Fund
In the coming weeks, we will keep you informed of additional ways you can assist in our communities’ efforts to recover and reconcile. If you have ideas of ways CAR can assist in your community, we hope to hear from you. You can contact us anytime via email or (312) 803-4900.
For those who might be struggling, we want to remind you of the discounted TeleHealth coverage available to you through NAR’s “Right Tools, Right Now” program. For just $7/month, mental health professionals are available as you and your loved ones process. You can enroll here.
While our branches are bent to the ground from the gale-force winds in this storm we are weathering, we are in this together. And together we will get through this. We are committed to working together to create communities where everyone can live, work and playequally.