Friday, September 28, 2018

“The Price of Displacement.” How CJE SeniorLife is railroading its most VULNERABLE Residents from their Homes. When Charities fall to American Greed and Liars lie.


What unfolds next is a Timely Human Interest Story/Feature 
for major  Global Media to cover and cite. 
 Please share with those in your Network as this can, 
has, and promises to continue to happen
 if We do not unite and make our Stand visible and outstanding.

   

A Number of The Residents fighting for Our Home.  

We are so grateful to Mark Brown,

award-winning Journalist of The Chicago Sun¬Times 
who  cared enough to pen our
First National Story
about this devastating Ordeal: 
September 27, 2018. 
Marilyn & I (front row center) are holding that Feature found online:
https://tinyurl.com/yb95nklz
Photo Credit:  Leah Parker-Bernstein ~ Senior Caucus


THE PRICE OF DISPLACEMENT ©2018
By  ASK: ADRiENNE SiOUX KOOPERSMiTH
3i’s:  implant. involve. influence.

Creator of EVENTOLOGY™: Founded: 1990
KOOPERSMITH’S GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS
“People read what ASK writes about…”
The Levy House
1221 West Sherwin – 6E
Chicago, Illinois 60626-2212 USA
847-890-1489


RE:  THE PRICE OF DISPLACEMENT

There’s a horrible Price to be paid by Americans when they get old due to “The Process.” Maturity has nothing to do with IT, but Sets of Circumstances happen that disrupt (y)our Lives that should not or ever happen PERIOD.  That is, for those People who manage to “age gracefully” after the proverbial “Mid Life Crisis” happens and then, successfully live through every Decade marked as:

their 50s
their 60s
their 70s
their 80s
and, beyond their 90s…

These Circumstances (not under our Control) make us suddenly stop and begin to wonder WHY.

The Decades alone take a Toll on a Person’s Body, Mind, Soul and Psyche. Having other Individuals who apparently are “IN CONTROL” willfully HARM those in such a Frail Position should be considered criminal.

ENTER:   
Dan Fagin ~  dan.fagin@cje.net
CJE SeniorLife’s President & Chief Executive Officer
&
Kal Wenig  ~ kalwenig@gmail.com
Chairman of The Board of Directors

Sometimes, GETTING OLD(er) merely does not appear as a “Lucky Stroke” or as a “Blessing” as it most definitely is.  Accumulating ALL THOSE YEARS may be the easy Part.  Figuring out how to continue at a Happy & Healthy Pace when Roadblocks block your PATH calls for an active Team of Helpers and Supporters.  I’m speaking from the Vantage Point of being an eternally grateful & optimistic 66 year old (as of August 9, 2018) - a university educated graduate, exuberant, award-winning creative Woman who is appalled by “The Disconcern” exhibited by those in POWER who are ready to “throw a Senior in front of a Bus…”

To us living at The Levy House, this Act(ion) registers and constitutes as #ELDER ABUSE.

THIS horrific and appalling Situation is happening to me, my Fiancée, my Fellow Tenants and our beloved PETS at The Levy House located at:  1221 West Sherwin, ½ block East of Sheridan Road, ½ block West of Lake Michigan.  Many of us have been here for over Twenty (20) years.  Not considered a “Retirement Community” in the true Definition of the Term, The Levy House was bequeathed by:

Robert S. & Ruth Levy
whose Generosity made our Residence possible
To:
Council for Jewish Elderly (CJE)
Affiliate of The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Dedication:  October 18, 2009.

and is designed for those 55+. Containing all the Amenities of enjoying what Life has to offer upon Retirement, the Buildings and Surrounds is pleasant and provides what Residents need who find themselves single again and/or in need of Special Services.  That is why We (as a Collective Whole) are shocked, flabbergasted and sick to our Stomachs (many NOT able to eat or sleep through the night) to learn that OUR Building is being sold. 

We only found out a Week ago by a Resident who went to a Meeting at Sulzer Public Library where the Topic was discussed. She brought the terrifying News back.  The Bottom Line was:  We were lied to.

Of course, Buy-Outs happens on a regular Basis.  We all have seen the Regentrification of Chicago.  As a Resident of Chicago [since late Spring of 1974], I have seen all of our Neighborhoods (all 100 of them) change.  That is the PRICE We pay.  Nothing stays ‘The Same.”  “The Change will do you good” We have been told.  

HOWEVER, there are Limits...

As soon as a Starbucks and Ann Sathers move into “The Hood” and more Trees are planted, expect Property Taxes & Rents to rise and keep increasing. Growth & Development have made “Sweet Home Chicago” the #3 City in the USA and an ideal Cultural Center – “The Hub” for those who are crossing “The States” to get from New York City to Los Angeles.  After all, they must touchdown and refuel.

However, with Hurricanes ripping across the Atlantic hitting our East Coast & Gulf Area and Forest Fires destroying thousands of Acres in Ten (10) Western States (year-in and year-out), destroying Homes, Businesses & Livelihoods causing a new HOMELESS POPULATION to appear and mount, that same System wreaks Havoc (causing Mudslides to wipe out entire Towns & Havens), causing People to come to the grim Conclusion and Realization that this is now a Commonplace Occurrence that will reoccur regularly due to Global Warming.  

Where do this “New Breed of Homeless” go? 

What do they do?  Logically, they head to Chicago where Opportunities abound and where (for the most Part) Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Mudslides and Forest Fires do not destroy what We have built up over a Lifetime. Therefore, Prices skyrocket in every Sector of Life.

The Residents of The Levy House (upon signing their Leases) were promised this Building would remain affordable and livable through The Term of our Stay(s).

SABOTAGE 21ST CENTURY STYLE:    
Those are the Key Words: “over the Course of a Lifetime.”

This bleak Chapter is presently unfolding now for me and (approximately) 56 others who reside in The Levy House, a handsome, well-maintained brick 8-floor Building built in 1954 located in Rogers Park on The Far North Side of Chicago.  Without any Notice from Management, CJE: Council for the Jewish Elderly are sabotaging The Remainder of The LIVES of these People (including my Fiancée and our Precious Calico CAT, Cali) although their Mission Statement supposedly runs on the Rules of The Torah that focus upon:

Respect - Kavod
Advocacy - Timicha
Compassion - Chesed
Intention - Kavanah
Innovation – Chidushim
Accountability – Arevut

CJE SeniorLife Corporate is located at:

Bernard Horwich Building
3003 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60645 USA


A short 11 Minute (2.4 mile) Drive via Google Maps.

Derived from CJE SeniorLife Website, their Missions & Values are elaborated upon thus stating:

The mission of CJE SeniorLife is to enhance quality of life and facilitate independence of older adults.   

At CJE SeniorLife, We fulfill our mission and realize our vision for and on behalf of our Clients, our Clients’ families, our Staff, our Board Members and our Volunteers by striving for excellence through Respect, Advocacy, Compassion, Intention, Innovation and Accountability.


JUST IMAGINE if their illustrious List of Donors (who so generously contribute to these Goals) knew what they were doing to the “Older Adults” they purport to aid.

Contributions would dry up within a Week.

CJE’s Milestone 45TH Year Anniversary is marked for October 9TH at a prestigious Hotel in the Chicago Loop.  From our – The Levy House Residents’ Point of View, there is nothing to celebrate as the New Year: 5779 was recently observed (by those who are OF the Jewish Faith) knowing our HOME is being sold from under us.  I should add for clarity that The Levy Building is non-denominational and People of all Creeds, Faiths and Races live and are welcome(d) here.

THE PRICE OF DISPLACEMENT” cannot be measured in Dollar and Cents. Heart-break, Disillusionment, Distrust and Homeless will not be condoned.

It makes NO SENSE to disrupt the Lives of People who have paid their Dues and wish to remain in Chicago as integral Parts of The Community and a diverse Neighborhood.  As Neighbors, Parents, Grandparents, Friends and now taking on a Role as Family (since our Community knows one another very well), We are physically sick and mentally wrought that the Sale of this Building may leave us OUT IN THE COLD with no reasonably priced place in which to turn.

I know for a Fact there are several Elders who are not being told that the Building is for Sale fearing they will have a Heart Attack and die from hearing that News.

There is NO Time for DISPLACEMENT. Life is simple. There are those who HAVE and those who do NOT HAVE.  There are those who MAKE DUE with what is given to them.  Throughout LIFE, We can and do experience a Combination of those Factors that cause and affect us in many brash and rash Ways. However, when a Person gets to a Point in their Life, they need a Sense of Security and Permanence.  A drastic Change like Moving is fatal.

Time is of the greatest RELEVANCE when you over 65 because there’s NOT enough of it left. You don’t have another 65 years to squander away. Not that any of us are squandering it, but I’m sure you get my Drift.


FURTHERMORE:   For those of us living in The Levy House who do not drive or do not know how to use a Computer (in order to locate what other Housing Units are available in the Area), physically walking through “The Hood” looking for a new Home is inconceivable.  Having painful Arthritis, being a Fall Risk or being confined to a Walker or Wheel Chair prevents a Number of Levy House Residents from even looking for a new Home, that would be unaffordable in the First Place.

“We have now  seen the True Colors of  CJE - this American Institution who once prided themselves on:

þ Respect  
þ Advocacy   
þ Compassion
þ Intention
þ Innovation &
þ Accountability
and are thoroughly appalled.


Behind every Door on every Floor there is a “Story of Survival.”  Seniors are not called “Seniors” for nothing.  Many of us have Service or Companion Pets (Cats or Dogs) that would also be HOMELESS when the “New Owners” take over. 

5 YEARS ~ 6 MOVES:

My Personal Story of Housing Upheaval began on January 15, 2013 when my Apartment at 1437 West Rosemont (near Devon & Clark) went “Condo” after living there from September of 1990 – January, 2013 - for 23 years. After that DISPLACEMENT, for nearly Four (4) Months I lived in a respectable Homeless Shelter run by The ARK in West Rogers Park.  Then, Robert (my Fiancée) & I moved to 1258 West Loyola in September of 2013; only to be OUTED from there in April of 2017 because an aggressive Real Estate Development Company, BJB was determined to purchase any and every Structure in the Chicago area.  From April to September of 2017, Cali My Calico and I shifted and lived at Three (3) different Locations until finding The Levy House. Robert joined us in Mid-September of 2017 to start LIFE ANEW.  I must plug my CAT. That CAT is a Trooper, adjusting to every Move, knowing I was trying my best to keep a Roof over her Head as she has a damaged Ear and was declawed so she cannot fend for herself if “let loose.”

ALL THE WHILE from May of 2017 through March, 2018, Robert went through a grueling Series of 6 Operations.  Therefore, having a clean, safe and affordable Place to call HOME for his Recovery was indeed a God-send.  Without much Strength & Energy, he is still in his Recovery Period (which at his Age) is taking longer than he/we had planned. 


He has BAD Credit (due “his Divorce” taking its Toll).
I have NO Credit.
No one would even RENT to us…
These Days Landlord demand a PET RENTAL FEE.
This was unheard of when I was growing up in the 1950-60s.


Granted, I am a/his Caretaker to a “Sick Mate,” “THE PRICE OF DISPLACEMENT” takes its Toll on my Creativity.  Being termed as:

The Undisputed Champ of Holiday Creation

by Doug Criss of CNN &


The Gatekeeper of EVENTOLOGY
by Cody LaGrow of Newsy,

any negative Act that takes or draws me away from my ART is highly unproductive and I do NOT condone it as it destroys “The Flow of Creativity” that is needed every Day in order that a certain Amount of Work is created, checked, maintained and disbursed. My Literature & Writing Style has been a Staple in American Pop Culture since 1990 and is my Legacy.

1221 WEST SHERWIN is full of Creative People who enjoy what they do; when they do it; where they do it; and how they do it. “Why they do it” can be answered because for many of us it is our PASSION or IT must be done during the Course of our Days (left).

IT keeps our Brain Cells active. It also provides a Sense of Security that cannot be replaced by a(nother) drastic Move.  That is why We are fighting for our Rights and our Lives/Livelihoods in order to keep our Units/Apartments affordable in a volatile Market that has only increased and skyrocketed enormously the last Decade, if not longer.

Being on a limited Income also prohibits many Levy House Residents to even be able to afford to move. This is “The Place” they wish to call “Home” until Death.

VIP INSERT:  As STANLEY KRAVIT ~ stankravitarbor(at)aol(dot)com - one of our Residents at The Levy House and a Professional Arbitrator informed us:

“When ALDERMAN MOORE & I spoke on September 26, I said there had to be a "Senior Market Rate;" that is, a concept that we call “safe, affordable and convenient housing” that keeps Senior Housing from being driven down to the Lowest Common Denominator resembling the Nursing Home.  I did a number of Arbitrations involving nursing homes; that is not the way I want to live.

“The previous Levy management apparently had no problem understanding this and the many Donors will not have either.  Many of them will have had experience with nursing homes.  Selling this building is inconsistent with CJE's mission, their Tax Status, their Appeals for Donations and the Promises made to us as Residents.”


THE PRICE OF DISPLACEMENT is not only financial.  It bears upon a Person’s Psyche to restart, to rebuild and to redo what’s already been cemented into place the first 55 years of (y)our Life. For that Reason alone, We should be able to live comfortably, safely and peacefully here at The Levy House without any Interruption or Turmoil tearing at our Souls and Pocketbooks.  My Fellow Neighbors deserve “The Respect” they have earned.  Our Pets should have a stable and warm Abode where they are loved, cared for and where they can take a walk, if they please. As beloved Companions, our Cats and Dogs should not be displaced at “The Whim” of what abject Capitalism has become – fully displayed by:

CJE Senior Life’s President & CEO: Dan Fagin  
&
Chairman of The Board of Directors:  Kal Wenig 
of CJE SeniorLife

Director of Finance:  Tom Lockwood

The Tearing apart of the American Fabric of Civility and honoring those who have reached Elderhood (that is: each and every one of us living at 1221 West Sherwin in Chicago, Illinois) is what you see “AT WORK HERE.”  This is CRIMINAL.  This is ELDER ABUSE.

IN CLOSING: #SAVEOURLEVYHOMES

Won’t you join us in our Fight to preserve our Home, Dignity & Integrity?  Our Team presently includes:

JOE MOORE, Alderman of The 49Th Ward & Chairman:
City Council Committee on Housing & Real Estate
7356 North Greenview
Chicago Illinois 60626 USA

Phone: 773.338.5796
Fax: 773.338.5989
Email:
ward49(at)cityofchicago(dot)org


MARK BROWN, Journalist & Award-Winning Reporter of the Chicago SunTimes who penned an incredible Article on September 27, 2018 found online at:
&
Page 2 of the Thursday Edition
Email: markbrown(at)suntimes(dot)com


JANE ADDAMS SENIOR CAUCUS
1111 North Wells – Suite 302 - Chicago, Illinois 60610 USA

LILLY LERNER ~ lilly@seniorcaucus.org
KELLY VISELMAN ~ kelly@seniorcaucus.org
LEAH PARKER-BERNSTEIN ~ leahp@seniorcaucus.org
“The Seniors who make CHANGE happen.”
Housing Justice Organizers
312-787-2382


"The Test of a People is how it 
behaves toward The Old."
Quote of: Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
As found on CJE Senior Life’s Website at:
https://www.cje.net/about-us/our-mission-and-values

After all, if this Trend continues, this may be YOU and/or your Parents in 5, 10 or 15 short years…

For additional Info on The Progress We are making, contact any of us at the above Locations. Robert, Cali & I are conveniently located at:

Robert E. Hofstadter:  847-890-1489
Robert.hofstadter@gmail.com

to elaborate and collaborate moreso if you have a(ny) specific Question(s) or Queries to what I outlined above. The above Exposé was simply my Valued Opinion on Seniorhood (and how We are mistreated) in 21ST Century America.  As you can tell, there needs to be a lot of Improvement and The Levy House serves as that Model.

Thank you for our Time and Expertise devoted to our STORY that is still unfolding One Person –  One Pet - One Decision and One Day at a Time. Let’s hope our STORY has a Happy Ending.



***

UPDATE:  
Saturday, October 6, 2018 - 10:04 AM  

I am so happy to tell you all that "Our Home is safe."  The following Letter from CJE confirms that.  


There are so many wonderful People to thank who came to our Rescue as Alderman Joe Moore of the 49TH Ward where We reside; his Staff; Mayor Rahm Emanuel;  the Organizers, Kelly, Leah & Lilly of Jane Hull's Senior Caucus; 7 Floors of resistant Residents at 1221 W. Sherwin, the Levy House here; Journalists as Mark Brown of the Chicago Sun-Times & Bob & Joann Kitsos of The NewsStar who sat and spoke to us at length just last Saturday Morning; and my Linked In Members as Wayne H., who chimed in on many Occasions to keep my "Spirits" up.

"It takes a Village to keep a Village affordable" so that everyone - at every age can have a chance to enjoy The Wonders of Living in a Big Town with Entertainment, Culture, with Restaurants, Sports Arenas, Museums and their Doctors nearby.  Every Decade takes its Toll. Don't forget:  You won't be young forever and taking care of yourself and loved ones begins with a Roof over their Heads.  

I also must add that since it is #CATurday, the 40TH one for 2018, it's very important ~ #imPURRtant that the Cats, Dogs and Pets in our Lives be treated with Compassion, Love and Respect as well.  Many Seniors are now alone; their Mate & Family Members have passed away.  There's no greater Companion than having a loving CAT. Dogs are swell, too, but if you cannot walk well, realize that DOG needs Daily Exercise that you cannot PROVIDE; unless you are wealthy enough to hire a DOG WALKER.  Now, there's a good Philanthropic Endeavor.  Pay Dog Walkers to walk Pooches for those who are not that mobile.  

The Best Part of all this:  We Residents get to remain at the Levy House with our Beloved Pets, as Family Members and enjoy the Rest of our Days in Peace & Quiet.  Thank you for reading and supporting us through this tumultuous Ordeal.

VIA:  ASK/Chicago: October 6, 2018 - 10:22 AM CST


 I I

1 comment:

Unknown said...

What an amazingly COMPREHENSIVE, CREATIVE, COMPELLING AND CONVINCING blog post by you this dismal morning Sept 28, 2018. THANK YOU. elisabeth solomon-resident