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Springfield 100 North 11" Street Urban League, Inc. Springfield Illinois 62703 September 17, 2019 | 217 789 0830 217 789 1989 The Honorable Ralph Hanauer, Alderman | www.sprinafieldul.ora y of Springfield Empowering Communities. Changing Lives. Dear Alderman Hanauer, | hope this communication finds you well. This correspondence is in follow-up to the proposed Health & Housing Center location of 521 South 11” Street. While | am certain of your awareness regarding this issue, the perpetuation of inaccurate or false information attempts to cloud facts. There are two facts that are preeminent to this decision making process. 1. The decision to pursue the South 11" location for the proposed center was made in full realization that two pre- schools and a school are in the vicinity. In fact, during a meeting within the Mayor's office on August 14, 2019, Val Yazell communicated that she and Erica Smith, unbeknownst to us, sat in @ car and watched children arriving at the South 11 pre-school one morning during the last school year. 2. Helping Hands made the decision to move forward with its proposal despite possessing full knowledge of the pre-school facilities across the street and one block away, The Urban League has been blessed to secure a facility, Apple Orchard, and signed the lease on August 21, 2019. This will result in the consolidation of two sites that were located on Madison and North Milton streets, which represents the two oldest of the facilities with enrollment capacity of 96 and 139 respectively. These sites have not opened this school year in the former locations and classes are anticipated to begin at the end of this month for these two sites at the Apple Orchard location. A feasibility study was conducted to analyze the possibility of including the 512 South 11 Street facility, enrollment capacity of 114, in the consolidation as well. As of the end of August, the approximated licensing capacity for Apple Orchard cannot house all three facilities in aggregate. The South 11" location is in operation presently, along with the Head Start site located one block away at 1108 East Cook Street. These two sites possess aggregate enrollment of approximately two hundred and nine (209) children ranging from infant newborns to five (5) years old and there are no plans to remove operations from the Cook location, less than one block away. If your schedule will allow, we encourage you to stand on-site of the proposed center lot and experience for yourself the clear vicinity to each of the two facilities currently in operation. ‘The Springfield Urban League is @ ninety-three year old organization and has served the homeless in numerous capacities including, but not limited to, technology services, child care services, and job development and placement services, Additionally, our facility has served as a warming and cooling center. While the Urban League is both supportive of the philosophy of the proposed center and certainly those in need to find safe shelter, it is with humility that the Urban League raises an objection to the proposed site. Moreover, itis important to note that the proposal submitted deemphasizes critical characteristics of the proposed center's operations which will have a detrimental impact on the Head Start pre-schools located just sixty-five (65) feet (512 South 11th) and one block (1108 East Cook Street) away, respectively, Alderman, | know that you are cognizant of the terrible dilemma this Nation faces regarding the issues of mental health and violence exhibited by some. We all ache for understanding how to both treat those with mental aliments while also protecting ourselves from violence that has simply proliferated beyond all measure. Nothing concerns the Urban League more than protecting the children we serve from such possibilities. Thoughts of the beloved children of Sandy Hook remind those of the Urban ‘League that when it comes to children, the goal must always be to reduce any risk of safety to zero. This proposed center location does not reduce such risk. It exacerbates it. It does this to children and ‘that forces the Urban League to remain ever vigilant in seeking redress, Often during this matter, it has been said that “this center has to go somewhere.” The question the Urban League must press is, does that mean it can go ANYWHERE? The present center proposal answers that question in the affirmative even when the safety of children and residents are compromised. Shall we all just cross our fingers and hope all will be okay? No child should bare such a burden. The Urban League implores you to vote with our children and families against this very necessary, but presently, misplaced proposed center location. Sincerely, President and CEO Page -2

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