It’s been 95 years since Martin Luther King’s birth. His life advocating for a non-violent end to racism, poverty, and violence has a lasting impact today. Several organizations base their mission on the teachings and philosophy of Dr. King. CASL works to preserve King’s message of non-violence, inclusivity, and opportunity for everyone through our work.
According to the King Center, the Triple Evils that “exist in a vicious cycle” are Poverty, Racism, and Militarism and each is a barrier to living in harmony. CASL has been tackling these Triple Evils for the past 45 years through our community services.
Poverty
CASL believes all people, no matter their race, language, or background deserve to have financial freedom. CASL makes this a reality for our community members by providing free financial literacy workshops to the public in multiple languages.
CASL also supports eligible community members in applying for financial assistance when available through our Wellness and Social Services Program. We also provide free career counseling and free English language classes to help immigrants find work in the United States.
We particularly work with those interested in the restaurant industry. CASL’s Culinary Training Program provides comprehensive restaurant and catering industry training with the goal of setting graduates up on a career path. The program provides vocational English training and cooking techniques in a variety of styles so our students are set up for success when they enter the workforce. This program is free to those who qualify. Learn more about CASL’s Culinary Training Program HERE.
CASL is committed to fighting poverty and easing the financial burden on families and individuals in our community by providing assistance through accessible education for children, teens, and adults. This allows parents to work full-time while children are set on a path for opportunity no matter their background or language ability.
Racism
In the past decade, CASL has made it our priority to fight racism head-on. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes were on the rise at an alarming rate according to Stop AAPI Hate. In 2021, CASL, in partnership with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), started the first Anti-Hate Action Center in the Midwest specializing in responding to and preventing the spread of anti-Asian hate.
Since its fruition, the Anti-Hate Action Center at CASL has provided residents of the Midwest a quick, easy, and anonymous way to report hate crimes. Our team is diligent in providing resources like The Hate Crime Fact Sheet and free workshops open to the public. Members of the Anti-Hate Action Center team have been working with college campuses and mid-large size employers to create a more inclusive environment while peacefully dissenting hate.
The next hate crime education event will be Tuesday, January 23 from 7:00pm-8:00pm at CASL.
Join Cook County United Against Hate and the Chinese American Service League for a panel discussion on how hate crimes are investigated, prosecuted, and repaired, if not prevented in the first place. Cook County Commissioners Scott Britton, Dennis Deer, and John Daley, and representatives from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, State’s Attorney, Department of Human Rights and Ethics, and the Public Defender will provide victim support resources and discuss actions you can take if you are a victim or witness of hate. Please register at: bit.ly/CASL-HateCrimePanel
CASL actively fights racism through education, reporting, data analysis, and policy advocacy.
Militarism
According to the King Center militarism includes, but is not limited to: war, rape, domestic violence, and violent crime. We believe in a nonviolent approach to breaking the cycle of violence and supporting individuals and families affected by it. Through hate crime education, policy research, and advocacy, CASL takes a stand against violence. Additionally, CASL has a plethora of resources for survivors who need support dealing with the effects of violence.
CASL’s Legal Services provides pro-bono legal assistance for those who would like to pursue legal recourse. We offer services for people dealing with discrimination, domestic violence, and immigration issues. CASL’s legal clinic also offers services for other non-criminal topics. You can find a list of all legal topics we specialize in on the CASL legal website: CASLservice.org/legal. CASL’s legal services are available in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese and we can also help find a translator for those who need language interpretation through our extensive translator network.
Survivors of crimes may also need mental health support to deal with PTSD, anxiety, or depression after experiencing acts of violence. CASL offers linguistically and culturally competent Behavioral Health and Clinical Services so survivors can heal from their trauma.
Finally, CASL is partnering with KAN-WIN and The Cook County State Attorney’s Office to provide an educational workshop for victims of violent crimes and advocates about U and T Visas on Feb 6, 2024 from 2:30-4:00 pm. Register here for the in-person workshop or here to join online. U and T visas are available to survivors of violent crimes and human trafficking. This workshop will cover what these visas are, who qualifies, and how to apply.
CASL stands against violence by supporting survivors and helping them recover from their trauma through legal and mental health counseling.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s work has a strong legacy throughout the world. His nonviolent approach to fighting racism, poverty, and militarism inspires CASL to continue his mission in all the services we provide. We wish everyone a meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day and invite you to reflect on how we all can live out his legacy.
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