Tamar Manasseh, founder of Mothers and Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK). Please consider helping her work toward educational equality for Chicago students. Your donation will provide students with internet-capable devices so that they can access the CPS remote learning system and online enrichment resources developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Photo credit: IMDB
Instead of publishing an overwhelming list of ways to financially support the incredibly important Black Lives Matter movement, I’m choosing to highlight one amazing local cause (for now) that Mitch and I feel a connection to in an effort to make an impact.
Let me introduce you to Tamar Manasseh. She’s a Chicago resident and the founder of Mothers and Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK), a 501(c)(3) organization that works to build stronger communities through violence prevention, food security, housing, city services, education and economic development. Tamar is currently buying and collecting internet-capable devices to bridge the digital divide during the COVID-19 crisis. By providing students with this technology, they’ll be able to keep up with Chicago Public Schools’ remote learning system and online enrichment resources.
Please consider donating here! If you’d like to donate a physical internet-capable device, you can mail it to MASK at P.O. Box 368755, Chicago, IL 60636 or drop it off at 7500 South Stewart Avenue, Chicago, IL. 60620 during working hours. (If dropping off in person, please contact them beforehand. All internet-capable devices are welcome, from old cell phones and tablets to video game systems and computers.)
MASK began in 2015, when Tamar set out to reduce violence at a particular corner at 75th Street and Stewart Avenue. It started out as Tamar and a few other mothers simply sitting there, keeping watch. Soon, though, they were joined by many others (women, men and children alike), and it turned into something even more powerful: a place where residents could share meals, play games, and get to know each other. It was–and continues to be–wildly successful in keeping the area safe while also fostering a strong sense of community.
Over the years, Tamar has been featured by countless national news networks and publications, all touting her simple yet genius idea. She’s even written for the New York Times as an op-ed contributor! (More accomplishments below.) And somehow even more impressively, she’s gone on to help start chapters in other states across the country and guide other mothers to set up similar neighborhood watch programs.
Let’s just say she’s pretty awesome.
MASK has evolved quite a bit since its creation in 2015. But you better bet that they’re still out there on that corner, keeping watch and building community. ♥️
Again, this is a cause that is close to our hearts. Donating to MASK felt right, and we would be so happy if you considered donating as well! Every little bit helps. In my New York City classroom, I received a generous computer donation and a grant to provide every student with a Kindle, and I can’t tell you how helpful the technology was–especially considering that the Kindles could be sent home with students when needed. Similarly, Mitch applied for and received several technology grants that changed everything for his Chicago Public Schools classroom in the Uptown neighborhood. Education is power.
Please help MASK give students access to online learning during the COVID-19 crisis by donating here!
If you’d like to donate a physical internet-capable device, you can mail it to MASK at P.O. Box 368755, Chicago, IL 60636 or drop it off at 7500 South Stewart Avenue, Chicago, IL. 60620 during working hours. (If dropping off in person, please contact them beforehand. All internet-capable devices are welcome, from old cell phones and tablets to video game systems and computers.)
Mothers and Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK) is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tamar has been featured by PBS, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, CBS Chicago, NBC, Good Housekeeping, and Crain’s Chicago, among many other national news networks and publications. She’s also written for the New York Times as an op-ed contributor, and her story is told in Brad Rothchild’s upcoming documentary “They Ain’t Ready for Me.”
Black lives matter.
