The Chicago Botanic Garden

On January 20, 2025 – Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday – the Rainbow PUSH Coalition held their 35th Annual PUSH for Excellence Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. The Rainbow RUSH Coalition (RPC) is a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization fighting for social change. Their mission is to “protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields and to promote peace and justice around the world.” Formed in 1996 by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., RPC united two existing organizations – People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH) and the Rainbow Coalition. In its nearly 30 years as an organization, the RPC has supported education and economic opportunity for many youths and families worldwide. The RPC celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a breakfast ceremony each year. This year’s event featured a welcome from Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, youths involved in the PUSH Excel program, and a keynote by Ben Jealous, Executive Director of the Sierra Club and former CEO of the NAACP. Reverend Martin L. Deppe, a past CMSS board member and long-time friend and supporter of CMSS, was honored for his book on Operation Breadbasket. Rev. Deppe’s book, Operation Breadbasket: An Untold Story of Civil Rights in Chicago, 1966 – 1971, published in 2017, offers a thorough and inside history/memoir of Operation Breadbasket. This interfaith economic justice program was brought to Chicago by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1966 Chicago Freedom Movement. Rev. Martin Deppe was a founding pastor with Dr. King and Jesse Jackson was appointed the first director. This program brought significant Black empowerment in jobs, products and services for the South Side of Chicago before evolving into Operation PUSH in 1971. Rev. Deppe’s account created the seminal record of this important Civil Rights work in Chicago. CMSS President and CEO Bill Lowe says, “Rev. Martin Deppe is an inspiration. His dedication to service is something we all should aim to emulate. Rev. Deppe has been a friend and supporter of CMSS since the 90s, and he has served as a valuable member of our Board of Directors. We are so grateful for his friendship and support, and we admire his dedication to making the world more equitable. Congratulations to Rev. Martin Deppe, and the other awardees, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, actress Kim Fields, and Mark Goeden, VP of Construction at Related Midwest.” About being recognized, Rev. Martin Deppe says, “If I could have responded on receiving the award during an already packed program, I intended to say this: ‘I am honored and humbled to receive this award today, and I do so not only for myself but for the many departed colleagues who were as deserving and even more deserving than I am.’ I would have named several and added, ‘and many more unnamed justice doers in the vineyard. In this time of backlash and threats to our democracy we can only pray for another band of sisters and brothers to pick up the torch, resist evil and do good. And that is a challenge for all of us gathered here. Dr. King remains our model and guide. Thank you again.’ ______________________________________________________________________________ You can find Rev. Martin Deppe’s book, Operation Breadbasket: An Untold Story of Civil Rights in Chicago, 1966 – 1971 at your local bookstore: https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/resources/bookstores Learn more about the Rainbow PUSH Coalition here: https://www.rainbowpush.org/

In February, Generations United named Senior Connections a Program of Merit. Generations United is a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., that works to improve the lives of children, youth, and older adults through intergenerational collaboration, public policies, and programs. Generations United coordinates signature projects to strengthen intergenerational connections and works as a strong voice supporting other organizations in developing and expanding intergenerational programs. They champion local programs across the United States and around the world. Generations United also advocates for public policies that promote meeting the needs of all generations and connecting generations with one another. Each year, Generations United recognizes outstanding intergenerational programs that connect young and older people in the United States. The Program of Merit designation is based on criteria that underpin the effectiveness of any intergenerational program and are intended to recognize the rich diversity among programs that involve older and younger generations. Programs of Merit are recognized for excelling beyond the minimum standard of effectiveness. Senior Connections is honored to receive this recognition and to be part of this community of intergenerational programs and organizations. We look forward to continuing the important work of increasing cooperation, interaction, and exchange between people of different generations, allowing them to support each other in relationships that benefit both the individuals and their community. To learn more about Senior Connections at CMSS and to join the program, click here.