GRAND CROSSING — A group of women want people to feel loved in their South Side neighborhood, so they are taking to the streets with a hopeful message they are calling "love sprinkling."
Chatham's Carmen Collins, founder of Wives United in Prayer, and 30 other women from churches around the city and suburbs have started what they say is a movement to help people feel loved.
“We just want to show that there is love in the community,” she said. “There are so many hurting people. We’re trying to do something that doesn’t cost anything, giving your time, showing the community that people still care.”
While the group officially launched in 2010, last month they restarted an effort to literally spread love on the streets. The group set up on the corner of 75th Street and Calumet Avenue. They came out with handmade signs, fliers, smiles and encouraging words for those walking by.
“You’ve just been sprinkled with love. Remember, life is full of ups and downs, but have faith knowing you are loved. Take time today to continue to spread the love,” read one note they handed out.
The idea came about in response to the violence gripping the streets of the South Side and elsewhere, Collins said.
"There's just so much going on in the community," Collins said.
Collins said that the reaction has been encouraging.
"People are taken aback by what we're doing," she said. "Once we share our mission, the reactions are always so positive."
Last year, the women held an "action" on 87th Street and Stony Island Avenue. They plan on holding events in South Shore and Englewood this year.
Their presence in the neighborhood also seeks to encourage residents to support local businesses. At the last event, they stood outside of Brown Sugar Bakery, 328 E. 75th St. They’ve also held shoe and book drives.
Anyone can attend the events, but the group's private meetings are open to wives only and are invite only. Collins said that it’s also a safe space for women to come together and share personal issues.
Collins said that people can follow the group on Facebook or via wivesunitedinprayer.org.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
