When We Organize, We Win

Davetta Brooks and Pastor Eartha Sutton live in the Congressman George Collins Apartments, a section 8 building for seniors on Chicago’s southside. Davetta moved in about 8 years ago, and immediately was confronted with deplorable living conditions such as pests and filth. Over the years she tried to address the conditions with management and was met with intimidation and threats. It wasn’t until about a year ago that she became connected through the new alderman of the 25th ward, Byron Sigcho Lopez to the Jane Addams Senior Caucus. With the help of the senior caucus, Davetta joined up with Pastor Eartha Sutton and many others in the building to build a Tenants Association together, and make demands of the building management collectively to get their needs addressed. When COVID-19 hit, the seniors at George Collins and seniors across the city organized to get a city ordinance passed to provide wellness checks for residents living in low income senior buildings during emergencies. This episode showcases the powerful and vigilant organizing of the seniors at Jane Addams Senior Caucus.