Addiction Awareness

The parish has a free and confidential recovery resource, available to those who are struggling with an addiction, or for family members and others who love them. We talk a bit about our own experiences and let the person tell us about their situation. We strongly suggest they go to AA meetings and provide times and locations and sometimes offer to accompany them to their first meetings and introduce them to other members. Three meetings are held at St. Nick’s. Family and friends are referred to Al-Anon and provide times and places of meetings.

Peace and Justice

This committee helps to spotlight issues of worker rights, immigrant rights, non-violence, and racial equality by partnering with other faith-based coalitions for meetings with legislators and participation in lobbying and other events. In the parish, the group helps facilitate speakers, letter-writing campaigns, and the formation of committees as needed.

Post Detention Accompaniment Team

The St. Nick’s Team is “on call” one week a month to greet detained immigrants when they are released in downtown Chicago and to offer accompaniment at a time when they are vulnerable and need help. However, there are many other ways to be a team member: making up backpacks for the newly released immigrants, providing a presence in two houses of hospitality, and providing ongoing support.