Social Security Rally held on May 18, 2011.

1. Social Security—keeping the Promise to aLl Generations Rally: May 18th, 2011

2. Sponsors

3. Workers United Union HallChicago, IL

4. Maribeth Stein, Manager of Benefits, Information and Education: AgeOptionsAndre, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)www.ageoptions.org

5. Martha Holstein, Co-Director: Health & Medicine Center for Long-Term Care Reform Martha spoke about the importance of Social Security, and reminded the audience that Social Security is not in crisis. She also reminded us that currently, Social Security is a political, not financial issue. www.hmprg.org

6. Maribeth Stein, Manager of Benefits, Information and Education: AgeOptions Maribeth spoke about the importance of Social Security and of the Older Americans Act (OAA) funding. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is funded through the OAA, and provides training opportunities for older adults in the workforce.

7. Andre, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Andre shares his story. He found himself at 61 without a job due to time off from a disability, with only Social Security income. Unable to afford his mortgage, Andre slept in his car. The SCSEP got him back on his feet. {See Andre’s story on youtube, here!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycg_0qRoRy4}

8. Barbara Wesolek, Access Living Barbara talked with the audience about her story as a person who receives Social Security Disability benefits, that allow her to join the work force. Barbara also spoke about her mother, who receives Social Security Retirement benefits. She said, “without Social Security, neither of us would be here.” http://www.accessliving.org/

9. Eleanor Rap, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans. Eleanor shared her story as a Social Security beneficiary as a result of her husband’s death. At the time of his death, she was raising 2 young children. Social Security helped her to raise her children. Now in retirement, Social Security is a lifeline to Eleanor. http://www.retiredamericans.org/

10. Eric Kingson, Co-Director of the National Coalition: Strengthen Social Security Eric educated the audience about Social Security: historically and today. Eric talked about the fact that Social Security is not part of the federal budget deficit, so therefore should not even be a part of discussions about the budget. Eric encouraged individuals to talk to their legislators about the importance of Social Security to their lives. http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/

11. Eric Kingson, Co-Director of the National Coalition: Strengthen Social Security Eric takes questions from the audience. http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/

12. Congresswoman Jan Schkawosky Congresswoman Schkawosky spoke to the audience about how the top percentage of individual income earners in the United States have been earning an increasingly larger portion of money; while the lower income earners have been almost stagnant in their earnings. She encouraged individuals to get in touch with Senator Durbin, to share how important Social Security is to their lives. http://schakowsky.house.gov/

13. Over 150 people were in the audience, including veterans, retirees, college students, young adults, grandparents, workers, and more…

14. Websites Alliance for Retired Americans http://www.retiredamericans.org/ Health & Medicine Policy Research Group www.hmprg.org Citizen Action Illinois http://www.citizenaction-il.org/ National Academy of Social Insurance http://www.nasi.org/ Americans for Democratic Action http://www.adaction.org/ National Coalition to “Strengthen Social Security” http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/ Congresswoman Schakowsky http://schakowsky.house.gov/