Meet Michael
Michael Rabbitt is a community leader and organizer who has lived in Chicago’s Edgebrook neighborhood for 25 years with his wife Sarah and their two children. Michael grew up in the Midwest, the oldest of six children. His mother, an immigrant from Ireland, was a public-school teacher. His father, who lost his own father at a young age, worked while in high school and college to support his family and became a public servant. Michael graduated from Bradley University, and earned his MBA at DePaul University.
Michael has had a longstanding passion for civic engagement, service to others, and taking action to create healthy and thriving neighborhoods. He has led or served with numerous community organizations focused on equity and justice. He is a co-founder of Neighbors for Affordable Housing and has served on the Advisory Committee of Cook County Regional Assessment of Fair Housing.
Photo by Alex Nitkin/DNAInfo
Within the faith community, he has made an impact in founding and leading the Racial & Social Justice Ministry at his local parish, serving on the church’s parish council, working on the Allocations Advisory Committee of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, driving parish initiatives on environmental justice and immigration reform, and serving on the board of directors of the Darst Center. In recognition of this work, he received the Christifideles Award, given to laypeople “who demonstrate dedication through servant discipleship and ministry in an extraordinary way.”
Michael has also been a leader for racial justice, as a member of the Archdiocese’s antiracism team and the steering committee of the Interfaith Coalition Against Racism (ICAR). He has served in leadership roles with Showing Up for Racial Justice and Northwest Side Coalition Against Racism & Hate. Michael has been honored with the Katherine Drexel Racial Justice Award, in recognition of “untiring commitment and public advocacy on behalf of racial justice.”
Michael’s extensive volunteer work includes supporting young people in various ways. He was a coach with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in Peterson Park and Skokie for many years. He played a key role in the formation of his parish’s teen ministry and has served as a religious education teacher. Michael also mentors underserved young adults participating in a workforce development program focused on community leadership training, internships and job placement.
Paid for by Citizens for Michael Patrick Rabbitt
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