 Working Together!
Collaboration is the key to success, and here are a few examples of how Commons is doing it.
Back Office Cooperative (BOC) - an initiative of the Chicago Alliance for Collaborative Effort (CACE). We are one of seven founding non-profits of this effort to combine our purchasing power and share back office functions. Commons has saved $30,000 on office supplies and food purchases over the past 6 months.
The Siragusa Foundation - Our CFO, Chris Nordloh, was a featured presenter at the Foundation's grantee conference, "Financial Strategies for Succeeding in a Tough Economy".
The Chicago 5 - We are building better tools to measure our impact and compare experience with other organizations. Christopher House, Albany Park Community Center, Erie Neighborhood House, Chicago Commons, and the Chinese American Service League have joined forces to install a data system called Efforts to Outcomes, which will allow us to benchmark and share best practices with each other.
The Taproot Foundation strengthens nonprofits by engaging business professionals in service. Chicago Commons was awarded a Service Grant by the Taproot Foundation to revamp our website. Over the next few months, we will be working with a team of volunteers on this project and we hope to have our new website live by mid-March.
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 Chicago Commons
Adult Day Services
Robert Cheney is an adult with severe Down's Syndrome. After their mother passed away, Robert's two sisters attempted to care for him while maintaining full-time employment. The Department of Human Services recommended Chicago Commons' Adult Day Services and we now provide transportation to and from home, nutritious meals, and stimulating activities to fill Robert's day. In a letter to Chicago Commons, his sister wrote, "It made my heart sing when I saw my brother's grin the time I picked him up, like he had a good day that day!"
Read the Chicago Tribune article about the unique role of Commons' Adult Day Care program and other similiar agenices. There are far fewer Adult Day Care centers today than there were ten years ago, due to lack of funding support. We are leading the effort to sustain this important type of neighborhood resource.
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 Humboldt Park Community Hero!
Doris Brown, Commons' Special Projects Manager, will be recognized citywide as a Local Hero at the annual New Communities Program conference. The New Communities Program is funded by the MacArthur Foundation, and is run by an organization called LISC. This program involves extensive neighborhood level planning to improve inner-city neighborhoods. This recognition of Doris is well deserved, as she is known throughout the Humboldt Park neighborhood as a trusted leader and someone who "gets it done". Congratulations Doris!
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In the News 
A past participant in our RISE program was recently profiled in the Chicago Tribune. His determination to prove that he is better than his beginnings is an inspiring story. Former RISE staff member, Desmond Kemp, is quoted in the article.
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Back to School! 
A big thank you to State Farm and the staff at Rhea Joyer's office for donating 100 backpacks filled with school supplies! This partnership allowed our Education & Training Center to serve 51 adults and 91 children of the community - in less than two hours! Just this month, State Farm sent over 50 more backpacks. This is a great example of how partnerships really do make a difference in communities! |
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NIA Block Party 
In August, we were thrilled to have the Jesse White Tumblers come to visit. The tumblers were amazing and Jesse White (IL Secretary of State) even came to supervise! | |
Tickets are going fast for our annual wine tasting event on Friday, November 6. This year's Pour Out Your Heart for Commons will be at the Chicago Yacht Club's Belmont Harbor Station from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. We'd love to see you there! 
