 We are Digging You Out!
Chicago Commons' Neighborhood Clean-Up Program (NCU) is currently working seven days a week to release Chicago residents from the confines of last week's blizzard. Begun in 2009 to provide ex-offenders with transitional jobs and training for vocational success, NCU has serviced over 75 individuals. To date, 15 participants have transitioned to permanent jobs, and three are enrolled in higher education programs.
From its inception, NCU has attracted compliments from Aldermen and Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation. Our team was called on to provide services during the funerals of the firemen trapped in the abandoned warehouse as well as for various police funerals. Here's one participant's story:
A former gang leader, Napoleon English came to Chicago Commons after serving a prison term of 22 years. Our Adult Ed team felt that his enthusiasm for life and desire to contribute to a community made him a good candidate for the NCU program. Mr. English took advantage of all the program has to offer - learning basic computer skills, building social skills, and soon became a leader on the worksite. He took his work seriously, and is now employed as an Outreach Worker with the University of Illinois' CeaseFire Project. We are proud to have helped Mr. English reach his goal of serving his community. |
 Smile! We're on CAN TV!
In the next few months, we will be working with Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) to reach a broader audience. We'll be posting videos and electronic brochures, and in spring we hope to host a 30-minute show, beginning with a focus on our Senior Care program. CAN TV provides video training, equipment, facilities and channel time for Chicago residents and nonprofit groups, and its five local, non-commercial channels reach 1 million viewers in the city of Chicago.
Stay tuned for more info! More about CAN TV here
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Mike Oquendo, of the Mikey O Comedy Show with students in Back of the Yards.
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Express Yourself!
Teatro Americano, the theater company of the non-profit organization Latinos Progresando, is partnering with Chicago Commons' youth program in Back of the Yards to spend a semester working with students ages 9-17. Local performers will be introducing our youth to the performing arts, creating a safe and encouraging environment for students to explore their own creative expression about issues that affect them. Students will learn the various aspects of performing arts: acting, writing, and production management, with the project culminating in a final showcase.
More about Teatro American here
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 Adult Ed Students Sweet on Sweet Home Chicago
Since October, 25 Chicago Commons' Adult Education students have traveled monthly to City Hall to support Sweet Home Chicago, an affordable housing campaign led by a coalition of nine community organizations and three labor unions. 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett is Lead Sponsor of the Sweet Home Chicago ordinance, which proposes that the City dedicate 20% of Chicago's tax increment financing (TIF) funds to affordable housing. The trips provide a chance for the students to see the city council in action and learn how to advocate for their needs. Here's what our students are saying: "... it is thoughtful and great that the Sweet Home Chicago protest is fighting for what should be put back in the communities." - Olivia Thomas "... an excellent experience for me to go downtown and see the affordable housing bill work its way in the city council. I was able to see the mayor and alderman doing their jobs." - Kimberly Downing "...I thought that the protest we had in city hall was a great protest because it shows that a lot of people do care about their communities." - Israel Gonzalez More about Sweet Home Chicago here |
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 Special Tributes
We gratefully acknowledge these special gifts made in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one, received in the last half of 2010.
IN HONOR OF:
Esther Benjamin's Birthday Billy and Rozanne Rosenthal Esther Benjamin Ms. Jan E. Stone Mr. and Mrs. James R. Loewenberg George W. Blossom III's Birthday Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Mucha George W. Blossom III Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Chandler Gina Lepman's Birthday Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Ettlinger Betty Philipsborn Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Blumberg Margaret W. Redding Mr. Clyde S. McGregor and Ms. LeAnn Pedersen Pope IN MEMORY OF: Eleanor Smith Land Margaret W. Redding
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Johnson (White Flag Foundation) Nicholas Randazzo Mrs. Mary Lou Anton To make a tribute donation, click here:
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Corporate & Foundation Funders
We would like to acknowledge the following organizations who have supported Chicago Commons with a sizable donation in the last half of 2010.
McCormick Foundation/CURL
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
The Brinson Foundation
Chicago Tribune Charities - Holiday Campaign,
a fund of the McCormick Foundation Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
University of Chicago Service League
Abbie E. Tyrrell Fund of The Chicago Community Trust
Smart Family Foundation Inc.
Modestus Bauer Foundation
Thank you for allowing us to continue with our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities
to overcome poverty, discrimination and isolation.
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ANY COMMENTS?
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We want our events to keep getting better.
Help us improve by completing a brief survey (only 7 questions!) about your experience at our November wine-tasting event, held this year at Zealous. Also, take a look at the POYH pictures on Facebook or here!
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Coats for Kids
Students in our early childhood and youth programs happily received more than 500 warm winter coats for Christmas this year.
A warm thank you to the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield for their donations, and to Macy's Operation Happy Children! |
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Corporate Giving
And a heartfelt thank you to the Rabine Group for spreading holiday cheer to 37 of our Chicago Commons families!
The Rabine Group Foundation provided Jewel gift cards for the parents, and Rabine Group employees donated gifts and toys for all the children.
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Fast Facts
 Did you know that 93% of every dollar we receive goes directly to our programs? It's true! Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference! GIVE NOW! |
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Save the Date!
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In the midst of a long, cold Chicago winter, it seems difficult to imagine summer will come around again!
Indulge yourself by imagining a sunny, warm day out on the links and mark your calendar for our 2011 Annual Golf Invitational!
This year's date is Monday, June 27 at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff. Hope to see you there!
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Humboldt Park Portal
This new website is filled with news about events and activities in Humboldt Park, including stories by the residents themselves! The portal uses modern technology to build connections and a sense of community in the neighborhood.
Click here to
check it out! |
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