On Monday, August 12, the Humboldt Park Community Action Council (CAC) hosted a retreat to discuss the implementation of their Community as a Campus Plan (CAAC). The Community as a Campus plan seeks to create an educational environment framed within the precepts of the International Baccalaureate  (IB) academic standards and the transformation of all the schools within the designated area into "safe and inviting places to explore the world." At the retreat, participants were updated on the state of the CAC initiative and broke out into workgroups to craft the plan to carry out the facets of the initiative. These facets include the Parent Popular Education, the Teacher Administrator and the Youth Leadership Institutes, a public Montessori elementary and high school and a middle school for at-risk youth.  CPS aqnnounced that is would officially adopt the Community as a Campus Plan at the next Board of Directors meeting.

Please join us at the August Chicago Public Schools Board of Directors Meeting on August 28, 2013. It is important that CPS see the community supporting the Community as a Campus Plan.

PLEASE JOIN US!

Announcement of Community as a Campus Plan

by CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett

at CPS Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, August 28th

10:30am

CPS Central Administration Building

125 S. Clark St, 5th floor

Chicago, IL

On Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 Billy Ocasio, CEO of the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC), Jose E. López, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Rebecca Sanders, Executive Director of the Chicago Cultural Alliance and representatives from the Polish Museum of America and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art met with Alderman Roberto Maldonado and Joe Morreno and State Representative Cynthia Soto to discuss the possibility of creating a cultural district joining these three museums. The idea would be develop cross-cultural programming that would highlight the historical contributions of these three ethnic groups in the areas of West Town and Humboldt Park. Through the establishment of a cultural district the organizers seek to encourage tourists to visit the neighborhoods and hopefully increase business for the commercial districts of the neighborhoods.

On Saturday August 10, 2013 Vida/SIDA teams united to recruit and create awareness of El Rescate transitional housing program. In the beaming sun members of EL Rescate handed out flyers and spoke to attendees about the current recruitment efforts of its transitional program, which just expanded to include 30 beds for LGBTQ youth ages 18-24.

It was a great way to bond for the "senior" participants that have been with El Rescate for over 3 months and are successfully completing the mission of the program. Thanks to the outreach team for helping and supporting El Rescate's efforts as they also spread the love by passing out condoms and talking about HIV awareness.

With the first day of school right around the corner, watch Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz provide advice for parents registering their kids at new schools and highlights other back-to-school resources.

Community Forum - Back To School

Three Puerto Ricans friends living in Chicago launched a unique experience to attract and connect people through food by hosting elegant dinners in private homes, galleries, and outdoor spaces where they offer Latin dishes.

"We want to redefine fine-dining, gourmet food, with a community and social responsibility approach," told EFE Felipe Cabrera, who acts as Director of Strategy of Sobremesa Supper Club.

This summer the PRCC in partnership with After School Matters, and PACHS have been working with over 25 youth to produce a play about their life experiences. Over the course of the summer program, the apprentices have experienced several different types of theatrical practices, community service opportunities, workshops, performance art forms and styles, and writing styles. They have also learned a great deal about our community here in Humboldt Park, its history, and what it means to be part of a community. Their artistic education touched upon the components of a well-rounded production, theatrical direction, improvisation, sketch writing, poetry, slam performance, playwriting, educational theatrical practices, piece translation, design elements, bomba dancing, and performance analysis. The group was even fortunate enough to enjoy a live performance of the production Mojada by Luis Alfaro, which took place at Victory Gardens Theatre. Overall they have been working on composing their own original theatre piece, Live in Humboldt Park! This piece is completely original and has been devised over the course of the summer program. The works that make up the performance are from the heart and show a great deal of strength, courage, and talent that each of these young artists possess in their own, unique ways. All performances are completely free, and our main goal is to bring awareness and togetherness to our community. Come check out and supporting these young, brilliant artists in their culminating event!

CATCH LIVE IN HUMBOLDT PARK BEFORE IT'S GONE!

The last performance of LIVE IN HUMBOLDT PARK! will be on Friday, August 16th at 5:30pm at La Casita De Don Pedro (2625 West Division Street).

The Paseo Boricua Farmers Market will be open every Friday and Saturday this summer. Through this initiative, the PRCC seeks to provide a place for Humboldt Park residents to acquire fresh produce.

Locally grown chemically free produce grown by our very own Humboldt Park youth is available!

The Farmer's Market takes places on Fridays from 2pm-7pm and Saturdays from 10am-3pm at 2628 W. Division St.