Community Petition Drive to
Free Oscar Lopez Rivera

By Matt McCanna, National Boricua Human Rights Network

Sat May 23rd, - 12pm-3pm

Stop by La Casita de Don Pedro and Dońa Lolita, 2625 W. Division St., and pick up petitions to Pres. Obama. Help us send 100,000 letters to Pres. Obama!

When you do your Holiday shopping at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Puerto Rican Cultural Center

Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7347778 and support us every time you shop.

From Puerto Rican Cultural Center & Programs

Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Recognizes Jose E. Lopez with Inspire Award

Presence St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospitals

Chicago, Ill. - May 18, 2015 - Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center (PSMEMC) recently recognized Professor Jose E. Lopez with the Inspire Award for Community Service at a special program. The event was held at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division, in Chicago's historic Humboldt Park. Lopez serves as Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

The Inspire Award for community service is given annually to an individual or organization, which through their service, inspires individuals to follow their example.

"We are very excited to give this year's Inspire Award to Professor Jose E. Lopez," said Martin Judd, Regional President and CEO, PSMEMC, at the program. "Jose has been an exemplary leader in the community and has helped to carve out a permanent identity for the Puerto Rican community here in Humboldt Park. "

Educating at the Mexican Consulate

By Yolanda Nieves, ACA Program

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center's In-Person Counselors (IPCs) have been visiting the Consulate General of Mexico for a couple of months and it has been a very rewarding experience. At the Consulate, our IPCs have a table with information about our program and they also set up presentations to inform the consumers of the services the PRCC provides regarding medical coverage. The Department of Human Health coordinates these presentations throughout the day and our IPCs have been given a space where they can display educational material and be able to talk to consumers after each presentation. The audience is between 40 to 70 people each time and their ages range from 15 to 65. They are all very grateful for the information, as many of them are unaware of the options they may have in regards to medical coverage due to language and cultural barriers. We are delighted to serve as a bridge between them and the U.S. health system!

On The Table Discussion

By Jackie González, El Rescate

Some of the residents and staff of El Rescate Program, participated in the On the Table Discussion which was about as to h ow all of us can make our communities stronger, safer and more dynamic. Every one of us has the power to make our communities great. Our conversation was focus ed on homelessness as it impacts LGBTQ youth. The youth was very involved in the discussion, they enjoyed tremendously the whole evening and are looking forward for the future community support to the LGBTQ Homeless youth. Our gratitude goes to Ray Koenig from the Law Firm of Clark Hill who generously offered to host us with dinner and the most beautiful city vie w of down town and to Mona Norriega the Commissioner of Chicago Human Relations for inviting and/or coordinating El Rescate participation.

Newly Installed UIC President Visits Clemente: Learns About Community As A Campus Initiative

By Michael Emmer, Puerto Rican Cultural Center

The newly installed president of the University of Illinois, Timothy L. Killen spent several hours learning about the Community as a Campus concept. The event was held at the newly opened Parent University at Clemente Community Academy.

State Representative Cynthia Soto welcomed the president via telephone from Springfield, Illinois. Principal Marcey Sorensen provided some of the context by framing the Community as a Campus practices against the backdrop of the many educational milestones which Clemente has achieved during the past five years. Marvin Garcia followed with an overview of the Community as a Campus mission and vision.

Most of the time was spent in an engaging and thought provoking conversation which included Community as a Campus/UIC partners, Dr. Michele Kelley from the school of public health and Dr. Teresa Cordoba the head of the great cities initiative at UIC. A future visit by the president is scheduled for early June.

Erie neighborhood charter school students participate in community service and neighborhood clean up on Paseo Boricua

Vida/SIDA and City of Chicago Collaboration Testing Collaboration

By Ricardo Jiménez, VidaSIDA

During the month of June 5 to July 5, 2015, Vida/SIDA will partake in a City of Chicago Collaboration for testing 5,000 person during the mentioned time. During June, tell friends, family and other to Get Tested.... Know your Status. All VidaSIDA satellite locations will be participating in this endeavor.

Health Education at the

Diabetes Empowerment Center Every Wednesday!

By Leony Calderón

Health Education Every Wednesday, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

Manage, Control and Prevent Diabetes. Ask Doctors, Residents, Nutritionist, Pharmacist and Dietitian Your Pressing Health Questions.

Weekly Topics

* Diabetes 101
* Medication Education
* Nutrition Class
* Intro to Diabetes & How the Body Works
* Protecting Your Eyes
* Protecting Your Feet
* Oral Health
* Using The Glucose Meter & Meds
* Heart Health Education
* Physical Activity and Diabetes

Diabetes Empowerment Center, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855

Free and Bilingual.

Educación de Salud todos los Miércoles de 12:00pm a 1:00pm

Manege, Controle y Prevenga la Diabetes. Haga Preguntas a los Médicos, Residentes, Nutricionistas, Farmacéuticos y Dietista Acerca de Su de Salud.

Temas Semanales

* Diabetes 101
* Educación Medicamentos
* Clase de Nutrición
* Introducción a la Diabetes y Cómo funciona el cuerpo
* Proteja sus ojos
* La protección de sus pies
* Salud Oral
* Uso del medidor de glucosa y Medicamentos
* Educación para la Salud del Corazón
* Actividad física y la diabetes

Gratuito y Bilingüe.

Centro de Empoderamiento Contra la Diabetes, 2753 W. Division St. 773-342-0855

Job Openings at Puerto Rican Cultural Center

JOB DESCRIPTION

Organization: Puerto Rican Cultural Center

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 to serve the social and cultural needs of Chicago's underserved communities.

Position 1: Mental Health Linkage to Care and Retention Specialist

Job Description: As part of the Mental Health Community Services team, the Linkage to Care and Retention Specialist conducts outreach to identify chronic mentally ill persons, particularly Latin@s and African Americans, who are not actively engaged in mental health treatment, engages them for the purpose of determining program eligibility, and if eligible enrolls them in the program and facilitates linkage to mental health care and provide support to ensure retention in care. Will provide individualized client support by helping each client develop a plan to address individual and environmental barriers to reengagement, linkage, and retention in mental health care. Utilizes the case management model ARTAS (Anti--Retroviral Treatment And Access To Services), which has been adapted for use with the target population, to engage in, link to, and retain clients in mental health care.

Download responsibilities and contact info.

Position 2: Mental Health Community Services Program Coordinator

Job Description: A Mental Health Coordinator provides clinical and administration supervision

and direction to mental health staff in the PRCC Mental Health Community Services Program,

which is funded by the Chicago Department of Mental Health. In addition, will provide

oversight of mental health support services across other programs in the organization. Also, may

provide mental health care services to clients and mental health supervision/consultation to

program/organization personnel.

Download responsibilities and contact info.

Position 3: Psychosocial Support/Substance Abuse Counselor - Ryan White Program

Job Description: To facilitate substance abuse counseling and psychosocial support. The counselor will develop personalized care and recovery plans that help to establish healthy behaviors and coping skills to HIV positive individuals that also suffer from Substance Use Disorders (SUDS).

Download responsibilities and contact info.

On Sale Now

November Chicago Magazine "Why José López Stands Between Gentrification and Humboldt Park"

Be sure to pick up the November issue of Chicago Magazine, which features an interview by Puerto Rican Cultural Center ED José E. López conducted by Elly Fishman.

Los Tequis

Bunkr Gives Your Presentations

Some New Weapons

Bunkr is a fully web-based presentation site. Make presentations the same as you would on PowerPoint or Keynote, but add all sorts of elements - like videos, articles, social media posts, or you can even code something yourself - and it'll show up in your deck.

This has all kinds of cool applications. For example, if you're presenting something that changes over time, like a GitHub repo or Twitter feed, you won't need to update the deck to keep it current. You can even sync Bunkr with slide decks on other services, like

SlideBean.

Access Bunkr

From Our Community Partners

Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School Seniors Ready for College and Career!

By Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School

As we bring our school year to a close, seniors are gearing up for life after high school. With a college preparatory curriculum, our school expects for students to continue their education after high school either at a four year University, in a City College, or in a vocational training program. Before they leave however, our seniors are expected to defend their graduation with a research paper, Prezi presentation and Electronic Portfolio.

Each research paper is based on a social problem that students select, investigate and work to find a tangible solution to present in front of a panel of judges. Their presentations are in the form of Prezi which many college level courses utilize. Finally, students share their Electronic Portfolio that is a website populated by the students with class projects, awards, and post secondary planning documents.

While at first many seniors are intimidated by the expectations, 100% of seniors who successfully complete their projects and presentations believe that they are better prepared for for college and life beyond high school. Students walk away with more confidence and clarity of who they are and what they are capable of achieving. We wish the class of 2015 the best of luck as they embark on the next steps of their lives.

Roberto Clemente Community Academy
Fine Arts Accomplishments

By Luis Salgado, RCCA

This year at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, there have been many achievements in the fine arts department. The Art 2 and AP 2D Studio student artists have showcased work at the All City Arts Exhibition, entered art in the Congressional Art Competition, and also exhibited works for the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance Taino Project.

The All City Arts Exhibition had three gallery shows that happen annually. Natividad Dejesus's artwork, Fantasy was shown at The All-City Senior Portfolio Program hosted at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Natasha Arocho's digital art works Dark Reflection and It's All Part of the Show, Armanni Varela's photograph Relaxing, and Emmanuel McCoy's Alley Shots were presented at the second Exhibition of the All City Arts gallery show. While, Paula Toomer's painting, Cherry Blossom, was exhibited in the first All City Arts gallery.

Paula's piece was also entered into the Congressional Art Competition for Luis

Gutiérrez which came in second place. As a reward her artwork will be exhibited in Gutiérrez's office for the entire year. Other students who entered the competition were Steve Reyes, Bo Montgomery, Natividad Dejesus, Adonijiah Scarlett, and Emmanuel McCoy.

Lastly, Clemente worked with our partner, the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance in the Taino Curriculum Project. Students in Art 2 created three different art projects during this unit. The first project was Taino inspired necklaces using clay, hemp strip, and assorted beads. The second project was a collaborative mural featuring a Taino petroglyph including a quote from the Puerto Rican Poet, Julia de Burgos. The final project required the students to paint the ceiling tiles in our classroom usi ng the Taino petroglyphs mirroring the artworks in the Puerto Rican caves. All the art

works are exhibited at the Humboldt Park Field House through the end of the month.

Norwegian American Hospital CEO Receives 2015 Becker's Leadership Award

Norwegian American Hospital Newsletter

The 2015 Becker's Hospital Leadership Award was presented during the Becker's Hospital Review 6th Annual Meeting on May 7 at the Ritz Carlton, in Chicago. The award recognizes men and women who have made remarkable contributions and will leave lasting legacies to their respective health systems, hospitals and communities through their vision and leadership.

Norwegian American Hospital is pleased to congratulate its President and CEO, José R. Sánchez, for being among the 6 award recipients this year. These leaders all have demonstrated a noteworthy range of talent, skill and passion in their work. We recognize them for their leadership and vision beyond the confines of their organizations as well as their commitment to improve the well-being of their local communities.

We are delighted to honor Mr. Sánchez for this achievement. He serves as an inspiration to others in the healthcare industry for his dedication to bettering our community through Norwegian American Hospital's commitment to providing quality, compassionate health care.