Claretian Associates

Community Outreach

Claretian Associates is committed to building more than homes by establishing partnerships with local institutions and continuing to cultivate block clubs in our target area.  We work with residents to build their skills to manage community resources and to be strong leaders for the neighborhood.  Just as each new home and apartment contribute to the economic well-being of the community, each new leader strengthens the fabric of community life.

Financial literacy program

Eleven local financial institutions, businesses and other groups have come together in our bilingual money-management initiative for South Chicagoans.  The goal of the program is to increase the financial education and literacy of South Chicago residents including educating homeowners about securing their asset, assisting renters who want a more sophisticated understanding of how to manage their money and young people who need to learn the basics of money management.

A 'financial fitness fair' including over 120 participants kicked off the program in 2004 spotlighting property tax counseling, foreclosure intervention, bank accounts and savings programs, educational and business planning, and home improvement and home purchase loans.  We completed a three-week financial fitness workshop series entitled "Dollars with Sense" at two local churches that attracted more than 40 participants. Plans are underway for our next workshop series and school fairs.  We anticipate expanding this program to include savings plans such as Individual Development Accounts for the purpose of assisting residents in purchasing homes, starting businesses or continuing their education.

LEAD! South Chicago

Claretian Associates is collaborating with Metropolitan Family Services and the Southeast Chicago Development Commission on a resident leadership training program. Approximately 15 residents were selected for the first Cohort and spent ten weeks learning interactive leadership skills in an effort  to develop a strong base of resident leaders. After completing the ten-week program, participates worked with Claretian Associates' staff and other collaborating agencies to design their own ten-mouth internships at a community organization where the participants apply thier new skills. Internships include holding health fairs, building block clubs, leading Boy Troops,teaching parenting skills, and much more. This program is now in it's 2nd year.

Housing Resource Center 

As a designated Housing Resource Center by the City of Chicago's Department of Housing, we develop strategies that address the lack of affordable housing in South Chicago, including options for homeless families. We focus on affordable housing initiatives including new construction, property management and community-driven planning to meet the needs of a low- to moderate-income African-American and Spanish-speaking Latino population. We also provide referrals for lending and pre- and post-purchase counseling to support new homeowners and provide referrals to those in need of rental housing, shelters or transitional housing. This program is generously funded by a Community Development Block Grant allocated by the City of Chicago's Department of Housing.

South Chicago NHS Office

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago has a neighborhood location in Claretian Associates' office in South Chicago and offers a variety of services for individuals and families looking to purchase a home and for homeowners looking to improve their homes. Services include homeownership education and counseling; mortgage loans for first-time homebuyers; home improvement loans and refinance loans and foreclosure intervention. If you would like more information and you live in the 60617 zip code area, please call 773-734-9181.

South Chicago Art Center

The creation of the Art Center in 2001 reflects Claretian Associates' holistic approach to building community in South Chicago. After three successful years of providing free arts programming to local young people under our auspices, the Art Center is flourishing as its own 501-c-3 non-profit organization. Claretian Associates continues to maintain close connections with the Art Center as we work together on various projects. For more information about the Art Center, please call 773-731-9287. Or visit them at www.happyartcenter.org.