May Newsletter

Tech Corps
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Claretian Associates will be hosting Tech Corps as part of the One Summer Chicago, Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). For the first time, Tech Corps, an Ohio based STEM nonprofit organization, will hold youth summer programming in Chicago with Claretian Associates as host partner.  Participants 16 – 18 years of age will be designing a website for a business in collaboration with Google. Youth can complete an application here. June 10 is the deadline to apply.   

The City of Chicago will debut paying youth minimum wage. There are about 50 spaces available for youth to apply for Tech Corps summer programming. There will be two sessions every day 8am -12pm and 1pm – 5pm. Programming will be in the SALUD Center innovation lab. “I’m excited because it gives youth the opportunity to learn how to design their own website,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens.  ​

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UNITY Squad
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This will be the fifth year Claretian Associates will host One Summer Chicago, UNITY Squad, summer programming. The program runs July 5 –August 13 and youth 14 –15 will earn a stipend. Participants will learn about civic engagement, mental health and wellness, being trauma-informed, workforce preparedness, college readiness, and financial literacy. Complete an application here.  
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All of UNITY Squad programming will take place in the new teen drop-in space and youth will have the opportunity to name this space. Program Manager Tiarra Owens and Youth and Family Coordinator Pamesha Robinson are planning a mock trial for the youth this summer. “They will see the importance of the justice system and learn about it, knowing their rights, and why it's important to be a public servant,” said Tiarra.   

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Housing Fair has Moved 
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The May 14 housing fair held by Claretian Associates will now be held at Fifth Third Bank from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Center for Changing Lives, Spanish Coalition for Housing Resources and other organizations will provide information on how to better access housing, improving credit and applying for loans. Look for the Fifth Third Bank eBus which provides financial evaluation, credit reports, financial education modules and more. ​

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​Senior Walking

The SALUD Center offers senior walking every Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the gym, at no cost. For more information contact [email protected]

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PlayStreets

This will be the tenth year that Claretian Associates will host Playstreets, a program geared towards providing a safe environment for youth to have safe play. “We get permission to block certain streets to provide games, healthy snacks, and it's just an opportunity for kids to play outside in a safe controlled environment,” said Safe Passage Program Manager Mustafa Sulaiman. 
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Starting in July, a PlayStreets event will tentatively be held at Arnold Mirales Academy, James N. Thorp Elementary School, Douglas Taylor Elementary and at 9108 South Brandon. Safe Passage watchers will be helping with each PlayStreets event.  Outdoor activities are provided such as giant Connect Four, Jenga, bouncy houses and more. This is Mustafa’s first year coordinating PlayStreets, and he is planning on incorporating more activities. “I’m looking forward to providing a safe environment for young people,” said Mustafa.  ​

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South Chicago Neighborhood Network Health and Wellness Fair 
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The South Chicago Neighborhood Network held a Health and Wellness Fair on April 13 at the SALUD Center in the multipurpose event space. Over 30 vendors attended the fair. “It was successful and became bigger than what we imagined," said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. Advocate Aurora Health, Chicago Family Health Center, Family Rescue, Metropolitan Family Services and Pilsen Wellness Center, and other local organizations provided resources for community. Read more about the Health and Wellness fair here.  

In partnership with Advocate Aurora Health, 30 medical students and residents hosted a ‘Tea with the Docs.’ Health fair attendees were able to come in and ask about their medical conditions or for medical advice and have tea with doctors. “The doctors were excited to provide those types of services in the community. We look forward to collaborating again,” said Tiarra.  

The Ronald McDonald House hosted an immunization clinic for kids. “We are hoping that when we host the health and wellness fair in August parents will be able to get their children ready to return to school. The Health and Wellness Fair will be in collaboration with the end of the year PlayStreets event.  ​

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Paint and Create
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On April 29, the South Chicago Neighborhood Network’s UNITY Squad program had a Paint and Create with Antonia Ruppert from Antonia Ruppert Fine Arts. The afternoon began with families enjoying food and listening to family-friendly music provided by a DJ. Afterwards families were introduced to their project. 
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Families received a canvas, a drawing with carbon paper to trace onto canvas and paints, brushes, easels. Attendees chose from two drawing themes; music soothes the soul and landmarks from the South Chicago community or some chose to paint free style. “It was a wonderful event, lots of parent participation. Parents said they were happy to have that time with their families. It was a safe and therapeutic space for families. They got to take their portrait home and it will serve as a reminder of time they spent together,” said Youth and Family Coordinator Pamesha Robinson. A family game night, on June 16 will be the next family focus event.  ​

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Seniors  
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Claretian Associates has hired a resident's service coordinator to work directly with the residents, coordinating senior shopping trips and providing case management services. Social Services Coordinator Wendy Steward is also searching for a first-year social work or psychology intern, if interested contact Wendy at [email protected]   

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We're Building

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The first two New Homes developments are near the finishing phases of construction. The two properties now have water. Painting will start in the next few weeks. Claretian Associates held a community discussion for the acquired piece of land on 3200 East 92nd Street. Community members are interested in the possibilities of educational service, flagship store, or an attraction.   

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Angela Hurlock Featured on “Open Lectures for Residents: Voices in Action” ​

Angela Hurlock Featured on “Open Lectures for Residents: Voices in Action” 
Our CEO Angela Hurlock was featured on “Open Lectures for Residents: Voices in Action,” a series of free educational videos featuring civic leaders and The University of Chicago grad students. The videos were produced by Cook County Government and the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement (OEC). Angela speaks about being a traditional architect and shifting to community development for residents to have a voice in the developments in their surrounding six blocks. 

Open Lectures for Residents aims to advance digital equity by providing engaging educational content taught by UChicago faculty or curated by OCE free to all Cook County residents. Cook County will release the Voices in Action videos one per week from now until June 15. There are ten videos in the Voices in Action series by environmental activists, public health executives, UChicago graduate students, educational advocates, and other civic leaders, all graduates of University of Chicago Center for Effective Government's Civic Leadership Academy. For more information video info here.  

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Strategic Planning
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The strategic planning committee met in April to decide the goals and priorities needed to be for the organization. Claretian Associates anticipates it will be done in July.  

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