 CP4P Toy Drive The CP4P team had a Christmas toy distribution at the SALUD Center and at the Light in the Night events for the children the team serves. The toy drive served 200 children, and distributed 300 toys. “We wanted to make sure all the children experience Christmas this year,” said CP4P Victim Service Advocate Robert Reed. The children that participate in CP4P are enthusiastic to spend time with Robert and the CP4P staff. Robert and the victim service team are particularly generous with time. “Sometimes we allow the children to come into the CP4P office, just to give them time to breathe and get away,” said Robert. The CP4P team previously held another toy drive on Dec. 19, in collaboration with Healing Your Soul Church.  SALUD Center Grand Opening On December 18 the SALUD Center had its grand opening. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Congresswoman Robyn Kelly, Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza, Claretian Associates board members, Preservation for Affordable Housing (POAH) and South Chicago SALUD Center senior residents were in attendance. The South Chicago SALUD Center is a joint development of Claretian Associates and POAH with POAH overseeing the property management and Claretian Associates providing resident case management and managing the SALUD Community Center. Check out the Chicago Defender news article on the event here.  Mental Health First Aid Training On December 16 the South Chicago Network had their first in person Mental Health First Aid training of the year. The rest have been virtual because of COVID-19. The training was at the SALUD Center innovation lab, with seventeen in attendance. SCNN held seven Mental Health First Aid trainings in 2021 and 126 participants were certified. MHFA trainings teach how to identify and respond to signs of and risk factors for mental illness and substance use disorders and dependence, non-suicidal self-injury and other warning signs. SCNN and the Lawernce Hall initiative, collaborated in South Shore and trained churches. “We wanted to make sure pastors are trained, so that not only can they help people spiritually, but also help church members find mental health resources if needed,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. Part of the SCNN vision is to create a trauma informed neighborhood. “We’ve noticed a lack of mental health services and clinics in our community. The neighborhood clinic has a long waiting list for people to receive services. We want our community members to be able to recognize a mental health crisis and learn ways to provide help,” said Tiarra. In partnership with Advocate Aurora Health, Faith Nurse LaShondria "Shonnie" Purnell, is the trained facilitator for the adult MHFA trainings. SCNN will start doing follow-ups with the certified participants, to see if their certification has been helpful and how the class has changed their outlook on mental health.  Social Networking Event The South Chicago Neighborhood Network (SCNN) hosted their first social networking event. SCNN wanted to welcome new partners and reengage previously participating organizations in the network. 25 representatives from potential partner organizations attended. Many community organizations are implementing similar work. “We wanted to host this, so we could network with other community organizations, find common goals and see how we can collaborate,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. A few new attendees agreed to partner with SCNN such as Chicago Hopes for Kids and University Chicago Cancer Center. The SCNN monthly meetings this year will be different this year. SCNN will featuring community organizations each month. The organization will be able to present about their agency and their resources. “There are so many new agencies whose work that we don’t know. We can create a community resume and highlight their work,” said Tiarra. SCNN and Communities Partnering 4 Peace will be hosting their annual care package drive. If you are interested in donating contact Tiarra at tiarrao@claretianassociates.org or CP4P Program Manager April Morris at aprilm@claretianassociates.org.  Rest In Peace Michael Hurt Michael Hurt a member of the Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) team passed suddenly on Dec 3, 2021. Michael, part of the team since September 2021, played an important role in the South Deering team. He was introduced to the CP4P team by South Deering Outreach Worker Steve Rymus. “His team loved him, and he always volunteered for anything we had going on with CP4P,” said CP4P Program Manager April Morris. Our hearts go out to Michael’s family at this difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Announcements  Intro to Remote Learning Class Claretian Associates in collaboration with Chicago Connected will be hosting a free virtual "Introduction to Remote Learning" class through Zoom this January 27th at 5:30pm. Please join us and share the registration link with anyone who might benefit from this great opportunity. Anyone who attends 4 or more sessions will be entered into a raffle to win a laptop. Register here.  SALUD Center Rental Space The SALUD Center has a variety of available spaces to rent for events. Please see flier for more details or check out our SALUD Center webpage here. If interested contact Adrian Gibbs at adrianl@claretianassociates.org  We’re Hiring
Claretian Associates is hiring for Safe Passage Watchers. For more information see descriptions here.
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 Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner South Chicago Senior Housing held their Thanksgiving luncheon in the SALUD Center Gym. 30 senior residents attended the socially distant event. Chicken and turkey lunches were ordered from Roma’s Restaurant in South Chicago. The luncheon was the first senior gathering since COVID-19 restrictions. Last year, Senior Social Services Coordinator Wendy Steward handed residents Thanksgiving meals. The seniors did not gather because of COVID-19. “This is a more festive mood. They get to sit and talk with their friends. I think they miss socializing,” said Wendy. A group of senior resident volunteers decorated the gym. Villa Guadalupe senior residents were also provided with Thanksgiving lunches. “The seniors were grateful that we thought about them,” said Social Services Coordinator Jessica Cortez.  Vaccination Clinic Villa Guadalupe Senior Services had their annual vaccination clinic provided through City of Chicago. This year both the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines were offered to those five years and up. Incentives of $50 gift cards were offered. “You are Beautiful” Signs at Pocket Park and Peoples Park
In partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago, two “You Are Beautiful” signs were installed at South Chicago Peoples Park and Pocket Park. “Since the civil unrest, a lot of areas in Chicago took a very big hit. The art work is supposed to bring motivation to the community in their time of injustice, trauma, and everything else they are experiencing during the pandemic, said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. The “You Are Beautiful” project started off as a sticker in 2002 to provide in encouragement. The sticker evolved into installations and murals. “It brings color to the neighborhood and inspiration to see art around.” Matthew Hoffman the designer of the installations, came to South Chicago to install the pieces. The installations are made out of aluminum and are weather and water proof. If the installations are damaged, they will come out to repair them.  CP4P Thanksgiving Meals The Communities 4 Partnering Peace (CP4P) held their annual their annual Thanksgiving warm meal distribution. CP4P outreach workers distributed Thanksgiving meals in the South Chicago, South Shore, South Deering neighborhoods. “Some people might not have families to share a meal with them. Being able to provide meals helps them out,” said CP4P Program Manager April Morris. The team distributed 75 meals in each neighborhood.  Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) The City of Chicago has reopened the emergency rental assistance application. Claretian Associates is a ERAP Hub and is assisting with the rental assistance applications December 6-18, from 9am-7pm.  Food Emergency Rental Assistance Claretian Associates is offering emergency food assistance with gift cards for groceries from ALDI, Pete's Fresh Market, and Jewel Osco to eligible households. Please see flier for more eligibility requirements or contact Yessica Pineda at yessicap@claretianassociates.org for more information.  SALUD Center Rental Space The SALUD Center has different available spaces to rent for events. Please see flier for more details or check out our SALUD Center webpage here. If interested contact Tevonne Ellis at ellist@claretianassociates.org  First Mental Health Training The South Chicago Neighborhood Network this having a First Aid Mental Health Training on December 16 at the SALUD Center at 9am- 4pm. Register here.  We’re Hiring
Claretian Associates is hiring for a Part-time Youth Coordinator and Safe Passage Watchers. For more information see descriptions here.  Lunch Time Impact and Learning Event Please join us virtually November 18 at 1 p.m. for our inaugural free lunch Impact and Learning Event. Tiarra Owens, a Claretian Associates Program Manager, will talk about the South Chicago Neighborhood Network, the recently held 4th Annual Trauma Symposium, the Unity Squad and her experience working at Claretian Associates. Please register for the event here.  4th Annual Trauma-Informed Symposium The South Chicago Neighborhood Network held a four-day virtual Trauma-Informed Symposium attended by 565 people. The key-note speaker was Vaughn Bryant, Executive Director of Metropolitan Peace Initiative. Each day featured a different topic including Trauma Over the Life Span, Trauma-Informed Care, and Impact on Gun Violence. For the first time, the Symposium provided continuing education units (CEUs) for Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Counselors, and other professionals through partnership with Metropolitan Family Services. SCNN wanted the subject of the symposium to focus on trauma and the effects it has on the community. “We wanted to teach people how trauma is different over the stages of your life and how we as providers experience secondary trauma from the services we provide,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. There was a panel discussion to finish out the symposium. Panelists included Illinois State Senator Robert Peters, Tracy Coney from the Metropolitan Peace Initiative, Dewayne Johnson from UChicago Medicine, Daisy Gomez from Heart Grove Behavioral Health System, and Brenda Mitchell from the Everytown Survivors Network. The symposium brought new ideas to SCNN’s Chat and Chews workshops, where participants meet for lunch, learning and discussion. “We learned there are still a lot of things that we have not covered from trauma, it's such large broad topic,” said Tiarra. SCNN will be training community members to be “Trauma-Informed Trainers” made possible through their partnership with Metro Peace Initiative. The network will soon also have their First Mental First Aid Trainings. Recordings of each symposium workshop will be made available soon here.  We're Building . . . with the Help of Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Bank and Enterprise Community Partners pledged a $20 million investment from their Neighborhood Investment Program to a list of projects spearheaded by Claretian Associates. The investment will focus on projects to revitalize the South Chicago neighborhood over a period of three years. Read more about the community investment here or in the announcement news coverage featured here.  Tech Corps Family Tech Day Tech Corps hosted their first Family Tech Day at the SALUD Center. Youth and their families learned about virtual reality, participated in computer science activities and received Tech Corps kits including virtual reality glasses, program materials, and promotional items. Families had the opportunity to learn about robotics, virtual reality, and other technology activities. Participants had the chance to assemble their own virtual reality viewers. By scanning a QR code to download the Cardboard app, a virtual reality app, they experienced different reality scenarios. Tech Corps offered board games, Tech-nopoly and Techie Battleship similar to Monopoly and Battleship. The games were designed with similar aims, but with a STEM educational component.  Senior Corner The South Chicago Senior Homes at the SALUD Center held Medicare 101, an informational presentation for senior residents on October 26 in partnership with JenCare. JenCare presented on the fundamentals of Medicare. “In addition to helping our seniors, this also helped me get more information so I can better guide the seniors,” said Wendy Steward, Senior Social Services Coordinator. There were informational sessions in both Spanish and English.  Safe Passage Lionel Gaston is the Safe Passage Base Operator for Myra Bradwell School of Excellence and Douglas Taylor Elementary, a new school added to the Safe Passage program this year. For his birthday on October 18, Taylor Safe Passage Watchers surprised him with cupcakes. Lionel has been an employee with the Safe Passage Program for 15 years, which supports children traveling to and from school. Watchers are employed by community-based organizations such as Claretian Associates in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools and is continuing to hire for Watchers. Please see hiring information below.  CP4P Winter Coat Drive Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) held a winter coat drive in collaboration with Mercy and Grace, a non-profit who hosts coat and toy drives, and distributes hot meals, hygiene packages, and lunch bags to those in need. Winter coats as well as clothes for children and adults were distributed to 75 participants. CP4P will be having another winter gear drive soon. Coats can be dropped off at the CP4P office.  Food Emergency Assistance Claretian Associates is offering emergency food assistance with gift cards for groceries from ALDI, Pete's Fresh Market, and Jewel Osco to eligible households. Please see flier for more eligibility requirements or contact Yessica Pineda at yesssicap@claretianassociates.org for more information.  SALUD Center Rental Space The SALUD Center has different available spaces to rent for events. Please see flier for more details or check out our SALUD Center webpage here. If interested contact Tevonne Ellis at ellist@claretianassociates.org  We’re Hiring Claretian Associates is hiring for a Part-time Youth Coordinator and Safe Passage Watchers. For more information the positions see descriptions here. CP4P Communities Partnering for Peace is having a Light In The Night event and Thanksgiving warm meal distribution. See fliers below for more information.
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