December 2024 Newsletter

Programs

Winter Festival

​Claretian Associates, South Chicago Neighborhood Network, Communities Partnering 4 Peace, Special Service Area #5, and other community organizations hosted a Winter Wonder Festival, on December 19th at the SALUD Center. Families enjoyed a holiday dinner, hot chocolate, music, and pictures with Santa Claus. The festival included a toy giveaway and children were gifted a bag with winter gear and toys based on their age. Families also received a bag of donated baked goods from Bimbo. This year, with community organizational collaboration, the event served 200 families.  ​

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SALUD Fitness Center Highlight

Still Exercising   

For the past two years Edith Fornes, a South Chicago SALUD Center resident, faithfully exercises three times a week at the SALUD Fitness Center. In 2011, when Edith moved into the former YMCA building, she exercised regularly. After the reopening of the SALUD Fitness Center, Edith became a member because she likes exercising. 

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At the age of 80, Edith thinks it’s important to exercise. “I like to exercise, it's good for your health to exercise,” said Edith. She sometimes has pain in her knees and exercising helps her relieve it. Since exercising Edith has also lost a lot of weight. Edith’s weight used to be 160, and now she weighs 130. 

When Edith became a member of the fitness center, her goal was to stay active, strong, and have energy by exercising. Edith likes exercising on bikes and is a regular participant in the Git Fit classes. She likes walking in the gymnasium for the Senior Walk, on Tuesdays. Edith does at least 25 or 30 laps around the gymnasium and then continues with the Get Fit Class.  
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About 25 years ago, another form of exercise for Edith was dancing every weekend. Edith used to dance to any type of Latin music, it was a huge part of her life. When the former YMCA pool was operating, she took water aerobics classes. She looks forward to the reopening of the pool. Edith is thankful for the fitness center because it keeps her active.  ​

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Announcements

Fitness Center 

If you have not joined the fitness center, take advantage of our memberships: Classic $14.99, Classic Plus One $25, and Classic Paid in Full $150. Our January special includes a 3-month membership for $39.99. The fitness center will be closed Christmas and New Year’s day and will operate on a holiday scheduled through January 2nd. ​

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Staff Highlights

Company Holiday Party  

Claretian Associates held the Staff Holiday Party at Harborside International Golf Center. Staff enjoyed a brunch with holiday music and games. Staff were entered into a raffle and had several chances to win a holiday gift throughout the brunch. The Claretian team was wished a happy holiday and thanked for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.  ​