June 2023 Newsletter

Chicago Neighborhood Development Award 

Claretian Associates in partnership with the Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award for the preservation of the South Chicago SALUD Center and Senior Housing.  The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards hosted by LISC Chicago was held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Geraghty. We are grateful to our team who made this project a reality! Learn more about our award here.

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Health and Wellness Back to School Event 
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The South Chicago Neighborhood Network (SCNN) and partners will host an annual Health and Wellness Back to School event on Friday, August 11.  The event will take place at 91st and Brandon. A bookbag giveaway and other goodies will be offered. This is the third year SCNN and partners will be hosting this event. “It's a way for us to connect with community residents and help families get ready for the start of the school year,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. SCNN is now accepting donations of school supplies, snacks for kids and applications for resource vendors. For more information contact Tiarra at [email protected] ​​

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Re-grand opening of SALUD Fitness Center 
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Claretian Associates recently ​hosted a re-grand opening of the SALUD Fitness Center.  The event offered raffles, snacks, and music. Attendees who attended were entered into a raffle to win prizes and participated in fitness bingo. Participants were introduced to the Peloton spin bikes and other exercise equipment donated to the SALUD Center.  

Two fitness events were held to introduce the community to the SALUD Fitness Center. At each event attendees played fitness bingo to familiarize themselves with the workout equipment. Each attendee received stickers on their bingo sheet for exercising on the equipment listed. Staff members provided guidance to attendees on how to utilize the exercise equipment.  ​

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The second fitness event was held for Claretian Associates’ Violence Prevention Program, Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P).  Outreach workers and their participants were introduced to the exercise equipment and learned how to perform basic stretches before exercising.  

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Donated Equipment
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The Peloton Spin Bikes are the highlight of the fitness center.  In February of 2022, Peloton donated $100,000 in exercise equipment, program subscriptions and grant support to Claretian Associates. Earlier this year, Claretian Associates had a soft opening for the fitness center and hired a health and wellness coordinator. Last month, the YMCA donated weight room equipment.  “I want people in the community to say, ‘Hey let’s go get fit at the SALUD,” said SALUD Program Manager April Morris. 

When the South Chicago YMCA closed, Claretian Associates and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) partnered to acquire the building. Since then, community meetings have been held to receive feedback for the vision of the SALUD Center. A common theme from the community feedback was the need to bring the Fitness Center back online. “We brought the fitness center back due to community response to get healthy,” said SALUD Center Program Manager April Morris.  

The Fitness Center is open Monday – Saturday with a paid membership. Health and Wellness Coordinator Maurice Garrett is available to guide and assist SALUD Fitness Center members.  For more information on the SALUD Fitness Center contact  April at [email protected]​

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Fitness Center Membership Available   

The SALUD Fitness Center is now fully open and running a membership Summer Sale. A 3-month membership is $39.99.  Starting in September, regular membership will be $14.99 per month.  You must be 18 years old to join.  Fitness Center hours are 8AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday but stays open until 8 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Saturday and Holiday hours are 8 AM to 1 PM.  A day passes will only cost $10. Come check us out!

The Fitness Center offers a wide range of equipment weights to a variety of cardio equipment. Peloton spin bikes are available to take self-guided spin class. Not sure how or where to start? Health and Wellness Coordinator, Maurice Garrett, is available to guide and assist. For more information contact the SALUD Fitness Center at [email protected] ​

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Summer Youth Programming 

Summer Youth Programming has begun at the SALUD Center! ​

UNITY Squad youth ages 14-15, are learning about civic engagement, mental health and wellness, being trauma-informed, workforce preparedness, college readiness, and financial literacy.  A college tour is planned for later this summer. Youth earn a $450 stipend over six weeks.  ​

Tech Corps youth ages 16-18, are being introduced to the basics of the internet and are preparing to design websites. Later in the program, youth will learn coding and meet with Google to create mock business websites. Youth will be paid $15.40 an hour for 20 hours a week for six weeks.  ​

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Seniors 
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The seniors at Villa Guadalupe Senior Services and the South Chicago SALUD Center attended presentations on Domestic Violence during Violence Prevention Week. Program Coordinator, Pamesha Robinson, presented to the seniors and provided them with information on awareness of elder abuse.  Our elderly are a vulnerable population and every person, no matter how old, deserves to be safe from harm from those who live with them, care for them, or have daily contact with them.  
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Older people today are more visible, active, and independent than ever before. As the population of older Americans grows, it’s necessary to ensure they have appropriate care resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 10 people aged 60 and older who live at home experience abuse, including mistreatment and exploitation. 
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We’re Building  
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Claretian Associates held a community meeting to provide a status update on SACRED (Sustainable Affordable Commercial Real Estate Development). In partnership with Interfaith Housing Development Corporation, Claretian Associates is developing an 81-Unit affordable housing development at the corner of 92 and Burley Avenue. The unit will have studios, 4 bedrooms and 6,000 sq.ft. of commercial space.  Read more about the development here.   

The meeting was a presentation of floor plans and to receive feedback from the community about potential interior designs. SACRED will have a parking lot and private outdoor space for the residents. SCARED will be designed for young people, all the way to grand families. The plan is to break ground next year, 2024. “I think it's great that a project of this size is coming to 92nd and Burley. It’s the continuation of new and better things to come to the neighborhood,” said Real Estate Project Manager Mikael David. 

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Chicago Air Quality  

Chicago continues to be affected by the Canadian Wildfires.  Claretian Associates received a report from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) asking residents to exercise care.  Sensitive populations, including individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, pregnant people, and young children should avoid outdoor activities and take precautions to protect themselves from exposure. For more information on the air quality and to stay updated see here.   ​

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