October 2025 Newsletter

Programs 

Small Business Resource Fair  

Claretian Associates, Center for Changing Lives, Fifth Third Bank, and other community partners hosted a Small Business Resource Fair at the SALUD Center.  Small business owners had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions such as Legal Essentials for Small Businesses, AI for Business, Capital Readiness 101, and more.  Attendees also had the chance to explore resources and receive one on one technical assistance from Fifth Third Bank. The highlight of the event was TechRise Pitch Deck competition, where five small local businesses presented their business plan, product, and more and competed for a $25,000 grant. The local businesses that competed were BuenGro, Luna's Enlightment, Altgeld Bitcoin Reserve, Indigo Cafe / Bridgeview Brew, and The Record Track. The winner of the competition was Indigo Cafe / Bridgeview Brew, a future coffee shop in South Chicago that will be located at 3008 E 92nd Street.  ​

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South Chicago Neighborhood Trauma-Informed Symposium 

On October 17th, the South Chicago Neighborhood Network, University of Chicago Medicine, and other community partners, hosted their annual Trauma-Informed Symposium, Honoring Our Past, Healing Our Present, Building Our Future. It was exciting to be-in-person for the first time since 2019. The symposium highlighted how trauma has shaped the community systems and identified strategies for resilience and healing that align with the South Chicago Quality of Life Plan goals.

This year, the symposium was a panel from the University of Chicago Grand Rounds, moderated by Dr. Doriane C. Miller. The panel consisted of President of Advocate Trinity Hospital Michelle Y. Blakely, Principal and CEO of St. Francis De Sales High School, Dr. Roni-Nicole Facen, Principal of Wendell Smith Elementary School, Dr. Turan Crockett, Manager of Violence Prevention, Karma Wilson from Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Director of Initiatives Norma Sanders from the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, City Planner Jasmine Gunn from the City of Chicago, and Executive Director of Community Benefit & Health Improvement DonElla Bradford at the University of Chicago Medicine.  

The panelist focused on five of the seven pillars of the South Quality of Life Plan, which are health, safety, education, economic development, and housing.  The healing portion of the symposium was building a better relationship with community members, networking, being open and honest about the work being done around the quality of life plan. “We know that South Chicago has been systematically disinvested for the last 20 years, so the healing of that is not focusing on the past but focusing on what can be done moving forward. We are not going to let our community be disinvested in. We have a plan,” said Program Manager Tiarra Ownes. Other aspects that are needed for the quality of life plan to thrive is funding, and ownership by community members. 

Attendees had dinner and the opportunity to ask the panelist questions or provide comments. Questions people had were about, how to get involved with the quality of life plan, the current resources available, and health related concerns in South Chicago,” said Tiarra.  On November 15th Tiarra and Dr. Miller will be featured on WVON Radio, speaking on the importance of the quality of life plan.  ​

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Seniors 

During Hispanic Heritage month, seniors at Villa Guadalupe, and the SALUD Center celebrated Latin American culture. In their community rooms, seniors came together to play loteria (Mexican bingo), eat catered Hispanic food, and enjoy the company of each other.  

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We Are Building

Peoples Park 
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Claretian Associates has installed a new fence around the exterior of the Peoples Park with a gate at the front entry. The gate will be open daily from 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Claretian will be creating a separate entrance on South Buffalo Ave for an ADA accessible ramp entry into the park. Claretian and NeighborSpace will be hosting a Day of the Dead event at the park on Saturday, November 1st from 12:00 P.M until 3:00 P.M.  

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Staff HighLIGHts

Resident Service Coordinator  
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Claretian Associates welcomes Kenya Garcia, as the new Resident Service Coordinator. Kenya will be responsible for fostering healthy communities and promoting resident self-sufficiency by improving community relations and connecting residents to vital resources. She will also support residents in achieving personal goals by providing opportunities and guidance.  ​

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Kenya will be helping residents from Casa Kirk, South Chicago Rehab, Burley Apartment, Villa Guadalupe, and the Salud Center. “Anything that residents might need assistance with, I do my research and help them,” said Kenya. She will be helping residents with getting their benefit recertification letters and helping them with the annual recertification process. Kenya will also be hosting events and activities for the residents at their buildings, for holidays, birthdays, bingo and more. Other events she will be in charge of are informational sessions on Medicaid and Medicare.

Kenya is from southern California and has been living in Chicago for almost a year. Kenya has been working in the nonprofit sector since she graduated. “In all the nonprofits that I’ve worked for, we really do care about the work that we do, and I think that is rewarding,” said Kenya. She began working at a food depository in Los Angeles and was promoted to supervisor for the senior program. When Kenya moved to Chicago, she then worked for the senior program at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Kenya has worked with seniors for over seven years, so working at Claretian, feels familiar to her.  “I really enjoy being able to interact with seniors because all they need is somebody to talk with,” said Kenya.  

Kenya is looking forward to hosting more events for the seniors and being able to interact more with them. She also wants to build better relationships with the multifamily buildings.   

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Announcements

Turkey Basket Giveaway 
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South Chicago Neighborhood Network will host our Annual Turkey Basket Giveaway at the Salud Center, Thursday, November 20, from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.  Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. For more information, contact Program Manager Tiarra Ownes.  ​
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Thanksgiving Dinner 
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Enjoy a Community Thanksgiving dinner on November 27th, at the SALUD Center from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Registration is not required.  The dinner is sponsored by Claretian Associates, AMTUCA Consulting, Plates on Purpose, and other community organizations. ​

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Light in the Night

The next Light in the Night event series will celebrate Thanksgiving on November 20th and 26th in the neighborhoods of South Chicago, South Deering and South Chicago. Come and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and fun giveaways. ​
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Fitness Center 
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If you have not joined the fitness center, take advantage of our affordable memberships: Classic $14.99, Classic Plus One $25, and Classic Paid in Full $150.  As a member, you can take advantage of our free “Get Fit Class” every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 AM. 

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