September Newsletter

Claretian Associates CEO Angela Hurlock Honoree at the Enterprise 40th Anniversary National Conference 

CEO Angela Hurlock will be one of The Impactful 40 honorees at the Enterprise 40th Anniversary National Conference. Enterprise is honoring 40 Indvidual's who have helped break boundaries and strengthen communities over the past 40 years.  Read more about Angela as an honoree here.

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Michelle Thomas new Safe Passage Program Manager 

Claretian Associates welcomes Michelle Thomas as the new Safe Passage Program Manager. Michelle will supervise Safe Passage Community Watchers at six local Chicago Public Schools. Michelle has been with the Claretian Associates team since 2009. 

Michelle started at Claretian Associates as a Community Watcher for Safe Passage. The Safe Passage Program provides a safe passage for students going and coming from school. She was approached by the office clerk at Bowen High School because she was an involved parent. Afterwards, Michelle was promoted to a Safe Passage Base Operator for three years and later she became the Team Lead for two years. Then she was promoted to Safe Passage Program Coordinator.  

When Claretian Associates provided rental assistance through the Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), Michelle transitioned to an ERAP Intake Specialist. Once ERAP concluded Michelle applied and became a Case Manager for Claretian Associates violence intervention program, Communities Partner 4 Peace (CP4P). Now Michelle will manage the Safe Passage Program. “I’m looking forward to being more hands on,” said Michelle. 

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UNITY Squad Afterschool Programming “Squad Up” 

UNITY Squad will have Squad Up afterschool programming on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the SALUD Center for 13-18 years old. “This year we want youth to squad up for change. We want friends to gather and come to our afterschool space to learn about how they can make positive and affective change,” said Youth and Family Coordinator Pamesha Robinson. 
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During Squad Up afterschool programming youth will learn to become chance agents in their community. Pamesha will have organizations present to youth about family structure, school fatigue, bullying prevention, teen dating aspects, and more. Youth will meet in the SALUD Center Teen Drop-In Space for more information contact Pamesh at probinson@claretianassociates.org  

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​Harvest Fest 

The South Chicago Neighborhood Network will have a Harvest Festival on October 28, at the SALUD Center from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the SALUD Center multi-purpose event space.  Fun Autumn activities will take place like potato sack races and making smores. There will be food, raffles, games, and music. For more information contact Youth and Family Coordinator Pamesha Robinson at probinson@claretianassociates.org  ​

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Yoga Classes at the SALUD Center 
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The South Chicago Neighborhood Network in partnership with Yoga Care is offering free yoga classes at the SALUD Center on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Yoga mats are provided. “I think it's important that we learn healthier ways to cope with stress. Mindfulness is a good coping mechanism to introduce to people,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged. For more information contact Tiarra at tiarrao@claretianassociates.org Register here. 

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The South Chicago Neighborhood Network Trauma-Informed Symposium  

The annual South Chicago Neighborhood Network Trauma-Informed Symposium, Bruised But Not Broken, will take place October 24 through October 27 virtually. The symposium is a trauma informed conference where community members and providers come together to discuss and learn about different ways to make a better trauma informed community.  For more information contact Program Manager Tiarra Owens at tiarrao@claretianassociates.org. Register here.  

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Back-to-School and Wellness Fair 

The South Chicago Neighborhood Network (SCNN), Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), and PlayStreets held the annual Back-to-School and Wellness Fair on August 18 at 9108 South Brandon.  Advocate Aurora Heath provided the fair with three mobile health vans, Child Safety and Prevention, Immunization, and Blood Pressure.  In partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago, Advocate Aurora Health, and PlayStreets, SCNN provided 350 school backpacks. 

PlayStreets in collaboration with CP4P provided a safe space and food for community members. PlayStreets had outdoor games, a bouncy house, and family friendly music. The Advocate Aurora Health Immunization van provided 20 back-to-school health physicals. Community members also received take home COVID-19 tests from Chicago Family Health Center. In total 40 resource vendors attended.  

Program Manager Tiarra Owens wanted community members to be aware of resources in their own neighborhood. “I think it's important for community members to see that there are other community organizations in their neighborhood that provide resources. It gives organizations the chance to network as well,” said Tiarra.  

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​Seniors 

The South Chicago SALUD Center Seniors and Villa Gaudalupe Seniors held luncheons for Hispanic Heritage Month. The luncheons were catered by local South Chicago restaurants. During the summer UNITY Squad youth members and seniors gardened together in the SALUD Center garden beds. The vegetables were pulled and distributed during the monthly food giveaway. “The seniors can enjoy the vegetables that they grew,” said Social Services Coordinator Wendy Steward.  

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We’re Building 
The New Homes have passed final inspections and will soon have occupancy. The Peloton and Precore equipment were delivered and installed in the fitness center. Currently Claretian Associates is in discussions with partners to help run and operate the fitness center and pool. 

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