ProgramsLoneliness Project The South Chicago Neighborhood Network in partnership with Advocate Health Care Systems, hosted their third cohort for the Loneliness Project. The program was created to bring awareness to all components of loneliness and to provide tools for connection and reduce the risk of social isolation. Registered participants met for six weeks at the SALUD Center to learn, eat lunch together, and enjoy each other's company. Safe Passage The Safe Passage program ended for the academic school year. The program ended strong with 54 community watchers and gained an additional school, Ninos Heroes Elementary. Safe Passage is a Chicago Public School initiative that provides a secure path to students going and coming from school. For more information on the program contact Safe Program Manager April Morris at [email protected] Grand Opening of the US Bank Branch in South Chicago Claretian Associates was invited to the US Bank grand opening of their new branch location on South Chicago Avenue. As a community partner, Claretian was awarded $5,000 during the grand opening. This money will help Claretian cover the cost for internal capacity building efforts such as financial literacy and budgeting along with leadership training. Youth Programming Summer youth programming started at the SALUD Center!
SALUD Fitness Center SPOTLightLocal Senior Resident Keeps Healthy at the SALUD Fitness Sheila Ocasio became a fitness center member last winter and since then has lost 40 pounds. Sheila is a South Chicago SALUD Center senior resident and encourages other residents to sign up for a membership. Sheila initially joined because her daughter encouraged her to stay healthy. “She said to me, ‘Mama, I want you to be here. If you take care of yourself you will live longer.’ I took her advice and I feel good,” said Sheila. Learn more about Sheila’s fitness journey here. In addition to exercising at the fitness center, Sheila does sit-ups every morning. She also follows a healthy diet, “I don’t eat junk food anymore. I eat salads, fruits, and healthy stuff,” said Sheila. Her goal is to stay at her current weight. According to Sheila the fitness center is a wonderful resource for the residents. “The fitness center is good because it’s safe and we don’t have to leave the building. I love it here!” said Sheila. Sheila's exercise journey started long before she lived at the South Chicago SALUD Center. She used to attend exercise classes at her aunt's house. This motivated her daughter at a very young age to exercise too. “We were six adults, and she was the only little girl. She used to ask me to take her with me,” said Sheila. Sheila credits Health and Wellness Coordinator Maurice Garrett for her weight loss. “He inspires me, he’s a good coach. He keeps up with clients and is interested in their goals,” said Sheila. Sheila attends the Get Fit class every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. She encouraged many building residents and friends to join the fitness center. Staff HighlightsSummer Interns Claretian Associates welcomes the Summer Program Interns, Nyla Moss and Evelyn Apolinar. They will be assisting with the youth who are participating in the One Summer Chicago program.
AnnouncementsBack to School Wellness Fair The South Chicago Neighborhood Network, Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), Advocate Aurora Health, and other community partners will have the annual Back to School and Wellness Fair on Friday, August 9th at 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM on the block of 91st and Brandon. There will be a bookbag giveaway, resource vendors, games for kids, food, and music. For more information contact Program Manager Tiarra Owens at [email protected].
0 Comments
ProgramsClaretian Associates and Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) Visit Springfield The CP4P team visited Springfield to lobby for funding for the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) program. Later in the month CEO Angela Hurlock, Chief of Programs Tevonne Ellis, and CP4P Program Manager James Sims made a second trip to Springfield to continue lobbying for CVI. Claretian also met with Representative Curtis J. Tarver II, Representative Marcus C. Evans Jr., and Senator Robert Peters to discuss state funding for the SALUD Fitness Center pool. We anticipate funding will be included in the next state budget. CP4P MPI Press Conference Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) Hospital Response team and CEO Angela Hurlock attended the HEAL Initiative Press Conference with Senator Dick Durbin which was held at the Metropolitan Peace Academy. Senator Durbin secured $4.5 million for the HEAL Initiative, a collaboration to address the root causes of gun violence through economic, health, and community projects in 18 of Chicago’s neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, poverty, and health disparities. Read more about CP4P’s Hospital Response Team and the HEAL Initiative here. The CP4P Hospital Response team was present at the HEAL Initiative Press Conference. CP4P Program Supervisor Michael Tafolla spoke about the Claretian CP4P Hospital Response and their experience with working with the University of Chicago Medicine. The team's role is to connect in-real time at the hospital with shooting victims from South Chicago and South Shore. “The goal is to immediately connect with victims and families and offer conflict mediation,” said Michael. Since its initial start, the hospital initiative has expanded. “Thanks to the University of Chicago Medicine and our team, we have expanded our services to include victims of gun violence and other forms of violence.” said Michael. Now any victim of violence from South Chicago, South Deering, and South Chicago who is treated at the University of Chicago Medicine emergency room is informed of Claretian CP4P Hospital Response Outreach and Victim Advocates services. If the victim is interested in the services, they are connected to the team. Prior to the relationship with the hospital, the connection rate with victims was around 10% and there was no hospital response outreach team. “Thanks to this relationship, our connection rate has increased to 50%-90%,” said Michael. At the press conference, Michael had the opportunity to speak and thank Senator Durbin. “I thanked him for recognizing our communities, our people, and most importantly our humanity,” said Michael. Mother’s Appreciation Paint and Chat Claretian Associates and the Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) team collaborated to host a Mother’s Day event at the SALUD Center. Community members and residents gathered to enjoy music, food, and painting. Learn more about the event here. Upon arrival, registered event participants received Mother’s Day appreciation baskets containing basic hygiene, self-care, and cleaning products. The baskets also contained a small canvas with paints. “A lot of people do not realize that art is a form of therapy. It was also a way for people to engage with each other by talking about what they planned to paint,” said Program Manager Tiarra Owens. Painting on a canvas was a new activity that some participants had not experienced. “My residents loved it, especially the painting,” said Resident Manager Wendy Steward. The CP4P outreach workers served dinner at each table. CP4P Case Manager Suncheka Henderson emceed the rest of the event by giving participants the opportunity to recite poetry, dance, and sing. The event also included discussions about women's health from Family Rescue and Chicago Family Heath Center. Youth Summer Jobs There are still a few open spots for Tech Corps for youth between the ages of 16-18. The program is centered on website development and computer programming. Tech Corps will have two sessions, mornings from 8 am –12 pm and afternoons from 1 pm- 5 pm. Participants will earn an hourly wage of $15.80. Apply here. SALUD Fitness Center SpotlightMother And Son Stay Healthy Together Debra Hawkins and Damon Polk began exercising at the SALUD Center a year ago because they wanted to incorporate exercise into their lives. They started walking for exercise in the gymnasium and afterward joined the SALUD Fitness Center. Learn more about their exercise journey here. Three times a week, Debra and Damon attend the Get Fit Class. Debra’s fitness goals are to get stronger and healthier, and Damon wants to be active. In the past, Debra has done some form of exercise such as walking before work or during lunch. “I have not exercised as well as I should, but I’m getting back to a regular schedule,” said Debra. Exercising is new territory for Damien, but he enjoys his new lifestyle. “Both of us have lost weight and we are trying to eat better too,” said Debra. They feel fitter and have more endurance. Debra and Damon were introduced to the SALUD Center by Metropolitan Family Services. "I needed to get out more,” said Damien. Not only do they exercise together, but they have formed friendships too. Since joining the fitness center, they have celebrated birthdays with other fitness members. “We are like a little family down there,” said Debra. Both are looking forward to the future coming of the pool. Debra believes the fit center is great and would recommend it to everybody. Staff HighlightsCEO Angela Hurlock Featured on Enterprise Blog Claretian Associates CEO Angela Hurlock authored an essay which was featured on the Enterprise blog. The essay reflects Ms. Hurlock's childhood as a first-generation Chicagoan. She writes about how communities change, but how there is still the opportunity to build healthy neighborhoods of choice. She also writes about the partnership with Fifth Third Bank Empowering Black Futures Program and Enterprise in South Chicago to increase homeownership and quality of life. Read more here. ProgramsSurvivors Support Group Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) partnered with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to host a Survivors Support Group at the SALUD Center. Survivors of homicide came to the SALUD for a day of therapeutic activities. Participants started the day with brunch and later engaged in therapeutic activities. “We wanted to offer supportive resources and create a safe space for families,” said CP4P Program Supervisor Michael Tafolla. Participants had the chance to participate in yoga. “This gave them an opportunity to focus on themselves and nothing else,” said Supervisor. The afternoon ended with a therapeutic circle where participants shared what brought them to the space and were asked to reflect on the close question, what's something that you are taking with you? CP4P hopes to have therapists on site next time to make sure participants leave on a positive note. CP4P will have future Survivors Support Groups. “Our goal has always been to expand our services and our presence in the community in every way possible,” said Michael. For more information contact Michael Tafolla at [email protected] Youth Summer Programming There is still time for youth to apply for summer jobs at the SALUD Center!
Seniors For years, the seniors at the South Chicago SALUD Center have attended food distributions through the partnership of the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). Every first Tuesday of the month the SALUD Center seniors attend a food distribution in the community room that provides fresh vegetables and fruits, canned goods, bread, and more. SALUD Fitness Center SpotlightTwo Local Claretian Missionaries Join the SALUD Fitness Center The SALUD Fitness Center gained another member, Fr. Steve Niskanen. Fr. Steve is a local Claretian Associates board member. “I think the fitness center is great, it's in my neighborhood, and I just have to walk two blocks,” said Fr. Steve. He enjoys the fitness center so much he recruited fellow Claretian brother, Fr. Beauplan Derilus. Fr. Steve and Fr. Beauplan are Claretian Missionaries and preside at Our Lady Guadalupe Parish in South Chicago. Read more about their exercise journey here. Fr. Steve joined the fitness center because he wanted to exercise and stay healthy. He had access to a gym in their house but with a limited number of machines. “I’ve been able to use the elliptical machine. For the first time, I tried the Pelton. I like that because even if it's recorded you have the interaction when to turn on the resistance or increase the cycling,” said Fr. Steve. Exercise has been a part of Fr. Steve’s life; he was a member at the YMCA in California and a fitness center in San Antonio. “I have memories of getting into a routine and that was helpful. We as Claretians are supposed to set a personal project for ourselves that includes exercise. My project right now is to exercise sometime during the day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So far, I've kept it up,” said Fr. Steve. Fr. Steve is looking forward to learning more about the weight room machines. His immediate goal is to strengthen his core. Fitness goals for Fr. Steve include better cardio health and getting stronger. “I’ve noticed already that I feel a little bit stronger and healthier,” said Fr. Steve. Fr. Beauplan was encouraged by Fr. Steve to join. “I think you guys are doing a great job here. You can exercise without pressure and in peace,” said Beauplan. Fr. Beauplan joined because he is a pre-diabetic and exercising is important to him. His goals are to exercise and keep his health strong. “I think life is about having good health,” said Beauplan Being athletic was always a part of Fr. Beauplan’s life. “I used to play soccer, basketball, and volleyball. I love to swim,” said Fr. Beauplan. Eleven years ago, Fr. Beauplan used to swim at the SALUD Center formally known as the South Chicago YMCA. “The best way to work out is to swim. You feel it in your body,” said Fr. Beauplan. Both Fr. Steve and Fr. Beauplan come to exercise regularly, at times separately or together. They encourage others to join to stay healthy and it’s a great resource in our community. Staff HighlightsFirst-time Homeowner Claretian Associates congratulates CP4P Case Manager, Fredrick McLaurin, on becoming a first-time homeowner. Fredrick assists returning citizens with reentry services to create a plan for their future. Fredrick was formally incarcerated for 33 years. During that time his main focus was education. “I either stayed in academic or vocational classes,” said Fredrick. He earned his Associate’s degree with honors, Summa Cum Laude. Fredrick also took many vocational classes and earned certificates. While being incarcerated, Fredrick, was being a mentor and facilitator. He taught courses in behavior modification including anger management, domestic violence, lifestyle redirection, and more. “We started a program called Building Block,” said Fredrick. The program was geared towards behavior modification and giving the students the opportunity to have their own wing in the correctional facility to attend classes all day. The program grew from one wing to an entire building. “We were spreading a sear of influence, built towards positive and healthy thinking,” said Fredrick. When Fredrick came home, within three months he started working for a steel mill. That job led him to some health problems, and he eventually interviewed for his current job. “My transition to case management was easy because of the things that are involved with it. I was already deeply involved in case management because my education was mostly geared towards humanities and helping people,” said Fredrick. While Fredrick had previous jobs, he saved money. “I was staying with my brother. He has his own house, and we had an agreement. I was paying him a little rent, it allowed me to save money,” said Fredrick. He started looking for his place of residence. Fredrick thought about getting his own apartment, but a colleague gave him the idea of ownership. Fredrick didn’t think it was possible, but he had good credit. Fredrick started looking for apartments in the southwest suburbs. “After the idea of ownership floated to me, I ended up finding a place in South Deering. When I wake up or I’m sitting on the couch, I look around, I’m flabbergasted. I even can’t talk sometimes. ‘Like wow this is really mine,’” said Fredrick. He didn’t think it would be possible to be a homeowner because he was home for less than three years. Fredrick accomplished a lot since returning home including owning a car, becoming a first-time homeowner, and landing his dream job. “I’ve been blessed, I’m driven and trying to stay focused ever since then. My mom tells people, ‘He got his dream job.’ I'm grateful for the opportunity and I love what I do,” said Fredrick. Employee Appreciation Dinner Claretian Associates hosted an Employee Appreciation Dinner at Roma’s Restaurant to express gratitude for the staff’s hard work. At the dinner, CEO Angela Hurlock announced that Claretian Associates received a $2 million gift from the Yield Giving Open Call. Staff were elated because of the announcement and enjoyed dinner with music and the company of each other. AnnouncementsFitness Center Haven’t signed up for a SALUD Fitness Center Membership yet? Sign up for our $14.99 monthly membership. A day pass is now $5. Join our Circuit Class every Monday at 10 a.m. The Circuit Class is a workout that involves rotating through exercise equipment that will target different parts of the body. You will focus on different muscle groups while learning how to use the various machines. This is another effective exercise that can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. For more information contact us at fitness@claretianassociates.org |
Details
Archives
June 2024
Categories |