Association House Participant, Nancy, Utilizes Multiple Programs to Secure Her Family’s Future

“I needed my education to go further in life, and that was the promise I made my mother. When I was blessed with my son, I didn’t have a babysitter. I didn’t have daycare close enough for me to get him there because I wasn’t working.”Nancy faced the reality of many students with children, the lack of options in childcare, which affects both education and financial opportunities. In 2018, Nancy came to Association House High School as a senior and enrolled her children in the Family Literacy Program (FLP), on-site childcare, early childhood education, family literacy activities, and parenting workshops to engage two generations at once.

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Get to Know Association House’s New Board Member, Kathleen Smith

Association House is proud to announce the addition of a new member to our Board of Directors, Kathleen Smith, VP, director of business transformation at BMO Harris Bank. Kathleen continues the rich history between Association House and BMO Harris. As a member of our board, she will provide leadership and insight for the execution of our efforts of being a community resource to Chicago through educational, vocational and health programming.

For more than five years, Kathleen has supported Association House as a member of our Special Events Committee, which plans our annual Faces of Hope Benefit. In addition, she has assisted with various volunteer efforts and in-kind drives for initiatives throughout the year.

Shortly after her addition to the Board of Directors, Kathleen highlighted what inspired her to take the next step in furthering Association House’s mission.

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UnidosUS Awards Association House Digital Innovation Grant

Association House of Chicago is grateful to be a recipient of the UnidosUS Digital Innovation grant made possible through the support of Comcast NBC Universal. This generous funding enables us to expand our Workforce Development offerings into the emerging technology field. Since 1988, The Association House of Chicago is a member of the UnidosUS Affiliate Network, building a stronger America by creating opportunities for Latinos.

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Behavioral Health Participant, Tracy, Tells Her Riveting Story at Faces of Hope 2019

On May 17, Association House of Chicago celebrated another year of impacting our community with our annual Faces of Hope Benefit. More than 150 supporters helped to raise $210,000 to continue to transform the lives of participants. Guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and many opportunities to participate in new interactive fundraising games led by the lively Keith Jones, Sayre & Jones Auctioneers.

For many, the highlight of the evening was hearing a powerful testimonial from Tracy, an Association House participant who utilized our substance use services to continue her road to recovery from alcoholism.

Tracy’s struggles with alcohol began at an early age. Trauma during her childhood led Tracy to depression and alcohol. She first contemplated suicide at the age of 7.

“At that time, the only think I was worried about, was ‘would it hurt’,” Tracy recalled.

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State Representative Delia Ramirez Visits Association House

Newly elected Illinois State Representative Delia Ramirez visited Association House on Tuesday (April 16) to hear first-hand about our impact on the community, while also detailing her experience and the work she is doing in Springfield.

Rep. Ramirez is from Humboldt Park, Chicago, the daughter of immigrant parents and the first Guatemalan-American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. Prior to becoming Chicago’s 4th District representative, Rep. Ramirez served in social service and community organizations in our shared community. 

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Association House Celebrates Financial Careers Training Graduation and Program Expansion

Association House celebrated the 10th cohort of the Financial Careers Training program this past Friday (Mar 8). The graduation and job fair celebrated a milestone for our students that was shared with their parents, our staff and banking partners.

25 graduates received certificates of completion and were introduced to bank representatives from across the city, initiating the opportunity to take the next step in their banking careers.

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Cindy Ullrich to Lead Exciting Changes to Face of Hope Benefit as Event Chair

If you have come to a Faces of Hope Benefit, you have for sure come in contact with Association House Board Member Cindy Ullrich. Cheerful and welcoming, the recent BMO Harris retiree is a pillar of what makes our annual event successful. Cindy, who is also the chair of our Special Events Committee, serves as the event’s host and also ensures there is a presence amongst the company where she was employed and everyone involved has a great time.

In her retirement, Cindy is dedicating more of her time to assisting Association House through the busy Faces of Hope season along with additional needs. Her efforts, so far, have assisted in bringing a different experience to the 2019 event.

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