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Marcy is our English teacher and part of Association House High School. Her favorite part of her experience is that everyone here is an extended member of her family. In honor of Women's History Month, she shares what this month means to her and the women who have influenced her life. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? I have a long history with Association House, even starting before my birth. My mother worked for the agency for 17 years starting August 14, 1983. 30 years later to the date, I began my first position as a GED Instructor right out of college. Association House has always been another home for me and I credit many of the women who have come and gone from this agency for a lot of my favorite life experiences. These women were my first email pen pals, helped me get ready for prom, helped me get my first job and taught me how to advance my career, and still to this day are the ones I turn to when I need advice. My favorite part of my experience is then that everyone here is an extended member of my family. Is there a woman that has influenced you the most in your life and/or career? My mom is one of my biggest supporters. She always done whatever she could to be helpful, either by reading over my essays in school, or babysitting my kids now so that I can get work done. My mom is also a mom to everyone she encounters. She opens her home to support her loved ones who need a place to stay or just a meal. She is the matriarch of our family and friends, and I can only hope to be that guiding post for my family in the future. Why do we need more women in leadership? Women make up 50% of the population, it should only be right that at a minimum, we hold 50% of leadership positions in the world. That is only logical. Every person has their strengths and it is only through having a diverse group of people can those strengths be combined to create something new and wonderful. Having only one certain perspective doesn't help the population as a whole. What does Women’s History Month mean to you? I believe Women's History Month means celebrating not only the trailblazing women who have impacted the world on a grand scale, but also to those women who have personally touched your life and help you to become your own unique self. On that note, I would like to dedicate my staff highlight to all the women from Association House that have impacted my life. From the women of AHHS, to Harriet Sadauskas & Julie Rodriguez, to my previous 6th floor lunch crew, and finally the last but never least, my mom and my aunt, Yolanda & Beatriz Vicens, without whom I would not be the woman I am today.

Danielle is our Program Coordinator and part of the Workforce Development team. She joined us at the house three weeks ago and is grateful to have the opportunity to work with a forward-thinking, supportive agency. In honor of Black History Month, she shares with us the impact Black History has had on her life. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House of Chicago? Well, I’m a new employee and have just completed 2 weeks here! I can honestly say so far so good! I’m enjoying learning the culture of AHC the versatility of being able to work virtually. I’m grateful for having the opportunity to work with a forward-thinking, supportive agency that realizes employees are their greatest asset and for working collaboratively with my co-workers to achieve successful outcomes. Is there a comment in Black History that shaped your career and life? Absolutely! In 2004, my whole life changed! I along with over 9 million other viewers witnessed President Barack Obama, then Senator Obama, deliver the Democratic National Convention keynote address. It was my first time learning about him! I was deeply moved and in awe by his rousing message. In this historical exordium, I followed his words closely as he spoke about “hope”. His message of “hope” awakened something inside of me and inspired me to want more out of life, to want a better way of life, a better job and to want to be more responsible as a leader. This exceptional speech encouraged me, an adult and full-time employee, to continue my education which led me to matriculate that very year thru 2006 and successfully achieving the degree of Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management at Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, OH. What is your favorite piece of Black Culture (TV, Movies, Music, Art, Books, Businesses, etc.) to consume? My favorite types of Black Culture are paintings, photos, and sculptures. I’m fond of the photo works of James Van Der Zee. (1886 – 1983) Van Der Zee was noted for his photo pictures of capturing the imagery of Black New Yorkers and portraits of well- known celebrities during the Harlem Renaissance era. I also like Jacob Lawrence, a visionary artist, particularly his works of the “The Migration of the Negro” series (1940–41) which depicts the Depression-era flight of Black southerners to northern states. It’s very emotional. I admire the good works of Augusta Savage (1892 – 1962). Savage was a sculpture and teacher and was also associated with the Harlem Renaissance era. Additionally, she was involved with advocating for equal rights for African Americans in the arts.

In April 2016, Adel arrived at Jessica and Jon’s home as their first foster kid. Jessica and Jon both work as police officers and have two boys of their own. They had always wanted to foster children and Jessica knew this was her calling since she was a little girl. She shared “I know there are kids out there that need love.” Jessica and Jon are proud Latinos who want to improve their community and grow their family. And foster parenting is an excellent way of doing both. They want to speak their language, share their food, and continue their culture with children. From the day Adel arrived, Jessica and Jon immediately felt he was going to be one that they kept. They were immediately protective, affectionate, and loving towards him and Adel showed attachment, care, and love to them. They quickly formed a strong bond with one another as a family. Adel not only had Jessica and Jon’s love but he was warmly welcomed and loved by their entire extended family of grandparents, cousins, and brothers. At age 9, Adel was connected to Angelica Gervacio, one of our very own case managers from Association House. During his check-ins, he would expectantly say “that this needs to happen soon. When is this going to be over?” He was mature enough to know that he wanted a stable, loving home with parents who were there for him. He found that stability and love within Jessica and Jon’s family and was ready for the adoption process to be over. Throughout his check-ins, he opened more up to Angelica and shared his family stories. He excitedly shared with her that he “learned how to make money,” whenever he got good grades. Jessica’s mother, his grandmother, would give him money. He said, “she’ll pay $10 for a B, $20 for an A” and sure enough his grandma was in a heap of trouble because his grades went up quickly. Recently, he eagerly shared that “grandma paid me $120! I’m rich!” Angelica shared that “it’s such a perfect, loving family because both grandparents (Jessica’s parents) are very engaged with the family, and they support the family by caring for them.” Jessica and Jon’s awesome support system has become Adel’s support system. The whole family was overjoyed when Jessica and Jon made Adel’s foster home permanent and adopted him. She said that “everybody has grown to love him, he’s ours, he’s been ours in our hearts since day one.” Although it was a long journey to make Adel’s foster home his forever home, the family couldn’t have been happier to have celebrated his adoption this month on his 13th birthday. When asking Jessica what this whole experience meant to their family, she said “honestly, it’s a blessing to us, Adel’s the most kind-hearted and thoughtful kid. He’s a blessing to have. I love all my kids.” Association House is so happy we get to share Adel’s heartfelt story of his journey to his forever home. It may have been a long one, but he continued to persevere no matter what was thrown his way.

Dear friends, As I reflect on my first year at Association House, I smile thinking of the accomplishments, the camaraderie and the resilience of our community, now in its 122nd year. The ongoing pandemic has forced us all to re-imagine a life of service, and has re-awakened us to the critical importance of the programs, the lending hand and the peace of mind that Association House offers every day. The stories at Association House are myriad, and its participants are diverse. In workforce development, our two most recent graduating cohorts of the BankWork$ program celebrated the bright futures of participants who came to us from as far as Mexico, Somalia, and Algeria, to right here in the south and west sides of Chicago. In child welfare, we jumped for joy at every child placed in a permanent, loving home, whether here in Chicago, or even in neighboring states! I have sat with our high school students over lunches, listening to each of their unique stories. One student recently arrived to the U.S. from South America, seeking stability and a quality education. Another student needed advice on the best way to get from his west side neighborhood to his potential new job on the north side, where he would finally be able to help his family with much needed earnings. And yet another student looks forward to graduating this winter where he will go on to learn the trades and become a carpenter and HVAC specialist. This past year, I have been transformed. With Association House’s 2021 annual report, we proudly illustrate our accomplishments and share the inspiring stories of our participant community. I know that with your support, you are transforming the lives of our participants as well. We thank you for your continued support of those most in need, and we look onward to a thriving 2022. Sincerely, Juan Carlos Linares President & CEO

As Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx Heritage month comes to a close, we at Association House are proud to recognize and celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the diverse communities that make up our Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx populations. Although the observance of this month began in 1968, inspired by Latin American countries celebrating their independence days during this period, Latinos and Latinas have had an undeniable and impactful influence on all aspects of U.S. society, including here at the House. I think of our many staff, Board members and participants of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, not to mention those of the various nations of the Caribbean, of Central America and of South America, who have contributed significantly to the House's history and spirit. And I think of my own mother and father, who immigrated from Peru and from Guatemala, respectively, to fulfill livelihoods, dreams, and ambitions as new Americans. These are among the stories we celebrate and recognize as part of the fabric of our nation’s Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx heritage, and yet it is important that we also acknowledge the barriers that Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx continue to face in living healthy, safe, and dignified lives as full Americans. We have a long way to go when it comes to fighting systematic inequalities, and this month serves as an important milestone of our strength in unity. Nevertheless, Association House has been proud to serve the Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx community in Chicago for 122 years, and in recent years we have been privileged to join with neighbors that celebrate Latinx culture year-round. In the Latinx arts, these partners include Urban Theater Company and the National Museum for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, both down the street along the Paseo (Division Street) and worth a visit. Saludos amigos on the close of Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx Heritage Month 2021 and thank you again for your spirit and your contributions to the House and to our communities. In Solidarity, Juan Carlos Linares President & CEO

Friends, We take the time this Black History Month to honor, celebrate and narrate the stories of African Americans nationally and here in Chicago. Black History month provides us with not only the opportunity to rejoice in the tremendous changes that African-Americans have fought for in this country, but also to learn from our past and to recommit ourselves to doing more as a nation, as a city and as an organization for our Black communities. We recognize that the acknowledgements we make this month and beyond are not enough, but serve as a starting off point. To that end, our Association House DEI/Anti-Racism Committee has developed a series of programs for this month and beyond with the intent of creating and sustaining positive change within the organization. For one, we'd like to introduce to you the consultants at InQuest who will be working with Association House in 2022 to build a more inclusive culture. (for more information about InQuest, their team and their services, see https://inquestconsulting.com/). For February, the committee will also be highlighting the accomplishments of select staff, as well as decorating the Board near the elevators on the first floor for awareness and celebration of Black History Month. Come down to see it and snap your photos to #AHCcelebratesBlackHistory! We'll follow that with regular trivia over email for which participating staff can win prizes to shop at local, Black-owned businesses. And there's no need to wait to frequent those businesses, as the committee put together a list of local, Black-owned businesses here: AHC's Black Owned Businesses Virtual Index Later in the month, we'll be announcing diversity hiring goals for the remainder of 2022. Association House of Chicago has served for 123 years to improve the lives of our participants and the condition of our communities, yet there is still much to do. We take this challenge personally and professionally and through partnerships, collaborations, and teamwork, we can continue to increase our value to our Black communities and to all that we serve. Sincerely, The DEI/Anti-Racism Committee: Lina Joya Kristy Kolzow Juan Carlos Linares Jemina Lyle Nicole Reed Drew Williams Aasta Ziegler

Proceeds will help local nonprofits with parent support programs. With a love of Chicago in her heart, Oak Park resident Virginia Martinez takes advantage of exploring the city's educational institutions with her young grandson Rio Ignacio, 2, whether it's going to Brookfield Zoo or the Shedd Aquarium. OAK PARK, Ill., Nov. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With a love of Chicagoin her heart, Oak Park resident Virginia Martinez takes advantage of exploring the city's educational institutions with her young grandson Rio Ignacio, 2, whether it's going to Brookfield Zoo or the Shedd Aquarium. While these trips with her grandson bring the proud grandmother great joy, she also understands the importance of encouraging young children to learn about neighborhoods, cities and the world at large. These concepts gave her the inspiration to create her first children's book "Adventures with Abuela: Let's Go To The Zoo" published by Fig Factor Media. The book, which is geared to children ages 1 to 4, is written in English and Spanish as a way to get Latino and other families to share the love of reading with their children. Based partially on a real-life experience, readers follow Rio's visit to the famous Brookfield Zoo located in the Chicagoland suburb of Brookfield with his mother, father and "Abuela"—the Spanish word for grandmother. Dressed up as a lion, Rio and his Abuela observe the many animal denizens such as a sleeping tiger, a fierce crocodile, and groups of friendly goats, giraffes and monkeys. He realizes that he has some similarities with these creatures. For example, crocodiles have teeth to chew food as does Rio. Tigers also take afternoon naps as does Rio. Martinez, who is of Mexican heritage, got her sense of adventure from her mother who took her and her siblings to the zoo and many museums such as the Museum of Science and Industry. It was also her mother who encouraged her children to read. "My mom always had books in the house," said Martinez who by trade is an attorney working for the State of Illinois. "I remember her getting the Encyclopedia Britannica so we could have a resource to help us with our homework. It was a significant investment back in those days." Profits from the book sales will be used to donate books to Gads Hill Center, Mujeres Latinas en Accion and Association House of Chicago for their parent support programs—resources to help many African-American and Latino families who live in working-class neighborhoods such as North Lawndale and Pilsen. Those programs touched Martinez's heart as she learned from one of the organizations that some of the children never visited downtown Chicago. "My original idea for writing this book was for my family but then I thought about this issue of children who live in certain neighborhoods who never left them," she said. "To me, those children have never experienced all the riches that the city offers." Martinez envisions her book to be a series with the goal of encouraging parents, grandparents and caregivers to plan trips with their young children to the many public institutions and outdoor activities that are available to them. This book has given her a deeper connection with her family. "My legacy is my relationship with my children and grandson," she said. " I felt that I needed to do this book so that Rio will remember our experiences at any age." "Adventures with Abuela" is available on Amazon. About Virginia Martinez: Virginia Martinez was born and raised in Chicago and currently lives in Oak Park, Illinois. Virginia has a son, Miguel, and daughter, Natalia. In 2019, she became a grandmother for the first time. Her grandson Rio Ignacio has become the joy of her life, leading her to begin a social media account of their adventures together. Her decision to write children's books comes with dual goals of providing interesting stories for children as well as providing parents, grandparents and caregivers with information that will help them access the many wonderful parks, zoos, and museums the metropolitan area offers. These resources can help young children develop the love of learning. Virginia is an attorney who has spent most of her career working in non-profit organizations and has been a strong advocate for Latinos, women, and children. She has volunteered with many organizations over the years and currently sits on the Board of Directors of Gads Hill Center and volunteers with the Vaccine Brigade.

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone. You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone. You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.

Humboldt Park's violence continues to surge. Local groups say the neighborhood might be gentrifying, but many people are still struggling with a lack of resources — and that can fuel violence. HUMBOLDT PARK — Several years before Gyovanny Arzuaga was murdered, he was a quiet but confident teen walking the halls of Association House High School, an alternative high school in Humboldt Park. “Gyo had a smile that could pretty much light up the hallway,” said his friend and former classmate, Demiyon Eastling. Another friend and former classmate, Lilianna Lozada, described Arzuaga as a “very special kid” who “wanted the best for everybody.” “He liked seeing people smile because it made him smile. His laugh was so contagious,” Lozada said. Arzuaga and his girlfriend, Yasmin Perez, were killed June 19 during the Puerto Rican Parade festivities. Video of the shooting spread quickly and shocked the city. Arzuaga and Perez are among nine people who have been murdered in Humboldt Park this year. Their deaths show how the violence that surged in 2020 has not slowed down. There were nine homicides and 29 shootings in the 26th Ward by Aug. 8; during the same time period last year, there were seven homicides and 31 shootings, according to a Block Club analysis of police data. That puts this year’s violence on track to mirror what was seen in 2020, when the neighborhood ended the year with a total of 43 shootings and 11 homicides. Though wealthier families have moved into Humboldt Park as it has gentrified over the past 20 years, data show shootings and murders in Humboldt Park have remained largely steady over the past decade. While gentrification can coincide with a drop in gun violence, studies have shown, community leaders said the problems confronting residents have stayed the same. As expensive homes are built along The 606’s Bloomingdale Trail, many Humboldt Park residents, some whose families have lived in the neighborhood for generations, are struggling to pay for basic necessities like food and housing, community leaders said. Gun violence has long been linked to poverty. The pandemic has only exacerbated those issues, leaders said. “There’s still a lot of people who are dealing with food insecurity, who are unstable in their housing, who are concerned for their safety, and I don’t see those issues in the immediate future changing,” said Jose Muñoz, the executive director of La Casa Norte. ‘So Heartbreaking’ Arzuaga grew up on a farm but lived with family in Humboldt Park as he got older, his friends said. In his teenage years, he struggled with school — first at Roberto Clemente High School and then at Association House High School. At Association House, he regularly skipped class, dropped out a couple of times and at one point moved to Aurora, citing financial and personal hardships, which isn’t uncommon for students at the school, Association House Principal David Pieper said. Association House High School, 1116 N. Kedzie Ave., is designed for teens “who have been left behind by traditional public schools,” according to its website. Many students struggle personally and academically, Pieper said. “Gyovanny was very typical in those regards,” Pieper said. But during his two and a half years at the Humboldt Park school, Arzuaga made a strong impression on his teachers and classmates. He didn’t talk much in class, but he had a lot of friends and was popular with girls, his friends said. Lozada said he liked to read, particularly books about God. “He was kinda like me in a lot of ways, and that’s why it was so heartbreaking hearing about what happened to him,” Eastling said. Credit: FacebookGyovanni Arzuaga (left) was murdered in Humboldt Park earlier this summer. Arzuaga dropped out of Association House for good in 2017. Some young people in Humboldt Park see leaving the neighborhood as the only way to escape the poverty and violence they grew up around — and that’s exactly what Arzuaga did. He and Perez moved to suburban Hanover Park, and they had two children together. It was when Arzuaga came back to Humboldt Park for the Puerto Rican Parade festivities that he was murdered. “He was just there to have a good time and go back home,” his friend, Jae Pacheco, told the Sun-Times. Anthony Lorenzi, 34, has been charged with first-degree murder in Arzuaga’s slaying. Officials said they think Arzuaga accidentally shot Perez as they were ambushed after the parade. “A lot of the things [Arzuaga talked about wanting] he ended up having with Yasmin,” Lozada said. “They had a beautiful relationship. He loved her, and she loved him so much. They even moved out of the city together and started a family. … It’s just really sad to think about that.” Lozada, Eastling and other friends and family members paid tribute to Arzuaga at a vigil in the Association House parking lot about a week after he was killed. Chicago has rallied around the couple, raising nearly $130,000 for their families in the wake of the tragedy. Attempts to reach Arzuaga’s family have been unsuccessful. “We are all heartbroken and devastated beyond belief as they leave behind two beautiful children, Sofiya and Jayden,” family members wrote in the fundraiser. ‘We Want To Stop That Cycle’ Humboldt Park community leaders said the steady gun violence is a symptom of a beleaguered community. For decades, Humboldt Park-based community organizations like Association House, La Casa Norte and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center have worked to reduce gun violence with consistent programs, outreach and giveaways. The goal is to lift up young people and people in poverty, a strategy that has been proven to bring down shootings. But the needs of the community have ballooned during the pandemic, and these groups are struggling to keep up. More than a year into the public health crisis, food and rent giveaway events in Humboldt Park continue to draw long lines of people, said Jose Muñoz, La Casa Norte’s executive director. “There’s still a lot of people who are dealing with food insecurity, who are unstable in their housing, who are concerned for their safety. And I don’t see those issues in the immediate future changing,” Muñoz said. On top of the pandemic, many Humboldt Park residents are dealing with the effects of gentrification, community leaders said. Young, affluent people have moved in, driving up housing costs, which has driven out many Latino families. At the same time, the neighborhood has seen an influx in shops and restaurants catering to young people, while Humboldt Park’s public schools have struggled. The same situation has played out in neighboring Logan Square. “Humboldt Park is a really great microcosm for the inequities in Chicago generally,” said Juan Carlos Linares, the CEO and president of Association House. “Even if we see gentrification, some new buildings and people with higher incomes moving in — we welcome people, of course, but there are other consequences to that. When you have families moving away, enrollment becomes less and that puts schools at risk.” The struggles fuel desperation — which can lead to violence. After shootings, Association House and other organizations are left to pick up the pieces. In the case of Arzuaga and Perez, Puerto Rican Cultural Center leaders are hoping to provide the couple’s young children with mental health counseling and other services. “If we don’t wrap our arms around them as a community, they will more than likely face the same lived realities their parents did. We want to stop that cycle,” said Jessie Fuentes, policy director for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. But Humboldt Park-based social organizations like Association House and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center face a major challenge in their quest to “stopping that cycle:” a lack of funding. For example, Association House would like to expand child care for students and its family literacy program, but it can’t without more funding, Linares said. “Humboldt Park is really lucky to have a lot of great services in this community, but we’re all in the same boat: We’re always scrapping for money,” he said. “We should be embarrassed by how much we underfund these kinds of services, which are solutions to the root cause of poverty and violence.”

Graduating high school is no easy task, especially when you're a young mother. However, Association House High School's Family Literacy Program understands the importance of parenthood. Alejandra, an English Language Learner (ELL) and a parenting student, shares how her son motivated her to overcome challenges and graduate high school. Why did you decide to attend Association House High School? At first, it was because I had my baby, and they had a daycare, so it was great for me because I didn't want to leave high school, and I was not working. Also, I didn't know how to deal with it because it's hard to have a baby and continue to study. The school was great for me because I had a daycare and time to watch my baby, change diapers and feed him. How was your son's experience in the Family Literacy Program? The first day he cried too much because he was not used to being with other kids, but he got used to it after like two weeks. It was great because he made friends and learned a lot of things that we can do at home. How did the pandemic affect you and your son? What challenges did the pandemic bring for you guys? It was really hard because he was growing, so he needed more attention. I didn't know how to use Google classroom or Zoom, so I didn't know how to do my homework online. It was hard. I don't think I passed all my classes, especially [my] English class, [so] that's why I had to catch up on these classes this past semester. How did Mr. Pilger and Ms. Thomas help you through these different challenges? Mr. P stayed with me all day and [would] text me asking me if I was going to school. He [would] stay late with me at school. We did a lot of work this last semester to make sure I could graduate on time. I feel like I have a lot of help from my teachers, Mr. P is still helping me apply for scholarships [for college], and he is writing me a referral letter. I feel like I'm not alone. Ms. Thomas was always there, and I knew that if I ever wanted help from her that she would help me. High school is already hard as it is, and you had your son to take care of as well. So, how did it feel to graduate? When you look back at all the challenges that you faced, what does this mean to you? I was so happy, and I was so proud of [myself] because I [don't] think that many moms think about studying. They don't think about their future. They just want to work or make money. But a lot of [moms] my age are out there smoking, drinking, and partying. They do not think that this will affect their child. I want the best for my child, so everything I do is for him because I know he's watching me, and I want him to be proud of his mom, and I want him to be a good person when he grows up. So yeah, I feel like I'm doing the right thing, and I'm happy. Why did you decide to further your education and go to college? My mind changed a lot because like a year ago I didn't want to go to college. I was like, no, I'm just going to work. But [I realized] that if I work in a factory then I will be there all my life making the same money just working my hours and I don't like that. So, I started reading books, getting advice from people older than me, and realized I want to go to college. But I always thought that if I wanted to go to college, I needed money, so I thought it was not possible for me because I'm a mom. But this semester, I saw that I'm not alone. Fortunately, I'm in this country and have my residency. Many people want a social security number to work or have a career, but they can't, so if I have it then I must use it and [take] advantage of it. I [saw] that it wasn't impossible for me to go to college. If I want it, then I can make it happen. I think it's all in your mind, so you must change your mind, be open to learning, and be open to challenge yourself because it's not easy. But I always say if you want it, you can. Mr. Pilger and Ms. Thomas also shared their experience of working with Alejandra and getting her to graduation. Ms. Thomas was her case manager and acted as a liaison between Alejandra and her teachers. She helped communicate Alejandra’s needs to the teachers so she can succeed as an ELL student. Mr. Pilger worked with her to complete 13 classes in 10 weeks to graduate on time. He guided her through the Credit Recovery classes, which are incredibly difficult. How has she grown since you started working with her? Ms. Thomas: At first, Alejandra didn't really like our school. Although she had made the decision to enroll, she was pregnant and struggling with many personal issues that made it hard for her to succeed. Communicating her needs as an English Language Learner was also sometimes difficult. After Liam was born, she had a new focus and we worked together to get her the support she needed. I have seen her mature a lot from not liking school and being uninterested to her holding onto the fact that “I know this is what I need to do, and I want to do it for my son. I don't want to be another statistic where I drop out of school. I want to do this for him.” When we officially told her [that] she was a graduate, she started crying and was like, "I did it for him, I did it for him, I did it for Liam because I want to be an example for him." She also said she wants to be an example to inspire others that may have faced the same challenges and help them to overcome some of the same struggles that she did. Mr. Pilger: I have known her 10 to 12 weeks at the most, but we worked together a lot [during] that time. She grew to be more comfortable like – when we're working on something together, she'd say, "what does this mean?" A lot of students don't inquire so much, but she always wants more information. She wants to soak up as much as she can, and if she doesn't understand something, she's going to ask. She's very proactive and [became] more comfortable reaching out for help and asking for what she needed to succeed. She's just an incredible young lady, always so appreciative of any help she gets, always thanking us repeatedly. She's very focused and determined to always improve her grades. In some of her classes, she worked up to a B, but then she'd be like, I want to go back and get an A. So, she would do the extra work to make sure she could get an A. She always wanted to keep pushing herself. Currently, Alejandra is working to further her education at Wilbur Wright College before attending Loyola University Chicago to earn a psychology degree. At Association House, we work to remove the barriers that impact our student's education. We hope to continue rooting out the inequalities and preparing them for their bright futures.

As you may know, Juneteenth is a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas declaring the abolition of slavery two and a half years after the actual Emancipation Proclamation was declared, and two months after the end of the Civil War. Today, Juneteenth serves as an observance for the fight for equality, and a celebration of African American life, freedom and resilience. Yet even today, from killings of unarmed African Americans by police, to the disinvestments experienced on Chicago's west and south sides, reminders of racial injustice and systemic racism shock us daily. We at Association House acknowledge these injustices and commit to our role in uplifting marginalized communities. To that end, we celebrate Juneteenth in honor of the contributions of African Americans, and as a reminder that real change, though often frustrating and painful, is possible. The struggle towards racial equity continues. And as we celebrate the newest graduating class of Association House High School this Friday, we are especially cognizant that we all stand on the shoulders of Black Chicagoans and Americans who struggled and marched and worked to achieve many of the freedoms we hold dear today. This weekend, please take the opportunity to learn, connect, and reflect on how we can move forward to achieve permanent and lasting change. Black Lives Matter today and always, and we at Association House will continue standing together to reject hate and support our Black communities. Let’s continue educating ourselves on our complex national history, inform our policymakers and show the way through our services on how we the people can move closer toward an equitable society. In Solidarity, Juan Carlos Linares President & CEO