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Maddie is a Grants Coordinator in our Development Department. Before she came to Association House, Maddie completed her Master's in Social Work. She was drawn to work in the nonprofit sector to utilize her social work skills and make a positive impact in her community through serving vulnerable populations. Since joining the House in July, Maddie has already made her mark supporting our programs and participants. Tell us about your position and your day-to-day! "I work as the Grants Coordinator on the Development team. A typical day for me looks like writing various grant proposals, engaging in prospect research, and completing administrative tasks." What have been some of your biggest accomplishments at Association House? "Within my short time here at Association House, some of my biggest accomplishments include receiving my first grant award and receiving a grant award from a new funder!" Are there any memories that stand out from your time at the Association House? "My best memories from my time at Association House would have to be the moments spent with my team during our team meetings and lunches together. I have been lucky to feel so supported and welcomed by amazing team members!" In your experience, what's the most unique part about working here? "The most unique part about working at Association House has been the opportunity to engage with individuals amongst every department. This has allowed me to gain insight in how our programs are run and how our participants benefit from all our incredible services."

We know that BankWork$ is life-changing, especially for the people that put in the work and show up with positivity and passion. Deaunte, who graduated in June, is one of those people, and he reminds us all of what is possible with grit and determination. In October 2013, Deaunte found himself at rock bottom. He had just returned home from serving in the United States Military. Stress and anxiety were at an all-time high. With a lack of resources and support, Deaunte, his wife, and his children became homeless. For several years, Deaunte and his family experienced prolonged housing insecurity. Finally, in 2016, there was hope. As a veteran, Deaunte got a voucher that would provide his family with stable housing. Deaunte, his pregnant wife, and two children now had a home. With stable housing, Deaunte began his search for a long-term career. Just three days into his search, Deaunte found the opportunity he needed. Or, in his words, “The BankWork$ program found me.” He jumped at the chance to interview for the program at Association House. Mid-interview he realized this program would truly change his life. Deaunte accepted the invitation to join the program without hesitation. “BankWork$ took a chance on a stay-at-home dad recovering from homelessness. Now I’m looking at buying a home, the best medical, dental, vision, healthcare in the nation, as well as retirement and investing in a promising career,” Deaunte states. It was an easy chance to take—Deaunte came into the BankWork$ program determined to meet his goals. He was a role model for his classmates. He had perfect attendance and showed up ready to learn. Deaunte's instructor, Sherri, guided him through the banking course, but, Deaunte's attitude was what made him successful. "His passion came across. He was ready for a career in banking," says Sherri. Aside from his new banking skills, Deaunte says the program impacted him on a personal level. Not only did he find a love for banking, he also began to rebuild his confidence. He recited part of a quote that Sherri ended every class with - "You are more than enough." Deaunte continues to carry this quote with him beyond the BankWork$ program. It reminds him that he is worthy of great things, even in the darkest of times. Since graduating, Deaunte has taken on the position of Banker I at Associated Bank. He is truly enjoying his time at work and looks forward to exploring the potential for promotion in the future. “I gained a meaningful career. I help people daily and there’s a huge opportunity for growth,” says Deaunte. Association House is proud to continue serving people in the community, like Deaunte. We look forward to the future success of Bankwork$ graduates on the road to rewarding and life-changing careers. We would like to thank Boeing for making stories like Deaunte’s possible through their financial support of the BankWork$ program. Their considerable investment is helping build a more equitable future for BankWork$ graduates and their families. Boeing proudly supports innovative partnerships and programs that create value and help build better communities worldwide. This includes improving access to globally competitive learning as well as workforce and skills development and supporting military and veteran communities. Learn more about their impact on their website.

Henry is a Vocational Support Specialist in our Behavioral Health programs. He was born and raised here in Chicago as the son of two Ecuadorian immigrants. He is the uncle to his nephew and niece and purveyor of snacks and belly rubs to Rocky, his 14-year-old Yorkie. Before finding his way to Association House, Henry had a wide blanket of experiences. He drove trains for the CTA, studied Improv Comedy and performed at Chicago’s Second City Theater, and co-founded a non-profit where he got to work with many amazing organizations. What is your day-to-day like? "By title I am the ACT teams “Vocational Support Specialist” but, much like everyone else in the agency I wear many hats. You never really know what gift the day will hand you so it’s best to be on your toes and be prepared to shift. From in office appointments, home visits, medical appointments and even going shopping with participants each day offers a different experience." What have been some of your biggest accomplishments at Association House? "February will mark my first full year here at Association House so I’m hoping my biggest accomplishments are still ahead of me but for now my biggest accomplishments have been the rapport built with our participants and earning their trust. I hope to continue having their trust and being a safe space for them in their lives." What memories stand out from your time at Association House? "The teamwork, maybe it showed maybe it didn’t, when I first started this was a completely new setting to me, and any self-doubt I had was quickly washed away thanks to the great support from the staff at Association House especially the ACT Team. The Act Team really helped me feel comfortable in my role and in doing that allowed me to “spread my wings” as the saying goes." What would you say to someone who was thinking about working here or coming here as a participant? "To any future potential co-workers if you are flexible with your time and are up for the challenge come join the team. Working at Association House allows you to make a direct impact in peoples lives. You get to be a part of somebody’s journey to a better them, you can’t put a price on that."

There are many obstacles in life, but one Association House participant overcame a hurdle that most Americans take for granted – becoming a U.S. citizen. Leonides, born in Cocula, Mexico, moved to the United States when she was 9 years old. Leonides lost her mother in 2010. Consequently, she found herself in unstable living situations due to lack of family and resources here in the United States. Just three years ago, she came to Association House of Chicago where she thrived with stable housing and a supportive social and educational environment. She was happier, healthier, and began developing many new friendships. As part of these programs, she meets regularly with her case manager, Izamar, and the Community Connections Supervisor, Ana. With Izamar and Ana’s help, Leonides wanted to work toward one of her long-term dreams of becoming a U.S. citizen. They knew this was a daunting journey due to the scarcity of appointments, the lengthy process, and little to no guarantee of getting an initial appointment. However, the benefits outmatched the risk – healthcare, ability to work, take transit, travel, and more. Leonides was set on applying for U.S. citizenship. It was a huge decision to start the application, but both Izamar and Ana weren’t surprised in the least. They describe Leonides as intelligent, talented, funny, and hardworking. She is loved among her friends and never fails to put a smile on your face. As part of the LSE program, Leonides works on vocational functioning. “Me comienzo todos los días limpiar el baño de las niñas.” Leonides said. In English, “I started every day by cleaning the girls’ bathroom.” Leonides takes pride in her job, and says being able to work is one of her biggest motivators for applying for citizenship. So, Leonides, along with her case workers, were determined to do whatever it takes to help her get there. Leonides’ citizenship journey began in early 2020 when her case manager reached out to Centro Romero, a Latin American Legal Assistance Service Program. Centro Romero guided them through the citizenship process and submitted the correct paperwork and waiver form. This saved Leonides thousands of dollars in fees - a huge barrier for many people who are in the same position. Four months after submitting the paperwork, Leonides got a call for her first interview with the U.S. Office of Social Security. “Me sentí un poco nerviosa,” Leonides recalls. In English, “I felt a little nervous.” In the height of the pandemic, she did not want to miss her opportunity to move forward in the process. So, Leonides masked up and completed her first interview. Leonides waited one year and felt her journey might have come to an end. But, she continued on – telling jokes to her friends, having movie nights with her roommate, and keeping up with her favorite telenovelas. She made the best of the pandemic situation. One of her favorite memories was receiving her stimulus check and having to reschedule her doctor’s appointment to do some much-needed retail therapy. According to her case manager, she nearly emptied the store! It was a day she will never forget. Then one day, Leonides got the call she was hoping for! She had moved on to the next phase – fingerprinting and her final interview. Leonides and her case worker patiently waited three hours until a lawyer interviewed her. Leonides’ nerves were high, but she persevered through the 45-minute-long interview and left, not knowing when she would hear back. Not even a week later, Leonides was told to report to the courthouse to take the Naturalization Oath and become a United States citizen! There was no time to waste – Leonides and her case worker went straight to Burlington to find an outfit that was appropriate for such a momentous occasion. Leonides put on her brand new red dress with her high heels- which she’s since sworn off- and went downtown to the courthouse. She proudly took the Naturalization Oath, and her case manager snapped some pictures to commemorate the moment. You can’t help but notice Leonides’ huge smile in every picture. Leonides says that she is most excited to start working, and eventually travel back to her hometown in Mexico which she hasn’t visited in over a decade. Association House is so proud of Leonides and can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes her.

Association House CEO calls for greater BILPOC representation in politics. On October 22, Association House President and CEO Juan Carlos Linares joined WTTW’s Phil Ponce to discuss Latino representation in politics. Alongside him were Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) and Martha Soto, an attorney, and member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois. Juan Carlos proudly represented Association House and our partner organization, Illinois Latino Agenda. When asked about division between Latinx and other groups, Linares offered a powerful message: “This is an opportunity for us to say emphatically that black lives matter. It’s emphatically true that the lives of our Indigenous Latinos and Indigenous Native Americans have value, and they are the original fabric of our nation as well. So, this all goes to say that in my work day to day with the Association House of Chicago, we serve the gamut. So, yes, we are a proud Latino serving intuition, but 30% of whom we serve is African American. We’re all in this together. So, what’s good for the Latino community in Illinois is good for all Illinoisans.” To listen to the entire conversation,

Association House has been approved as a National Health Service Corps site. This means that many behavioral health staff are eligible to receive up to $50,000 to repay student loans. Eligible staff include Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), and Nurse Practitioners (NP). To learn more about eligibility and program requirements, visit the Nationl Health Service Corps website or email HR Director, Jaime Garcia, at jgarcia@associationhouse.org.

The decision to attend college is daunting for many high school graduates. Several factors make this process challenging, but cost is a top concern for students. To ease the burden of college tuition and costs, Association House High School awarded the second annual Harriet Sadauskas Educational Scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship recognized four Association House High School Alumni. This year's winners are a combination of new and old faces. Recent graduates, Emily Vijil and Damian Arevalo, joined the Sadauskas Scholarship Alumni group. Both awardees received $4,000 each to start their college career. Last year’s recipients, Alejandra Ramirez and Ashley Roman, each received $1,000 to continue funding their education. College seems impossible for many high school students in our community. With books and tuition on top of typical living expenses, most students simply can't afford it. So, after retiring as president, Harriet Sadauskas created the Sadauskas Educational Scholarship fund. Her goal is to help students focus on learning while relieving some of the financial burdens. As a lifelong learner, Harriet saw the importance of helping those who want to learn to take the next steps. Harriet says, "I'm so proud of the legacy this fund has created. By investing in our youth, we are opening the doors to new opportunities and such bright futures. There's nothing more rewarding that I could ask for." Applications for the scholarship open at the end of each school year. Students submit an essay and letters of recommendation from instructors and mentors. After reading through this year's application pool, the scholarship committee came to a decision. Four students stood out for their hard work and commitment to learning. Each recipient received a call on what seemed to be an ordinary summer evening. But to their surprise, it was a huge congratulations and lots of catching up. A few weeks later, Association House welcomed recipients to an intimate ceremony. Friendly faces from old teachers, mentors, staff, and new students greeted the awardees. A nice meal filled with great conversation followed the ceremony. The Harriet Sadauskas Educational Scholarship has made a significant impact in only two years. Scholarship committee members are excited to continue supporting the dreams of the awardees for years to come. Association House looks forward to all the amazing things these individuals will do. Once again, congratulations to Alejandra, Ashley, Damian, and Emily!

Association House works to address real need in our community. Now, McDonald’s is right alongside us, with funding and a helping hand. Recently, we received a $75,000 grant from the McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Program. And in September, 75 McDonald’s employees volunteered in-person. Together, they donated more than 375 hours of their time! "McDonald's has demonstrated true partnership in their commitment of time and funds. Their focus on youth opportunity is critical," Lillian Bui, Development Director, adds. Funding will support Association House High School and Workforce Development. The High School offers a pathway to graduation for students left behind by other schools. Workforce Development builds opportunity through job training and placement. Every day at Association House is abuzz with activity. So, there was no shortage of activities for McDonald’s volunteers to take part in. Several volunteers worked with the Community Health Program. They put together 240 hygiene kits and 300 condom kits to distribute to members of the community. Other volunteers painted the Child Welfare and Workforce Development waiting areas. They also painted the living room, dining room, and den in our Dulcinea home. Dulcinea provides housing for people recovering from severe mental illness. Fresh, bright colors will help participants feel at ease as they enter the building or their home. Outside, volunteers and High School students raced through Humboldt Park. All part of a lively photo scavenger hunt. These activities build school culture and foster connections. In the largest project, McDonald's volunteers and participants bonded over food and activity. One talented volunteer led the group in painting sunflowers on canvas. One at a time, they formed meaningful connections while creating something beautiful. Association House is grateful for McDonald’s for making our work possible. Volunteers were able to see first-hand how the Chicago Community Impact Grant will change thousands of lives. We look forward to all the amazing things this partnership will achieve.

As Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx Heritage begins, 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.This observance began in 1968, inspired by Latin American countries celebrating their independence days during this period and of the undeniable impacts Latinos/as have had on all aspects of U.S. society, including here at the House. From today through October 15th, the DEI Committee celebrates the stories 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 123 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 Hispanic/Latino(a)/Latinx Heritage Month 2022 and thank you again for your spirit and your contributions to the House and to our communities.

"My name is Emily Vazquez and Association House is a huge part of who I am today. My family worked here my entire life and I reaped the benefits of their work here at the House! Since I was a kid, my mom often brought me to the House, and while she worked, I'd spend many hours in the LSE classroom. There, I birthed my love for working with the Intellectual Disabilities population. When I was 18, I immediately worked for AHC as a residential staff, and returned a little over a year ago as a Community Health Instructor! Working as the Healthy Lifestyles and Mental Health First Aid instructor has taught me so much about myself and about the people we serve every day. The most important and enjoyable part about my job is creating connections and relationships with the people we serve. They come here for more than just services, they come to talk to people who CARE about their needs beyond the basics. Families from all over Chicago benefit from the kindness and the work we put in every day. The best part of working at Association House is truly seeing our participants feel like they have a “home” to come to when they need something. I’m grateful for growing up in a community that cares, it played a huge role in my life, and I returned to do the same for others!"

On August 6, Association House held its 16th Annual Back 2 School Fair. There was an incredible turnout of 536 people, with 376 kids who received backpacks filled with school supplies, 25 school-aged children who got haircuts, and 23 school-aged children who got their school physicals! In addition, dozens of families were connected to local resources through our community partners, who helped make this event possible. Thank you for all of your support that made this event a huge success!

Now that school is back in session, student mental health is a top priority for families across the country. Between school stressors, mental healthcare barriers and a global pandemic, student mental health is a cause for major concern. Association House staff shared their advice on supporting student mental health for the upcoming school year. Claudia Loza, School Based Counselor, and Tanya Wade, Clinical Director, led a virtual discussion called “How’s About: Student Mental Health in Schools.” Both of these Association House staff members have been crucial in implementing a school-based counseling grant across three schools here in Chicago, including Association House’s very own high school. These schools serve predominantly black and brown students who need extra support that traditional high schools don’t provide. “Our youth are often steering a boat without a paddle,” Claudia explains. As part of the school-based counseling initiative, counselors support students’ social and emotional development. In addition, counseling provides students with the education and awareness to destigmatize conversations around trauma, mental health, and wellness. “Essentially, we facilitate an ecosystem of care that builds community, creates brave spaces, and models healing,” Claudia says. Another crucial part of school-based counseling is relationship building with staff, teachers, students, and caregivers. These relationships are critical to allow students to become more comfortable, and ultimately switch gears from survival to healing. The conversation continued in a virtual event hosted by WBEZ titled, “Student Mental Health in Chicago Schools.” A panel of local mental health experts, including Association House’s Community Health Supervisor, Myra Rodriguez, answered questions from Chicago parents about student mental health. The panelists discussed several topics ranging from identifying mental health issues to cultural stigmas surrounding mental health. Myra emphasized healthy, nonjudgmental communication between parents and their children as the first step to tackling youth mental health. Myra highlighted the importance of having the knowledge and language to understand mental health. She recommended taking a Mental Health First Aid Training. This is a free resource offered at Association House to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. “When we’re talking about mental health disorders in young people, you want to tackle things early. You don’t want to wait for years to go by and then you’re trying to figure out things later into teenage years or adulthood…Families need to walk away understanding that recovery is possible,” Myra states. Mental health plays a significant role in a student’s happiness, health, and success during the school year. Association House advocates and provides services for mental health in the community. By taking advantage of these mental health resources, anyone can be an advocate for mental health whether that is for loved ones or beyond. **Watch Association House’s “How’s About: Mental Health in Schools” and WBEZ’s “Student Mental Health in Schools” to hear the entire conversation about student mental health and resources.