Roy and his husband pose with the keys to their new place! For over a decade, Roy has been turning to his friends at LUCHA when he's ready to find a place to call home. After moving to Chicago from Costa Rica 12 years ago, owning a property of his own seemed like a pipe dream-- but when his sister-in-law introduced him to the homebuying counselors at LUCHA, he realized he might be closer than he thought. Back in 2015, after taking one of LUCHA's First-Time Homebuyer Workshops and auditing his credit with one of our counselors, he was able to qualify for a mortgage that put hundreds of homes in Chicago within his reach. A condo in Bronzeville caught his eye-- a beautiful place in a neighborhood he loved, recently foreclosed, and priced at only $120,000. The team at LUCHA helped him find down payment relief options, and helped negotiate closing costs. In the end, he only paid $1,000 from his own pocket before he was able to close. The experience blew Roy away-- he had no idea of the resources available to homebuyers in his city, and he and his husband stayed in a home they adored for over 5 years. "But then the pandemic hit," Roy told us. "The building was starting to deteriorate and the HOA fees just kept getting higher even though we weren't seeing anything happen to justify it. We had no amenities, nobody was doing the maintenance we needed on the building." The pandemic years impacted homeowners this way all over the state. Illinois HOA fees rose nearly 30% from 2018 to 2025 despite the "deferred maintenance crisis" that Covid caused, where workers were so limited and supply prices were so high that important home upkeep projects were consistently delayed and often never completed. In 2021, Roy and his husband were forced to put their home on the market. Around the same time, Roy's mother got sick-- sending him back to Costa Rica to care for her and manage her affairs. When she passed away soon after, he returned to Chicago in grief, and unsure of what to do next. He and his husband rented in Edgewater, but Roy found himself missing his old neighborhood, and longing to put down roots somewhere all his own again. So, Roy called up Guille, his friend at LUCHA. He explained his situation and she advised him to come to the Homebuyer's Workshop once more, to figure out what his options really were. His credit was still strong, but home prices had skyrocketed since his last purchase, and the down payment was a big barrier. Within weeks, the team at LUCHA connected him with a down payment relief program that surpassed his expectations. The Chicago HomeGrown assistance program provided him with $70,000 in down payment support, and the bank providing his mortgage offered an additional $20,000. Over a decade after his last time working with LUCHA, he paid only $4,000 out-of-pocket from start to finish to secure his home closing. "It was amazing," Roy told us. "I feel so lucky. My mom was in heaven helping me and the angels down here on Earth were too. Everyone was so supportive, and now I'm talking to you from the dining room in my new place!" Roy's back in Bronzeville now, the neighborhood that he always felt most at home in. When we asked Roy how he'd felt the process had changed from a decade ago, he told us how impressed he was that LUCHA made everything feel so doable despite the chaos of the housing market. "I wasn't expecting it to happen so fast," he said. "My mom passed in June, I came back home, and I closed on my place by September. That only happens when you have good people by you. I don't have the words to say how grateful I am." Today, Roy feels excited to be back in Bronzeville as it's starting a bit of a renaissance-- the opening of the Obama Center is boosting interest, inviting new business and development nearby. He's thrilled to be in the middle of it all alongside his husband as he gears up for retirement in a few years. "I'm telling you, I'm gonna volunteer for LUCHA once I'm retired," he told us with a laugh. "I tell people about you all the time! I tell people to just show up to a workshop. Don't be scared, don't be disappointed if your situation doesn't seem perfect. They're going to help you get there no matter what it takes." ■

Stanley (left) celebrates his foster son Frederick's high school graduation. Frederick was only 5 years old the last time he'd seen his Uncle Stanley: but 10 years later, when he needed him most, he was there. When Fred's parents separated, he lost touch with Stanley and the rest of his father's side of the family, spending his childhood in the care of his mother. Through the grapevine, Stanley caught bits of his nephew's life as he grew older-- his success in school, his love of math and science, his kind nature. But he also knew Fred's mother was struggling, living with a mental health condition that was worsening, and beginning to interfere with her ability to provide the right environment for her son. As Stanley describes it, Fred's mother was loving, attentive, and dedicated to his future-- but it was impossible to give so much of herself while receiving so little of the help she needed. This difficult situation came to a head in 2022 when Stanley received a call from the police station that Fred needed somewhere safe to go. "It had been so long since I'd seen him, but he was family then, and he's family now," Stanley told us. "He belonged with us." Frederick celebrates graduation with his sister. At 15, with the help of case managers at Association House, Frederick became Stanley's first foster child. In the face of such an unexpected family upheaval, during such a pivotal year in his life, Stanley says he was blown away by his nephew's resilience. "When you meet him, you can tell the qualities he was raised with," Stanley said. "His values and his heart are just in the right place. We were blessed to have him with us and give him some stability so he didn't lose those things." In the 4 years that followed, Fred stayed committed to the things he'd loved before coming to stay with his uncle. He followed his interest in STEM and participated in competitive robotics, preserving his passions even as he endured such significant changes at home. "He's a genius!" Stanley told us. "I love how seriously he takes this stuff." But keeping his dreams alive took some doing. The schools in Fred's new home district didn't offer the programs and extracurriculars he was looking for, so Association House stepped in to help him commute to the school he'd been attending-- facilitating transit and helping to cover costs through state relief funds available to foster children. One of Frederick's self-built robotics projects! Through this support, Fred didn't need to start over at a new school in addition to all the other changes he was going through. This may seem like an obvious comfort to provide a child in Fred's situation-- but 65% of youth in care are forced to change schools more than 7 times. It's no surprise that foster children's high school graduation rate is 35% lower than the general population. "He's wise beyond his years," says Elisa, Fred's foster care case manager. "He's only 18 but he comes off so collected and in control. He made what he needed and wanted really clear, and we were able to help him out." In addition to helping with his school commute, the House's foster care team was able to secure him a tablet computer for school, and for his own personal 3-D modeling designs. Stanley credits the House's foster care team with removing those extra pressures. "The program at Association House gets two thumbs up from me," he told us. "There can be so many hoops to jump through and I was really impressed with how they made it look easy." One of Fred's 3-D creations. Today, Stanley is proud of the role he played in keeping Fred on the right path. This past August, Frederick began the Mechanical Engineering program at UIC. He's decided to live on campus while he pursues his degree, and Stanley couldn't be happier to see him giving his future his all. His case worker Elisa was honored to get a 3-D printed gift from Fred on move-in day. "His first case manager used to call him her boy genius," she said. "We all used to watch videos of the robots he built that could climb walls and stuff, we were so impressed." Fred's 3-D creation now lives on Elisa's desk. Frederick smiles on move-in day before he starts his Engineering program at UIC. “I’m amazed. It’s like, mission accomplished. A kid going through such an event at such a difficult age, there’s no way to avoid some trauma. But he rose to the challenge. He prioritized the right things.” When we asked Stanley what advice he'd have to someone beginning an unexpected journey of fostering like he did, his answer was simple: "When he came into our family, we put love into his life— he saw that in the way we cared for him. Welcoming him, teaching him the importance of faith, of family, of love. It shows in what he’s been able to accomplish," he said. "Come into the process with an open mind and open heart. That’s all you can do." ■

The Association House Auxiliary Board knows how to throw a party — but they also know how to turn a night of dancing, networking, and fun into meaningful support for their neighbors. At this year's Summer Soirée, nearly 50 guests gathered at El Cid in Logan Square and raised nearly $7,500 in direct support of Association House programs. The annual end-of-summer bash brought together young professionals from across Chicago for an evening of margaritas, Mexican fare, dancing, and a little friendly competition at the raffle table. Guests had the chance to win an exciting lineup of prizes, including a Nintendo Switch 2, Blackhawks tickets, a private dance class, and more. Of course, the highlight of the night was hitting the dance floor. Guests learned the basics of salsa from instructor Lisa La Boriqua before putting their new skills to work with partners — and, in the process, meeting new people and making new friends. Over the years, the Summer Soirée has become more than just an Association House event. The Auxiliary Board has truly made it their own, bringing their creativity, connections, and professional networks together in service of the House's mission. This year, Auxiliary Board members helped coordinate an incredible collection of in-kind raffle donations, giving guests even more ways to get involved while helping turn their generosity into direct support for Association House programs. They also invited colleagues and friends from across their professional networks — including finance, healthcare, communications, and more — to join them for the evening. That spirit of connection is at the heart of what the Auxiliary Board does. By bringing together people with different careers, experiences, and skills, they are building a community committed to helping Association House enable each participant's full participation in the life of their families, communities, and society. And they're proving that giving back doesn't have to mean giving up a good time. Whether they're organizing a fundraiser, volunteering at a community event, or simply bringing a friend along to learn more about the House, the Auxiliary Board is finding new ways to make an impact — together. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up, danced, donated, raffled, networked, and helped make this year's Summer Soirée such a success. Most of all, we're grateful to our Auxiliary Board for continuing to turn their professional and personal connections into opportunities for our community. Here's to another year of giving back, growing together, and having a little fun along the way! ■ -- Want to learn how to get involved at the House through volunteering or joining the Auxiliary Board? Discover more at associationhouse.org/get-involved.

Students of our Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship got an inside look at careers in substance use recovery, peer mentorship, mobile crisis response, and more. This year, Association House partnered with Cook County Health to create and pilot a new Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship, helping make careers in behavioral health more accessible to people across Chicago. The pilot was created in response to a growing need for behavioral health workers—and a need to connect more people with career paths they may never have encountered before. For people interested in helping others, the field offers many opportunities, from substance use recovery and peer support to case management and mobile crisis response. But without a chance to learn what those jobs actually involve, knowing where to begin can be a challenge. The Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship was designed to help bridge that gap. Over five weeks, participants got a broad look at the behavioral health field. They learned about mental health and trauma, built practical workplace skills, earned Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid certifications, and gained firsthand experience with behavioral health programs and careers. Association House was uniquely suited to offer that big-picture view. Our building is home to a wide range of behavioral health services, allowing participants to see several sides of the field in one place. Through our partnerships with organizations including Family Guidance Center and UCAN, we also created opportunities for participants to explore careers and services beyond Association House. Behavioral Health Director Tanya Wade (right) helped design and instruct the pre-apprenticeship for these grads! “We really wanted participants to know what it looks like to be in behavioral health systems in any capacity,” says Tanya Wade, Director of Association House’s Clinical Operations. “Wherever we couldn't show it in our building, we developed partnerships that could provide hands-on experiences and potential paths to employment.” Rather than preparing participants for just one type of job, the Pre-Apprenticeship gave them the chance to discover where their interests and strengths might fit. “What we heard over and over again was how much this program really helped our participants understand empathy, their mental health and trauma,” Tanya says. Participants were able to connect what they learned—and what they had experienced in their own lives—to possible career paths. Across its first year, the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship graduated nearly 50 participants, earning certifications and gaining a clearer understanding of the career paths available to them. Several graduates went on to secure jobs in behavioral health or advance in their existing careers after completing the program and earning their certifications. For Clark, the pre-apprenticeship led directly to a new career. When Clark began looking for work after college, he had never heard of behavioral health. After meeting Association House staff at a local job fair, he learned about the Pre-Apprenticeship and enrolled. The program introduced him to peer support, a field that quickly caught his interest. “The class was always exciting to go through,” Clark says. “Ms. Shawny and Ms. Tanya always brought so much good energy into the class.” He especially valued learning skills such as active listening and setting boundaries—skills he says he can use both at work and in everyday life. Our second graduating cohort of the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship discovered new career paths together. While enrolled in the Pre-Apprenticeship, Clark was connected with Family Guidance Center through Association House. That connection led directly to his first job in behavioral health, where he now works as a Support Specialist in peer support. “I didn't have any background in this field at all, but I got a job through the connection with Association House,” Clark says. Clark’s story shows what can happen when people are given access to opportunities they may never have encountered on their own. He entered the program without knowing behavioral health was a career option. He left with a better understanding of the field, new skills, professional connections and a job in a career he enjoys. That is the larger promise of the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship: putting education, experience and career connections into the hands of people who may not otherwise have a way into the field. By helping participants understand the work before choosing a path, the program can make behavioral health careers feel more visible—and more attainable—to a wider range of people. For Clark, the advice is simple for anyone considering that first step: “Go in with an open-hearted and open mind, ready to learn something.” As Association House reflects on the first year of the pilot, the experience has shown the value of creating new ways for community members to discover their potential—and for Chicago’s behavioral health workforce to welcome new talent, perspectives and lived experiences. ■

LUCHA is entering an exciting new chapter! As we build on our long history of community-rooted work, we are looking ahead to new opportunities to strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing stability, and build a more equitable Chicago.  With this vision in mind, we are thrilled to welcome Rosa Y. Ortiz, AICP, LEED AP, MUPP, as LUCHA’s new Co-Executive Director. Bringing more than 25 years of experience in urban planning, architecture, real estate development, housing, and community engagement, Rosa is well-positioned to guide LUCHA into this exciting next chapter. "Rosa is a highly-collaborative leader with a strong track record of projects deeply rooted in community. We are thrilled to welcome her to LUCHA." -Lillian Bui, Co-Executive Director of LUCHA Born in Mexico City and a Chicago resident for more than 40 years, Rosa brings a bilingual and bicultural perspective to her work, along with a deep appreciation for the histories, identities, and assets that make Chicago’s neighborhoods unique. Trained as both an architect and urban planner, she has built her career around creating more equitable, connected communities and strengthening the cultural, historic, and social fabric of neighborhoods. As the Founder and Principal of 3e.Studio, Rosa has led complex, community-centered initiatives engaging thousands of residents and has developed three neighborhood-wide Quality of Life Plans focused on issues including affordable housing, environmental sustainability, public safety, arts and education, parks, and economic development. She is a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Transit Authority, where she works to advance initiatives connecting transit, jobs, and housing across Chicago and the region; and was recently appointed to new board positions with PACE and NITA. Rosa’s career has also included senior leadership roles with the City of Chicago Department of Housing, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation. As Rosa joins LUCHA’s leadership team, we are excited for the next chapter and grateful to everyone who continues to make our work possible. ■

Last year, Mary celebrated 7 years on the Association House staff. While working with us, she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The best investment we can make in our community is investing in the people who serve it. Every year, Association House staff participate in professional development opportunities that help them sharpen their skills, deepen their expertise and grow as leaders. This year, that commitment led to some remarkable milestones, from advanced clinical licenses to specialized counseling certifications that are already making an impact for participants. For Behavioral Health Supervisor Mary, professional development has been part of a much longer journey—one that began long before she joined the staff. A participant at Association House before becoming an employee nearly nine years ago, Mary continued pursuing higher education while working full time. She earned her associate's degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree in social work before completing nearly two years of clinical supervision and passing the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam on her very first attempt. Mary is one of the most familiar faces at the House. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout graduate school wasn't easy, but Mary says one advantage was already having years of real-world experience working with participants. "I was already doing the work," she said. "I had the experiential knowledge, I had the practical employment knowledge, and then I got the educational knowledge." Today, Mary's LCSW allows her to practice independently, review and approve clinical documentation, and begin building a private therapy practice alongside her work at Association House. But even with those new responsibilities, she continues seeking supervision and learning from colleagues—a reflection of the growth mindset that's guided her career from the very beginning. Her story has come full circle. After first walking through Association House's doors as a participant, she now helps lead the very kind of care that once supported her own recovery—proof that investing in staff growth doesn't just strengthen careers; it creates leaders who understand firsthand the impact compassionate services can have. That same commitment to growth and service inspired Visions Coordinator and Counselor Lawrence to pursue his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential this year. Lawrence brings something especially meaningful to his role: lived experience. Now nearly two decades into his own recovery journey, he knows firsthand the courage it takes for participants to walk through the doors of the Visions Substance Use Disorder Program. "Eighteen years ago, I made a conscious decision to say, 'In order for me to change my life, I have to change the way I think,'" Lawrence said. Lawrence is a source of inspiration for the substance use recovery participants he serves. Recovery transformed the course of his life. After becoming active in the recovery community and volunteering for four years at Association House, he eventually joined the organization as a staff member. Today, he helps participants navigate substance use treatment through a harm reduction approach rooted in empathy rather than judgment. Earning his CADC strengthened the work he was already passionate about, giving him another tool to support participants as they work toward recovery. But for Lawrence, credentials have never been the ultimate goal. "I don't want to be part of a system that just shuffles people through because of paperwork," he said. "I need to be able to make a difference, but I need to also see the difference that I'm making." Those moments come in many forms: a participant rebuilding relationships with family, maintaining sobriety, finding stable housing, or simply beginning to believe that a different future is possible. "When you see the gleam in their eyes, when you hear the sincerity in their voice, that's when you know something has changed," Lawrence said. Having broken a multigenerational cycle of addiction in his own family, Lawrence understands that every participant's success has a ripple effect far beyond the individual. "There is life within recovery," he said. Like Lawrence, Behavioral Health Counselor Jacqueline earned her CADC while serving participants in the Visions program, where she combines clinical expertise with a deeply person-centered approach to care. Although Jacqueline had long planned to become a therapist, substance use counseling wasn't originally the path she expected to take. While in graduate school, she entered the field through a specialized program and quickly realized she'd found her calling. "I almost fell into it, but ended up being really passionate about that specialization," she said. "I realized I have a lot of personal experience with it, and it's a lot more prevalent than people even realize. I think it's important to bring awareness to it." Jacqueline leads group substance use counseling in our Visions program. While studying for the CADC exam, Jacqueline was simultaneously putting those lessons into practice with Visions participants every day—a combination she says made both her work and her certification stronger. Today, her master's degree in counseling psychology and CADC credential allow her to approach participants from both a mental health and substance use perspective. She says those two disciplines are inseparable. "It's not one or the other—they work together," Jacqueline said. "Having both perspectives allows me to view each person more holistically." That philosophy shapes everything from the groups she facilitates to one-on-one counseling sessions. One lesson has stayed with her throughout her education: "Focusing on the person and meeting them where they're at," rather than trying to "fix" someone or decide what recovery should look like for them. Working at Association House, she says, makes that person-centered approach even stronger. "I think that's the best thing," Jacqueline said of the organization's holistic services. "People are able to explore resources for jobs, housing and continuing mental health care. It's a holistic program versus just focusing on substance use." Mary and other members of the Behavioral Health team celebrating at least 5 years of service with the House. Whether it's achieving independent clinical licensure after years of dedication or earning specialized counseling credentials that deepen their impact with participants, each of these accomplishments reflects something bigger than individual milestones. Professional development at Association House isn't just about checking a box or adding credentials after a name. It's about strengthening the people who strengthen our communities. Every certification earned, every new skill developed and every new perspective gained ultimately comes back to the participants who walk through our doors looking for opportunity, support and hope. ▪

This summer, LUCHA welcomed Haley Aldrich as part of the Illinois Housing Council Emerging Leaders Internship Program (ELIP), a new initiative designed to prepare the next generation of affordable housing professionals through hands-on experience with housing organizations across Illinois. A graduate student at the University of Chicago pursuing dual master's degrees in Social Work, Social Policy, Social Administration & Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management, Hailey came to Chicago with a passion for connecting homelessness advocacy and affordable housing. We recently sat down with Hailey to learn more about what brought her to LUCHA, what she's learned through the internship, and why she's excited about the future of affordable housing in Chicago: What excited you about LUCHA? Hailey: I moved to Chicago last August to pursue my master's at the University of Chicago. My background is in homelessness advocacy—I worked directly with people experiencing homelessness, particularly at the intersection of gender-based violence and housing instability, and later moved into legal and policy advocacy. I think there is room for the homelessness advocacy world and affordable housing developers to connect on a deeper level, learn from one another, and collaborate to expand access to affordable housing in a way that centers the communities they serve. A fellowship introduced me to the Illinois Housing Council, which led me to the Emerging Leaders Internship Program. I already knew a little about LUCHA through community organizing work, but once I learned more about LUCHA's history—and saw that "Housing is a Human Right" is literally part of its identity—it just felt like the right fit. Learning about LUCHA's partnership with Association House made it an even stronger fit. Bringing affordable housing together with organizations already providing direct services to residents is incredibly smart, and it's exactly the kind of collaborative model I believe in. Hailey at the Illinois State Capitol at an advocacy day with the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness What makes Chicago such an exciting place to do this work? Hailey: Chicago feels like a place where these conversations are happening in a really meaningful way. There's a shared understanding that affordable housing and homelessness require local, community-driven solutions. I was especially drawn to the University of Chicago's social work program because it emphasizes work at the individual, community, and policy levels. Community organizing sits right at that intersection, and that's exactly where I want my career to be. There's still plenty of work to do, but Chicago feels like a city that's willing to ask difficult questions and invest in finding better solutions. What has your internship looked like so far? Hailey: It's been a little bit of everything, which I really appreciate. I've been sitting in on weekly construction meetings and learning the technical side of affordable housing development—everything from funding sources and financial documents to understanding projects in both pre-development and construction phases. At the same time, a huge part of my work has been documenting LUCHA's institutional history. I've been interviewing residents, former executive directors, current and former board members, and longtime staff to better understand how the organization has evolved over nearly 45 years. Hailey and Christian (left), one of her LUCHA internship program mentors. What I find really interesting is that many affordable housing developers focus primarily on development itself, but LUCHA has always balanced that technical expertise with deep community organizing. Seeing how those two priorities have worked together over time has been fascinating. I've also had the opportunity to connect with Association House staff to think about how services can become even more integrated for LUCHA residents. Every week feels different, and I feel like I'm getting to experience every side of the work. Have any conversations stood out during your interviews? Hailey: One thing that keeps coming up is how long people stay connected to LUCHA. It seems like once people enter LUCHA's orbit, they tend to stay there because the organization approaches its work in such a thoughtful and community-centered way. It's been really inspiring to see how LUCHA continues to evolve while staying true to its mission. Where do you see momentum in affordable housing, and where is there still work to do? Hailey: I'm encouraged by organizations that are thinking beyond the standard 30-year affordability timeline and asking what housing can look like 100 years from now. Groups like the Here to Stay Community Land Trust are helping push those conversations forward, and I'd love to see more long-term thinking become the norm. I also think there's still an opportunity for affordable housing organizations and homelessness advocates to work more closely together. Those fields have so much in common, and if they continue aligning around shared goals, they'll become an even stronger force for change. Hailey and the rest of the LUCHA team celebrate at a community gathering event for our newest housing project, La Herencia. What advice would you give to future LUCHA interns? Hailey: Say yes to as many opportunities as you can. There are so many people at LUCHA and Association House who are incredibly knowledgeable and well connected. Every meeting, every site visit, every conversation is a chance to learn something you didn't expect. In just 12 weeks, I feel like I'm getting so much more out of this experience than I ever imagined. I'd recommend this internship to anyone interested in affordable housing or community development. ■ -- Learn more about LUCHA at lucha.org.

Today is Hope for Homes Day, a statewide initiative to end homelessness and spread fair housing in Illinois. Together with LUCHA, Association House is leading the charge for equitable housing development in Chicago, and for breaking barriers for what an affordable housing community can look like. Today, we're asking our community to join in by making a donation to support resident services at our properties. We are raising $3,000 to continue connecting our tenants with life-changing programs that make LUCHA homes not just a place to live, but a place to thrive. Your support helps families like the Lopez family find peace of mind. When rising rent and unsafe living conditions threatened to force Angeles, her husband, and their young son out of the neighborhood they loved, they weren't sure where to turn. Then came a call that changed everything: they had been selected for a three-bedroom apartment at Encuentro Square. Now, instead of worrying about where they'll live, they're planning for the future they once thought was out of reach. Today, Angeles and her family live in a home filled with safety, joy, and hope. That is the impact of your generosity. Please make your Hope for Homes Day gift today and help more families find a place where they can truly thrive! Donate or discover more about Hope for Homes Day below. We thank our giving community for their incredible generosity as always!

In an unprecedented year of federal funding instability, our giving community came through like never before at this year's Faces of Hope gala. Association House's biggest night of the year completely sold out, and our 260 guests pledged over $270,000 of support for our programs. The warmth and kindness in the air was infectious, and the impact of these donations can't be overstated. This year, we highlighted the work of our Workforce Development programs, inviting graduates from our Culinary and Technology programs to serve up delicious gourmet hors d'oeuvres and tell our guests all about the doors the House was able to open for them. This amazing crowd braved a wild thunderstorm to show up for the House, and we couldn't be more grateful! During Faces of Hope, we welcomed 26 new members to the Good Deeds Society, bringing our community of monthly donors to 82 members strong. Together, these dedicated supporters are creating lasting impact and helping ensure Association House can respond to our community's needs year-round. From trauma-informed mental health care and academic support for students to workforce development and job training, Good Deeds Society members make it possible for Association House to respond to urgent challenges while creating pathways to long-term success. The night was made extra-special by inspiring words from our Spirit of Hope honorees, whose work has made huge strides in violence reduction & workforce development possible. Lori Crowder at ALSO, Esther Franco-Payne with the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership all received awards for their organizing efforts in our community, celebrated by the people whose lives they've touched. Plus, we debuted Simmer, a short film showcasing the impact of Association House’s Workforce Development programs. Through Melinda’s journey, viewers see the determination, growth, and support that help individuals create new opportunities for themselves and their families. Check it out below! Each year, more than 7,000 people turn to Association House for resources, guidance, and a path forward. Behind every participant is a story of resilience and possibility. Thank you for helping make these stories possible and for investing in a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. ■

Instructor Casey leads in-person and online tech classes, but is also available as a resource for self-guided at-home learners. Whether you're changing careers, re-entering the workforce, or simply looking to stay competitive in today's job market, learning new technology skills can open doors. Thanks to partnerships with Google, Coursera, and the Hispanic Federation, Association House is making those opportunities more accessible than ever with a growing lineup of free technology training programs designed to help Chicagoans gain in-demand skills on their own schedule—or alongside an instructor. This quarter, Association House is expanding its self-guided technology offerings to include professional certificate programs in Cybersecurity, Project Management, Data Analytics, IT Support, Digital Marketing, and UX Design. Participants can begin these online courses anytime, learning at their own pace while earning industry-recognized credentials from Google and Coursera at no cost. For Eric, the new self-guided IT Support certificate came at exactly the right moment. After several years piecing together income through warehouse work, gig economy jobs, and day labor, Eric knew he needed a way to strengthen his resume while pursuing a much bigger goal: launching his own consulting business. "I'm an aspiring entrepreneur," he said. "I have the foundation for a consulting firm, and this certification gives me leverage in every aspect of my job search and my career goals." Determined to make the most of the opportunity, Eric devoted himself fully to the course. "It felt good to finish this," he said. "It was very comprehensive, and challenging at times, but I could see how it could be the perfect launchpad for the next phase of my career." The skills he gained are already helping him expand the services he hopes to offer future clients, particularly around Google technologies and artificial intelligence. With one certification complete, he's already planning his next step through Association House's Digital Marketing certificate. For those who prefer in-person instruction, the House has plenty of offerings. His advice for future students is simple: "If I can do it, you can do it. If you've got a little bit of time to commit, it's worth it because you can learn, get the ball rolling, and start heading in the right direction." While self-guided learning offers maximum flexibility, Association House also continues to provide instructor-led technology classes for learners who thrive with scheduled instruction and personalized support. Current instructor-led offerings include Digital Skills for Career Growth, Microsoft Office Skills, and Senior Planet, a technology program designed specifically for adults age 50 and older. Courses are available both in person and remotely, allowing students to choose the learning environment that works best for them. For Sylvia, those classes became an opportunity to invest in herself after unexpectedly losing her position with the federal government. "I thought this was the perfect time to really work on some professional development," she said. "I wanted to stay up to date and strengthen my resume." Although she'd used Microsoft Word and Outlook for years, the classes still surprised her. "I learned a lot of new different things," she said. "There were so many different settings and options that I didn't even know existed." Sylvia earned her Microsoft Office Specialist certifications while preparing for administrative positions and nonprofit work, but she says the biggest difference came from the learning environment itself. "Casey never made anyone feel bad for asking questions," she said. "That made it a really comfortable environment to learn in." She's already planning to continue through the remaining Microsoft Office courses and encourages others not to be intimidated. Whether you're looking to pivot into a new career, sharpen existing skills, or earn credentials that help your resume stand out, Association House's technology training programs are designed to help you take that next step. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with instructor-led technology classes beginning each quarter. Self-guided certificate programs can be started at any time, allowing participants to begin learning whenever they're ready. Ready to invest in your future? Enroll today and discover how free technology training at Association House can help you build the skills—and confidence—for what's next.

The weather moved us indoors, but that didn't stop us from having a blast! For 20 years, the Association House Back 2 School Fair has been a vital tradition in Humboldt Park, providing hundreds of students and families with the support they need to make each school year better than the last. This year was no exception: together, we provided backpacks full of new school supplies to over 400 students in our community. Reaching this milestone is the result of some truly inspiring teamwork both within Association House and from our unwavering supporters! This year's Back 2 School Fair reached 650 kids and their loved ones, topping last year's attendance despite a day full of thunderstorms. This just goes to show the ongoing need for this event: parents are expected to spend an average of $794 per student on back-to-school supplies this year, up 7% from last year. Rain or shine, families in our community count on Association House to set them up for success. Over a dozen community partners joined us to provide resources for our families. Over a dozen community partners joined us on August 15 to provide resource information to families, from job search support, to criminal record expungement, to affordable care for pets. This special day embodies the spirit of Association House: one place where Chicagoans can have as many of their needs met as possible. Even with the stormy weather, we still had a blast saying farewell to summer with an interactive balloon & bubble show, music, snacks, and a raffle featuring brand-new bikes & e-scooters! We loved inviting kids & teens from our neighborhood to celebrate; and especially loved seeing familiar faces another year older and ready to take on a new school year. Thanks to everyone who joined us, to our volunteers, and to our corporate and community partners for their support. We'll see you again next year! ■

McDonald's corporate volunteers after a day of hard work at our Borinquen Bella affordable housing property. Every year, our friends at the McDonald's Corporation come to Association House on a mission: to dedicate their day to improving the lives of our participants through hands-on service projects! This year was dedicated to beautifying our public spaces to be as welcoming and colorful as our community deserves, and our volunteers did not disappoint. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and gave their time to make our spaces brighter, more welcoming, and more reflective of the community we serve. Association House first moved to its building on Kedzie in 1997 to accomodate its rapidly growing programs: more and more people in Chicago needed our help and we needed a large enough space to welcome them all. The building had originally been a hospital and psychiatric facility, so we had our work cut out for us transforming the space to reflect the quality and dignity of the programs we offer. With our volunteers' help, our building is more colorful and friendly than ever, a reflection of the diverse community celebrating wins every day within our walls. Our main elevator lobby now sports a fresh coat of maroon paint, and a hand-drawn mural that represents all the life-changing services offered at the House, from child welfare, to alternative high school, to affordable housing. New greenery and leather seating also livened up the space. At our Borinquen Bella affordable housing property, another group of volunteers installed a kids' play area for our tenants, plus applied fresh paint to entrances, exits, and hallways for a clean and refreshed look. Elsewhere at the House, our Holt Hall community gathering space got a facelift: a lush purple accent wall, an Association House history display, new pop-up banners to show off our services, and plants for our presentation area. Holt Hall hosts many of our graduation ceremonies, community events, and partner presentations: now, it's a bright and dynamic space no matter the occasion. At Association House High School, our volunteers decorated an unused space for one-on-one student counseling, providing a private and familiar space for our students to develop their post-graduation plans, navigate conflict, or receive counseling. Plus, volunteers got the chance to spend quality time with our participants, learning about the services we provide and leading fun activities to give them a special day at the House. We're especially thankful that their day of service wasn't just about improving our spaces—it was also an opportunity to connect directly with the people who call Association House home. One of our groups baked pineapple upside-down cakes together with our Psychosocial Rehabilitation participants, then delivered them to our hard-working renovation crews around the building as a sweet treat for their hard work. Volunteers transformed an unused space at Association House High School into a counseling room. We are so grateful to have the support of such a dedicated and compassionate group of people! The impact our volunteers made in a single day will last for years. We can't wait to welcome them back again! As we put the finishing touches on all the new work around the building, we're so excited for our community to check out our bold and colorful new look.