Friday, September 25, 2009

Thank you Chicago Tribune

Thanks to the Tribune for some excellent coverage about the need for support for families grappling with Alzheimer's disease. Shanthy Edward, Chicago Commons Director of Clinical Services and Community Relations is quoted several times.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Commons' role at the end of life

It is not something we want to think about, but an important new study was released today by the Alzheimer's Association.

It explains that the incidence of alzheimer's disease and dementia is increasing worldwide a rapid rate. We must intensify the search for a cure and treatments.

Chicago Commons Adult Day Service fills a crucial need while the search for a cure continues. Our center at 51st Street provides a safe environment for seniors during the day, allowing them to continue living at home with family and in their community.

Unfortunately, the state funding for this service has been declining, so this program has become a difficult one to fund.

In fact, over 10 Adult Day Service centers have closed in Chicago during the past decade. Things are moving in the wrong direction!

Chicago Commons has released a new video to highlight the importance of the program and the funding challenges it is facing. In the meantime, we are working with other Adult Day Centers to conduct a statewide study in order to secure both public and private investment in this important service.

NEW VIDEO ON CHICAGO COMMONS ADULT DAY SERVICE

Friday, September 18, 2009

RISE - ing


The new year has started and the RISE program is back underway. RISE stands for Raising Individual Success through Empowerment. High school students in RISE take part in paid internships, are paried with a mentor and feel the pride of holding down a job. Also, RISE participants go on college tours (see photo) and Commons provides help and guidance on selecting and applying to colleges.

Here are some great before and after stories that shows the power of work and discipline:

“Before the RISE program, you could say that I was literally a couch potato. I was not active. Everyday I would just wake up and watch television.” This students increased his GPA FROM A 1.8 TO A 2.97 and he started at Northern Illinois University this Fall!

Here’s another:

“Before RISE I Would REALLY slack off in school …. I would constantly look for a job, but constantly prayed not to find one. I was Lazy.” Now, he is attending University of Illinois Chicago on two scholarships.


We are keeping in touch with last year’s RISE graduates, so they can return to mentor future students. Although generation cycles of poverty seem so entrenched, all it takes is a commitment to education to create a positive cycle with a momentum of its own.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

School's In (almost)


Chicago Public Schools is back in session on Tuesday, Sept. 8th.

Of course, it is critical that children get to school on the first day and hit the ground running. Also, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) benefits financially because funding levels with State of Illinois are calculated based on first day attendance rate.
Chicago Commons is a key supporter of CPS, helping build support for schools at the neighborhood level.

Today, we gave away 100 backpacks with school supplies to families in West Humboldt Park. Thank you to State Farm for donating the backpacks and supplies!

Last week, we donated a van load of supplies to Alderman Burnett's Back to School rally.

Throughout this week we posted yard signs and distributed flyers in the neighborhood to make sure children attend the first day of school on September 8th.
And next week we welcome 700 children to start a new year at our full-day pre-schools.

All of our programs are educational, at root. Ultimately, we are building a culture of lifelong education in our neighborhoods. As we reach more and more families, that culture is starting to take root in the neighborhoods.







Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Tumbling Into Fall







What a treat last week! The Jesse White Tumblers performed at the NIA Family Center block party on a cool Friday afternoon. We were so pleased that Jesse White (IL Secretary of State) himself was there to supervise the team, as he often is. If you have never seen the tumblers, they are a sight to see, extremely talented. Thank you to the staff at NIA for organizing such an exciting block party for the neighborhood.