tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28109881550411076242024-03-13T05:38:45.534-07:00Chicago CommonsNews and happenings at and around Chicago Commons, a neighborhood service organization focused on Chicago neighborhoods facing the greatest challenges.Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-22380385213481644742013-06-13T13:01:00.003-07:002013-06-13T13:01:18.004-07:00Start young, get parents involved<span style="color: #3d3c3c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We support Chicago Public Schools’ call for parental involvement in education in its five-year action plan [“Byrd-Bennett wants to get CPS students prepared for college,” June 10].</span><br />
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We know from more than a century of work in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods that parental involvement is an integral part of the student success equation.</div>
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What Chicago Commons’ parents may lack in resources, they make up for in will and commitment: 100 percent of our early education parents participate in twice-a-year home visits designed to ensure that learning continues at home and complements school-based teaching. Another key driver is monthly parent committee meetings run by the parents themselves.</div>
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When parents have a voice and are empowered to use it, children’s lives are transformed.</div>
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Our children heading to kindergarten in the fall demonstrate that success is possible: 91 percent exceeded readiness in literacy; 90 percent exceeded readiness in social, emotional and gross motor skills; 89 percent exceeded readiness in the language and cognitive domains; and 81 percent exceeded readiness in math.</div>
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When we create a support system committed to education at every touchpoint in a child’s life, students succeed, and so do our communities and our city.</div>
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<span class="body.bold" style="font-weight: bold;">Betsy Altman,</span></div>
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Interim Executive Director, Chicago Commons</div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-2233734102986015862013-06-06T14:11:00.002-07:002013-06-06T14:12:47.518-07:00Chicago Commons' Annual MeetingOn June 11th, Chicago Commons will host its Annual Meeting at Zed 451 to celebrate 118 years of service in Chicago.<br />
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In 1897 we opened one of Chicago's first kindergartens. Today, more than a century later, we serve more than 3,000 individuals impacting nearly 10,000 families by providing child care, youth programming, adult education and senior services. <br />
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We invite you to join us next Tuesday at Zed 451 at 5:30 p.m.. Zed 451 is located at 739 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654. To RSVP contact Erin Cross at crosse@chicagocommons.org or call (773) 826-3771.<br />
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Ivan Medina, Clinical Instructor at Loyola's School or Social Work will give a public talk on "The Challenge of Staying Mission Driven in Changing Environments".<br />
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Complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Free shuttle service is available for pick-up and drop-off within the city. Please let us know if you would like to use this complimentary service in your RSVP.<br />
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We look forward to seeing you June 11th.<br />
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Erin C.<br />
Agency Communications CoordinatorChicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-62885130255194369842013-05-20T08:26:00.003-07:002013-05-20T13:53:04.909-07:00Preschool Education Community ForumO<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">n June 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
Commons will partner with <a href="http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/" target="_blank">Catalyst Chicago</a> in presenting <i>Preschool
Education: The Latest in Policy and Practice</i>. This community forum
will feature a panelist discussion on emerging policies and best practices in
early childhood education. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Panelist
include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nancy
Radner, Director of Illinois Policy, Ounce of Prevention Fund<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carlos
Fortenberry, Director of Early Learning Programs, Illinois Action for Children<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nathalis
Reyes, Preschool for All Teach Coach, Illinois Action for Children<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jan
Stepto-Millett, Vice President of Early Childhood Services, Children’s Home and
Aid<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cynthia
Hill, Family Engagement Coordinator, Children’s Home and Aid<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The forum
begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be held at Chicago Commons’ Paulo Freire Family
Center located at 1653 West 43<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> Street near Ashland. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more
information, contact Erin Cross at (773) 826-3771 or email </span><a href="mailto:crosse@chicagocommons.org"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">crosse@chicagocommons.org</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span>-Erin Cross</div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-22096973543757205752013-05-17T18:37:00.000-07:002013-05-21T07:39:51.878-07:00Assistant of the Year<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;"><i>Assistant of the Year</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;">Known to most as </span><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;"><i>Bubbles </i></span><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;">for her bubbling personality, Ethel Watts was all smiles on Wednesday when she was named “Assistant of the Year” by Chicago Commons’ Home Care. Nominated by her supervisor, Marketta Bryant for her initiative, quality of work and reliability, Ethel has more than satisfied her role as Home Care Assistant.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;">Clients praise Bubbles for her attentiveness and compassion in going out of her way to make them feel comfortable in their home. Even to the point of purchasing cleaning supplies and décor to create a smile on her client’s face. She also ensures that the cleaning is done properly by asking her clients how they desire tasks to be accomplished.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;">Aside from her nurturing and professional demeanor, Ethel took a six-week computer course to help her locate additional resources for her clients. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT,sans-serif;">We congratulate Ms. Ethel Watts on a job well done.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Cary Crawford</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;">Vice President of Senior Care</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gill Sans MT;"></span> </div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-30855119744901793102013-05-02T22:38:00.002-07:002013-05-03T05:14:03.937-07:00The Age of Networks<br />
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We live in the age of networks. </div>
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An important survey of human services trends, <a href="http://alliance1.org/disruptive-forces-execsumm">Disruptive Forces</a>,
describes the need to brand causes rather than organizations. Related to this is the growing importance of formal
networks of organizations, rather than individual organizations, as the key to
driving social change.</div>
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Chicago Commons has embraced this view of the world, but it
is a viewpoint that requires a lot of skill in terms of management and
organizing. Networks can get messy really fast when strong
leadership is absent.</div>
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Fortunately, Commons is part of some networks with strong
leaders: <a href="http://resurrectionproject.org/about-us/our-partners/pilsen-planning-committee/">Pilsen
Planning Committee</a>, <a href="http://www.newcommunities.org/communities/humboldt/">Humboldt Park New
Communities</a>, West Humboldt Park Educational Pathways, <a href="http://www.christopherhouse.org/page.aspx?pid=387">Chicago Benchmarking Collaborative</a>, <a href="http://www.backofficecoop.com/">The Back Office Cooperative</a> and<a href="http://www.heartlandalliance.org/news-and-publications/inthenews/press-releases/together4health.html">
Together 4 Health</a> to name a few. The
future of Chicago Commons will be one of shared success.</div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-87628530824592567132013-04-16T21:31:00.001-07:002013-04-16T21:32:13.527-07:00The Tie That Binds<br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Commons has had six Executive Directors in its 118 year history. On May 7th, I am leaving to move to Oregon after a great 8 years as Director and 15 years of service to Commons. The fact that my tenure is "short" compared to past Directors is amazing to me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I have been thinking about exactly what kept me here so long?
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The tie that binds is the historic, inspirational culture of this
organization. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In the words of Commons’ founder, Graham Taylor, this is a
place that truly works WITH people, not just FOR them. This is such an
important distinction. There are no hand-outs at Commons. Successes
are earned here. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This is a place (a ‘Commons’) where people come together
to make life better on an individual, family and community level. I witnessed
countless lives improved for the better. And my own life has improved by sharing in the mission with so many
other wonderful people. The lessons I have learned here will serve me
well for the rest of my life. And I will always consider myself part of
the Commons’ family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-3382051238627346792013-04-07T06:13:00.001-07:002013-04-07T06:14:14.286-07:00Cutting Terraces into the "Cliff"Mayor Emanuel and City of Chicago are starting to release information about the Ready to Learn initiative (which was announced last year at the Commons' Nia Family Center!) . <br />
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One of the first highlights, a new "sliding scale" allowing parents to pay for half-day Pre-K according to their ability to pay. Sun times headline is that <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/19294582-761/affluent-chicago-parents-could-pay-up-to-4000-for-preschool-programs.html">more affluent families will pay up to $4,000 per year for a half day Pre-K program.</a> But this misses the point a little.<br />
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This new sliding scale is a big step away from the awful "eligibility cliff" that is the norm in early learning programs for parents with modest incomes (<a href="http://chicagocommons.blogspot.com/2011/12/eligibility-cliff.html">see past blog post on the cliff</a>.) This approach creates a "terraced hillside" instead of a cliff that boots parents from the program once their income crosses an invisible line.<br />
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Unfortunately, this will only apply to the city's Pre-K program, and will not change Head Start or State funded Child Care programs (Commons' operates both of these). So the cliff will continue to a big problem for many parents and many programs like Commons. Let's hope <a href="http://chicagocommons.blogspot.com/2013/02/early-learning-push.html">President Obama's stated desire to create a more terraced approach</a> will eventually move forward in Congress!<br />
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<br />Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-87040139965093189092013-03-01T18:01:00.000-08:002013-03-01T18:08:48.778-08:00Nothing Fair about itThe sequester is an "across the board" cut that slashes all discretionary federal spending. Across the board cuts are sometimes called "fair" because they are proportional. But there is nothing fair about this one.<br />
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There has been some good<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323293704578332663856603372.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories"> coverage showing how geographically skewed the cuts are</a>. States like Alaska, New Mexico, Kentucky, Alabama and Virginia will take the brunt.<br />
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Another group taking the big hit is low-income families with children. Cutting Head Start is particularly short-sighted. By either reducing number of days that programs are open or cutting number slots, it will make it more difficult for parents to work and go to school. Reducing family stability and opportunities for early learning is as terrible for our economy as it is for the individual families. <br />
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Let's get something done Congress... <a href="http://action.nolabels.org/8997/problem-solvers/">go here to find your Congressperson's phone number </a>and tell them to fix this.<br />
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<br />Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-86207591103175254902013-02-09T05:31:00.001-08:002013-02-10T07:18:35.918-08:00Early Learning Push<a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/937047/thumbs/s-OBAMA-ON-EDUCATION-large.jpg?6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/937047/thumbs/s-OBAMA-ON-EDUCATION-large.jpg?6" /></a>Watch for early childhood education in President Obama's State of the Union on Tuesday. There are <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/18/obama-on-education-early-childhood_n_2455662.html">rumors that he is considering a big push in early learning</a>. <br />
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At Chicago Commons, any focus on early learning is welcome news overall. But, there is a lingering question: Will this create more robust support for quality early learning or will it allow state governments to serve more children by watering down quality? <br />
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One idea to consider -- extend subsidies to working and middle class, but require these families to pay a significant share of the cost. And at the same time, give special subsidies to high poverty neighborhoods that have created local educational plans/systems. Give these neighborhoods special funding for early learning to underwrite high quality early learning centers, like what Chicago Commons. These centers are irreplaceable and reach the highest need families. And I, for one, am worried that the effort to extend pre-k to the middle class (while good) will actually threaten the survival of high quality centers that are focused on serving the lowest income families.Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-7203313185459148322013-01-08T20:46:00.003-08:002013-01-08T20:48:47.905-08:00Economic Glimmers<a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CG/20130105/ISSUE02/301059991/AR/0/AR-301059991.jpg&maxw=368&q=100&ver=20121029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CG/20130105/ISSUE02/301059991/AR/0/AR-301059991.jpg&maxw=368&q=100&ver=20121029" width="213" /></a>Re-assuring to see some glimmers of economic hope in Crain's, we sure need it. Awesome to see <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130105/ISSUE02/301059991/real-estate-regaining-its-footing">Bob Smietana, CEO at HSA Commercial Real Estate and Commons' Board Member, get a shout-out</a> for recent positive moves.<br />
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However, the non-profit outlook was pretty gloomy. In large part due to ridiculous situation in Springfield. <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130108/BLOGS02/130109805/house-adjourns-without-action-on-pension-reform">It is unconscionable there is NO action on pensions yet.</a> Legislators will not hesitate to cut social services again this year, like they did last year. But state pensions? So far, untouchable. <br />
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We all need to keep raising our voices for fairness in Springfield. Unfortunately, EVERYONE needs to pay for the years of irresponsibility. But so far it is largely being borne by the poor and vulnerable. And if we keep this up, the economic glimmers of hope in Chicago will not be sustainable.</div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-25157666740479316642012-10-24T07:43:00.000-07:002012-10-24T07:43:00.031-07:00Future of Health CareThe future of health care is all about "networks" and "outcomes". Although Commons is not a traditional "medical" organization, we can help improve health outcomes.<br />
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Together4Health is a new network of groups that are going to be part of an experiment to work with 1,000 patients to improve health outcomes while also reducing health care expenditures. <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20121023/NEWS03/121029959/quinn-bypasses-big-hospitals-for-nonprofits-to-pilot-medicaid-programs">See article in Crains.</a> <br />
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Chicago Commons Home Care and Adult Day Care will play a role in this creative effort. It is going to be journey and we are going to learn a lot.. join us and follow along!<br />
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<br />Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-47992423734754834022012-10-15T11:57:00.001-07:002012-10-15T11:59:09.027-07:00Exercise Your Rights!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCmQsSpbHBpqli4r_dSDTh3Vpl7jTTQdtRKVaMhnu1B9Dh6AxT" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCmQsSpbHBpqli4r_dSDTh3Vpl7jTTQdtRKVaMhnu1B9Dh6AxT" /></a></div>
Voting is such a fundamental right, one that we must not take for granted!<br />
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No matter your political persuasion, please take the time to vote.<br />
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At the end of September, during National Voter Registration Day, Chicago Commons registered 25 new voters at the Nia Family Center and Adult Education and Training Center (ETC).<br />
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It is not too late to register to vote, <a href="http://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionAuthorities/ElecAuthorityList.aspx?Selected=Election%20Authorities">registration locations can be found here</a>.<br />
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And early voting is underway also, <a href="http://www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/EarlyVotingLocations.aspx">location look up here</a>.Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-22481920303481835582012-10-11T12:20:00.004-07:002012-10-11T12:26:33.536-07:00Never too early<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yplu8bFNVXE/UHcbxUcNuFI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/b7oNYN4Oajs/s1600/Gov+Quinn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yplu8bFNVXE/UHcbxUcNuFI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/b7oNYN4Oajs/s320/Gov+Quinn.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">La Casa is a new student dormitory for first generation college
students located in the Pilsen neighborhood. It is right across from the Commons' Guadalupano Center and was built by our partner, the Resurrection Project. It is a new model for college housing that is drawing national attention.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">And today, children from Guadalupano presented college
flags to Governor Quinn at the opening, showing that it is never too early
to start thinking about college!</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-80019593296610352772012-10-04T21:47:00.000-07:002012-10-04T21:47:00.063-07:00Post Strike <a href="http://www.wbez.org/teachers-new-closeness-strikes-silver-lining-102889">Great story on WBEZ today on how the teacher strike is resulting in more collaboration among teachers</a>. Though sad to think this hasn't been the norm at schools. There is something fundamental missing in the way our public education systems are structured.<br />
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An active dialogue among teachers is absolutely crucial to creating a dynamic, effective educational environment. At Commons, we are very clear about the need for teachers to meet, dialogue and plan together. It is a job requirement! And it also makes this work a joy.<br />
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Hopefully more of this collaborative spirit will continue to spread in the public schools near our pre-schools. Our dream, yet unrealized, is that we engage in ongoing dialogue between our pre-schools and the teachers at the nearby schools. We have had some interesting moves in this direction during the year .. including the early educator summit we did in West Humboldt Park. <br />
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Hope this trend in teacher collaboration continues to grow!Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-48064123129270604592012-09-11T21:50:00.002-07:002012-09-11T22:07:51.631-07:00Striking Out<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tOBGqRKG758/UFAX9ymZ5hI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BOovtGsxXBY/s1600/strike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tOBGqRKG758/UFAX9ymZ5hI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BOovtGsxXBY/s1600/strike.jpg" /></a>The teacher strike was years in the making.. and sadly looks
like it could be weeks, until there is a truce. </div>
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This is a very challenging time for students and parents. Students need to continue learning. Parents need to go to work. Community organizations are
scrambling to provide help, but it is hard with shoe string budgets and
limited facility space. For example, YMCA
is doing a great job opening up their sizable facilities to provide activities
for students. Chicago Commons is
allowing recent pre-school graduates (now in kindergarten) to return to our
pre-schools during the strike. It is a
testament to Chicago Commons’ staff, and other organizations, who are stepping
up to help working parents.</div>
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As for the two warring parties – the Mayor’s team and the Teachers
– who is to blame? </div>
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Both. </div>
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Mayor Emanuel and his team sowed the seeds for this
fight. It is a problem they
created. <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/15081962-452/rahm-emanuel-picked-this-fight-with-teachers.html">See
Carol Marin’s insightful summary of this. </a> </div>
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On the other hand, the teachers risk losing public support
if they don’t stay focused and work to get this resolved quickly.
Teachers have right to fight for a better evaluation system and
for compensation for the extended school day.
<a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2012/09/inside_a_chicago_children_first_school.html">However,
they are dead wrong to criticize efforts to provide temporary care during the
strike. </a> They should count themselves
lucky that there are organizations filling the gap while they fight the battles
that need to be fought. And the union must be clear to the administration about what it will take to reach a truce.</div>
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Let’s all hope and encourage the cooler heads on the Mayor’s
team and the CTU team will find a truce to this battle in the next few days.</div>
Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-65031974544578729402012-07-31T21:43:00.002-07:002012-07-31T21:43:55.645-07:00Taking to the Streets<br />
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The whole city is on edge with this
summer’s violence around Chicago. It is
good that we are at least confronting this anti-social behavior – and calling
for actions to be taken. Of course, the
police are the front line for responding to violent incidents. But it is up to all of us to look for ways to
change the environments in or neighborhoods for the better. Slowly but sure, our daily actions will help
root out the behaviors that lead to violence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In West Humboldt Park, we have been
having daily problems with larger groups of people loitering in front of our
Adult Education Training Center (ETC) on Chicago Avenue. Why are they there? Some are up to no good and others are just hanging
out with friends. Without saying a word
to us, these groups of people on the sidewalk discourage others from
attending Chicago Commons, increasing the worries about violence breaking out. This creates a negative cycle where the more
motivated neighbors stay inside and cede the streets to the idle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After much dialogue with the Police
Department, nearby businesses and organizations, Chicago Commons decided to launch
a campaign to engage the groups loitering near us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2-WW2_2Ep4/UBiydWdQcDI/AAAAAAAAAGw/DBsrApUQSEc/s1600/fresh-moves-bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2-WW2_2Ep4/UBiydWdQcDI/AAAAAAAAAGw/DBsrApUQSEc/s320/fresh-moves-bus.jpg" width="320" /></a>Rather than simply pushing our neighbors
down to the next block, we want to introduce them to the services and programs
that could help them identify the talents they could contribute to our community. To that end, we will join with Neighborhood
Housing Services, West Humboldt Park Development Council, Salvation Army and
Fresh Moves to conduct weekly activities
in front of the ETC. Activities will include:
outreach tables on the sidewalk, daily clean-up in front of our business,
Friday sale of fresh vegetables by Fresh Moves, voter registration, Salvation
Army mobile nutrition unit, mobile Library, and other activities through August
and September. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We hope others will join us in this direct
outreach. Together, we can “Make it
Happen.”<o:p></o:p></div>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-80173964249919280242012-07-19T07:48:00.002-07:002012-07-19T07:48:28.992-07:00Next Generation Engineers<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JBVlVw0-yU/UAgcn5sFuRI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/VvL_Im8GK1o/s1600/IMG_4882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7JBVlVw0-yU/UAgcn5sFuRI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/VvL_Im8GK1o/s320/IMG_4882.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEM_fields">STEM education</a> -- stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. There is going to be a huge demand for people trained in STEM disciplines in the coming years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Yesterday, Ron Kaminsky and Don Kleyweg
from <a href="http://www.hbkengineering.com/">HBK Engineering</a> met with a school age classroom (7 to 12 year-olds) at the Guadlupano
Center in Pilsen, showing our</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> students how STEM subjects are applied in the real world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Students learned about "Sub-surface Utility
Engineering" - or SUE for short. There were great questions about
what is underground in Chicago and how it gets there. Students got to
touch and feel special materials like high voltage cable,
fiber optic cable and samples of different pipes. </span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Dify2LDyVQ/UAgc5jA9FJI/AAAAAAAAAGg/EBi60cCw2PA/s1600/IMG_4863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Dify2LDyVQ/UAgc5jA9FJI/AAAAAAAAAGg/EBi60cCw2PA/s320/IMG_4863.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><br />
The class has decided
to continue to explore underground and the math needed to do this type of
engineering. As a next step, students decided to measure the length of
their strides so that they can calculate distances from Guadalupano to their
homes by counting their steps. They learned that utilities engineers
actually use this same method! <br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We are grateful for HBK's support of Chicago Commons, partnering with us to inspire the next generation of engineers!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhrUPS6mO_A/UAgcxDqA93I/AAAAAAAAAGY/N8pNuAEs3Pk/s1600/IMG_4851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhrUPS6mO_A/UAgcxDqA93I/AAAAAAAAAGY/N8pNuAEs3Pk/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-72048321616587120452012-05-09T13:12:00.002-07:002012-05-09T13:13:01.692-07:00Tidal Waves<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz3VmW5g9Bk/T6rPazPnhCI/AAAAAAAAAGE/ukiQ9KfwAa0/s1600/wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz3VmW5g9Bk/T6rPazPnhCI/AAAAAAAAAGE/ukiQ9KfwAa0/s1600/wave.jpg" /></a>Things are different this year in Springfield. There is a slow motion earthquake underway, unlike any time in 20 years or more.<br />
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And with earthquakes, come tsunamis . <br />
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The first wave hit us last week with news that the state ran out of child subsidy money two months early (before end of fiscal year). No more payments for centers like Commons until July at earliest. Many smaller centers are talking about closing. <a href="http://www.wgntv.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-quinn-daycare-20120509,0,5784469.story?track=rss">Now there is news that State might have found funding</a> to fix the next 2 months... but it must pass legislature. So maybe first wave isn't as big as feared?<br />
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However, a much bigger second wave is coming. Proposals are to drastically reduce eligibility for child care , making many working poor families ineligible... if this happens, you will see many child cares swamped by it, shutting their doors. We will know more by end of May. Watch for thousands of parents to show up in Springfield on May 16th.<br />
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At Commons, we are preparing for the waves, we will survive, but the threat to the families that we serve is enormous.<br />
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<br />Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-83167728045470683352012-05-03T20:06:00.002-07:002012-05-03T20:06:25.412-07:00More on child care crisis<a href="http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x272280829/State-budget-crisis-threatens-funding-for-day-care-providers-families">More on the emerging child care funding crisis here.</a><br />
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The only positive is that the State of Illinois is truly starting to hit bottom. Maybe leaders will finally start to take some bold actions??<br />
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This situation is a total disgrace. The state is forcing many small child care centers to decide -- either mortgage everything and gamble that the state will eventually catch up on payments, or close down now and stop serving their good customers -- hard working low-income families who are paying a portion of the child care, but cannot afford the full freight without a subsidy. <br />
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<a href="http://d2om8tvz4lgco4.cloudfront.net/archive/x2084265531/g12c00000000000000061d0458167d8c244940dd72d3ba936e17d2df1da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2om8tvz4lgco4.cloudfront.net/archive/x2084265531/g12c00000000000000061d0458167d8c244940dd72d3ba936e17d2df1da.jpg" /></a>Chicago Commons currently has enough cash on hand to last for a couple of months, but this is very worrisome to us also. <br />
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Over 100 parents from Chicago Commons will be going to Springfield on May 16th to say something about all of this.<br />
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<br />Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-51903710673846532732012-05-02T20:26:00.002-07:002012-05-02T20:28:34.776-07:00Child Care is at the heart of our economy<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Child Care is at the heart of our economy... especially right now among low-wage workers. Low-wage households cannot continue to work full-time without child care subsidies. The cost of full time child care easily eats up most of these families' paychecks. Without subsidy, they are better off working odd jobs or irregular hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://birthtothrive.thrivebyfivewa.org/post/2012/04/30/Child-Care-Subsidies-Help-Parents-Work-But-Families-May-Have-a-Harder-Time-Getting-Aid.aspx">This is proven</a>... see the National Bureau of Economic Research. Families with child care are between 13 and 32% more likely to be employed. Thi<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">s from one of the nation’s most influential economics organizations, the one that officially declares when recessions begin and end.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is time for us to wake up and understand child care's critical role in our economy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, funding for State of Illinois child care subsidy just ran out this month , so organizations like Chicago Commons might not get paid for May or June. Unless the State takes action on this, we will soon be forced to decide whether to cut off families who come to us for full day care. <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8646162">A suburban center was on the news tonight because they just broke the news to parents that they might cut off full day care immediately.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-19144030727345105732012-04-22T12:13:00.002-07:002012-04-22T12:19:11.750-07:00Taking the Medicine<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-s9Lz9dbR4/T5RZKlF15tI/AAAAAAAAAF8/kHJi5l-0L_4/s1600/quinn.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-s9Lz9dbR4/T5RZKlF15tI/AAAAAAAAAF8/kHJi5l-0L_4/s320/quinn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734306263839663826" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Finally, we have a bold prescription for Illinois’ fiscal crisis, thanks to Governor Pat Quinn.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Maybe we should call him “</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iS1k-WrTxY" style="font-size: 100%; ">Dr. Quinn Medicine Man</a><span style="font-size: 100%; ">”. This week was a momentous week.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Governor announced massive <u>proposed</u> changes to the State’s pension and Medicaid systems. These are cuts worth many $billions over the next several years. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is very bitter medicine. It will be painful for many people with modest or low incomes. But if these steps are not taken, it will mean even worse devastation later. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">And, vital social services like child care subsidies have already been cut and are at risk of being completely squeezed out of the state budget if these steps are not taken. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now it is up to the Legislators to follow Dr. Quinn’s lead and adopt these tough measures. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Chicago Commons, had <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-08-03/features/0608020303_1_pension-benefit-guaranty-corp-grant-america-foundation">its own days of financial reckoning</a> several years ago. It required some bitter medicine too. But because we made sacrifices, we are able to continue our positive impact on communities today. By taking these tough steps today, the State of Illinois will have brighter days ahead. </p>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-71131127288482962342012-03-29T18:14:00.001-07:002012-03-29T18:57:51.651-07:00Funny Thing Happened<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">In 2007 a federal law was passed to increase the focus on school readiness among Head Start funded programs.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Chicago Commons totally supports the growing focus on school readiness.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">But a funny thing happened on the way the forum.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Part of the 2007 law focused on the idea that under-performing programs should be made to re-compete for their funding.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Who can argue with that?</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Sounds great.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">But what many people don’t know is that the federal government’s process for reviewing and judging program performance can be erratic and arcane.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Today, some strong programs are being found as “deficient” because they temporarily fell out of compliance with a single regulation among a 3 inch binder full of them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/28/head-start-recompetition-rules-lawsuit_n_1385051.html" style="font-size: 100%; ">As a result, 10 Head Start programs are suing the federal government because the process seems unfair and inconsistent.</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Head Start programs suing the government?</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">This was unheard of until now.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Fortunately, Chicago Commons passed its recent federal review, but we were nervous.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Why?</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Because we were hiding something?</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Not at all.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">We were nervous because we know that even the strongest programs run the risk of an expected event or problem that could derail a review.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">We were also lucky to be assigned a very experienced review team.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">We are all for high stakes pressure on programs to drive performance.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">But if you are going to put programs under the microscope, you need a precision lens that can truly distinguish between systemic problems and isolated trip-ups.</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></p>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-16332652842971722402012-02-18T19:23:00.000-08:002012-02-18T19:33:05.801-08:00Piccolo Protest<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDbNfElsEtUTW7ozAtIB_g5i1pq4zIiEkhsxOZWIuUG8pIqNQGxQ"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 206px;" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDbNfElsEtUTW7ozAtIB_g5i1pq4zIiEkhsxOZWIuUG8pIqNQGxQ" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Piccolo Elementary -- in the news today for the <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8549333">parents who occupied the school overnight. </a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Since last summer, <a href="http://www.chicagocommons.org/">Chicago Commons</a> has been involved at Piccolo when a good new principal was hired by CPS. We started parent classes and after-school activities at Piccolo this Fall.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">In December, CPS announced a proposal for Piccolo to be “<a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/district-299-chicago-public-schools-blog/2012/02/ausl-myths-pro-con/">turned around</a>”, which means replacing all staff with new staff including the principal. The Board of Education votes on this proposal next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Here is our perspective on the protest: Piccolo has been struggling for years, but when CPS fired the previous principal and hired a new principal last summer, they created positive energy among parents. That is why we are even at the school. If it weren’t for CPS hiring the new principal, it is unlikely the parents would have even organized this type of protest. So, in a way, the protest itself is a product of CPS’ own successful effort to improve the school last year. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Chicago Commons supports a community council counter proposal to delay turnaround at Piccolo for one or two years… monitor the outcomes (i.e. test score data) and then do a turnaround (with parent/community support) if no real progress is showing at that point. So far the Mayor and CPS leadership have not responded to this idea. We shall see what happens next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; background:white"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Regardless of outcome, Chicago Commons is committed to supporting improvement at Piccolo however we can. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-68796783646042301652012-02-12T21:44:00.000-08:002012-02-12T22:13:39.095-08:00Beyond This Blog<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxlnqsPt2a1r7tpfpo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br /><br /><a href="http://richards-rise.tumblr.com/archive"><br />You need to check out the Chicago Commons RISE Tumblr Site!</a><div><br /></div><div>Ok, I've been posting on this blog for a couple years. <div><br /></div><div>It's a nice archive of thoughts along the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>But this blog is such a narrow window onto Chicago Commons. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am really excited about the potential for using <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/what-hell-tumblr-and-other-worthwhile-questions">tools like Tumblr</a>. Instead of having to read a lot of text, you can just scan the "stream" of posts. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">You can literally see how the year is progressing just through the chain of images and short posts. Ok -- End of advertisement for Tumblr.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Just go check out RISE site at Richards, this is what the future looks like.</div><div><br /></div></div>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2810988155041107624.post-29506383665283797792012-02-11T05:27:00.000-08:002012-02-11T06:27:53.654-08:00Another lens on Hull House Closing<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBhISEBUUExQUERUUFxgYFRQSFhgaGBcUGBYVFBkYFhUXHCYeGBojGhcUHy8gIycpLCwsFR4xNTAqNSYrLCkBCQoKDgwOGg8PGi8jHyQpNSksLSwsKSwpKSwsLC0sKTUsNCwpLCwsLCwsLC0sLCkpLCkpKSksKSkpLCwpLCwsKf/AABEIAGQAWAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAbAAAABwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMEBQYHAf/EADkQAAEDAgQDBgMGBQUAAAAAAAEAAhEDIQQFMUESUWEGInGRocETgbEyUrLR4fAUFWJykgckM0KC/8QAGQEAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwQBAgUA/8QAIxEAAgIBBAEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECEQMEEiExYTIzQVGBE//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AyRrUcUuqKxddUVC5xzQN11rZ1SJ1unwwb3CWhcclYiAyI3Pp4pN1Fg3nknbMjqE94Eb6fVPWdmHEWnpZRuROyT+CHNERIHr7LgZymVJ1OztVmovyPuoqu17Xd4QellKafRDi12GjbdclKPMgdE3qqSA5cgk5XFxBZsPVwpH2uH5D8khj2USRwO4/CPZVs4np6j8k4y+sOMbahAWGndsZee41tRK5Jl3xqxJu1p35rSMqygAWAmLmFVuzVMCFfcCChZZNsc00EoitHKqd5brr4pf+AY0d0JxSaeSNUouNgh8jO1EPjcA14hwBVSz/ALOteDa+xV2xVBwmQFCYx3NSm0DnFNGUMpcFQsfYzCQqOFwQZCle0NEHEEj0UVjKg4iYnTeNk8uUY8lTaCSgk/jN+6f8v0QViggj0nQVMfyin181GuoNDoE62XWS0WrLsZUYynwAF9QyBE2VtwlPGloPe6wLAdTrdRWT4LgY2qAHFjeFoPNTNHB4h8OfW4ebW6TM25DZKOSs0YwdfJPZXintBa5wJi0nfr80bMcTVk8LrnXyUK17nVGtBJ4Qe8dT5bJw9r/icN+8PMdOqHudjOzgamlj33lsD7zhPoov4ldlQNrXDjAdyUtUyRszx1mO/pJj5jdFZhnCBUcaomxIAcPHmrb7Bfza+yi9p8M6lVkXa7ntzCrGIcSZK0PtRhjU4Q0S4mABz0VEzjBupVnU3ABzLEAzfXVM45WhDNDbJ/QyA+iC6EEUAWD4LvvHyCisZZ0z6KcVfrm/73VEXkaZ2ZJ+Ezc2jy1VwwWDEcT7j35KqdmxDWHorjiKsU2tGp08UlJcm1idRI/CvY2qXO1JggbAaADklcyrMqEENMDQtnUfd3RKHdMnVKvxDYguHopLctcDrCtFQBryCSLP59D1TDMsGWEjlYpXDjuktM3kfJL5jcDqJUURvtFQxRayuwu+wHDi5we6fqs/7W1eLG1j/UB5NDfZaFn1PXwWddpx/u6v93Ob8I3R8PZn6n015IuEEFxMiJYK2MDdQb+yhsRSdO176hSGaajxd7KNrPMC+iHDoJNU6NG7H47ipNnURKvmJqg0xGtgOnVY/wBjcwgkE6Gf/Jt6H6rSqOPs0G438ErlVMfwztcjlmXAmTeek/VLNwDToCI2snFKmDonNOkQqK6G9zXCY3pUwHCLCIMJPMqveMaAQPkjYuqGEaX5c1G42vYncqAUmQeZOLi47AGVlDitR7QE08K+PtOafXU+SzF1Pkm8PRn6h20JoLpaUEcWJbNDp4uUeQjG9z6rjlVKkWlK3YbL6xpVA4XjUcwdQtKwNXiYAZFgWncb3VByPLzWrsYNzJ8GjiPoPVavkOFY9nC8Ty/QpPVZFFoZ06bsVwebuYId4SLg/knH85mwBM7Bcr9nouwnw/dkx/gao3dbXQIEcil0N1IWqVSXcTzp9ls6ePVcbRc9wsTyHueSfYHLBEnXpc+Z9k/DABDRHNBnnS6J2lbzDLOI8JvIM8tIgdLrIKrIJC359EC5/e6wnHNio8cnO/EU1opuW6xPUKqGoXEeEFoCgEVyCC44uH+mlIHFOJ/60nR8yAr9gWBr3AWhxjzXUFkaz3Pw0NP6Cbp3AlZ7leOqVMWXOe49892TwRxcMcOkQggqaZKpPwWyvlGhNC4EEEmhgbYw2Py+oWF5h/yP/vf+JyCC09B3IS1PSGqCCC1BE//Z"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 88px; height: 100px;" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /><div>What would Jane Addams think of Hull House closing?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>One of our Associate Board Members, Ivan Medina, answered this question publicly in <a href="http://philanthropy.com/article/What-Would-Founder-Jane-Addams/130610/">The Chronicle of Philanthropy last week</a>. Link is for subsription only, so here's quick version:</div><div><br /></div><div>Ivan thinks Jane Addams would not have recognized Hull House today. Her Hull House was not supported much by government. Today's Hull House had become a patchwork collection of government funded programs to a large degree.<span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">“Jane Addams was about social change. She challenged government. She organized strikes,” Ivan says. “If you become an arm of government, you can’t protest government, its bad policies and unequal services. You can’t take the stands you need to take.”</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Ivan thinks she might be most upset by how employees were treated at the end -- one week’s notice, no extended health insurance or severance pay. “She would be organizing them for protests.”</span></p></div>Chicago Commonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03855126806332186437noreply@blogger.com0