Chicago Commons

Piccolo Protest

2012-02-18T19:23:00.000-08:00

Piccolo Elementary -- in the news today for the parents who occupied the school overnight.

Since last summer, Chicago Commons 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.

In December, CPS announced a proposal for Piccolo to be “turned around”, which means replacing all staff with new staff including the principal. The Board of Education votes on this proposal next week.

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.

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.

Regardless of outcome, Chicago Commons is committed to supporting improvement at Piccolo however we can.

Beyond This Blog

2012-02-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

You need to check out the Chicago Commons RISE Tumblr Site!

Ok, I've been posting on this blog for a couple years.

It's a nice archive of thoughts along the way.

But this blog is such a narrow window onto Chicago Commons.

I am really excited about the potential for using tools like Tumblr. Instead of having to read a lot of text, you can just scan the "stream" of posts. You can literally see how the year is progressing just through the chain of images and short posts. Ok -- End of advertisement for Tumblr.

Just go check out RISE site at Richards, this is what the future looks like.

Another lens on Hull House Closing

2012-02-11T05:27:00.000-08:00

What would Jane Addams think of Hull House closing?

One of our Associate Board Members, Ivan Medina, answered this question publicly in The Chronicle of Philanthropy last week. Link is for subsription only, so here's quick version:

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.

“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.”

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.”

Hull House

2012-01-31T06:22:00.000-08:00

A sad day for Chicago with the rapid closure of Hull House last week.

Chicago Commons enjoyed a long history of cooperation with Hull House.

Graham Taylor, Commons’ founder, was a friend of Hull House’s Jane Addams and served on their Board over a century ago.

Hull House and Chicago Commons both have been leading social service organizations over the past 25 years -- expanding pre-school opportunities in neighborhoods with highest poverty, creating highly successful adult education programs for the unemployed, and establishing a presence in troubled public housing developments.

The two organizations even discussed a merger in 2005, ultimately deciding the time was not right.

The closure of Hull House does not mean that the day of neighborhood based charities is over. To the contrary, it is as vital as ever.

Hull House’s financial struggles were the result of heavy reliance on State of Illinois funding and lack of focus.

Chicago Commons had its own financial struggles a few years back. Our key to success was FOCUS. We were able to right the ship by focusing on specific neighborhoods with highest needs and deepening our work in those neighborhoods. This sense of focus on neighborhoods and services has helped strengthen our finances by clarifying what is most important and allowing us to simplify our organization.

The legacy of neighborhood based social programs is alive and well in Chicago!

Thanks HSA!!

2012-01-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

HSA Commercial Real Estate has supported Commons for many years. This year, they joined us in our efforts to support the public schools in our neighborhoods.

HSA employees generously provided essential winter clothing and supplies for 19 families in need at Piccolo Elementary in West Humboldt Park.

Piccolo is one of the schools proposed for turnaround next year by Chicago Public Schools. While the debate goes on about the best way to improve Piccolo, the students and staff continue to work hard to improve this year. HSA's support went a long way to boost morale among students. Many of the students said it was the first time they had received holiday gifts through the school.

Thanks HSA!!

The Eligibility Cliff

2011-12-24T05:44:00.000-08:00

Got a call today from a mother whose 1^st grader attended one of our pre-schools.

She really wants her daughter to attend our after-school program at her old pre-school site. But she makes $120 too much per month to qualify for the program (per State of Illinois and federal rules).

She has been unsuccessful at finding workable alternatives, she can afford from her modest paycheck (under $30,000 per year). She called the Executive Director’s office out of sheer frustration after two years of struggling to find an alternative.

This is all because she fell off the “eligibility cliff”. There is a moment that families crosses an invisible income line and suddenly become ineligible.. there is no phase out. It is one of the worst perverse incentives, I’ve ever seen. “You earn too much”.

Kudos to our staff who help families navigate this complicated web of funding and eligibility rules, but the whole system is built without a foundation.

There are ways to make it more rational, but it is going to take much more leadership from organizations like Chicago Commons if it is ever going to happen.

City Budget Notes

2011-11-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

It is City Budget time. And this year the City government really must make some hard choices. Both expense cuts and revenues increases are required. It is a double whammy. Mayor Emanuel included both, so that is a good start.

Now come the moral choices… what will we sacrifice? One topic for non-profits is free water. Non-profits like Chicago Commons have been getting free water for years. In good times, our city could afford this nice benefit. However, times are tough and we may need to pay our own way now. Does Commons like it? Of course not. Are we going to advocate against it? No. Sacrifices must be made.

Are we against anything in the Mayor’s budget? Yes. Two budget cuts are really bad ideas:

1. Cutting library hours. The library is a singularly important place in our neighborhoods. One of the few safe places where true learning can happen. It allows residents to pursue whatever it is they are after. We need more library hours, not less! The new West Humboldt library is seeing over 800 people per day and growing.

2. Cutting free tax services. There is a tiny amount of money in budget for free tax preparation services. It is cut by over half. However, for low-income families this is an absolute godsend. Most low-income working families with kids get a big tax refund thanks to Earned Income Tax Credit. Cutting this benefit means many families will not even do their taxes or could be gouged by a private preparer. This city-funded service injects way more money into the pockets of low-income families than it costs us.

A United Approach

2011-10-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

At the recent CPS Board Meeting, a CPS official said “ it could [be] that our parents are voting with their feet,” by way of explaining why enrollment is declining at some under-performing schools. At Commons we have also seen more of our pre-school graduates going to schools outside the neighborhood, BUT the majority of our students still go to their local school.

Someone recently pointed out to me that the schools with declining enrollment are also in neighborhoods where foreclosure rates are off the charts. So it is important not to get caught up in the rhetoric. There are several reasons for declining enrollment in underperforming schools, and it is not only parents voting with their feet.

The bottom line: We do need to strengthen school management and that takes the right people and resources. And we, the community neighbors, must lend a hand to the school managers and teachers by engaging parents to be supportive of the school and students. It must be a unified effort.

One School At A Time

2011-09-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Remember the Morgan Stanley slogan… “one client at a time”?

Looks like CPS is adopting the "one school at a time" approach toward a longer school day.

I always found the Morgan Stanley ad campaign annoying, but the CPS strategy could hold a lot of promise.

So far teachers at four schools have voted to extend their school day unilaterally, not waiting for the teacher union – CPS negotiation to play out. In return CPS will provide each school and teachers with added funding.

Two of the schools are magnet or selective public schools. And two are majority low-income students, where arguably the extended day may be needed the most.

Will more schools take up the vote?

One thing we know for sure, extended school day by itself will not turn around a school. But -- most important -- an engaged group of teachers and parents definitely is a foundation for a better school. If the “one school at a time” approach encourages teachers and parents to organize and take local action, that’s good enough for us. Waiting for the high level political battles to play out is a recipe for the status quo and we don’t want that.

Turn up the heat!

2011-08-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

Margaret Mead would be proud:

A first in education reform today... a small, vocal Local School Council on the South Side voted to turn its own school into a charter.

PREDICTION: No charter school operator will take up this call to action. If one does, they deserve big time praise.

WHY am I so negative? As the FoxNews story shows below, there is actually little parent involvement at this school despite the small, vocal Council. It is quite hard to inherit a neighborhood school with poor history of parent involvement. Charter school operators prefer to start a brand new school, attracting only engaged parents who take the time to apply for their child.

But that should not discourage this small, vocal group in Pullman. Even if they don't become a charter, they have laid down the gauntlet. Something must change! If they persist, it is sure to have a positive effect on the neighborhood and improve options for students. We at Commons are really interested to see how this plays out.

And it encourages us to redouble our effort in our own neighborhoods -- to support parents and community residents to take up the fight for better education, to support all educators who are pushing for excellence.

Community Demands Change for Wendell Smith Elementary: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Labeling Of Schools

2011-08-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

The schools in our target neighborhoods continue to struggle to achieve high rates of student success. There is progress, but a long way to go.

This summer we are applying for new federal funding to support several of our school partners. We have learned the confusing taxonomy used to categorize schools. A lot of this taxonomy began with the “No Child Left Behind Act” under Bush and has continued with “Race to the Top” under Obama.

For example, some funding is directed to “Persistently Low Achieving” schools (definition is bedtime reading). Turns out three schools in West Humboldt Park are “Persistently Low Achieving”, but others are not. Yet these other schools seem to have similar challenges. In fact, Orr High School is not on the list due to a technicality, but everyone knows it has been an under-performing high school.

We are thinking hard about the value of school labeling. Ultimately, it feels like a label on the staff, teachers and students at these schools. Accountability is absolutely needed, but sometimes the current accountability regime feels shallow. It seems like schools are being managed like a production line, complete with an all-knowing “Inspector 12”.

I recently came across a You Tube video from a recent rally in Washington.. it is an impassioned speech by a School Superintendant who has dedicated his life to improving education for students of greatest need. I can’t say that he has all the answers, but it is clear that his work is his “calling”. These are the types of people we need in the schools.. passionate folks willing to make it their life work. When I see someone like this indicting today’s accountability system, I think it should make us think twice.

A Better CPS!

2011-07-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Chicago Public Schools has become known nationwide as one of the more innovative big city school districts. This is mostly due to CPS' aggressive expansion of new charter schools, selective enrollment schools and school "turnarounds". Most of CPS' attention, naturally, has been focused on improving quality of teachers and school management. A final leg of the stool remains -- creating long-lasting, close partnerships with parents and the community. If this can be done well -- CPS would truly cement the experiments of the past few years.

Let's hope that CPS CEO, Jean Claude Brizard, gets this. He is creating a new position to oversee CPS strategy with parents and neighborhoods. Hopefully CPS will build upon the "Community Action Councils" formed last year... we have found that to be a very productive forum. Really glad to see the Sun Times weigh in on this today!

Power of Parents

2011-06-14T04:11:00.000-07:00

More on Mayor Emanuel's Transition Plan:

Initiative #34 focuses on engaging parents to help improve education.

We could not agree more.

And it is particularly good to see that the Transition Team chose to highlight ideas focused on building long-term relationships, such as requiring parent-teacher agreements. This is something that has long been a practice at Chicago Commons.

And it is equally notable what is absent. During the Mayoral campaign, it was reported that Emanuel was considering a "parent trigger” approach that would allow parents to vote to shut-down and re-open schools. A parent trigger approach could cast a political shadow over the parent-school relationship. Glad to see this idea was left out of the transition plan.

Choosing Words

2011-06-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

Rahm Emanuel’s transition plan is impressive in its scope and contains some bold plans. It includes a call for expansion of quality and full-day early childhood program. See Page 46.

Well, we like it overall. But the choice of words is not so inspiring – like “funding streams that are unified”. Spoken like a true policy wonk.

The plan distinguishes between “school-based” and “community-based” settings, not choosing one over the other, but suggesting that things should be less fragmented. Sounds good, unless it leads to consolidation of early childhood education under the public schools bureaucracy.

Words I would have liked to see in the plan: creativity and collaboration. Look forward to getting involved in this.

Whacking Human Services

2011-06-09T04:06:00.001-07:00

Over the past two years, funding from Illinois Dept. of Human Services has been reduced by 21%. There is no other major state agency cut this deeply. Thousands of vulnerable children and adults have or soon will lose support services.

Education, Health Care and Prisons have been cut, but not even close to the same degree. And state leaders have left other options untouched such as pension restructuring and new revenue sources.

The budget is a moral document and we are all complicit in the choices.

Governor Quinn has posted a survey for all citizens... Click here and rank your priorities.. keep in mind that Human Services prevents spending on other areas especially Corrections and Health Care.

Comptroller, one tough job

2011-06-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Judy Baar Topinka, State Comptroller, recently took the time to meet with Chicago Commons' Senior Care leadership team: Beulah Cohen, Dr. Shanthy Edward and Robin Walker.

Comptroller Topinka has one tough job right now, as she is responsible for day to day paying of bills for State of Illinois. She expressed strong support for community organizations that provide preventive services. It is welcome to see a leader in state government who understands how sustaining strong community organizations contributes to a stronger economy and society in the long run.

OF SERVICE

2011-05-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

The Human Resources Director at Commons says she strives to be both “human” and “a resource”.

Similarly… Commons, as a human services organization, must be both “human” and “of service” to people. This is more than just PROVIDING services. This means we need to go out of our way sometimes.

For example, several Commons staff and board member recently toured Shriners Hospitals, simply because we did not know much about them. We came to learn that Shriners provides absolutely top-notch free health care for children with physical disabilities. We are now referring disabled children from our pre-schools to Shriners. It is a simple thing that is OF SERVICE to families. We might be the only way some parents would ever learn of Shriners – a jewel right here in our own city.

Speak Up!

2011-04-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

A group of parents from Chicago Commons pre-schools just traveled to Springfield. This is the only way communities get the resources they need... residents must speak up.

At the capitol they talked to Representative Edward Acevedo (pictured). He voiced strong support for early learning investments.

State investments in early learning are critical to a neighborhood's prosperity. Let me count the ways:

1. Allows parents of limited means to go to work. The full cost of quality early learning programs would consume over 50% of many parents paychecks, essentially discouraging them from working at all.
2. Encourages children to become life-long learners. The key to our future as a city, state and country is that everyone become an effective life long learner.
3. Builds a sense of community among parents, children, volunteers and staff. Each pre-school really is a learning community. This sense of community is powerful and helps overcome the neagtive social behaviors present in our neighborhoods.

Social Networking

2011-04-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Before there was social networking there was.... well, social networking. Building strong relationships has always been the key to improving neighborhoods.

Thanks to all who helped organize the West Humboldt "BEEP Expo" at Orr High School this past weekend. Over 300 people attended! Every neighborhood entrepreneur who paid for a booth made a profit by selling their product. Parents who attended made connections that will help their family.

Sen. Delgado Lends Us His Voice

2011-03-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

Senator William Delgado had to postpone his visit to Commons' Taylor Center last week due to an emergency budget meeting in Springfield.

And we are sure glad he did. Instead, Sen. Delgado attended state budget meetings to speak up about the unfairness of the Governor's budget proposals. Human services is being cut much more drastically than other parts of the budget. And yet the services we provide actually save the state money in the long run through reduced crime, delayed nursing home use and better educated, higher earning tax payers.

Thank you to Sen. Delgado for lending his voice, communicating the effectiveness of our work.

Governor Quiunn's Proposed 2012 Human Services Budget Cuts

2011-03-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

Governor Quinn's Proposed 2012 Budget Cuts In Human Services Programs Will Directly Negatively Affect Chicago Commons and Our Clients

Governor Quinn recently released a proposed 2012 budget (for fiscal year starting July 1, 2001). It contains large cuts in health and human services programs. Along with Dan Valliere, I too, am concerned that this decrease in revenues for Commons' services will result in:

. A significant reduction in Senior Care service volume (fewer clients will be eligible). Many of Commons' Home Care Aides (and those of other agencies) would lose their jobs.

. Large cuts to our youth program requiring staff layoffs in that program and reduction in number of youth served.

. Child Care cuts are possible, but the budget is very unclear as to how they would happen. It's hard to project the impact on Commons at this stage. But it is very concerning.

The Governor's budget contains no mention of reductions to State employee pension/ health benefits.

The Governor's budget is opaque; it is not clear if all state agencies are receiving cuts or not.

So, it is Commons' conclusion that this budget is not fairly balanced. Cuts are absolutely necessary, and Commons will absorb its share. But they must be spread across all of state government. The Governor's proposal leaves other potential cuts off the table, magnifying the impact on human service agencies.

Commons' board, staff, clients, donors and the communities we serve, must work together to minimize the impact of these cuts upon our clients. We must be proactive, working together toward this end.

I welcome your perspective about Quinn's budget, its impact on human services in general, but most specifically on Commons and the clients we serve. Please share your ideas on how we can best assure continued quality service to those most vulnerable while recognizing the need to balance the State budget.

Please post your responses on this blog.

Sue G'sell
Director of Development
Chicago Commons

Idle Threats

2011-02-18T19:50:00.000-08:00

The past few years of state and city budget woes has witnessed leaders issuing threats of massive cuts as a way to exert pressure and ultimately mitigate the cuts:

Witness Ron Huberman at the CTA in 2007, using threats to seek emergency funds from Springfield.

Or Pat Quinn in 2010, using school funding threats to seek an income tax hike.

Here in 2011, Quinn is threatening brutal cuts to health and human services, while seeking to borrow $8 Billion, some of which would surely be used to mitigate these funding cuts.

But all of this maneuvering masks and distracts from the central task -- the need to make sacrifices across the board, in all areas of government. This can only happen if the people demand it and we develop a shared sense of sacrifice - that everyone is giving something up for the greater good and long-term stability. It is not easy, but to have any chance, we need leaders who can appeal to a wide public and speak in plain English, rather than leaders who try to exploit threats and paper over problems with temporary fixes.

Governor's Borrowing Proposal

2011-02-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

Governor Quinn is proposing to borrow $8.75 billion to pay unpaid bills and help balance budget for FY12.

Chicago Commons does not take a position on this.

However, for those so inclined, here is a summary of the PRO and CON positions:

1. PRO -- State of Illinois has already borrowed money from all of the providers and contractors like Chicago Commons. So Quinn’s proposal can be described as just “refinancing” existing debt in a more responsible, less expensive manner.

2. CON -- Some of this borrowing will allow the State to avoid some budget cuts in FY12, effectively "kicking the can down the road". The borrowing just allows the State to dig its long-term hole deeper, delaying cuts and avoiding decisions.

Ultimately, the answer is somewhere in the middle.

For example the State may have to borrow something to pay some of its unpaid bills, but it must not borrow in order to defer hard decisions.

Sun Times Editorial did a good job, I think, of communicating this balanced message.

What do we really value?

2011-01-05T20:28:00.000-08:00

The current government budget debates in Illinois and nationally are rising to a fever pitch and the flurry of complex proposals and counter-proposals can be overwhelming. Before you burry your head in your hands, read NYT columnist David Brooks.

Here’s a key excerpt from his Jan. 3^rd column:

"The size of government doesn’t tell you what you need to know; the social and moral content of government action does. The budgeteers and the technicians may not like it, but it’s the values inculcated by policies that matter most.

The best way to measure government is not by volume, but by what you might call the Achievement Test. Does a given policy arouse energy, foster skills, spur social mobility and help people transform their lives?"

He really nails it.

At Commons, we view our work in the same way. We should invest most heavily in the things that are truly transformative, the things that “spur social mobility”.

I am convinced that Commons' early childhood education work is transformative. We don’t have the long-term scientific study yet, but there are just so many families who have used our pre-schools who become motivated to choose their child’s elementary school, who are seeking out summer enrichment and whose children are now in college – beyond the norm for our neighborhoods. This is why we have invested so heavily in this work – more than almost anything else.

In terms of state budget advocacy --- transformation should be our primary message. Expand the transformative things like early education… investments in our future. Moderate the things that simply consume in the present.

Warming Hearts

2010-12-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Operation Warm, Rotary of Winnetka and The Chicago Community Trust, we distributed over 600 coats to children this past week. Also we distributed gifts from Rabine Group, Toys R Us and Toys for Tots. And thanks to all the staff who helped with all the logistics.

The families who come to Chicago Commons come here for education -- to build a brighter future. The outpouring of support over the holiday season spurs all of us to keep pressing forward.

Humboldt Park Portal

2010-10-28T04:55:00.000-07:00

Check out the Humboldt Park Portal! It is the neighborhood home page. Great calendar of local events and happenings. Chicago Commons has always been about being an active resource for neighborhoods, so we are proud to be part of the group building this new online presence for the neighborhood. As you will see, there is much more to Humboldt Park than violence and poverty, there are amazing things happening all over.

2010-09-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

For compelling facts and figures about Illinois fiscal crisis, visit Illinois is Broke website.

Chicago Commons has made tremendous strides the past five years. We are growing. We are making a tremendous impact in our neighborhoods.

But all of this hard work is at risk due to the failure of leadership at the state level.

The only way the crisis will be addressed is if voters become informed and demand tough action from public officials -- including more pension reforms, budget cuts and tax increase.

Windsurfing!

2010-08-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Jackie Butzen of Windward Sports for the sailing experience in Pilsen! Sailing in Pilsen? Yes, that is right, sailing in Pilsen. Jackie brought a training board that could be set up on a special rotating stand in Harrison Park near our Guadalupano Center. A school age classroom that had been making boats with paper got to see how a windsurfer is set-up and then experienced hoisting the sail and feeling the pull of the wind. Now the group wants to head to the beach to see the real deal, stay tuned...

Importance of Good Teachers

2010-07-28T04:52:00.000-07:00

An important new study is out about the importance of quality teachers in pre-school and kindergarten.

Teaching quality is a key focus for us at Commons. For several years we have been raising the standards when hiring new teachers -- requiring more credentials (i.e. Type 04 certification). Also, we have encouraged existing teachers to return to school, connecting teachers with financial assistance to do so.

Of course, this all requires more resources, as teacher salaries must increase in order to retain teachers with more advanced credentials and skill. Over the past year, average teacher salary has increased at Chicago Commons by 14% as a result of requiring (and compensating) teachers with higher level credentials.

Unleashing creativity

2010-07-14T08:44:00.001-07:00

A recent article in Newsweek decried the decline of creativity in America and discussed ideas of how to reverse course.

In general, early education and primary education in the United States has neglected to nurture creativity in children – this is way beyond a lack of art classes. True creativity is developed through experiential learning, a type of learning that not typically offered.

Chicago Commons and other early education pioneers in Chicago are working to reverse this trend by using the Reggio Emilia Approach to early learning. In the 1990s, Commons’ began working with the Reggio Emilia approach. The approach began in Italy in the 1950s in the town of Reggio Emilia while it was rebuilding after World War II. The approach is all about unleashing the natural creativity and knowledge possessed by children.

We are excited that this approach is growing right here in Chicago, there are several community organizations and schools now exploring this approach. And Chicago Commons is co-hosting a major public exhibit on the Reggio Approach in conjunction with Columbia College and City of Chicago. The exhibit runs through November 2010. More information on the exhibit can be found here and here.

Wonder of Learning!

2010-07-13T20:57:00.001-07:00

In 1991 Newsweek listed the best schools in the world and among their selections were the pre-schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Over the past several years, a growing number of innovative pre-schools in the United States are adopting this inspiring approach to early education. However, the Reggio Emilia approach remains a “best kept secret” here in the U.S.

Even more of a secret is that Chicago is now one of the few American cities where the Reggio approach is being adapted in high poverty areas. During the 1990s, Chicago Commons, a neighborhood service organization, began using the approach in its pre-schools in high poverty neighborhoods. It was one of the earlier organizations in the United State to do so. Since then others in Chicago have done the same including Christopher House and several public schools.

This year, Chicago Commons, Columbia College and the City of Chicago are proud to co-host a special exhibit presented by the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) called The Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children. The exhibit is a window onto the activities and creativity of children in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

It is a powerful approach to education, one that fosters research and innovation among teachers, administrators, parents and, most important, the children themselves. As we work to re-invent and improve educational systems in the U.S., we would be wise to look for innovative models like the Reggio approach.

The Wonder of Learning Exhibit runs from June 15^th through November 30^th at the Columbia College Congress Gallery, 33 East Congress. Hours of the exhibit:

Tues, Wed, Fri: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Thurs: 12 noon - 7:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Major New Study Released

2010-05-14T04:11:00.000-07:00

A new study is out about the positive long-term effects of high quality early childhood care.

Of course, we have long held this to be true.

Some critics of the study say it does not fully show whether there is an "independent" effect on children separate from the positive effects of their parents. But it is hard to compartmentalize life so neatly.

High quality early learning programs know that the true goal is to partner closely with parents... we help parents, parents help us. It is a mutual endeavor. I wish researchers luck in trying "isolate" the effects of early learning programs from that of parents.

This new study is rigorous and shows that early learning resources are a smart investment for both children and their parents.

Powerful Art #2

2010-05-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

There is a new movie called Exit Through the Gift Shop that shows how art sometimes becomes just another commodity, its value based more on the fame of the artist that the work itself.

Well, here is a piece of street art of high value in its own right. Our students have struck again -- placing a positive message in the middle of neighborhood where such messages are scarce!

Happy Birthday

2010-04-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's Chicago Commons birthday! Founded 116 years ago today, Chicago Commons was one of the original settlement houses serving primarily immigrants on the city’s northwest side.

Although things have changed and neighborhoods are unrecognizable, our approach is the same.

We listen to resident concerns and challenges and connect people to education, information and resources that will enrich their lives. We strengthen our communities by building trusting relationships with our neighbors and other organizations in the area.

State of Illinois Trendline

2010-04-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a graph showing the amount of money owed to Chicago Commons by the State of Illinois for Senior Care services. Graph shows April 2008 to the present. It is a brutal picture, and is pushing us toward a breaking point.

Proven Ways to Overcome Poverty

2010-03-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you Nicholas Kristof! Check out his concise summary in the New York Times of the proven ways to overcome poverty. Chicago Commons is focusing its work in several of the directions mentioned... including high quality early childhoood education, ongoing educational support and jobs programs.

Sudden Movement on State Budget

2010-03-24T20:48:00.001-07:00

Today, some sudden movement on the state budge crisis ... a bill passed both the Senate and House in one day to increase the retirement age on state pensions. It is a sign that responsible fiscal actions are starting to get some traction. However, this one action hardly solve the state budget crisis. In fact, while it reduces pension spending over many years, it does little to address the immediate payment back-log that is hurting Chicago Commons. More responsible fiscal actions will also be needed, a combination of spending cuts, new revenue and short-term borrowing.

Measuring Success

2010-03-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

There is an interesting article in Catalyst on after school programs. The article quotes Chicago Commons’ Youth Director, Eddie Anguiano. We have long held that strong, positive relationships between youth and youth and adults is a key element to a young person becoming a responsible adult.

We are working in collaboration with four peer organizations to implement a performance tracking system called Efforts to Outcomes. This new tool includes surveys that are completed by young people to measure changes in their attitudes over the course of their time with us. Through this ongoing evaluation, we plan to show that there are practical ways to measure the impact of after school programs.

First Volley

2010-03-10T23:31:00.000-08:00

Governor Quinn’s budget proposes significant pension reforms and $2 Billion worth of spending cuts. It proposes a tax increase that would be used to “undo” about $1 Billion worth of his proposed cuts to education.

Last year, the Governor’s budget threatened deep cuts in human services unless there was a tax increase. In the end, there was no tax increase, more limited cuts to human services and a stack of unpaid bills.

This year, it appears public education is being held up as the sacrificial lamb if there is no tax increase. The budget includes an 18% cut in state funding for all schools. This cut would affect Chicago Commons’ pre-schools since we do receive some public school funding. But will Governor Quinn actually follow through on this threat?

If Governor Quinn does not find a way to craft a budget solution with the legislature, then Chicago Commons’ unpaid state bills will rise and threaten our solvency along with many other organizations.

Powerful Art

2010-03-04T12:38:00.000-08:00

Young people are so much more productive and successful when they feel a sense of pride and ownership over their community. It really is that simple.

Community art projects are powerful way to generate a sense of pride and ownership. Recently, one group of ten students met at Chicago Commons over 8 weeks and came up with creative ways to spread positive feelings in their neighborhood, Back of the Yards.

They agreed upon a simple message: "Chase your dreams."

Then they installed the message in a large fence using paper cups. Such a simple idea -- one that the students created and implemented themselves. We need to keep these ideas coming. Next up: students are creating portraits to be installed around the neighborhood. Keep your eyes peeled.

First Reactions to Gov. Quinn's budget

2010-02-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

Governor Quinn’s new budget website does not yet show his full proposal. So far, it is not a very user-friendly website, unless you are a budget expert. But at least it has a simple way to post your opinion on the budget.

It appears Gov. Quinn is going to propose cuts across all areas of state spending including education, human services, economic development and public safety. It is not yet clear what he is going to propose about state employee pensions, retiree benefits or state income taxes.

The Civic Federation released a very informative state budget proposal this week. The Federation is a non-partisan and fiscally cautious group that analyzes the Illinois budget.

The Federation recommends expense reductions, including a reform of state employee pensions. They also support an income tax increase from 3% to 5%, but only if its expense reduction initiatives are enacted first.

Click here to see a summary of the Civic Federation’s recommendations. It is very informative and shows there are constructive solutions to our problems, but they will be painful.

State Budget - a critical year ahead

2010-02-24T19:04:00.000-08:00

Governor Quinn launched a new website today on the State Budget.

The site includes a lot of detail about the State’s expenses and revenues. It is a lot of data to sort through. Over the coming weeks, Chicago Commons will post information here, at our Blog, about what the numbers mean to our neighborhoods and the families that we serve.

Most important: The Governor’s website has a COMMENTS section where the public can register their ideas on the budget. The Governor is going to analyze the comments to help inform his official budget to be released and debated in March.

It is the first time any Governor of Illinois has solicited public comments on the budget in this way.

Please log your comments with the Governor over the coming weeks.

We will post our commentary here, so please come read it and use it to inform your comments. And remember, you could submit more than one comment to the Governor (they are counting up responses).

2010 Census

2009-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Census is rapidly approaching in April 2010. Chicago Commons is teaming up with two other neighborhood organizations -- La Casa Norte, and Humboldt Park Social Services – to increase response rates in the 2010 census in neighborhoods where the response was very low in the year 2000. Our work is supported by a “Count Me In” grant through the Illinois Census Funders Initiative.

Through aggressive neighborhood outreach, we are going to reach people BEFORE they get their census form so they understand its importance.

Here are some of the answers to the kinds of questions we often hear about the Census:

Will the 2010 Census be the same as before?
No, there are some important changes:
• 2010 Census will be short form only—just 10 easy questions.
• the long form is now part of the annual American Community Survey.
• handheld computers with Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used to check the address list in 2009.

How is Census data used?
The federal government uses population data to allocate congressional seats along with funds to your community in a number of areas:

Head Start programs

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) (food grants)

Public transportation

Programs for the elderly

Emergency food and shelter

The data help the private sector as well as state and federal governments determine where jobs and job programs are needed.

Corporations use population data for market research to determine locations for commercial enterprises, such as food stores, pharmacies, and other essential services.

It is NOT used to identify specific households, all household information is confidential for 75 years.

What you can do to make sure your community is counted:

Identify organizations in the community that can provide space for Questionnaire Assistance Centers and will serve as a Be Counted site.

Hold a meeting with leaders of the organizations and solicit their help in creating a census awareness campaign targeted for community residents.

Distribute/post fliers announcing the delivery of the census questionnaire at busy locations in the community.

Encourage residents to complete and mail back their census questionnaires.

Plan a Census Day event to motivate community response.

Remind residents if they don’t mail back their questionnaire a census worker may come to their home. Encourage residents to cooperate with census workers.

H1N1 Response

2009-12-10T05:31:00.001-08:00

Many people have asked how H1N1 virus affected Chicago Commons. There were less than 10 cases among our 700 pre-school children and all have recovered fine.

Commons staff were great about taking it seriously and raising awareness with parents. One key resource was a special H1N1 newsletter that went to all parents. Click here to see it. It was written and designed by two family service workers that have joined our staff for one year through AVODAH, the Jewish Service Corps, a wonderful connection for Commons.

Our Kind of Research

2009-12-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

Through our neighborhood partnerships (in this case Humboldt Park Community of Wellness), we learned the Urban Institute is researching the problem of maternal depression in low-income communities. As part of the study, Commons' Nia Center hosted a mothers focus group, giving our parents a voice in national policy and $35 for an hour of their precious time! Commons appreciates this kind of policy research... research that incorporates the ideas and opinions of our neighborhood residents -- it is absolutely consistent with our Settlement House roots.

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

200 children from Chicago Commons pre-schools visited Macy's on State Street this morning for the 2nd annual Operation Happy Children event. Children and their teachers were treated to breakfast in the Walnut Room and a visit with Santa. Thank you to Macy's for choosing Chicago Commons as their partner for this special event!

Slow Road to Peace

2009-11-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

The Chicago Police and Park District organized a stop the violence forum in Back of the Yards on Saturday, Nov. 21st. It was organized fairly last minute, but youth from Nuevos Exitos attended and brought the finished Peace Quilt (see past blog post). You can see the quilt in the photo, hanging behind Police Commissioner Weis and Alderman Cardenas. Cassandra Cortes, Chicago Commons Youth Specialist, is speaking.

The forum gave several parents a chance to voice their specific frustrations to the Police Department which will probably result in some targeted follow up for them. But, last minute forums like this one probably do little to stem the tide of violence. Commissioner Weis acknowledge this, stating that the police can only be as aggressive combating violence as the neighborhood will allow. To that end, Commons must seek more ways to engage with the police, parents and others in an ongoing way. Ongoing communication within the neighborhood is the only true solution, and much harder than it sounds.

Moving Forward

2009-11-13T12:58:00.001-08:00

Youth violence, such as the death of Gama Toscano, is devastating in many ways, including the way it saps the morale of our students. It is up to the adults to counteract this through conversations and by showing interest in young people who are doing positive things.

To that end, Chicago Commons and the Illinois Department of Human Services is hosting a Stop the Violence forum on Thursday, November 19, 4 p.m., at Paulo Freire Center at 1653 West 43rd.

Students will present their work including a Day of the Dead exhibit, a peace quilt and a "street art" project where students produced and installed positive messages around the neighborhood, such as in the photo shown.

If you want to join us at the forum, RSVP to garzal@chicagocommons.org.

Gamaliel Toscano

2009-10-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

The death of Gamaliel "Gama" Toscano was difficult for all of us to process last week. He had been a participant in our program from 6th to 9th grade and was preparing to participate in our RISE mentoring program later this year.

Obviously the family is hit the hardest. Gama has a little brother who is an active participant in our youth program. We are going to do all that we can to support the family.

Our staff were also hit hard. After the initial shock passed, it was clear that the best way to honor Gama and make sense of this tragedy is to just work even harder. Esther Cepeda's column in today's Sun Times expresses the same feeling we have, that we must continue to engage in dialogue with as many young people as we can. We arranged for grief counseling for our youth program participants, many of whom were friends with Gama.

Today, the Sun Times ran a letter to the editor from Eddie Anguiano, Youth Program Director. Eddie and his team have been incredible. Our staff Felmar Dean, Cassandra Cortez and Laura Pawson visited the family and extended our offer of help. Thank you to the youth program staff for representing the best of Chicago Commons at this difficult time.

We have received many calls from community members -- neighbors, organizations, police and clergy -- seeking to help. We will now work to turn that concern into more coordinated, powerful coalition to save lives in the future.

Resilience

2009-10-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

There was a wonderful story in the Chicago Tribune about Derrius Quarles. He grew up without either parent, but is a testimony to how resilient people can be. He set his mind upon his education and began at Morehouse this Fall.

During his Senior year in high school, Derrius was a participant in our RISE mentoring program, through which he interned at a dental office. Derrius also went on our college tour last year. Desmond Kemp, the Commons RISE Coordinator last year , is quoted in the Tribune article.

I have two key "take-aways" from this story.

1. People are resilient. No matter how bad things seem, all it takes is a dedicated focus on education. Derrius is a shining example, as his level of focus is something to behold.

2. The key to Chicago Commons success is talented and committed staff. In this case, it was Desmond Kemp who went the extra mile for Derrius. I continue to be inspired by the many Commons staff who are willing to do whatever it takes.

There is also a great letter to the editor on this story highlighting the importance of mentoring, such as the mentoring Demsond provides Derrius.

Thank you Chicago Tribune

2009-09-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

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.

Commons' role at the end of life

2009-09-21T13:48:00.001-07:00

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

RISE - ing

2009-09-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

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.

School's In (almost)

2009-09-03T15:14:00.001-07:00

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.

Tumbling Into Fall

2009-09-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

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.

CHICAGO COMMONS IS GOING GREEN

2009-08-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

We just turned off 620 sixty-watt light bulbs a year! And we’re still just as bright.

Thanks to a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, Chicago Commons was able to replace ballasts, reflectors and ceiling light fixtures in all four of our early learning family centers.

And we reduced our energy usage by 37.27 kilowatts, equivalent of turning off 620 sixty-watt light bulbs a year.

Youth Quilt is Almost Finished!

2009-08-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

As you know from reading the paper, violence continues to infect inner-city Chicago neighborhoods. All too often, youth are the victims and perpetrators of violence. Over the summer, the teen youth program experimented with an interesting new group project to address this issue head on. One youth group at the Back of the Yards location worked on a quilt project. The concept behind the quilt project is to have the students celebrate their neighborhood while challenging them to push for change. Students were asked questions like "What would peace in your community look like?" and "If you could visually represent the best part of your community, what would that picture be?" Students drew a picture to represent their ideas and then turned the drawing into a fabric collage. Now the individual collages are being assembled into a large quilt... combining individual voices into a unified whole! We will post a picture of this wonderful creation on this blog when it is complete in early September.

New Directions for ETC

2009-07-29T22:18:00.001-07:00

Each program faces its own challenges related to the budget this year. The Adult Education and Training Center (ETC) is especially vulnerable because over 50% of program funding depends upon the state. But we are not letting this get us depressed. The neighborhood level demand for the program remains strong, so we will figure out a way to fund it. The key is to understand the nature of the demand for our services. For example, we are serving more and more adults who are considered "ex-offenders". Around 40% of ETC students right now have a criminal record of some kind. So we are trying to plug into federal and other funding to serve people who are exiting prison. The ETC started as a welfare to work effort in the 1990s, but today we are finding we need to re-tool to meet the present day circumstances and demand. We had a great meeting today with Project Safe Neighborhoods about what they are doing and how we could work together. This issue will be big for Chicago Commons during the coming few months.

Summer Reading!

2009-07-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, we need some good news. Here's some:

Who knew Ron Boggs, loyal Commons Board member, just published his second novel? Who knew he had a first novel? Insurance executive by day and spinning tales of intrigue by night.

His new book is called Natural Drift. Go see the blurb and buy it on Amazon (click here). And a percentage of the royalties will go to Chicago Commons!

Ron, thanks for this generous gift, now let's all help Ron get a movie deal.

More Budget Woes

2009-07-24T04:39:00.001-07:00

Sorry that this new Chicago Commons blog is full of tales of woe... but it reflects the fact that our country is going through a time of re-prioritization.

On a more positive note, I actually believe it can be a good thing to reconsider one's priorities... what is truly most important? Potentially, the current budget mess could really help lead to an understanding about what state government does that we value.

One role I think we should value is the state's role in funding an effective education system for all children. Children are the future, and they are going to have to do a lot of innovating to create the economic growth necessary to pay all the bills we are racking up today!

So, it is truly frustrating to see early education get whacked this year.

Click here for an article on the $125 million cut to early childhood education. Next week we will learn exactly how this affects Commons and it may force painful sacrifices to our early childhood program and our commitment to quality.

Former Commons Board Member, Jesse Ruiz, now serves as Chair of the Board of Education. He had the impossible choice... which children to cut? Early childhood education was singled out for the biggest cuts mainly because the other education dollars leverage federal matching funds, but Pre-K funding does not. So, Jesse and the Board of Education made the right fiscal decision.

The real issue is that Governor Quinn and the Board of Education were hung out to dry by the State Legislature. That is where leadership is absent.

Accreditation

2009-07-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

It has been a few busy weeks for the Child Development program. Three of our four pre-school locations hosted a team of early childhood educators during the past several weeks in order to renew our accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC is the ultimate "seal of approval" for early childhood centers.

NAEYC visits are unannounced, so staff must be on their toes at all time, showing our commitment to high quality. The assessment teams are very detailed, evaluating our facilities, curriculum, teacher - child interactions, parent involvement, professional development and the list goes on.

We will learn the official results in a few months, but the staff did a wonderful job and we feel confident that we will be re-accredited. Congratulations to everyone involved!

State Budget Advocacy

2009-07-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

There are some excellent coalition groups organizing advocacy around the State Budget.

One of the best is the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. They are defending the potential cuts to the Illinois Community College Board, which is the key funding source for Commons' Adult Education and Training Center (ETC).

They have a great website where you can quickly send a message to the Governor to tell him to prioritize Community College funding, since it leverages significant federal funds. If Community College funds are cut even a small amount, the State will lose all of the federal matching funds for adult education because federal laws require states to maintain a constant amount of funding.

Send Message to Governor Quinn (Choose Save Adult Education Now)

State Budget Woes

2009-07-21T05:28:00.000-07:00

The current State of Illinois budget is by far the most challenging funding situation I have experienced at Commons. And this is saying a lot because we faced a severe financial crisis at Commons several years ago.

It is the uncertainty that makes this so difficult. It is certain that cuts will be made, but we are now two weeks into the new fiscal year with no clarity from Illinois as to where the cuts will fall! When Commons had its own financial difficulties, it was hard, but we identified the tough decisions and made them as quickly as possible.

Here are a couple of links to good overviews of the current Illinois budget situation. Beware, it is not uplifting.

Rich Miller Column

Good article from Rockford

Welcome

2009-07-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this new way of communicating with Chicago Commons!

When I came to Chicago Commons ten years ago, I found an organization engaged in a huge variety of neighborhood level work. I was inspired and it is a large reason I am here ten years later and that I became Executive Director in 2005.

But one thing I know from experience -- it is hard to get to know Commons and all of its work. As a new employee here in 1998 running a welfare-to-work program, I was completely unaware of many things Commons was doing. Every year I would discover a whole new area where Commons was making an impact.

Today, I am sure we are still struggling with the same issue... Commons does not always work to toot its own horn! At heart, we are a modest organization. Staff are realistic that it is not our work alone that makes the difference.. but that of neighborhood residents. Nonetheless, there are many good things we need to cheer about and many challenging things we need to share.

My purpose in starting this blog is to try to give you another way to learn about Chicago Commons and our ongoing work. I only hope I can do Commons justice!

Dan Valliere
Executive Director