Gamaliel Toscano

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.