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| E-Newsletter April 2012 Issue |
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Enlace Chicago Wins Community Strategy of the Year for Violence Prevention Work
Espa�ol
On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Enlace Chicago was awarded the Community Strategy of the Year for its violence prevention work at the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards at the Chicago Hilton. Established in 1995, the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDA) recognizes the essential role that both non-profit and for-profit developers play in building communities in Chicago-area neighborhoods. The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards recognize outstanding achievement in neighborhood real estate development and community building, especially the achievements of community development corporations (CDCs), other community-based organizations and for-profit developers working to build healthier neighborhoods in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Accepting the award on behalf of Enlace Chicago was Michael D. Rodriguez, Executive Director of Enlace Chicago. He stated "this award recognizing Enlace's comprehensive violence prevention strategy is humbling. We believe that our work in prevention, intervention and advocacy has decreased violence in our community and created more opportunities for our youth. Yet in the last year, 15 individuals lost their lives violently in Little Village; one murder is too many, and we will continue our work until we have a completely peaceful community."
Currently, the Enlace Chicago Violence Prevention (VP) department oversees programs that include Ceasefire, CPS Community Watchers and Safety Net Works. In addition to running these programs, the VP department convenes the Violence Prevention Collaborative (VPC), the Little Village Mental Health Behavioral Health Collaborative (LVMHBHC) and Grupo Consuelo.
"For 18 years, CNDA has recognized excellence in community development. Enlace Chicago's Violence Prevention strategies exemplify the power and potential of community driven efforts to create the positive social change needed to create stronger Chicago communities" said Susana Vasquez, Executive Director of LISC Chicago.
For additional information on our Violence Prevention department, our Violence Prevention Director, Kathryn Saclarides, can be reached at [email protected]
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Enlace Chicago Annual Fundraiser
Espa�ol
On Thursday, March 1st, 2012, Enlace Chicago hosted its Annual Fundraiser at the Mid America Club in the Aon Building. The fundraiser was a celebration of Enlaces' 2011 accomplishments that included receiving the Community Strategy of the Year for Violence Prevention at the Community Neighborhood Development Awards, the Ceasefire Outstanding Site of the Year Award as well as acknowledging the outstanding contributions of individuals who were recognized throughout the evening.
The event included a silent auction, live painting by Southwest natives Pablo Serrano and Roberto Valadez, and performances by a Son Jarocho band and trio Guadalajara. The artwork for the silent auction was provided by students of the Community Schools programs at Eli Whitney, Madero middle school, Castellanos, the Little Village-Lawndale High School and Farragut Career Academy.
The evening concluded with the recognition of the "Premio Trayectoria" & Jesus "Chuy" Garcia Spirit Awardees. The 1st annual "Premio Trayectoria" awardees were acknowledged for a decade of service and commitment to Enlace Chicago and its mission of making a positive difference in the lives of the residents of Little Village. The awardees were: Jaime de Leon, Elena Duran, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Andrea Mu�oz, Maria Sauerzapf, Maurice Sone and Bill Velasquez. The 3rd Annual Jesus "Chuy" Garcia Awardees were acknowledged for embodying the spirit of Mr. Garcia, Enlaces' founder: visionary thinking, commitment to the community, selfless service, and inspiring leadership. Elena Duran, Yahtzeni Gonzalez and Pastor Victor Rodriguez were the recipients of this award.
Pictures can be found here.
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Violence in the Neighborhood: Building Blocks
Espa�ol
On March 20, 2012, over 800 Little Village residents came together at the Gary-Ortiz field in honor of 6-year old, Aliyah Shell, a student at Gary Elementary and victim of a drive-by-shooting as she sat on her front-steps on Saturday, March 12, 2012. The vigil was not only a way to honor the life of Aliyah but also a response against violence in the community.
The outpouring of support within the Little Village community and the city served as a reminder to community residents of the dangers that come with an early summer, and reminded the city that gang-related violence threatens the everyday existence of many Chicagoans. As the largest Mexican community in the Midwest and one of the youngest in the city of Chicago, the number of youth who are lured into gang life, the number of subsequent victims and their eventual introduction into the criminal court system is disconcerting.
Following the various shootings, various news outlets chronicled neighbors' sentiments:
"The girl had nothing to do with it. What happened to the girl could happen to anyone out here," said Genaro Romo, 62, as quoted in the Chicago Tribune on March 18, 2012. Jaime Mora, 32, mentioned "We have to be more careful...now I won't be able to let my kids play outside".
In addition to the vigil, a coalition of community churches and nonprofits, including Enlace, have begun a series of community meetings entitled "Building Blocks", with the purpose of providing a space to come together in reaction to the violence in the community, process the violence, and begin to build community with other concerned residents who wish to change their neighborhood for the better. The first meeting took place Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Universidad Popular, with over 250 people in attendance, and the next meeting is taking place Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 at 6pm at Universidad Popular, 2801 South Hamlin Avenue. Join us!
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White House Honors
Enlace Chicago's Executive Director
Espa�ol
"I have attended too many funerals where mothers bury their children because of gang violence. The painful, piercing cry of each mother is seared into my memory; each cry is similar and signifies the unforgiving torture that no mother should have to go through."
Those are the words of Michael D. Rodriguez, a leader of violence prevention efforts in Chicago and participant in Models for Change reform efforts in Illinois.
Rodriguez, 33, was named a recipient of a White House Youth Violence Prevention Champion of Change award and received the award at the April 4th summit meeting of the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, which was commenced at President Obama's direction in 2010. Rodr�guez was one of 12 to receive the award.
"I'm proud leaders like these have found new and innovative ways to prevent youth violence," said Director of the Office of Public Engagement Jon Carson. "If we're going to combat violence and keep our kids safe, then we need to ensure we dedicate time and manpower to the issue. These leaders have done just that, and this is what makes them true champions for their communities and our country."
Rodriguez lives with his wife and infant daughter in the same Little Village community of Chicago where he was raised and where today he is executive director of the not-for-profit community-based organization Enlace Chicago. He also serves as a member of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, the federal mandated State Advisory Group appointed by the Governor.
Enlace means "to bring together or connect," and that's what Rodriguez and his staff do on a daily basis. Known to many as "the Mexican-American Capital of the Midwest United States," the Little Village community is home to some 100,000 Chicagoans. While many enjoy the benefits of living in a vibrant city, they also must deal with some of the same poverty and safety issues faced by other communities in Chicago.
Enlace has helped reduce violence through strategies that include community watch programs that help children get to and from school safely and mentoring opportunities to help students stay in school and reduce behavior problems.
Through Models for Change, Rodriguez and Enlance Chicago have helped young people expunge past arrests from their records; have shined a spotlight on the need for reforms to streamline the expungement process; and have worked to reduce the numbers of Latinos coming into contact with the juvenile justice system.
"I am honored to be recognized as a White House Youth Violence Prevention Champion of Change, but this award should be given to the community of Little Village," Rodriguez said of the award. "As a representative of the community, I pray that I can uphold our true spirit and the values -- both keep this community from giving up on resolving its major issues and keeps us moving forward."
To learn more about Rodriguez and the White House Youth Violence Prevention Champion of Change award, visit the blog item written by Rodriguez and posted on the White House website here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/04/changing-lives-inspiring-future
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8th Grade Rosario Castellanos Student competes in AMERICA SCORES 6th Annual National Poetry Slam
Espa�ol
America SCORES's mission is to inspire urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. It achieves it mission by partnering with urban schools to provide a high quality, team-based program that integrates soccer, poetry and service learning. For the past six years, America SCORES has partnered with Enlace Chicago's Community Schools program, to provide their youth development program at Rosario Castellanos Elementary School and Eli Whitney Elementary.
Every year, America SCORES hosts regional poetry competitions that give students the opportunity to showcase some of the poetry they have worked on throughout the program. This year, Andres Recendiz, an eight grader at Rosario Castellanos Elementary School won the Regional Poetry Slam 2011 with a poem entitled "Words", qualifying him to participate in the America SCORES National Poetry Slam.
On Monday, April 16, 2012 he had the opportunity to fly out to New York City and compete in the America SCORES 6th Annual National Poetry Slam in Harlem's World Famous, Apollo Theater.
Ernie Alvarez, SCORES coach, Fanny Diego Alvarez and Hector Herrera accompanied Andres on this journey. Fanny mentioned how inspired she was to listen to the work of Black and Brown youth across the U.S and to see how similar their themes were.
"I was extremely proud of Andres, his classmates from homework help were so excited he was going to New York, as was his family. I felt his energy through his poem and was so happy to share this experience with him" says Diego Alvarez.
You can view Andres reciting his poem "Words" here during the regional competition and find pictures of the National competition at our Community Schools Rosario Castellanos FaceBook Page.
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The Cinderella Story: Tales from Little Village Project
Local Latinas Give Back and Lessen the Financial Burden of
Attending Prom for Girls at Farragut Career Academy High School
Partners: Alpha Psi Lambda Fraternity, Enlace Chicago, Farragut Career Academy High School, Illinois Hispanic Nurses Association and the Little Village Chamber of Commerce
CHICAGO, IL - What began as Little Village resident Juana Ballesteros' idea in late 2011 concluded on April 14th with nearly 50 Farragut High School girls receiving an entire prom-ready outfit that included a prom dress, shoes, purses and jewelry.
Juana remembers back to her senior year of high school and the excitement that leads up to prom. "It's a once in a lifetime experience. That day is full of so much fun and represents the conclusion of one chapter in a girl's life and the
 beginning of another". Other organizations and individuals stepped up. Lunch was sponsored by Home Run Inn Pizza and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia because of Juana's participation on the County's Commission on Women's Issues.
Alpha Psi Lambda fraternity brother Hernan Rivera donated hair and make-up services. Hernan is the founder and owner of "Sin Cosmetics" (815 North Ashland). Students from Illinois State University, members of the Illinois Hispanic Nurses Association, Enlace Chicago and the Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital were also among the donors.
I had the pleasure of seeing how project "Cinderella" took place. I was reminded of how important it is to care about the things that are important to others; in this case, our youth. One of them told me "it is all about the memories, it is probably the last time we'll all be together". It made a huge difference for these ladies to have caring adults helping them make their selections for a very important event in their lives. I saw teachers, coaches, mothers, volunteers, Enlace staff, and of course, Juana Vallesteros (Cook County Commission of Women's Issues) working together to make sure our young ladies had fun and the support they needed. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed. Volunteers made sure everything run smoothly. The girls, divided into groups, went to a small motivational/informational session provided by the IL Hispanic Nurses Association about how to deal with stress and the important decisions they're about to face at this stage of their lives. Afterwards, they tried on dresses and made their selections. Accessories including jewelry, bags and shoes were next. They were also able to take home a couple of cocktail dresses for other important events! Indeed, they were successful! Once again...thanks to all! By. Katya Nuques
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Mission
Enlace Chicago is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the residents of the Little Village Community by fostering a physically safe and healthy environment in which to live and by championing opportunities for educational advancement and economic development.
Enlace Chicago se dedica a hacer una diferencia positiva en la vida de los residentes de la comunidad de La Villita, promoviendo un ambiente seguro y saludable en donde vivir, y proporcionando oportunidades para el avance educacional y el desarrollo econ�mico.
2756 S. Harding | 2300 S. Millard
Chicago, Illinois 60623
(773) 542-9233
   
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