Community in Action Booklet

CICERO: A Community In Action

A report by the Cicero Youth Task Force

Sponsored by State Representative Lisa Hernandez, 24th District Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick

a model for community transformation

A MODEL FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

FEBRUARY 2011

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WELCOME LETTER FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE

LISA HERNANDEZ February 22, 2011

CICERO: A Community In Action

As the State Representative for the 24th legislative district it is my honor to sponsor the Cicero Youth Task Force (CYTF) report release, “Cicero: A Community In Action”, A model for community change. As a former employee of District 99, I have first-hand experience in recognizing the needs of young people in our community. The barriers and challenges that face our youth for a successful future are many. That is why working hand in hand with the CYTF whose primary goal is to better the lives of our youth has been a priority. The work of the CYTF makes my duty as a state representative less complicated; CYTF presents real time data, and the local non-profits work together to reduce duplicity of services.

CYTF assures that when resources come into the community, they are maximized through collaborative efforts.

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I look forward to going to Springfield and fighting for my district knowing that there is true partnership and collaboration between the Town of Cicero, government agencies, the CYTF, and schools. Like Cicero Town President Larry Dominick, I too support the vision for a new Cicero. I commend the work of CYTF and I look forward to working with them in future endeavors to make Cicero a great place to live and work for our youth and all.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez State Representative, 24th District

WELCOME LETTER FROM TOWN OF CICERO PRESIDENT

LARRY DOMINICK

I am proud to be the President of Cicero, where our youth now have parks to run in, soccer and baseball fields to play and in the coming year, a state of the art professional size hockey arena. With the help and partnership of many, I am happy to report that the Town and the future of its youth are bright.

I am proud to support the Cicero Youth Task Force and its great coalition of agencies, community leaders and elected officials who are working side by side with each other in our shared vision for The New Cicero.

Sincerely

Larry Dominick, President, Town of Cicero

a model for community transformation

The Cicero Youth Task Force recently released a report, entitled “Cicero: A Community in Action.� I think that title is appropriately named. When I was elected Town President in 2005, the Town had fallen behind other communities in terms of infrastructure, housing, economic development, programs for youth and open space and crime was at its highest recorded rate. I ran for office with a pledge that I would implement programs and make decisions that would once again make Cicero a leader in the State and a place where you were proud to call home. I was able to achieve this goal only by working with my fellow elected officials at the Town, community groups and local leaders.

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CYTF: A MODEL FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CICERO: A Community In Action

Community transformation requires a compelling vision of a better future, the will to achieve that vision, and a diverse, self-organized network of citizens and organizations acting together to create new solutions, measurable results and epidemic change.

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In 2004, a volunteer coalition of about 40 individuals and organizations created the Cicero Youth Task Force (CYTF) and began a process of community transformation focused on enhancing the quality of life for Cicero children, youth and families. Five areas of community life were targeted for transformation; improved public safety, enhanced health and wellness, increased parent involvement, more out-ofschool time opportunities for youth, and expanded services for early childhood education.

In 2011, the CYTF has grown to over 200 members representing local community social services, schools, government, police, business, churches, youth and parents. Over 30,000 combined volunteer hours have been dedicated to assessing and analyzing community needs, creating plans to address those needs, mobilizing the community to carry out those plans, evaluating results, and communicating achievements with the public.

More than 15,000 Cicero youth, parents, residents and service providers have participated in CYTF community assessments. Community violence, crime and gang activity has been dramatically reduced through CYTF partnerships with Town government, the Cicero police, delinquency prevention activities

for Cicero children, youth and families. The shared vision for a safer, healthier, more civically engaged Cicero is an on-going process requiring strong partnerships and results-oriented community action. The Cicero Youth Task Force has proven to be an exceptional model for community transformation and will continue to be an important catalyst for changes into the future.

Nearly $25,000,000 in new federal, state, local government and private funds have been provided for CYTF member initiatives to enhance the quality of life

Dave Terrazino CYTF Facilitator

a model for community transformation

and creation of the Cease Fire initiative in Cicero. The Morton High School Health Center remains open today due to CYTF advocacy and community mobilization. More than 5,000 additional youth participate in 10 new out-of-school programs since 2005 due to CYTF member initiatives. Eight hundred more prekindergarten age children are receiving early childhood education compared to 2005. Thousands more parents in Cicero have better relationships with their children due to CYTF-sponsored outreach, workshops and activities.

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MISSION Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for Cicero children, youth and families by working together to prevent youth risk factors.

HISTORY

CICERO: A Community In Action

The CYTF builds upon the previous work of many dedicated organizations and individuals that have been committed to coordinating services in the Cicero/Berwyn areas for more than 20 years. Their organizing body was called the Children and Youth Coalition of the Berwyn-Cicero Area.

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The Coalition began with the Cook County Department of Public Health and Youth in Crisis, Inc. in November 1983 and initially focused on teen pregnancy issues in Berwyn and Cicero. Over time, the coalition shifted to address a broader youth agenda across both communities. However, given the population growth and multiple needs of each community, the Cicero Youth Task Force was created to address issues facing youth specifically in Cicero.

WHO WE ARE The Cicero Youth Task Force (CYTF) is a volunteer coalition of approximately 54 different organizations who are dedicated to the well-being of children, youth and families in Cicero.

The CYTF members work together to share information on organizational activities, leverage support and resources and develop comprehensive strategies that serve the needs of children and families in Cicero.

Through the relationship building and networking that occurs in task force meetings and activities, a broader base of community support is built and strengthened. The community is being fostered and organizations are not working in isolation.

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES Beginning in April 2004, the CYTF worked to identify priority areas of concern for children, youth and families in Cicero. These issues were then organized around common themes. As a result of this process, the following issues emerged as the top priorities and are now separate committees that meet regularly to develop annual work plans and goals: • After School • Counseling, now Health • Early Childhood Education • Parental Participation • Safety

THE GOAL:

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2010

The goal of the CYTF Safety Committee is to make Cicero streets safe for children and free from gang violence, so young people can continue to grow in a safe and healthy environment.

• Surveyed over 4,000 children, youth, and residents regarding school and community safety issues.

• Increased coordination and communication among service providers, police, and schools to reduce community crime and violence.

• Expanded Parent Safety Patrol to 88 volunteers around nine Cicero Schools.

• Successfully integrated youth and parents into safety committee activities.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2005 • Engaged over 10,000 Cicero youth, residents, and service providers in identification of critical safety issues and recommendations to address those concerns.

• Published the Community Safety and Gangs in Cicero Report to broaden public awareness and mobilization regarding new safety initiatives.

• Collaborated with community partners to bring the Cease Fire/Safety Network programs into Cicero to reduce gang violence.

• In cooperation with Cicero School District #99, created the Parent Volunteer Safety Patrol to enhance safe passage of students to and from school.

FUTURE GOALS • Expand Parent Safety Patrol into all 16 elementary, junior high and 3 high schools.

• Create a community Safety Plan for each school through the SOS/Cops project in partnership with the Town of Cicero.

• Enhance partnerships to successfully implement the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative to include youth offender re-entry, school-based counseling, and youth mentoring/jobs creation.

a model for community transformation

SAFETY COMMITTEE

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HEALTH COMMITTEE THE GOAL: The goal of the CYTF Health Committee is to increase availability of health and wellness services for prenatal to 21 year old Cicero residents.

CICERO: A Community In Action

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2005

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• Successfully organized and advocated to keep the Morton High School Health Center open despite massive budget cuts.

• Engaged over 2,500 Cicero students in the Illinois Youth Survey to assess local adolescent health in relation to risk-related behaviors.

• Increased community health awareness through publication of the CYTF Comprehensive Health Resource Guide to Services in Cicero.

• Undertook a comprehensive community health assessment, The Cicero Community Health Initiative Adolescent Health Report 2009, citing the top 5 most pervasive health concerns of Cicero adolescents.

Almost 4,000 Cicero youth, parents, providers and educators participated in the assessment.

• Developed the Health Ambassador Program, an innovative approach for peer-to-peer health education for adolescents and adults. To date, over 40 Cicero youth and parents have participated in the program.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2010 • Collaborated to bring the Portable Dentistry Program to over 650 students in Cicero schools.

• Collaborated to secure a Children’s Healthcare

Foundation Grant to develop a new community mental health system of care and enhance public awareness of mental health issues.

• In cooperation with the Town of Cicero, expanded public health awareness through monthly “Health Happenings” page in the Cicero Town News (circulation: 20,000).

• Successfully integrated youth and parents into health committee activities.

• Hosted a Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking, sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to over 50 community members.

• Hosted a Town Hall Meeting on Mental Health and Mental Illness, sponsored by the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA) to over 50 community members.

FUTURE GOALS • Evaluate the progress of the Cicero Community Health Initiative (CCHI) and continue a comprehensive adolescent health and wellness assessment in Cicero.

• In cooperation with Latino Initiative youth and parents, create an educational awareness campaign to increase healthy eating habits and increase physical activity in the Cicero community.

• Continue advocacy on behalf of the Morton School Based Health Center.

• Provide mental health educational workshops to the CYTF membership.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

COMMITTEE

THE GOAL: The goal of the CYTF Youth Opportunities Committee is to expand opportunities for Cicero youth during out-of-school time.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2005

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2010 • Created and distributed the bi-lingual Youth Opportunities Directory for Cicero youth and parents.

• Created and began operations of the Youth Op-

portunities Nixle Community-wide Text Messaging System to expand and improve communication with youth regarding upcoming activities and events.

• Successfully integrated Latino Initiative youth and parents into Youth Opportunities committee activities.

FUTURE GOALS • Develop and enhance CYTF e-communication systems such as Facebook, Nixle and others to expand “real-time” awareness among youth, parents and the community regarding upcoming youth opportunities.

• Conduct new youth surveys to identify current gaps in out-of-school time opportunities.

• Create and distribute a user-friendly updated Youth Opportunities Directory.

• Conduct trainings and workshops with youth to improve and expand current youth programs and develop new ideas for youth opportunities.

a model for community transformation

• Facilitated planning and coordination among youth service organizations resulting in twice the number of after-school programs and engagement of over 5,000 more Cicero children and youth than in 2005.

• Added more than $5,000,000 in new resources dedicated to the creation of after school programs in the community.

• Coordinated 10 professional development training workshops for local youth service providers to improve program effectiveness.

• Surveyed over 2,500 Cicero youth to assess their participation levels in out-of-school activities and to solicit their suggestions for new programs.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD

COMMITTEE

THE GOAL:

CICERO: A Community In Action

The goal of the Early Childhood Committee is to coordinate and expand existing services in Cicero for pregnant women, children ages 0-5, and their families.

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MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2005 • 800 additional Cicero children now receive prekindergarten early childhood education in Cicero.

• Annual coordination of “Week of the Young Child” event to increase public awareness of early childhood issues and available services.

• Coordinated AOK events for service provider training and networking.

• Thousands of children receiving developmental screenings annually through coordinated provider, college and community efforts.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2010 • Created and distributed an Early Childhood Services Directory.

• Enhanced the coordination of services and referral process across all local providers.

• Increased child developmental screening events to reduce long waiting lists.

• Successfully integrated Latino Initiative youth and parents into Early Childhood committee activities.

FUTURE GOALS: • Conduct a community assessment to determine whether early childhood programs in Cicero are meeting the needs, and whether parents of young children (as well as pregnant teens) are being supported as first educators.

• Continue the Week Of the Young Child event in 2011.

• Expand early childhood screenings.

• Continue and expand activities of “Bridging the Gap” Transition Program to improve succession of children through advancing educational levels.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2010

COMMITTEE

THE GOAL: The goal of the Parent Involvement committee is to increase parental participation in school and community activities and involve parents in active leadership in the community.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2005 • Coordinated Parent Cafes and Parent University with Cicero School District #99.

• Expanded parent involvement in all other CYTF committee activities.

• Coordinated parent training and engagement in the Parent Patrol project.

• Successfully integrated and developed leadership opportunities for Latino Initiative parent “fellows”.

FUTURE GOALS • Parents will have opportunities to spend quality time with their children in their community at low to no cost in 3 committee-sponsored events.

• Conduct a back-to-school fair in cooperation with CYTF committees.

• Provide professional development opportunities to the CYTF membership and other community organizations on parental engagement.

• Sponsor 3 culturally appropriate educational events and “parent/youth cafes” focused on positive parent/child relations.

• Develop and distribute a parent resource guide focused on good-parenting and community resources.

a model for community transformation

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

• Developed new committee goals and objectives to expand opportunities for Cicero parents to more actively involved in their children’s lives.

• Conducted a community survey to assess parent engagement levels and satisfaction regarding relations with their children.

• Hosted two events to engage Cicero parents with their children (Family Game Night and Parent-teen Movie Night).

• Successfully integrated Latino Initiative youth and parents in committee activities and provided significant leadership development opportunities.

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INITIATIVES IN PROGRESS

CICERO: A Community In Action

NONPROFIT BUSINESS EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

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The Nonprofit Business Excellence: Leadership Through Learning program is a unique partnership between the CYTF and the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Over the past three years, nearly 100 non-profit professionals, representing 25 local human service agencies, have further developed the business skills needed to strategically guide and daily mange their organizations, particularly in these times of challenging and changing constituent needs. Leadership skills, strategic planning, financial accounting, human resources, marketing, media relations, and other management areas have enhanced local organizations ability to serve Cicero youth and families more effectively. The Leadership Through Learning certification program is offered by world-class instructors through the University of Notre Dame at virtually no cost to CYTF members and affiliated nonprofits.

UNITED WAY LATINO INITIATIVE The United Way Latino Initiative is a multi-year funded initiative that has at its core three key outcomes: • Education: Latino Youth understand the long-term impact of staying in school.

• Culture: Latino Youth will create a healthy identity that bridges two cultures.

• Leadership: Latino Youth understand healthy family and social roles and community engagement The CYTF undertook a year-long planning process called, Dream, Design, Destiny, and engaged approximately 500 community stakeholders – parents, youth, businesses, Town of Cicero employees, schools, police and churches. The direct result of this planning was the creation of the Latino Initiative Fellowship Program. Participants enter into a year-long fellowship program that engages them in the work of the various CYTF committees, provides monthly leadership trainings, stipends and provides regular one-on-one check-ins to ensure stability.

THE BERWYN/CICERO CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE In partnership with the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, eight CYTF member agencies will work to develop an improved mental health system of care for children in the Berwyn and Cicero communities.

This three-year Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) will work with primary care sites to develop a fully integrated mental health and primary care model focused on: early screening for mental health concerns across all ages of children and youth; development of a community-wide developmental/mental

health awareness and education campaign; expansion of community wide parent support and education groups; development of a web-based resource directory aimed initially at providers and eventually to the community; and coordination of family resource developers for families whose children have been identified through the screening system and who will help families navigate through the complexity of multiple service providers, help them advocate for themselves, and provide informal support.

NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERY INITIATIVE (NRI)

1. Creation of jobs for community youth, adults and professionals that promote community wellness and healthy behaviors, youth and parent leadership, and healthy, caring community environments.

2. Provision of a wide range of community-based services for youth and young adults including: social, emotional and job skill development; case management, trauma-informed counseling for students in need of early intervention; mentoring; and tutoring and other school supports that enhance young people’s ability to succeed in school, in their community and in life.

Four programmatic components, Mentoring-PlusJobs, Parent Leadership (PLAN), School-Based Counseling and Reentry, will commence in May of 2011. These will be led collaboratively by seven CYTF organizations: Lead Agency: Corazón Community Services Coordinating Partners: Catholic Charities Family Focus Nuestra Familia Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero Providing Partners: Cicero Area Project Vida Abundante Youth Crossroads, Inc. During the current fiscal year, the NRI will bring $1.25 million to CYTF partners collectively and will create 166 new job opportunities.

a model for community transformation

Governor Quinn’s Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI), conceptualized in the fall of 2010, is currently being implemented in Cicero and 22 other communities in the Chicagoland area with the goal of reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors associated with violence through:

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CICERO: A Community In Action

CYTF MEMBERSHIP

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Access Community Health Network American Cancer Society Association of Latino Men for Action Boy Scouts Boys Club of Cicero Catholic Charities CEDA Near West Chicago Children’s Center for Behavioral Health Child & Family Connections Children’s Center of Cicero & Berwyn Cicero Area Project Cicero Public Library Cicero Public School District 99 Community Support Services Cook County Department of Public Health Cook County State’s Attorney Corazón Community Services Department of Child and Family Services Dr. Ross Pesce Family Focus Nuestra Familia Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Hartgrove Hospital Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Welcoming Center Interfaith Leadership Project J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 Latino Policy Forum Loyola University MacNeal Hospital

Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Morton College Morton School Based Health Center Mujeres Latinas En Acción New Life Cicero Northeastern Illinois University Oak Leyden Developmental Services Pillars Pilsen Wellness Center – Therapeutic Outpatient Youth Services Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago Riveredge Hospital Sarah’s Inn South Berwyn School District 100 State Representative Elizabeth Hernandez The Children’s Clinic The Town of Cicero Thrive Counseling Center Through A Child’s Eyes United Way of Metropolitan Chicago University of Illinois Extension University of Notre Dame West Suburban Special Recreation Association Youth Crossroads, Inc. Youth Outreach Services *While every attempt was made to include all CYTF member organizations, we regret any omissions or errors.

JOIN US! The general membership of the CYTF meets monthly, on the third Friday of every month 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m Cicero Stadium (1909 S. Laramie, Cicero, IL 60804) The five active committees of the CYTF (Safety, Health, Youth Opportunities, Early Childhood, and Parent Involvement) also meet monthly.

For more information about the CYTF, committee meeting schedules, or other inquiries, email CYTFsecretary@gmail.com

CYTF CHAIRS

CICERO: A Community In Action

Facilitator: David Terrazino, Youth Crossroads

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Co-Facilitator: Jennifer Froemel, Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero Secretary: Mary Johnson, Corazón Community Services Parliamentarian: Bob Cammarata, Through A Child’s Eyes

Safety Committee Chairs Michelle Desideri, Youth Crossroads Adam Alonso, Corazón Community Services Health Committee Chairs Erika Zacarias, Corazón Community Services Alma Rojas, The Children’s Clinic Youth Opportunities Chairs Joel Wallen, Youth Crossroads Early Childhood Committee Chairs Bina Habibi, The Children’s Center of Cicero/Berwyn Rachel Wood, Oak Leyden Developmental Services Parent Involvement Committee Chair Mariana Osoria, Family Focus Nuestra Familia