Generation Now 2016

Generation Now

March 30, 2016

CCOMMUNITY COMM OMMUNITY COMMITMENT COMM

SPRING BREAK AND SUMMER ER JOBS PAGE 3 | SPRING SPRIN BREAK DIRECTORY PAGES 4 & 5 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND PAGE 7 ND FLOWERS PA

Austin Coming Together

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Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

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IMPACT 2016

A Journey Towards Peace

MGary a y Comer 1 3 & Youth 1 4 , 2Center 016

7200 S. Ingleside, Chicago, IL 60619 Please complete registration www.surveymonkey.com/r/ImpactYouth2016 IMPACT YOUTH 2016 is the PEACE HUB’s 2nd Annual conference designed specifically for youth and youth advocates. Our goal for the conference is to present approaches to address roadblocks our youth face.

YOUTH & YOUTH ADVOCATES Saturday May 14th 8:30AM-4PM

YOUTH ADVOCATES Friday May 13th 8:30AM-4PM ATTENTION: It is important that youth, youth advocates, clinicians, school personnel, foundation officers, organizational leadership and those that interact with youth regularly, participate in this FREE resource sharing event.

Transportation is available For more information contact SUSAN LANIER 773-290-5821 Susan.lanier@ucanchicago.org

Workshop TOPICS: Trauma 101 Gangs Mindfulness Social Media Youth Program Quality (presented by youth) Teen Dating Violence and many more Free RAFFLE: iPADs, BIKEs & MORE Complimentary Continental Breakfast and Lunch Provided

The PEACE HUB is a collaboration of 40 youth serving organizations designed to build capacity and increase communication between service providers to understand and address needs of our youth, families and their communities. This initiative is funded by the Boeing Company.

www.peacehubchicago.org

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Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

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Spring Break and Summer Jobs

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By Lacey Sikora

uring his tenure as director of the Westside Ministers Coalition, Reverend Lewis Flowers knew that the youth were the key to the future of the West Side of Chicago, and he worked tirelessly to build a network to provide opportunity to the youth of the Austin community. In the years since his passing, others have taken up the mantle and continue to offer spring break and summer programs to provide young people throughout Chicago with the skills they need to get ahead.

Tina Chenault, Director of Youth Programs at the Westside Health Authority (WHA) holds an annual spring break summit to prepare young people to enter the job market. The first day of the program focuses on workshops from skilled trades and training programs to higher education opportunities. Mock interviews, resume preparation, financial skills, and interviewing etiquette are covered.

The programs are open to youth age 16 to 25, and Chenault says that they try to be comprehensive. “We also cover housing, transportation, obtaining state i.d.’s. On day two, we have a youth job fair with onsite interviews with organizations such as the park district, Walgreens, Walmart, fast food and city and state summer employment programs.”

The day winds up with a workshop on finance aimed at educating on topic such as building credit, tools for savings, budgeting and the everyday skills of writing and depositing checks. This year’s program takes place at the By the Hands Club on April 21 Westside Health Authority Youth Leaders discuss urgent community issues. and 22, and Chenault stresses that it is never too early to begin to think about summer opBand Together programs of Band of BrothThe program closes out with a fresh portunities.

One Summer Chicago aims to curb youth ers and Set of Sisters. Chenault says the age start retreat at a ranch in Wisconlimits are general guide- sin, something Chenault says was a violence by offering summer lines, and older teens can highlight of the summer last year. employment and internship still take part.

“It gets them away from the city environopportunities for youth ages 16 “Last summer, we saw an ment and gives them a new prospective. to 24. Chenault notes that the influx of 13 to 15 year olds. They get to go horseback riding, rock climbapplication period is open now.

We usually divide them ing and enjoy camp fires. The camp is en“All young people need to go into two groups, 13 and 14 closed, but they feel a sense of freedom and to www.onesummerchicago. year olds and 15 and 16 year can enjoy trees and wooded areas. It was org to fill out an application. olds. They do activities and really helpful for them to see that there is There are about 24,000 opporhave education tailored to more to life out there.” tunities, which sounds like a their age level.”

The WHA also has year-round programs lot, but we receive almost 70,000 Tina Chenault The groups meet four for youth that continue to operate in the applications, so I urge people to Director of Youth hours a day and focus on summer. Youth Works for Success offers apply now.”

Programs at WHA emotional and social de- 15 to 24-year-olds education on financial WHA partners with One Sumvelopment. Activities are literacy, job readiness, civic engagement mer Chicago to run One Sumaimed at helping the kids and work experience. Youth Ready to Work mer Chicago Plus, an arm of the program aimed at guiding young people build interpersonal skills with each other is an 8 week program for ages 15 to 18 that who have had involvement with the juvenile as well as recognizing the talents and gifts provides job readiness training and job justice system. Chenault says that all inter- they bring to the community. They will take placement. Rise is a mentoring program ested applicants need to apply through the part in service learning projects as well for young men ages 14 to 18 who have been general website, and the city will send quali- as projects led by the 15th District police, involved in the juvenile justice system, and which Chenault says helps build a posi- Microjobs caters to young people interested fied applicants to WHA for the next step.

For youth aged 13 to 16 who might not be tive bridge between police and youth in the in careers in computers.

Sharif Walker, Regional Program Direcready for the workforce, WHA sponsors the community.

“It’s never too early to begin to think about summer job opportunities.”

Photo by Bob Mead

tor of After School Matters, notes that the program will also provide youth opportunity during CPS spring break, April 18- 21.

Walker says the program is helpful to open up the possibility of college to youth who might not know a lot about their options.

“A lot of people who live in Austin don’t attend college fairs because they don’t envision themselves going to college. We engage them early, freshman and sophomore year, so they think they can. We take them through four days of experiences to show them what college is actually like.”

Through the program, known as After School Matters University or ASMU, students are provided with bus service and meals and go downtown to visit college campuses. They go to class, eat at the cafeteria and get education on student loans. Applications are available now at www.afterschoolmatters.org Summer applications are also available now on the website, and Walker notes that they hope to have approximately 9,000 opportunities for summer internships and apprenticeships for teenagers.

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Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

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SPRING BREAK DIRECTORY BUILD, Inc 5100 W. Harrison BUILD provides school-based curriculum, youth leadership opportunities, positive out of school activities or intensive, and individualized mentoring.

■ Painting

& Photography Workshop

April 18-23 Spend your spring break with camera and/ or brush in hand! BUILD’s guest artists will teach you the process of vision and creation for your masterpiece and help you hone your artistic talents. Your final art pieces will go on display at BUILD’s Annual Dinner, May 6th.

For more information contact Ricardo Miranda atricardomiranda@buildchicago.org or call 773-227-2880.

■ Outward

Bound to Inward Healing

April 18-23 Are you a young person aged 14-19 who is looking for meaning in life? Having a hard time staying on the right track? Someone that needs to get away and reflect on life? This camping trip may be just for you!

For more information contact Martin Anguiano at martinanguiano@buildchicago.org.

■ Earth

Day

April 23 5100 W. Harrison Join BUILD on Saturday April, 23rd as we team up to clean up our communities! Earth Day has been a rallying call for environmental stewards around the world to educate their fellow citizens on the environment, while impacting their communities and contributing to global sustainability. To get involved contact Diane Wehling atdianewehling@buildchicago.org or call 773-227-2880.

Girls Teen Expo April 18 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Sankofa, 5820 W. Chicago Ave Come Join in for Discussion on Career Path Opportunities. Participating Guest Speakers: Deputy Chief Barbara J. West; Chicago

Police Department Lieutenant Jackie Campbell; Education, Chicago Police Department P.O. Latonia Foster; Retired WNBA, Chicago Police Department Lieela Bitoy; Sweet Treats Charmaine Rickette; Business Owner, Uncle Remus. Refreshments will be Served.

For further information contact the 15th District C.A.P.S. Office at 312-743-1495

Girls in the Game Free Game Day April 21 (12 p.m.-3 p.m.)

Moore Park, 5085 W. Adams St Play basketball, jump rope, and learn about healthy relationships and self-identity. Learn to be an asistant coach, play sports, and have fun! Free snack and prize! Questions?

Contact Coach Katherine Wajrowski: 312-6334263, kwajrowski@girlsinthegame.org

Community Health and Resources Fair April 23 (11a.m.- 3 p.m.)

Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central Ave Please join us to learn about available healthcare resources in the community and to

GENERATION NOW

Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

SPRING BREAK DIRECTORY discuss you and your family’s healthcare needs. This event is free and open to the public. For questions and more information contact: Angela K. Waller, Community Relations Manager, at 773-8545275 or angela.waller@lorettohospital.org

CHICAGO WESTSIDE BRANCH NAACP ACT-SO 2016 WORKSHOPS April 21, (5 p.m.)

Jensen Charter School, 3030 West Harrison Street April 23 (9:30 a.m.)

Tennis Club House, 1301 East 47th Street The NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among AfricanAmerican high school students. ACTSO includes 32 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, business, and performing and visual arts. More than 260,000 young people have participated in the program since its inception.

Two Workshops during the week of Spring Break will help young people prepare for the ACT-SO competition on April 30, 2016 at UIC. Interested participants can contact Carolyn Hankins-Page Chairman of ACT-SO 312-217-7378 .

West Side Health Authority April 21 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)- April 22 (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.)

By the Hand Club, 415 N. Laramie Join the Coalition for Community Banking for the Westside Economic & Empowerment (WEE) Conference. This two-day event will include job and resource fairs and provide networking opportunities for young adults seeking employment as well as career and financial guidance.

For more information visit http:// healthauthority.org/news-events/wee/ or call Alescia Hollowell 773-786-0249.

JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE • COMMUNITY RE-ENTRY SERVICES FOR EX-OFFENDERS FAMILY-ORIENTED EVENTS • YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES + TRAINING SERVICE-LEARNING + CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

WE NEED YOU! 5417 w division st | chicago, il 60651 | 773.378.1878 | healthauthority.org

Contact us to learn more about our services and opportunities for you to join our mission of strengthening the capacity of ordinary citizens to cultivate community and bring about positive change.

Westside Health Authority (WHA) is a 501(C)3 non-profit community-based organization working to improve the health and well-being of the residents of the Austin and Westside communities of Chicago.

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Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

GENERATION NOW

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GENERATION NOW

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Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

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Reverend Flowers: A Life Remembered, a Community Changed

By Lacey Sikora

or many years, Austin was a community with a lot of young people and not a lot of organized spring break activities. The late Reverend Lewis Flowers, director of the Westside Ministers Coalition saw a need for organized spring break opportunities for the youth of the community. Not the type of person to sit around and wait for things to happen,, the man Rahm Emmanuel called the mayor of the West Side galvanized his many connections to build a spring break tradition of preparing youth for the workforce.

Through his work, Flowers touched almost every aspect of the community of Austin, and while others have taken up his charge since his passing in 2012, he is fondly remembered for bringing together various groups, getting people to work for the better of the community and for a personality that kept things real.

People remember being brought into the Reverend’s circle with an invitation to attend one of the monthly first Thursday meetings of the Westside Ministers Coalition.

REVEREND Dr. Phalese Binion, who took over LEWIS FLOWERS as director of the Westside Ministers Coalition after Flowers, recalls first attending a meeting over ten years ago.

“At the meeting, I was so impressed, I came and volunteered at the Coalition office, and I’ve been there ever since.

The agenda dealt with the quality of lives from the individual to community organizations to corporations to government, all working together and moving forward to better serving the community.”

Attorney Sajad Hasain who was active in youth development organization in the community recalls how he was drawn in.

“I was just out of DePaul and running a youth development Sharif Walker program with Easter Seals.

Regional Program Someone told me I had to go to Director at After School the Westside Ministers Coalition meeting, and when I went, Matters everyone was there, from politicians to ministers.”

Sharif Walker, Regional Program Director of After School Matters, was just out of college and back home in Austin when he attended his first meeting. “I introduced myself to Reverend Flowers. His skill was that he made you feel really good about yourself. He told you how useful you could be and how vital you were and that’s how he motivated you to do things in the community.”

Hasain and Walker both stress that the Reverend was not one to put on an act. Notes Walker, “He saw the best in people, but he didn’t mind telling you if he saw the worst in you.

He did this in a way that encouraged you to do more. With his religious background, it was imbedded in him how to make connections and help people see their callings.”

Dr. Ciuinal Lewis was recruited at her first WMC meeting

Photos by Dawn Ferencak

Reverend Flowers with local leaders at a Westside Ministers Coalition monthly meet. (Below) Zelda Robinson, Reverend Flowers and Ollie Drezek.

“His skill was that he made you feel really good about yourself... that’s how he motivated you to do things in the community.”

as well. At the time, Lewis was working with the National Institutes of Health on HIV outreach.

“He told me I need to be a part of the Westside Ministers Coalition to help the kids of the community, so I went to a meeting. I was just shocked by how many influential people in the community, who cared about kids, were there.”

“He tapped into your capacity and your skills. He was a realist about what HIV was doing in the African American community and in one meeting, he was able to get me the signatures I needed to implement a plan to get condoms and health education to youth being discharged from juvenile detention centers.”

Lewis went on to work at the WMC for seven years and thinks that Flower’s influence and personality changed the

community. “He would shame people into doing the right thing. He didn’t care who they were, judges or policemen or someone important. If you wanted to work on the West Side, you had to be a part of the Coalition. You had to talk to Reverend Flowers.”

His take no prisoners approach worked to get results in the community, and many remember Flowers’ dedication to the youth of Austin. Hasain remembers working with Walker and others to plan spring break events at the Austin YMCA. “We worked with them on how to get into college, how to get a job and financial education. We fed them good food and addressed mental and physical health. They had three days of workshops, and on the fourth day, they went to the Brookfield Zoo.” Flowers’ protégés remember how the only route from Austin to the zoo involved a long commute by both train and bus. Flowers worked with both the CTA and Brookfield Zoo to come up with a direct route to the zoo and jobs for the youth of Austin, a partnership that continues to this day.

Walker says that connecting Austin to the rest of the Chicago area was a particular strength for Flowers. “The most dynamic thing about it was the way he was able to impact Austin not just by being in Austin. He reached out to people all over Chicago communities so that other communities saw the benefit in partnering with a community like Austin.”

The work that Flowers began continues to impact the community according to Binion who says the Plato Learning Academy that Flowers helped start now serves 480 children ages kindergarten through grade eight, while the youth employment programs continue to flourish.

“We’re in partnership with many in the community working on bringing job training and opportunities to Austin. We continue to work with the police on bridging the divide with events like our recent cook-off at Austin High. What we’re doing now is built on the foundation he laid.”

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Austin Weekly News, March 30, 2016

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What We Do • Lead research and scholarship, presentations, training, consultation, and community collaborations that help identify social determinants affecting specific communities; policies and practices that systemically marginalize entire populations and create social exclusion; and structural changes needed to build and sustain equitable, healthy, and inclusive communities.

• Provide the Social Exclusion Simulation, a powerful two-hour experiential workshop in which participants learn first-hand how social structures can operate; systematically

Take public transportation?Examples of Our Work Your ride just got a bit more comfortable!

• Guide and support community projects with organizations, communities, and public and private stakeholders to dismantle social exclusion and create structural change.

• Conduct Mental Health Impact Assessments, apply “Health/Equity in All Policies” strategies, and develop policy recommendations guided by research and understanding of social determinants and social exclusion.

Opportunities for Students

Health Impact Assessment: Proposed Redevelopment of Coal Power Plant Sites

Our team worked with leaders in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village communities to examine recommended land use options for the neighborhoods’ decommissioned Fisk and Crawford coal power plant sites. We examined potential mental and physical health implications of open space concepts to provide community-informed recommendations on land planning that will impact community health for years to come.

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block access to rights, opportunities, and resources for marginalized groups; and create social exclusion.

The ISE partnered with the Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), in collaboration with other local partners, to conduct community research identifying factors that contribute to high levels of violence in the Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, and Washington Park neighborhoods.

Our data helped create a violence prevention strategy, and the project catalyzed partners to mobilize, organize, and reduce violent behaviors toward youth, adults, and seniors.

Students at Adler University engage with ISE through work-study and internship opportunities to conduct community-based participatory research that includes data collection, analysis, and report writing. They also take part in the ISE’s continuous development and implementation of its Social Exclusion Simulation. Based on their work with the ISE, students have developed and completed dissertations, presented posters at professional conferences, and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Our Support Our work is made possible through the generous support from partners who share our vision for social justice and equity, including: The American Psychological Association The Chicago Community Trust The Field Foundation of Illinois The W.K. Kellogg Foundation The Kresge Foundation The Pierce Family Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The Spencer Foundation U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, SAMHSA U.S. Department of Justice JCCC Foundation

Austin Coming Together

Mental Health Impact Assessment: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Policy Guidance: A Mental Health Impact Assessment

OUR COMMON AGENDA • Quality Early Learning • Living Wage Jobs

The ISE pioneered the United States’ first Mental Health Impact Assessment (MHIA), a public-private research study that examined federal policy guidance on the use of arrest records in employment decisions, and its impact on Contact us today to request a consultation, population mental health in Chicago’s Englewood community. participate in aaustincomingtogether.org Social Exclusion Simulation, receive Join the conversation at Prior to the MHIA, impacts to mental health were not copies of our reports, or learn more about our work. considered as part of U.S. Equal Employee Opportunity Adler University Institute on Social Exclusion Commission deliberations on employment policy revision.

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