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Commons Connections
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June 2014
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As we come to the close of the FY14 year at Chicago Commons, I want to look back on what has been a significant year in our 120 year history. This year we...
- Passed our Early Head Start/ Head Start federal review for our child development program.
- Received a $1million early education construction grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board to support the expansion and renovation of classrooms, playgrounds, security and technology. This allows us to serve an additional 70 children through our child development program on south and west sides.
- Provided more jobs. We are 800 employees strong, 95 percent of which are African-American and Latino, reflecting the neighborhoods we serve.
- Added 10 new corporate funders to the Commons family.
- Increased ability to serve more seniors and adults with disabilities through the expansion of our senior care program, making Commons one of the largest providers of care in Chicago.
And last, but certainly not least, we will continue to celebrate 120 years of serving Chicago communities. Commons is one of the oldest social service organizations in Chicago, having started as a settlement house on the northwest side. Our 120th anniversary year has and will continue to be one of growth and reflection, so we can continue to build capacity and rally support for the work that still has to be done.
Sincerely,
Edgar Ramirez
President and CEO
Chicago Commons
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Commons Celebrates 120
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Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Alderman Walter Burnett and Chicago Commons board members. |
In conjunction with our annual end of the year board meeting, Chicago Commons celebrated 120 years of serving Chicago communities at Nacional 27Tuesday, June 17th. We were honored to have so many board members, donors and friends of Commons celebrate with us including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Senator Antonio Munoz, Alderman Walter Burnett and Commissioner Evelyn Diaz. Guests were also able to hear Marlene Espinoza, a former student in our child development program who now works at Commons, speak about her experience with our organization. Commons is fortunate to have such great supporters and ambassadors of our work! Visit our Facebook page for photos of the event. |
Com mons School Supply Drive
We will be hosting a school supply drive through the summer months to benefit children from our early childhood development program who will be going to kindergarten in the fall.
We will collect backpacks, crayons and books among many other items and distribute the supplies to families in August. Please click here for a full list of supplies and how to participate. |
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Bud Blossom Golf Outing
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Meade Golfers with Senator Terry Link |
On Monday, June 23 we held the annual Bud Blossom Golf Outing at Shoreacres Golf Club.This event serves as one of our largest fundraisers, bringing golfers together to support the mission of Chicago Commons. This year we were pleased to raise nearly $117,000 to support our programming for children, youth, adults and seniors in Back of the Yards, Pilsen, West Humboldt Park and Grand Boulevard. Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially our Platinum Sponsor, Meade, for making the event a great success! Visit our Facebook page for photos. |
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New Funders at Commons
Chicago Commons is thrilled to announce some new funders underwriting our programs. A huge thank you to Crown Family Philanthropies for supporting our Center for Working Families as well as Polk Bros and Colonel Stanley McNeil Foundations for supporting our youth services program! We'd also like to thank Blue Cross Blue Shield for increased support of our child development program. |
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Volunteers at Commons
 In early June, a group of volunteers from
HSA Commercial Real Estate went to Commons' Paulo Freire Family Center (PFC) in Back of the Yards to help renovate an outdoor space that will be utilized for the facility's daycare and after school programs. Thanks to the HSA team for making PFC a better place for our children. Click here for more information about HSA's work at Commons. |
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Commons Client Spotlight
 Tamara, a Brian Piccolo School of Excellence student, moved to Chicago with her family in 2013 when she started third grade. She was reading at a first grade level, far below grade level in math and was having a hard time making friends at her new school. In November, Tamara's teacher recommended to her parents that she should start staying after school with Chicago Commons. In May when Tamara's reading was retested, she grew three full years, scoring at the 4th grade level. Tamara is the reason we do our work at Commons. We are always happy to showcase our students and their wonderful successes in our programs. Congrats to Tamara!
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Visit our website for ways to support families. |
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Galleria Marchetti
Friday, November 14
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Thank you!
| | We appreciate your continued support of Chicago Commons. In these challenging times, it is valued more than ever! Click here to find out how you can support Chicago Commons or contact Sarah Frick at (773) 826-3607 or by email to discuss how you can help.
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