SGA: In Depth is a quarterly newsletter published for friends and partners of SGA Youth & Family Services. 
SGA: In Depth 
Replacing Adversity with Opportunity
Fall/Winter 2016 Newsletter
Alisha, a fourth grader at Coleman Elementary School created a model of her first day of school. 
From the Desk of the President & CEO



Susana Marotta, PhD

Cynthia works with her daughter Nicole so that she can become bilingual in English and Spanish.
The SGA Difference: 
From Poverty to President -Cynthia's Story

     Cynthia and her family faced many obstacles along their path to success, including a high-risk pregnancy, significant development delays, and poverty, but with your help they are now thriving! 

Read more about Cynthia by clicking here:  Cynthia's Story  
Karen Stone Kaplan, SGA Board Chair
Meet Karen Stone Kaplan, Chair of SGA's Board of Directors 

"Help people to help themselves."
 
     This was the wisdom Karen Stone Kaplan's father instilled in her about philanthropy as a young woman and the motto that Karen has used throughout her career as a humanitarian. Since her days as a law student working at Northwestern University's Bluhm Legal Clinic, Karen has had a passion for social services and helping people change their lives and start a new journey to happiness and success. For the last 5 years, Karen has been serving as a member of SGA's Board of Directors and after a year as Vice Chair, Karen was nominated to succeed Victoria Noonan as Board Chair. 
 
     When Karen began serving on the SGA Board of Directors she was deeply moved by SGA's work in the Roseland community, where we provide cradle-to-career services through the Roseland Children's Initiative. "I met young people whose lives were in total chaos. They were dealing with poverty and violence every day. SGA was helping them to turn their lives around and become leaders in their schools. SGA was also working to help their families so that they could be strong role models for their children and their community."
 
     Karen continues to find inspiration from the children, families and communities SGA serves throughout Chicago and is working hard to raise awareness of SGA's innovative services that create lasting solutions for people in need. "The greater awareness we have, the more partnerships and funding we can acquire to maintain and grow our programs that truly work to help people help themselves." Karen stated. "I am in awe of the leadership team at SGA and the incredible work that is being done by the extraordinarily talented staff. It is my goal for our Board to provide consistent oversight and strong leadership for continued organizational growth and success."
 
     President & CEO, Susana Marotta added, "Karen has made a significant impact on SGA's ability to continue providing services in Chicago over the last five years through her work not only as a Board Member, but as the Chair of our annual Benefit Committee. She brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in fundraising and philanthropy. As Board Chair, Karen will be a wonderful asset to SGA as we further our mission of helping children, families and communities facing great challenges to realize their potential."
Your Support at Work

     Funded by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Public Health and the support of donors like you, PlayStreets Chicago is a citywide initiative that encourages neighborhood organizations and residents to temporarily close off residential streets and provide Chicago families with pop-up play spaces to come together, be safe and get active. 
     
     SGA was funded to host five PlayStreets events during the summer in Brighton Park and Roseland and had a great turnout of children, teens and families who came together to engage in fun and healthy activities designed to empower them to live their best lives! 

Every one had a great time in Roseland and Brighton Park during our PlayStreets events!
Exciting News & Updates!

VNA Foundation Awards SGA $58,000

SGA has been awarded a $58,000 grant from the VNA (Visiting Nurses Association) Foundation to provide home-visiting services by a registered nurse to pregnant and parenting families in our Child Development & Parenting programming. The nurse will provide each family with disease management and health education services in order to prevent infant mortality. 

Save the Date
 
SGA will be launching the Give Today, Help for a Lifetime Holiday Giving Campaign at Daley Plaza located at 50 W. Washington Street in Chicago on Friday, November 18 at 12:00 PM. SGA is  accepting gifts and donations of toys for young children, ages 0-12 through December 15, 2016 at the Chicago locations listed below! Look out for more information about this event in your inbox and please support our campaign at www.sga-youth.org

Donation Bin Locations: 
SGA Administrative Office-11 E. Adams Street, Suite 1500
SGA Brighton Park Community Center -  3152-59 W. 47th Street 
SGA Roseland Community Center -  420 W. 111th Street


Website Update

The SGA website is now fully optimized to view on your tablet or smart phone!  Our 2015 annual report has just been published and can be viewed here. http://www.sga-youth.org/impact/ 

Please visit http://www.sga-youth.org/  and connect with us on social media! 

Ruben Gerena
Getting to Know Us: Six Questions with Ruben Gerena, one of our Employment Services Program Coordinators

1. Describe your role at SGA.

It is my responsibility to ensure that the young people we work with receive comprehensive programming that enriches their academic experience as they pursue their high school diploma or general equivalency diploma. I am also responsible for helping create opportunities for them so that they can engage in paid work experiences. In addition, I work to help provide the young people we serve with social-emotional learning services. These three components of the program together help to give our youth a sense of hope and prepare them to become productive members of society. (Editor's Note: SGA is one of only a few organizations that provides comprehensive services to help at-risk young people to truly thrive.)

2. What inspired you to become a social service professional?

Growing up I was exposed to social work and social activism by my late mother Irma Gerena. She taught me that social service was a great responsibility and that in order to do this kind of work it took a dedicated and socially conscious person who wanted to help others. Social work at its core is a selfless vocation and one need not expect many accolades. However, I have a deep desire to see a positive social change in individuals and communities which fuels my work and dedication.
 
3. What encourages you to continue working in social services?

Today, I do this line of work because I believe that it is my responsibility to contribute to my community in a positive way that encompasses love, action, and social justice.
   
4. Who is/was the most influential person in your life?

My mother. She taught me the importance of compassion and empathy. I wouldn't be here without those qualities.
 
 
5. Name three people in history with whom you would enjoy sitting down to dinner. 
 
Marvin Gaye,  Nelson Mandela and  Roberto Clemente.
 
6. Cubs or Sox?

Cubs! Since 1984! (Editor's note: All your support paid off, Ruben! 2016 World Series Champs! Go Cubs Go!)
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