UPDATES |
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After four years of dedicated service to HOPES, Amelia Murphy has left her role as Volunteer Manager to pursue her teaching certificate. We are so grateful for the lasting impact she has had on our organization through her constant efforts to grow and improve our community volunteer program. We wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter of her career. We will be filling the role of Volunteer Manager shortly. The summer has been an amazing experience for children in HOPES summer enrichment program full of reading, art, music, science experiments, and plenty of playtime out in the sunshine. This much needed summer of growth and play is made possible through the dedication of our talented and mission driven AmeriCorps team members. With some sadness and much gratitude we now say good-bye to two of our full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members who have completed their year of service with HOPES. Clarissa Huard made amazing strides in our advocacy efforts across all HOPES communication channels and Chetana Tallon provided much needed resources to our families and program sites both on-line and in person during an extremely challenging year. Our Summer State & National AmeriCorps members are also completing their service and we will miss the energy and enthusiasm that they brought to the children each day. We are grateful for the gifts of time and talent and hope that all our departing members both enjoyed and learned from their time with HOPES.
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Erica Walker
Program Manager This is the last newsletter I write to you as the Senior Program Manager at Chicago HOPES for Kids, as I am honored to become the organization’s inaugural Program Director as of September 1. It is with this lens, one of transition towards something new yet deeply rooted in the program I have shaped over the past three years, that I consider all of the goings-on of our summer program, which concluded last week. |
ADVOCACY ARTICLE |
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Climate Catastrophe, Resettlement, and Homelessness
By: Zeff Worley AmeriCorps S&N As voting is one of the most fundamental rights of our democracy, its absence removes an American citizen’s agency and voice in a way that very little else can. Although every state is obligated, under the law, to make accommodations for people experiencing homelessness, these people remain hindered by bureaucratic red tape. There is very little data collected regarding this issue, but in 2008, only one in three people experiencing homelessness registered to vote, and in 2012, only about 10% actually voted (Vertenten 2020). |
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT |
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As we wrap up Summer programming here at HOPES, we want to recognize one of our community volunteers! Thaddeus Andry is a long-time community volunteer with Chicago HOPES for Kids. He was raised within the Western suburbs of Chicago and enjoys many hobbies including playing his guitar, music production and being part of a weight lifting group that motivates each other weekly (Fun fact, Thaddeus has been weight lifting for 12 years). Thaddeus grew up with influential role models that modeled positive behavior and were part of his becoming. He believes his visibility to the children as a young, Black man is important for the students he works with.
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updates
We are so excited to announce that we are the charity of the month for MR EATWELL! This means that for the month of August, 10% of their profits will be donated to Chicago HOPES for Kids. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help support our after school programs. Head to their website to check out their cool designs and support HOPES!
Want to learn more about our work at HOPES and the ways you can get involved? Join us for an info session! We will be having four during the month of August: August 17th, and August 31st. Sign up by clicking on the event date!
Want to join the HOPES team? We have Americorps State and National positions available, as well as Americorps VISTA positions opening up! Follow this link to learn more about each position, and if you are interested in applying, email your resume and cover letter to Alex Galván at agalvan@chicagohopesforkids.org.
Join us for a workshop to learn more about the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness! The virtual event will be held on zoom on August 18th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CT. We hope to see you there!
A big thank you to everyone who has donated to the Community Thrives Fundraiser!
We are so grateful to have received a very generous grant of $10,000 from SC Johnson! The grant will be used to fund our fall after school program, which we currently run at nine different shelters. We will be bringing in more high-quality enrichment partners to continue to make our after school program exciting and give our students the opportunity to experience a variety of STEAM activities.
Calls to action
It's hot! Call 3-1-1 to locate a Cooling Center near you or request a well-being check for someone who may be suffering from the heat.
June 2021 was the hottest June in recorded history! Please join the Chicago Union of the Homeless in supporting our unhoused neighbors with funds and supplies to keep cool this summer.
