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Join us at Association House of Chicago for the 17th annual Back 2 School Fair on Saturday, August 5, from 9am - 1pm. Parents and children are invited get ready for the upcoming school year with the tools they need for success! Get ready for free backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, physicals, haircuts, and tasty snacks! In addition, there will be games, raffles, balloons, and an incredible bubble show to keep the whole family entertained. For more information on how to participate, visit www.associationhouse.org/back-2-school. Major support for this event provided by Comcast NBC Universal and WBEZ Chicago. ** Únase a nosotros en Association House of Chicago para la 17 feria anual Back 2 School el sábado 5 de agosto de 9 am a 1 pm. ¡Los padres y los niños están invitados a prepararse para el próximo año escolar con las herramientas que necesitan para el éxito! ¡Prepárese para recibir mochilas, útiles escolares, exámenes de salud, exámenes físicos, cortes de cabello y refrigerios gratis! Además, habrá juegos, rifas, globos y un increíble show de burbujas para entretener a toda la familia. Para obtener más información, visite www.associationhouse.org/back-2-school. Gracias Comcast NBC Universal and WBEZ Chicago por el apoyo por este event.

Every May, Foster Parent Appreciation Month gives us the chance to recognize the extraordinary individuals who open their hearts and homes to children in need. For these parents, fostering is a remarkable journey filled with incredible highs and challenging lows. It demands compassion, resilience, and a commitment to the child you take into your home. It’s a journey Tonya and Angela began in 2020. “I think one of the biggest things that we have learned along the way is the ultimate goal of foster care is reunification, if possible,” says Angela. It’s true – for most children, foster care is a temporary, safe haven. While many think saying goodbye to a foster child would only feel like a loss, Angela and Tonya agree their favorite foster care moment was the reunification of their first foster child with his biological parent. “It was an incredible feeling to see how happy and relieved they were and how the two of them being together and supported just felt right. It was like we were helping put a piece back together again,” says Angela. For foster parents like Tonya and Angela, how long a child will stay is an unknown. Whether it’s for six days or six years, they provide a stable, loving environment for the child to thrive. Tonya and Angela emphasized how maintaining positive relationships with the child’s biological family is essential to the growth of both the foster child and the biological family. “You do everything you can to play your part to try to build up every person up that’s connected to that child to be a support system for him or her or them,” says Angela. These parents take on the responsibility of being advocates for both the foster child and the biological family’. The relationships they form with the caseworkers and biological family matter. These interactions promote positive change and inspire others to do what is best for the child. To this day, Tonya and Angela still visit their first foster child, who was reunified with his family. Seeing him happy with his family and knowing they are part of his journey is something they do not take for granted. Thank you to the foster parents like Tonya and Angela, whose selflessness, compassion, and support impact the lives of vulnerable children. This month and every month, we are thankful for everything you do to uplift the children and families in our community. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, learn more here and reach out to a member of our team today. There are more than 20,000 children in need of homes, but only 8,000 licensed foster parents. You can be the difference for a child in need.

On June 8th, 240 individuals came together to celebrate the people and spirit that fuel Association House's work at Faces of Hope. The night was filled with hope, inspiration, and a shared commitment to making an impact in our community. Thank you so much to everyone who came out, raising over $227,000 for our programs - from mental health services for individuals recovering from trauma, daycare for parenting students, and job training for determined adults, you make it all possible. If you missed the Venegas' heartwarming story, click the button below to learn about their journey fostering with Association House and how it changed their lives forever.

Congratulations, Class of 2023! This month, we celebrated 32 students who earned their diplomas from Association House High School. We are so grateful for our amazing teachers, counselors, and staff, who supported students every step of the way. We would also like to give a special thank you to our keynote speaker, Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, and our student speaker, Constance Jones, for your inspiring words. Congrats again to all of our graduates! If you or someone you know is interested in learning about our high school, click the button below to fill out our interest form.

Give it up for Association House High School's new Assistant Principal! For five years, Tiana Thomas has been a Learning Behavior Specialist and Case Manager for Diverse Learners at Association House High School. In her time at AHHS, her exceptional leadership skills and dedication to fostering a positive learning environment have been an inspiration to all. We sat down with Ms. Thomas to talk about what she is looking forward to most in her new role. What does Association House High School and the students mean to you? Of all the schools that I have served since my start in the education field 17+ years ago, AHHS is the 2nd school that is unparalleled in familial ties and sense of community present in the building. The school stresses the importance of connectedness and unity towards a common goal despite different cultural backgrounds, values, and opinions. The students are “my why”. They are the reason I serve. Having experienced the reality of growing up in an underserved community and facing some of the students’ many challenges, I feel that it is my diligence to open their hearts and minds to “being from the community not of the community”. What are you most looking forward to in your new role? When I chose the field of education as my career choice, my mission was then and is now to serve and meet the needs of our students and their families. The needs of our students go far beyond what is required to earn a high school diploma. Therefore, I am also looking forward to making connections in our various underserved communities to advocate for educational reform and equity. What kind of impact would you like to have on the school? The kind of impact I would like to have on Association House High School is one that demonstrates that I am a leader who is compassionate and committed. I would also like my impact to show that I can be transparent and supportive. Furthermore, I am dedicated to fostering an environment that is diverse, engaging, and valuable, while still maintaining an expectation of excellence. Favorite memory at Association House? My favorite memories at Association House are every graduation I have had the pleasure to attend. It is not only a monumental achievement for the students that are graduating and their families. It is also a significant event for us as a school community to see that our support in helping them cross the finish line has not been in vain. The thing I love most about graduation from high school is that it’s a pivotal moment in the lives of young people as it is the moment where they make a transition into adulthood and launch what is the next major event in their lives.

Veronica works in our Behavioral Health division managing the Respite Care and Home Based Self Directed Assistance programs. She has been working with individuals with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities for 14 years and is considered a power house on the team. Read how Women's History Month empowers Veronica to use her voice. What does woman’s history month mean to you and how do you plan to observe it? It allows me to remember women of our past that fought valiantly to let us have the freedom and the rights that we have today. I plan to keep empowering every woman I come across, young or old to keep fighting for their rights and to always use their voices, every day, not just in the month of March. What woman has influenced you the most in your life and/or career? My mother, my sisters and my daughter. Also, all the women I have had the honor to work with and the women that I have met while in the community. Why do we need more women in leadership? We need more women to use their voices against oppression in every career field and at home, more women need to know how to spread the word that we too, can reach the greatest lengths that this world offers. What female historical figure inspires you to be a leader? Hilary Clinton. She inspires me because she is proof that women can get to a position of power in a field that is dominated by men. Queen Elizabeth is also an inspiration, she was the longest reigning queen in time, she taught the world how to be a leader and be graceful in a seat of the utmost power without the need of a man to keep her in power. In our world, it is not seen where a president does not have a wife, or even kids. She had a husband, but as law sets it, she always walked first, never behind him or at his side.

Join us for a night of fun, facts, and friendly competition! Our Auxiliary Board is hosting Trivia Night on April 13 at Park & Field, and we want you to be a part of it. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and trivia starts at 7 p.m. sharp! You're not going to want to miss this fun night so get your ticket today! For questions regarding the event, please contact our Donor Experience Manager, Drew.

Janely is an Intake Specialist with our Visions program, which offers life-changing education, counseling, and support to individuals experiencing alcohol and substance use problems. She has been with Association House for three years, and is looking forward to her journey ahead. In honor of Women's History Month, Janely shares with us how women have impacted her life. What does Women’s History Month mean to you and how do you plan to observe it? Women's History Month gives young females across the country the confidence, self-esteem, and willpower they need to follow the paths of their mothers and grandmothers. My objective is to offer young girls like my sister the ability to say, "hey, I can do it too" What woman has influenced you the most in your life and/or career? The woman that has influenced me to become who I am today is my grandmother Margarita. Being from a small town in Mexico she had no access to education and taught herself how to read and write. Growing up she motivated me to become independent and work towards a better future. In 2020, she lost her battle with Pancreatic Cancer. This Spring I will be graduating from UIC and will become the first woman in my family to get a degree and a have career. I dedicate all my accomplishments to her. Why do we need more women in leadership? Women executives are transformational role models who break down numerous obstacles at work brought on by gender bias. They are able to significantly grow as individuals thanks to their challenging journey to the top. Women are naturally born leaders who exhibit traits such as motivation, vision, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions. What female historical figure inspires you to be a leader? Ruth Bader Ginsburg because in her own life and profession, she fought discrimination. While attending law school, she balanced parenting with taking care of her spouse who was suffering from cancer. She was an inspiration to all young girls as a Supreme Court Judge.

Association House will be co-sponsoring Chicago's Black & Brown Future: Mayoral Run-Off Debate on Monday, March 20, at the Chicago History Museum. Reserve a spot now for this hour-long debate with live Spanish interpretation and post-debate reception here: https://loom.ly/AG5fR8s

Today is International Women's Day, celebrating women’s cultural, political and social achievements around the world and recognizing the roadblocks that continue to hinder gender equity and justice. Even today, women and especially women of color are excluded from equal participation in society and from decisions that determine their rights and choices. Today’s occasion serves as an opportunity to educate, empower and correct the record while also celebrating the progress and achievement of women. March is also Women's History Month and the theme for 2023 is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." Association House itself is rooted in the organizing of women who sought better jobs, pay and working conditions for themselves and for their children. This legacy continues today, and this month you will hear from staff and stakeholders who not only work to enhance the lives of our participants, but who make a difference in our community and our society. Moreover, to meaningfully honor this month, our DEI Committee will be announcing certain products and services that will be available to Association House staff throughout the month of March, all of which directly advance local, women-owned businesses. For today and everyday, we celebrate efforts made toward achieving women’s equality, equity, education and empowerment. Sincerely, The DEI Committee Henry Herrera Kristy Kolzow Juan Carlos Linares Jemina Lyle Nicole Reed Yvonne Rodriguez Colleen Wieczorek Drew Williams

Since 2020, Maria Flores has been a Life Skills Educator at Association House. The way she cares for participants is obvious through the joy she brings to work everyday. To celebrate Women's History Month, Maria spoke to us about how women's history inspires her. What does Women's History Month mean to you and how do you plan to observe it? Women's History Month is an important recognition of the contributions, struggles, and achievements of women throughout history. It is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in advancing women's rights and gender equality, as well as the work that still needs to be done. I plan to observe women's history month by celebrating all the women in my life, acknowledging and appreciating the women in my life who have made a difference. I also plan to support women-owned businesses! What woman has influenced you the most in your life/career? There have been many remarkable women who have influenced me throughout my life and career, and it's hard to pick just one. However, if I had to choose, I would say that my grandmother has had the most significant impact on me. Her dedication, intelligence, and perseverance have been a constant source of inspiration for me, and I'm grateful for the positive impact she has had on my life. Why do we need more women in leadership? There are several reasons why having more women in leadership positions is important. 1. Promotes diversity and inclusivity: When women are included in leadership roles, it brings diversity of thought, perspective, and experience to decision-making processes, which can lead to better outcomes. 2. Provides role models for younger generations: Women leaders serve as role models for girls and young women, encouraging them to pursue leadership positions and showing them what is possible. 3. Addresses gender bias: Having more women in leadership can help to address unconscious biases and stereotypes that exist about women in leadership roles. 4. Creates a more equitable society: Promoting women's leadership opportunities helps to create a more equitable society by breaking down systemic barriers and providing equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of gender. Overall, having more women in leadership positions is not only beneficial for women themselves but also for organizations and society as a whole. What female historical figure inspires you to be a leader? Frida Kahlo's artistic contributions, political activism, and personal story have made her a highly respected and influential historical figure, particularly for women and artists around the world.

Demia, or as everyone calls her, Ms. D, is the Culinary Teacher and Mentor at Association House High School. In honor of Black History Month, Ms. D shares how Black history has impacted her life. What is your favorite part of your experience with Association House? My favorite part of my experience with Association House can be summed up in one word - FAMILY. Since day one, when I walked in the door, I felt nothing but love and support from everyone. Being in this type of environment, it created a positive, motivating, and morale-boosting culture for me. Association House doesn’t see color, race, creed nor culture - they see heart. Is there a moment in Black history that influenced or shaped your career/life or that particularly resonates with you? A moment in black history that resonates with me is being alive and actually witnessing the first black President in history - Barack Obama. Seeing this happen and thinking to myself, 'Could something like this really happen?' and it did. It made me feel special. Especially because I am a woman of color. It showed me that dreams can be achieved through hard work and dedication. What does anti-racism or equity mean to you? Anti-racism means welcoming people from outside the majority culture- not being biased or treating people unfair based on their race. It’s about the practice of healing, restoring and love and doing what is right. At the end of the day, it’s all about fairness and justice. Do you have a favorite mantra or quote? One of my favorite quotes that I go by is, “Hate no one, no matter how much they’ve wronged you. Love humbly, no matter how wealthy you become. Think positively, no matter how hard life is. Give much, even if you’ve been given little. Forgive all, especially yourself, and never stop praying for the best for everyone.” What is your favorite type of black culture (tv, movies, music, art, books, businesses, etc.) to consume? I love watching old school, black culture sitcoms and some reality tv. I love listening to old school hip hop and R&B music. A couple of my favorite movies is Love Jones and Just Wright. Or I might relax and read a good book. One I am reading now is Assata, an autobiography by Assata Shakur. I also frequent black-owned businesses regularly to support - Turkey Chop, Brown Sugar bakeries, and FoodHefner catering just to name a few.