Search Results

By connecting with affordable housing in his city, Josh was finally able to focus on his career and flourish. After 33 years in the city, Josh lives and breathes Chicago. But growing up in a family of eight in Humboldt Park, he often found himself in survival mode, working against immense odds to secure a future he could be proud of. For Josh, life in his neighborhood was a challenge unlike any other, but his community came through for him in ways he never expected when he needed it most. Family struggles led Josh to emancipate himself at 16, soon moving into the shelter at La Casa Norte in Humboldt Park. At age 20, his time in the shelter gave him enough stability to move into a place of his own, but with little work experience and steadily increasing rent costs, the financial burden eventually became too much to handle. At 24, he found himself homeless again. "A call from LUCHA came right in the nick of time," Josh shared. "I was blessed to have the opportunity. I moved into the Humboldt Park Residence and had a nice little spot for myself." In addition to a morale boost from holiday get-togethers and homebuying workshops in the building, Josh credits the affordability and resource connections at LUCHA's HPR building with giving him the chance to make a massive change in his life. There are snacks, games, gifts, and even manicures at Humboldt Park Residence holiday parties. "I had so many jobs, it's not even funny. I can't even remember all of them. I was working as a dishwasher at the airport when Evelyn from LUCHA called me and asked if I'd want to be a desk clerk at HPR," Josh says. "I had the opportunity just because I was a resident and we had that relationship. I worked the desk the whole time I lived there, on and off for 8 years." While Josh enjoyed the desk work in his building, he was still working 7 days a week across multiple jobs, doing his best to save up for his future. But the desk position opened his eyes to an industry that truly spoke to him -- and started him on the career journey he's in the midst of today. "I was the go-to guy as a desk clerk. Whenever someone needed help with a housing application, or someone needed help understanding the eligibility requirements, I helped them. Before I knew it, I had some of the lingo down, and real knowledge about vouchers and subsidies," says Josh. He regularly spoke with property managers at APMS, who managed his building and took notice of his initiative. One day, they let him know about an open position. For his inspiring story, Josh was honored with meeting Mayor Brandon Johnson ahead of Encuentro Square's grand opening. "I got the interview, and obviously I slammed it! " he says with a laugh. After APMS helped him with trainings and certifications required for property management, he began the job he holds today-- one that has rewarded him and allowed him to give back in a way that's deeply personal to him and his history. "In order to be successful, you have to reach a basic comfort zone. Once you have that, you can actually start applying yourself to what you want to make yourself into," he says. "My favorite part of my work now is when I get to call people and tell them they've been approved for an apartment. You can hear the energy, how happy and thankful they are." The courtyard at Encuentro Square, Josh's new home. Now, with some experience under his belt and a salary boost, Josh is living in LUCHA's newest affordable housing complex, Encuentro Square. This year, in his brand new one-bedroom unit, he's purchased a car, and is saving up for a condo of his own. As he continues his path as a property manager, he's determined to show his residents how affordable housing can change their lives, just like it changed his. "Affordable housing is a tool, a gift, a blessing. There's no reason to be ashamed of asking for this kind of help," Josh told us. "When people hear 'affordable housing,' I want them to hear that there's hope for relief -- that you can make it to the next step." ■ -- Learn more about how Association House and LUCHA are changing the face of affordable housing together at lucha.org .

Get ready to put your knowledge to the test for a great cause! The Association House Auxiliary Board is hosting its annual  Trivia Night on Wednesday, March 26, and you’re invited. Gather your team, flex those brain muscles, and enjoy a night of friendly competition at Midwest Coast Brewing Co.—all while making a real impact. Every dollar raised goes directly to Association House programs, helping us continue to provide essential resources and opportunities to our community. So grab your smartest friends (or your most enthusiastic ones), and let’s make it a night to remember! Admission includes a drink ticket, catered apps, prizes for the champs, and awesome raffle opportunities! Get your tickets below before they sell out! 💥

After graduating our Financial Careers Training program, Senthil became a Relationship Banker with Bank of America. When Senthil joined Association House’s Financial Careers Training program, he was ready for the challenge of juggling class and full-time work as a Grubhub delivery driver, but he hadn't expected it to lead to a full-circle moment that would give him a chance to uplift his community. After emigrating from India with a background in financial services, Senthil found his career back at square one, in a new country full of unwritten rules and expectations. After working in a gas station and driving deliveries, he joined the Financial Careers Training program at Association House, hoping to get his foot back in the door. While he expected a crash course in American bank work, he had not anticipated that the class would break him out of his shell, giving him a newfound confidence in his people skills. "This class really pushed me to socialize with people," Senthil shared. "We changed seats in class every day, so we'd get used to talking to new people with different backgrounds. In the banking industry, this is an absolute must." Senthil was also surprised by the class's focus on etiquette and professional attire, both of which he found to be the most intimidating things about the banking positions he'd been applying for. With access to Association House's Career Closet of free work wear, and behind-the-scenes tours of major banking offices around the city, he was able to carry out his interviews with less fear of the unknown. "When I came to the U.S. and went to open my first bank account, I remembered thinking 'Ooh, these people have nice offices, suits and ties...' It was kind of a lot. But now that's part of my life! The expectations for work here are so different," Senthil explained. "Through this class, I've learned how to make bank work relational, not transactional-- so customers can come back and feel comfortable sharing their needs every time." Senthil (left) with the rest of his graduating cohort of Financial Careers Training students. Our Financial Careers Training instructor, Sherri Richardson, told us that the problems Senthil encountered on his career journey were the exact reasons she felt motivated to teach the course. "Part of my role as a Branch Manager was to interview people for open positions, and I saw a big knowledge gap in proper interview etiquette and attire , especially among minority candidates and young candidates," Sherri elaborated. "It wasn't their fault. They thought what they were bringing to the interview was appropriate, but somewhere along the way, they didn't have these important standards communicated, so they were missing out on jobs." With these important lessons in his back pocket, Senthil secured a Relationship Banker position with Bank of America before graduation, while still driving for Grubhub. In his final days with the company, he was honored as one of their top drivers, selected for his outstanding customer service and on-schedule delivery record. With this distinction, he was given the opportunity to nominate an organization for the Driver Community Grant Program, providing financial support for a nonprofit in his community. Senthil submitted a glowing testimonial of his experience at Association House, and it paid off: with his help, Finanical Careers Training was awarded a $5,000 grant. Senthil was thrilled to give future students a fighting chance, and was filled with pride to have his past unlock a new future for others facing the same situation. "My advice to anyone who decides to take this class is to give your 100%," Senthil says. Follow the trainer, give your best, and success will follow. If you want to get your foot into this industry, trust these instructors -- I know firsthand they'll put you on the right path." ■ -- Learn more about our Finanical Careers Training program or apply to join our next cohort at associationhouse.org/fct .

On June 12, 2025 , we will celebrate Association House at Faces of Hope , honoring the people and spirit of hope that fuel our mission to advance each person's full participation in the life of their families, communities, and society.  Together, we’re creating pathways to better health, education, economic opportunity, and now, affordable housing through our exciting partnership with LUCHA. Be part of this inspiring celebration! Secure your spot today -  exclusive Early Bird tickets are on sale now through April 30th! Don't miss your chance to be part of something truly impactful. We're back in the vibrant heart of Pilsen - and this is a night you won't want to miss!  Join us at Lacuna Lofts and taste delicious food, bid on exciting auction packages, and listen to powerful stories that will stay with you long after the evening ends.  By joining us at Faces of Hope, you help create opportunities for every person to thrive. Learn more about the event and how to get involved by visiting www.associationhouse.org/facesofhope .

In response to the youth mental health crisis, our school-based counseling program opens doors to opportunity by empowering organizations like Association House to deliver accessible, culturally sensitive mental health support, ensuring students have the resources they need to thrive. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a nationwide mental health crisis, especially among young people who were suddenly deprived of critical social interactions and faced unprecedented challenges in education and employment. A 2021 study by the CDC revealed that 44% of American high schoolers felt “persistently hopeless” in the past year. Even more alarmingly, 21% reported seriously considering suicide. In response to these concerning trends, the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation launched a School Based Counseling pilot program– funding the employment of on-site mental health counselors in high schools throughout the state. Association House’s Behavioral Health team was selected to serve two neighborhood schools, and as word of our success spread, Association House soon began replicating services in additional schools. “A lot of the students I work with would never seek out this kind of help on their own,” says Patrice Gordon, an Association House counselor based at Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy. “But when it’s coming from someone who looks like them and lives and works alongside them, finding support starts to seem okay.” Patrice Gordon makes school a safe place for students to speak their minds. Mr. Gordon says he works to make counseling commonplace for his students, many of whom come from cultural backgrounds that discourage it. By filling the hallways of the school with positive and affirming mental health information and forming friendly bonds with students before getting into any therapy talk, he’s able to remove the pressures of traditional counseling. “If one student knows me, they might tell their friend who I am and what I do. I have an open-door policy in the Common Room where I work. We have aromatherapy, calm sounds, it’s very relaxing. Once they know me, they know they can come by to check in if they ever feel agitated or are struggling during class,” he shares. Recognizing the importance of a whole-school approach, Association House’s school-based counseling model supports teachers and administrators alongside students. Counselors bring a trauma-informed lens to the entire school community, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. Map of where mental health counseling is provided through Association House’s School-Based Counseling services. Santiago Duran, another counselor on the school-based team, serves as an advocate for students during faculty meetings. His role allows him to diffuse tensions in the classroom by offering insight into student perspectives, and teaching staff strategies to avoid potential triggers. “When it comes to counseling with teenagers, it’s a lot of listening, a lot of validating, a lot of reflecting on decisions and their consequences," says Mr. Duran. "Sometimes I’m the first person to give a student a neutral, non-judgemental reaction to a choice they’ve made or a feeling they’ve had. I’ve had students tell me that they like talking to me because I don’t make them feel crazy.” From box breathing to fidget toys, our school-based counseling team is normalizing self-care and removing the shame around mental health. Thanks to increased investment in mental health through Cook County Health’s Stronger Together initiative, this school-based work will continue, providing vital resources in community schools, while also creating a bridge back to Association House, for those needing more intensive support. Santiago Duran finds that validation and genuineness are the keys to student mental health. "It feels great to be able to be myself in this position," says Santiago. "Teenagers really appreciate genuineness, and this role lets me be genuine no matter what. We make progress when we can slowly build up trust. I'm a professional who can really help, but without the pressure or stress of having to go out of your way to ask for help. I'm there whenever they're ready." ■ -- Thanks to increased investment in mental health through Cook County Health’s Stronger Together initiative, this school-based work will continue, providing vital resources in community schools, while also creating a bridge back to Association House, for those needing more intensive support.

It's officially the new year, and we're kicking things off with a brand-new way to give back to your community, make new friends, and crush your personal goals at the same time. We're launching the Association House Run Club, a year-round group for runners of all skill levels to motivate one another and support an amazing cause! Our annual tradition of recruiting runners to fundraise at the Chicago Spring Half Marathon inspired us to bring the runner's spirit of perseverance to the rest of the year. In 2025, Association House Run Club members will have the chance to train alongside people who share a love of Chicago and a desire to improve every day. When you join, you'll commit to: Running a minimum of 2 races this year (with the option to choose your own race) Pledge to raise $250 per race to directly impact our program participants. But to prepare for those big days, we'll train together every other Saturday on The 606 trail , pushing each other to be the best we can be and taking in the trail's gorgeous views together. In return for your support, we'll offer: Free training plans for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon runs Exclusive AHC Run Club swag and prizes for top fundraisers . Our previous half-marathon runs have been a blast, and we love how rising to personal challenges goes hand-in-hand with giving to others. "Running changes everything. When you invest in self-improvement, you invest in bettering the community where you live, " says one of our previous runners. "We're here to build a community around our shared vision of Chicago. Every step builds the change we want to see, and we can make that happen together. For yourself and for your city." Interested in taking the first step in a year of training & triumph? Fill out an Association House Run Club Interest Form at tinyurl.com/runclub-2025 , or contact Jennifer Sheridan , Development Specialist. Act soon and join us for our very first run of the year! Learn more in our run club info packet below.

Association House is closing out a big year. We celebrated our 125th anniversary in Chicago, and set our goals higher than ever to match. As 2025 gets closer and closer, we're taking a moment to reflect on all our proudest achievements, from participant journeys that inspired us, to new projects gearing up to help our city in exciting ways-- all made possible with help from community members like you! As part of our 2024 Rewind, we wanted to give our amazing staff a chance to share what stood out to them as their proudest moments of the year. We spoke to program leaders and facilitators all over the building to show off the amazing impact that our community's support has made House-wide. If you would like a deeper look at the House's impact in 2024, check out our Annual Report here . Watch our staff share shining moments from their program below, and don't forget that all donations are still being 100% matched through the end of the year! Don't miss this rare chance to double your impact, and open twice as many doors for your neighbors in 2025. Mary's Moment: "The drop-in center activities are geared around what our participants want. We don't set the schedule, they do." -Mary Gonzalez, Supervisor of Community Reintegration & Support The Drop-In Center is our safe place for those living with mental illness and those transitioning out of nursing homes to form meaningful, independent relationships. Learn more about the program below. Lincoln's Moment: "Families are scheduled to move in before the holidays start, so they'll get to celebrate in their brand new units at Encuentro Square with some of the best views of the city you can find at any apartment." -Lincoln Stannard, Senior Director of Community Development With Encuentro Square, Association House is making its first foray into affordable housing support for our participants. We can't wait to reveal even more surprises with Lucha in 2025! Learn more about Encuentro Square below. Jessica's Moment: "I was proud to help put this family in English classes, help them find a job and fill out their asylum documents, and move into their own apartment using DCFS support funds. It was a team effort." -Jessica Morales, Lead Intact Family Services Case Manager Association House leads its Child Welfare programs with compassion and respect for the families it serves. Learn more about our Foster Care and Intact Family Services programs below. -- Help us continue providing Chicagoans with the support they need to secure their brightest future possible. Donate today and have your donation matched 100% through 2025 at associationhouse.org/donate .

Dear Friends, For 125 years, Association House has been a home for our community. Since 1899, the House has been a safe space where individuals can find unwavering acceptance and support in their journey to build a better future. As we proudly celebrate this milestone, we are filled with gratitude for the journey we have shared and the thousands of individuals we have touched along the way. Thanks to you – our stakeholders, donors, staff, and participants – we have been able to create a meaningful impact and continue to respond to the critical needs of our community. In 2024, we made significant strides toward our bold goal of rapidly expanding access to high-quality services, especially for our Black and Latinx communities that face persistent barriers. We expanded our Workforce Development programs to provide more individuals with job training that leads to sustainable careers and long-term economic stability. We hired additional Child Welfare staff to ensure every child has a safe and loving place to call home. After nearly a year of planning and preparation, we strategically partnered with LUCHA to address the critical housing needs in our community. This annual report is a celebration of Association House’s 125-year legacy and the people like you who continue to support us in this vital mission. Together, we make sure that everyone has a place to call home. Let’s continue to build a brighter tomorrow together, for the next 125 years and beyond. With gratitude, Juan Carlos Linares President & CEO

Child Welfare award-winner Angelica Gervacio was recognized for her compassionate care. Children and families in the Child Welfare system face incredibly challenging odds. For a child, an encounter with the foster care system can be traumatic by nature, and research shows  that trauma can have a lifelong impact. Nearly 80% of children with history in the foster care system report serious mental issues ; 21% exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, even after finding a permanent home. Conquering the difficult work of keeping children safe is up to Child Welfare case workers. Guiding children and families through the process of rehoming or reunification with respect and kindness is key– but this is easier said than done!  At Association House, we operate a Foster Care program for licensing foster parents and giving foster kids loving places to live; and an Intact Family Services program for reuniting families separated by crisis situations that put children at risk. For our Child Welfare team, the work doesn’t end with rehabilitating families, or seeking new homes for foster children.  We create a culture of fairness, dignity, and compassion for our families, ensuring that parents can find the strength to change their lives, and that children have the support to face their futures confidently. From our annual toy drive to give our Child Welfare families a holiday without compromises, to our judgement-free approach to case management , our team is committed to leading with love. Angelica accepts the CWCA Staff of the Year Award! This year, our unique approach was recognized in more ways than we ever expected. We received three unique honors from leading agencies in the state, celebrating the accomplishments of our Child Welfare team! At this year’s Latino Family Institute Day, one of our star case workers, Angelica Gervacio, was honored with the Child Welfare Contributing Agency Staff of the Year Award  for her inspiring work in the field.  In December, we received honors directly from DCFS in the form of a Certificate of Appreciation for Foster Law Implementation . We were one of two agencies in the state to receive this award, given to programs that demonstrate outstanding treatment of its foster families.  But we were especially proud of receiving the 2024 Internship Site of the Year Award  from the Chicago Center– proof that our approach to foster care and family services is speaking to a new generation of social workers and generating change for the future. Brooklyn says her internship with our Child Welfare department showed her what respectful social work was capable of. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve learned more in my few months here than I have in the last three years of college," shared Brooklyn, one of our Child Welfare interns. "It’s exceeded my expectations. There are certain case workers here who’ve put me in awe. You can tell they pour their whole soul into this job. " Brooklyn joined our team of interns in 2024 in pursuit of her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Loyola University. Paired with our Intact Family Services award-winner Angelica, she had the chance to see how an emotionally challenging side of Social Work could be handled with care. "You hear a lot about anger toward the whole dynamic of foster care, but I’ve been to a home visit with Angelica where the parent told me, ‘We love her so much. She’s saving our family.’ "  The Association House Child Welfare department accepts their DCFS Certificate of Appreciation. Through this work with Child Welfare team, Brooklyn is excited to face whatever challenges her future career holds, and to change lives for the better in the process. We're honored to share our tradition of compassionate case management with the next generation of Child Welfare workers, and looking forward to another year of pushing our field to be the best it can be. -- Learn more about how Association House does Child Welfare differently at associationhouse.org/child-welfare .

When Association House completed its last strategic plan in 2023, one need was heard over and over again: housing. While Association House has rapidly expanded access to free and low cost mental health services and job training, the need for affordable housing has continued to increase. To truly live into our mission to advance each person’s full participation in community, we knew we needed to take action. Earlier this year, we began conversations with LUCHA , a longtime partner organization and leader in affordable housing development. We wondered, “how might we do more, together?” Through these conversations a plan emerged, and today, we are thrilled to announce a formal alliance approved by our boards in October. Through this alliance, LUCHA will be able to scale its innovative affordable housing development, backed by the strength of Association House. Community and client-based services, like housing counseling, legal assistance, and resident engagement will continue under the Association House umbrella, bringing a multitude of services to LUCHA residents and the wider community. “LUCHA and Association House share common values,  and we often serve the same clients. The more we talked, the more obvious the way forward became. Together, we have incredible potential to better serve our community,” explains Lillian Bui, Association House’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. “LUCHA and Association House of Chicago are both long-standing organizations that serve IL-03. I applaud all efforts to ensure they are both strong, sustainable institutions able to continue serving our community. I am grateful to the leadership of both organizations for their collaboration on this forward-looking effort,” said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. “Coming out of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that nonprofits operate in a strategic  manner. This partnership stabilizes operations in the quickly evolving affordable housing development space, while enhancing service offerings across the board,” explains Juan Carlos Linares, Association House’s President & CEO. Notably, Juan Carlos previously served as Executive Director of LUCHA from 2013-2019, where he oversaw the award-winning Tierra Linda development. This expertise will prove invaluable as we plan our future together, as two organizations, operating in a strong alliance. “For us, it’s always about the people. When an individual can access affordable housing in their own community, in the language they’re most comfortable speaking, and receive a full suite of wraparound services, lives change. That’s what this is all about,” adds Julie Rodriguez, Association House Executive Vice President.

This year's Holiday Smiles Toy Drive at Association House is well underway, and we're on track to make it one of our strongest years yet! As of today, we're nearly 60% to our goal of sponsoring 500 foster kids , gifting them their most-wanted toys and throwing them the holiday festivities they deserve. If you're looking to get involved, there's no better day than Giving Tuesday to show your community you care. In the home stretch before the holidays, we're giving away a wintertime prize package to one lucky donor who helps us give our foster care kids the best holiday ever! If you purchase a toy or make a donation to our activity fund this week, you'll have a shot at a $50 Jeni's Ice Cream gift card , plus some Association House swag. Entering the giveaway is simple, and you can enter anytime before the end of the day on Giving Tuesday-- that's December 3rd! Head to one of the links below to purchase a gift from our Amazon wishlist OR make a one-time donation to our Holiday Toy Drive activity fund! Send us your donation receipt! You can DM us a photo on Instagram , Facebook , or email us at development@associationhouse.org . Cross your fingers for the winner reveal on December 6! If you've already donated, you still qualify for entry! Just send us your receipt to enter. Participating in Giving Tuesday only takes a moment, but it makes a lifetime of difference for the foster children we serve. Thank you for helping us fill this season with joy and gratitude for our foster children and families! -- For more information on all the ways you can still get involved in the Toy Drive and Giving Tuesday, visit associationhouse.org/givingtuesday . ▪

For 16 years, we've provided students of Association House High School with free onsite child care through our Family Literacy Program. It's impossible to overstate the impact of this program on the parents in our building, who are given the chance to pursue their education knowing that their child has somewhere safe to learn and play. Now, in our 125th anniversary year, we're opening our doors to even more little learners. The Family Literacy Program is now available to trainees in our Workforce Development programs. Our Workforce Development division has seen huge growth over the past few years, opening new career paths for our participants all year round. To better support our Workforce students on their journey, we want to take the stress of child care off their plate. “It’s not just daycare,” says program director Michelle Greene. “We show parents how to be their child’s first teacher. We have parenting workshops, take visits to the library, and host Parent and Child Together (PACT) activities so parents have dedicated time to really bond with their kids.”  For students of our most intensive Workforce Training classes-- Financial Careers Training, Association House Kitchen, and Clean Energy Jobs Training-- children from 6 weeks to 5 years old are eligible to join our colorful playrooms and learn alongside our caring bilingual staff. And just like we've offered parent-child bonding time to our high schoolers, the doors are open to Workforce Training parents too. We're excited to provide a home away from home for our new Family Literacy Program kids: hosting holiday parties, playing music, reading, and napping every day away. -- Learn more about the Family Literacy Program at associationhouse.org/family-literacy-program . Interested in a Workforce Training program at Association House? Check out associationhouse.org/workforce-development .