Office of Latino Affairs
Transcription
Office of Latino Affairs
2015 Year-in-Review catholic char ities of the archdiocese of chicago Office of Latino Affairs BUSINESSES AS PARTNERS IN OUR MISSION Northern Trust Volunteers The Office of Latino Affairs welcomes the support of the business community in serving and strengthening the individuals and families served by Catholic Charities. One group of business leaders who partnered with us in 2015 is the Northern Trust Latin Heritage Leadership Council (LHLC). Formed 10 years ago, these employees seek to serve their community. This past year, the LHLC volunteered twice at Casa Catalina Basic Needs Center located in the Back of the Yards community, unloading donated food from a truck, filling bags with nonperishable food items, and distributing them to individuals in need. In 2016, they are doubling their commitment and will be volunteering on a quarterly basis. Catholic Charities is grateful for their dedication and service. We invite your company to join us as well. Contact Ilse Zenteno from the Office of Latino Affairs at [email protected] or (312) 655-7596 for more information. LHLC members at Casa Catalina Basic Needs Center in the Back of the Yards. Hispanic Business Expo To raise awareness of Catholic Charities programs and services, the Office of Latino Affairs and the Latino Advisory Committee participated in the annual Hispanic Business Expo on August 6 at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provided us with an informational table, giving us the opportunity to further educate and engage with the business community. In total, we collected more than 70 new business cards, allowing us to expand our service and community outreach. We are grateful to the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for their generous support and partnership in our mission. Roberto Escalante, Chief Operating Officer at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, with Jose Melendez, Catholic Charities Board Member, and Ilse Zenteno at the Hispanic Business Expo reception. MISSION LATINO ADVISORY COMMITTEE Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has a long-standing history of service to immigrants. Recognizing the growth of the Latino community in Cook and Lake counties, the Office of Latino Affairs was established in 2007. The focus of this office is three-fold: promote community outreach and education; identify unmet needs in the Latino community and work toward solutions; act as a resource to parishes and community partners. In the spring, the LAC invited family and friends to serve dinner at Cooke’s Manor on the Hines VA Campus (a residence for veterans in recovery). In the fall, members sponsored and served a warm meal to the hungry and homeless who visit our offices. OFFICE OF LATINO AFFAIRS Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Dalia Bagdonas Rocotello, Director (312) 655-8492 Ilse P. Zenteno Bilingual Project Manager (312) 655-7596 LATINO ADVISORY COMMITTEE Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland President, Catholic Charities Clement Martin Stella Gaytan Chairperson Vice Chairperson Marta Lundy Melissa Abad Sylvia Maldonado Gustavo Abello Most Rev. John Manz Tatiana Alonso Cesar Marin Lilia Alvarado Jose Melendez Carlos Aparicio Deacon Jesus Casas Juan Fernando Mendoza Raiza Mendoza Hugo Chavez Jorge Saucedo Flor de Maria Delgado Elizabeth Florez Anthony Suarez-Abraham Margarita Garcia Layla P. Suleiman Gonzalez Goya Vega-Byrnes Angel Gutierrez Arthur R. Velasquez Martha Ibarra Carmen Velasquez Rita Arias Jirasek Mireya Vera Karen Larimer Maria Vidal de Haymes Jose Lopez The Latino Advisory Committee (LAC) is a standing committee of the Catholic Charities Board of Advisors. Founded in 2007, the Committee supports the Latino community through fundraising for agency programs and advocacy efforts. We share with you here some of the highlights of 2015 and invite you to join us as we build on these successes in 2016. Building Membership and Leadership The LAC focused on building and developing its membership and increasing leadership engagement among the different committees of the Board. In March, they hosted an Info Social at the Union League Club to encourage colleagues to become involved with Catholic Charities. More than 20 attendees expressed an interest in volunteering and Board service. In April, the LAC invited family and friends to serve supper for veterans in recovery from addiction at Cooke’s Manor on the Hines VA Campus, and in September, they sponsored and served a warm meal to the hungry and homeless at our Tuesday Night Supper at 721 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago. We extend our thanks to the LAC for their extraordinary leadership and service. Chairman of the Junior Board Executive Committee, Kristina Mulhall (center), with Violeta and Judith Hernandez at the Info Social in March. Advocacy Days Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago OFFICE OF LATINO AFFAIRS 721 N. LaSalle St. • Chicago, IL 60654 Board member Goya Vega-Byrnes with City Southwest Regional Director, Marilu Gonzalez, on the Capitol steps in Springfield, Illinois. Every 30 seconds someone counts on Catholic Charities for help. In the spring, the LAC joined members of the Catholic Charities Board to advocate on behalf of the more than 1 million vulnerable Illinoisans we serve each year. Program and agency information tailored to legislative districts was provided to 65 elected officials. Follow up visits from this trip included Senator Martin Sandoval of the 11th Legislative District, who conducted a site visit to our new City Southwest Regional Office and committed his support to our work in his district. COLLABORATIONS The Lake County Latino Advisory Council at the Chicago Botanical Garden on May 12. Community leaders and stakeholders meet at the Catholic Charities City Southwest Regional Office. On The Table Through participation in community networks in Cook and Lake counties, the Office of Latino Affairs is able to identify emerging trends impacting Latinos and explore opportunities for collaboration. On May 12, we partnered with the Chicago Community Trust and joined them in hosting community-wide conversations known as “On The Table.” We coordinated two events with the goal of discussing Latino leadership and philanthropy. Marilu Gonzalez, Regional Director of the City Southwest Region, held a breakfast discussion at her office in Gage Park, and the Catholic Charities Latino Advisory Council held their luncheon at the Chicago Botanical Garden. Both discussions were lively, with many participants interested in continuing the conversation and proactively pursuing opportunities for action. New Regional Advisory Board Forms In the fall, a new Regional Advisory Board formed out of the City Southwest Regional Office. In October, the group attended a retreat and reflected on how they could each be an active member and guide and support the operations of the office. In December, they hosted their first Info Social at St. Casimir to invite more colleagues and community members to get involved. This vibrant group of leaders brings a fresh breath of energy and passion to the region. To learn how you can get involved, contact Marilu Gonzalez at marigonzalez@ catholicchariites.net or (773) 349-8835. Partnerships with Universities Ibero students with grandmothers from the Chicago Lawn Child Development Center at the “abuelitas workshops” developed to promote the importance of early childhood education. Partnerships with universities both locally and internationally –i.e. DePaul, Dominican, Loyola, Iberoamericana in Mexico City – allowed us to identify unmet needs in the community and collaborate toward creative solutions. Students engaged in diverse projects focusing on themes such as early childhood education, nutrition health, family communication, and art expression with youth and adults. Our office welcomes volunteers and interns wanting to serve our Latino community. Contact Ilse Zenteno to learn how you can get involved at (312) 655-7596. FUNDRAISER Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland, Patricia Perillo from The Perillo Motor Group, and Cesar Marin, a LAC member. Ayudando Nuestras Familias In October, the LAC hosted its Ayudando Nuestras Familias (Helping Our Families) Cocktail Reception Fundraiser. Every year, proceeds benefit Catholic Charities programs that serve and strengthen Latino families. This year, in honor of its 10th Anniversary, all proceeds benefited Casa Catalina Basic Needs Center. Sister Joellen Tumas and her dedicated team of staff and volunteers distribute over 525,000 meals each year, providing much needed nutrition to families that promotes wellness and academic success. More than $40,000 was raised (a 57% increase from 2014!) to provide food and emergency services to the residents of the Back of the Yards community. We thank all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees who made this event such a success! To learn how you can get involved this upcoming year, please contact Ilse Zenteno at (312) 655-7596 or [email protected]. 2015 EVENT SPONSORS Perillo, Wintrust, Azteca Foods Inc., BGK Security, Chicago Title, @properties, Thomas & Gregoria VegaByrnes, BMO Harris Bank, Claretian Missionaries, Dr. Jorge & Karen Saucedo, Dutch Farms, Gustavo & Isabell Abello, Hero-Beech Nut, Holy Cross Hospital, Manufacturers Sales Solutions – Goode Foods, Arias Information Solutions LLC, Silvercreek Finance, Abt, Alfred Bedia & David Herrera, Carmen Velasquez, Clem & Norma Martin, Elizabeth Florez, Friends of CCLA, Hughes-Socol-Piers-Resnick-Dym Ltd., Illinois Hispanic Nurses Association, Joseph Gonzalez, Kimball & Karen Anderson, La Criolla Inc., Arnold Arias Jirasek & Rita Arias Jirasek, Saint Cletus Church, Wallin/ Gomez Architects Ltd., Central Printers & Graphics Inc., Constellation Brands, Hispanic Pro, Melendez Insurance, Monterrey Security