Park Manor Elementary School, located in the Greater Grand Crossing Community, is truly a school that embodies the spirit of hard work. The school, which is home to 332 students, was a failing school up until 2013, when it earned a coveted Level 1 ranking. Thanks to the dedication and leadership of its new principal, Dr. William E. Johnson, it only took three short years to accomplish this monumental task. The most inspirational factor of all, though, is that this turn-around came from within its current staff and student body, exemplifying how determination and focus can overcome any adversity.

On Saturday, May 11, 2013 volunteers from across the city came together to transform Park Manor Elementary. Volunteers repainted 7 spaces floor to ceiling, which included the first and second floor hallways, the two stairwells, the gym, the cafeteria and a computer lab. Volunteers also painted 5 quotes, 22 panel murals, 33 wall murals, 4 playground graphics and repainted the bookshelves in the library. Outside of the school, volunteers weeded and planted 88 plants, many of which matched the school colors. Finally, volunteers built 10 mural back benches, 9 additional bookshelves to be placed in the library, and 9 “soxxie” storage benches to be used around the school.

The likes of Alex Rios and several other Chicago White Sox players stopped by to not only support the event but to lend a helping hand. City Year Chicago is honored to have participated and facilitated another Chicago White Sox Service Day. Check out the rest of the photos here.

Saturday, April 27, 2013, nearly 600 volunteers showed up to Carl Schurz High School in the Irving Park community for City Year Chicago’s service day on Comcast Cares Day. Now in its 12th year, Comcast Cares Day is a national service day with Comcast and several of it’s community partners. This year over 500,000 volunteers participated around the world.

To give you an idea of just how much work our volunteers did, here’s a list of what was painted:

• •2 chalkboard murals
• •23 posterized cultural icons
• •33 original murals
• •35 panel murals
• •44 school pride images
• •AND 68 quotes.

If that isn’t enough, here’s a few more things we completed:

• •The library re-organization
• •The alumni picture frame assembly
• •The 15 mural back bench construction project
• •The repainting of the ENTIRE lunchroom and 2 weight rooms
• •The gardening project

Nina Iliza, senior corps member at City Year Chicago along with several others played a major role in planning City Year Chicago’s service event. “GYSD/Comcast Cares Day was such an amazing event to be a part of. Seeing such a wide range of people come together to be a part of one huge service day was absolutely awesome! The most exciting part was being able to talk to Schurz students as they physically worked to leave behind a legacy for their school,” says Nina.

Today could not have been possible without the help of our many wonderful partners, including City Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Urban League and the National Council of La Raza. Our hope is that the work we have done today, and throughout the year, will have a lasting and meaningful impact on these communities.

-Comcast

 

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and supported the 12th Annual Comcast Cares Day and Global Youth Service Day! Check out the rest of the photos here.

Two years ago, in April of 2011 at the 79th Midwestern Regional Convention in Louisville, Kentucky I first learned about the organization City Year. At the time, I was honestly concerned about post-graduate opportunities and hadn’t quit realized the magnitude of the work I would embark on if I decided to apply to City Year.

Just a few weeks later, I decided to take up the recommendation of applying to City Year. During my interview process, I was reminded of just how much mentoring I had completed in my undergraduate years. My experiences ranged from working with students at Jones College Prep and Jenner Elementary Academy to developing an annual event called “Phresh Foundation” through my fraternity chapter, where we give away free haircuts and school supplies to young men ages 18 & under.It all of a sudden reminded me of the importance of the journey that I was about to embark on.

After completing my experience with City Year, I joined the staff as the Marketing/Communications coordinator. For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to partner with Alpha Phi Alpha during the Midwestern Regional convention. During this time I table at the convention and share with brothers my experience with City Year, and the importance of them giving a year of service.

This past weekend I worked at the Midwestern Regional convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had the honor and privilege to speak in front of hundreds of my frat brothers during the Community Outreach Luncheon. It was not only one of those unforgettable moments in Alpha, but in City Year as well. I have been faced with a challenge–show more African American men the importance of giving a year of service with City Year–something  that will take time, consistency, and support. Although my experience had many ups and downs during my corps year, I really learned a lot about who I am, and my strengths and weaknesses. Working with students everyday and encouraging them to follow their dreams and work hard really made me look at areas in my life that I needed to improve. I did a lot of self-reflecting and came to terms with things about myself that I had overlooked for years. My experience with City Year also reconnected me with “what is really going on” in our communities. I learned that many of these kids want to succeed in life, but lack the guidance of a mentor to lead them along the way. These are all things that the media rarely shows, or puts emphasis on. In order to understand our youth, we have to reach back and talk to them. Which leaves me with one question.

“Where would you be today if you hadn’t had the support of a mentor or role model in your life?”

As an 8th grade-student it’s sometimes hard to fathom the idea of college, and what it actually means. You’re constantly reminded of how important grades are and what they mean for your future, but for struggling students in often under-served communities, it’s hard to stay motivated when you aren’t seeing real-life success stories. Corps member Michael Casciari serving on the City Year team at Maria Saucedo Academy saw an opportunity to change this. For the past several weeks, the 8th grade students have been reading Urrea’s first book “Across The Wire: Life & Times on the Mexican Border.” With the help of his teacher, Mrs. Mendoza, corps member Michael Casciari thought it would be a great idea if he could get the author to visit the school. After several emails, and constant communication, Casciari’s idea came to fruition.  

Friday, March 22nd, the 8th grade student body received a special visit from the author of the book they were reading, Luis Urrea. It was a rare opportunity that these students were able to experience this, but it turned out to be very rewarding on both ends.

In a high-populated ESL (English as Second Language) community, Urrea shared the many challenges he faced becoming a best-selling author born in Tijuana, Mexico-one of these being his struggle to maintain higher than a C average, which he ultimately didn’t succeed at. For many students, this provided an opportunity of hope. A reason to be something greater than what they had imagined they could be. Most importantly, a real-life success story-not a reality television star or basketball player-but something they could relate to. It showed them, despite any flaws, mistakes, or doubts there was still a great chance that they could succeed at whatever they wanted if they just tried.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions such as “Was there ever a time you were afraid to fail?” and  ”Did you ever have to face gangs growing up as a kid?” Most of the group of nearly 100 students left the room with a signed copy of their books, but it’s safe to say that each one left the room feeling a little bit more inspired.Professor Urrea was so touched by his experience with the students that him and his wife promised to give 75 new copies of ‘Across The Wire’ to the incoming 8th graders of Mrs. Mendoza’s ELA classes and 75 new copies of Professor Urrea’s graphic novel ‘Mr. Mendoza’s Paintbrush’. What was once just an idea, turned into a fruitful opportunity for hundreds of students.

It is opportunities like these, that we are reminded that each student has to ability to do such great things, if only provided the proper guidance, making this quote such an appropriate ending.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Thank You:

The City Year Team at Maria Saucedo Elementary

Cindy and Luis Urrea

Mrs. Mendoza

Faculty/Staff of Maria Saucedo Academy

This Thursday is our 14th Annual, Ripples of Hope Dinner. In honor of this huge event for City Year, we are taking the time to honor our supporters. In Part 1, we told you a little more about David J. Vitale, and in Part 2, we’ll tell you more about Glenn F. Tilton, who will also be honored at this Thursday’s event.

Glenn F. Tilton is Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase and a member of its companywide Executive Committee. Assuming this role in June 2011, he is the company’s senior executive across its businesses and functions in the region, and focuses on building and strengthening the company’s business and brand in the Midwest United States.
Until December 2012, Tilton also served as non-executive chairman of the board of directors of United Continental Holdings, Inc., following the merger between United and Continental Airlines in 2010. Prior to the merger, Tilton served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of UAL Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of United Airlines, positions he assumed in 2002, where he led the company through a $23 billion restructuring, returned the company to profitability and successfully completed the merger with Continental Airlines.
Prior to joining United, having completed the merger of Texaco and Chevron, Tilton was vice chairman of the board of directors of ChevronTexaco, as well as interim chairman of Dynegy Inc. Up to that time, he served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Texaco Inc., a position he assumed in February 2001.
Tilton joined Texaco Inc. in 1970 and served in various marketing, corporate planning and operational assignments of increasing responsibility, including president of Texaco Europe, president of Texaco USA and president of Texaco’s Global Business Unit.
In 2010, Tilton was named by President Obama to the President’s Export Council and by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee. He is also on the board of directors of Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Phillips 66, United Continental Holdings, Inc., and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare.
In 2011, he was named as chairman of the American Cancer Society’s national program, CEOs Against Cancer. Tilton serves on the boards for World Business Chicago Executive Committee, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Commercial Club of Chicago Civic Committee, the Executives’ Club of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Big Shoulders Fund, After School Matters, and the 100 Club of Chicago.

We’d also like to thank some more of our co-chairs who have supported this event at a significant level:

Stephen R. Quazzo, CEO, Pearlmark Real Estate Partners

Penny Pritzker and Bryan Traubert, Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation

Michael Watts, President, Midwest Region, Transwestern

United Airlines

Edward J. Wehmer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Wintrust Financial Corporation

Casey Keller, President, North America, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company

More Info: Ripples Of Hope

Time: 5:30 PM Reception; 6:30 PM Dinner

Location: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 North Columbus Drive

For over a decade, City Year Chicago has hosted it’s annual “Ripples Of Hope” dinner in Chicago. Next Thursday, March 14th marks our 14th Annual Ripples of Hope Awards Dinner. The Ripples of Hope Dinner raises essential revenue directed to training diverse young leaders to serve as tutors, mentors and role models – helping to build the high school graduation pipeline. This year we’ll be honoring two very important people. We’ll take the time to honor, Glenn F. Tilton, Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase, and David J. Vitale, President of the Chicago Board of Education. In the first of two blog posts leading up to our annual Ripples of Hope, we’ll tell you a little more about David Vitale.

Named the President of the Chicago Board of Education by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in May of 2011, previously, David Vitale served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Chicago Public School system from 2003 -2008. The Chicago Public Schools is the third-largest school district in the country and the second-largest employer in Illinois with more than 47,000 employees. In February of 2003, Vitale joined the Chicago Public Schools as Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Arne Duncan, working with Mr. Duncan on a full-time, pro-bono basis to improve efficiencies of the school system. In May of 2003, Mr. Vitale expanded his pro-bono job to become Chief Administrative Officer.

Currently, Vitale is the Chairman of Urban Partnership Bank, a newly formed bank serving the financially under-served neighborhoods of Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit.

A Chicago resident, Vitale is a graduate of Harvard University and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago.

We’d also like to thank some of our co-chairs who have supported this event through their significant contributions:

Michael J. Alter, President, The Alter Group

Mark Furlong, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Harris Bank

John T. Cusack, Vice Chairman Finance Group, DLA Piper LLP (US)

Harrison I. Steans, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Financial Investment Corporation

Jennifer W. Steans, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Investment Corporation

John A. Canning Jr., Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC

More Info: Ripples Of Hope

Time: 5:30 PM Reception; 6:30 PM Dinner

Location: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 North Columbus Drive

This past Saturday, March 2nd, City Year Chicago partnered with Imagine Englewood If to help beautify the facilities. Located at 69th an Emerald, on the South Side of Chicago, Imagine Englewood If’s mission is to strengthen and empower the greater Englewood community through teaching local youth healthy living, environmental awareness and positive communication skills. IEi… motivates youth and their families to seek a positive quality of life and encourages them to pursue positive change.

Approximately 30 volunteers worked hard to paint murals, quotes, and positive figures to help promote a more positive climate for the Imagine Englewood If community center. Students from neighborhood schools Robeson and Harper High Schools, also participated, some even painting for the first time. “It was great to see an organization that I worked so closely with during my corps year get beautified,” says Mike Mosley, marketing/communications coordinator for City Year Chicago. Check out a couple more pictures below from the event.

While today is the last official day of Black History Month, we know that every day is Black History. But in honor of this special month, we wanted to make sure that we are going out with a bang.

On Friday, February 8, 2013,  in honor of Black History Month, City Year Chicago spent a day documenting Jordan Walker. Walker, A 2011 Morehouse College alum and Chicago native allowed us the opportunity to tap into his life for a day as a corps member. Serving on the BMO Harris Bank team at Collins Academy High School on the Westside of Chicago, Walker works everyday alongside Ms. Henley, a freshmen English teacher. We introduce you to morning greeting, where City Year encourages students to get to school and class on time. On this particular day, the BMO Harris team decided to give away breakfast to the first 85 students to arrive to school on time. You’ll then hear directly from Ms. Henley, who talks about Walker’s value in the classroom. “Realistically, sometimes you need the presence of a Black male to talk to other Black males,” says Henley.  We also hear about the values instilled in a Morehouse man, and how they transfer into the importance of serving. “Service was a big part of my college experience,” says Walker who decided to commit to a year of service, and complete over 1,700 hours with City Year.

Filmed & Edited By: Myron Miler, corps member

Corps member Vinova Koray describes a special Ubuntu story and connection she made with one of her students.

The first time I met James* was the first day in their sixth grade Social Justice and Writing class when my teacher leaned over and whispered, “Watch out for that one.” I didn’t know then that he’d be the reason behind my biggest headaches and my widest smiles, but I figured it out quickly.

It couldn’t have been more than five minutes into silent reading, after my teacher pointed him out, that Holden gets up, flips his chair over, strings together a line of profanity well beyond his 13 years, and storms out of the classroom.

I was already failing at doing this whole ‘watch out for him’ thing right.

Escorting him down to the dean’s office, I wasn’t quite sure what to say. He knows that kind of language isn’t acceptable in school. He knows flipping a chair over is far from appropriate classroom behavior. I went through a whole check-list of what he must’ve not known to act the way he did, but then it struck me, maybe there was something I didn’t know. I didn’t know how he reacts in certain situations, what the situation even was, who it was directed towards, etc. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t even know where the dean’s office was.

So I wandered around the school for a bit, confident I’d have to run into it at some point, before I asked, “James, what happened?”

He didn’t say anything, but he did lift his eyes off the ground for the first time to give me a look of concern, as if I was the one who just had enough anger to throw a chair at eleven am in the morning.

“Why do you care?” He responded, his tone threatening.

Having only known this boy for less than an hour, I couldn’t think of a good reason I would care, so instead I opted for, “I don’t really care, because it’s over. You still have three whole classes left today to make up for it. I’m just curious, that’s all.”

“What do you mean ‘it’s over’?”

“It happened.”

“I’m still going to get in trouble for it.”

“I mean sure, you threw a chair. But it happened. We can’t change that. But we have three more classes to go, and we can change those.”

He stopped, mid-hallway (which was further than the dean’s office than we had originally started) and lifted his head, “You have to promise to listen.”

So he talked and I listened, something I’ve struggled with doing since I first learned to speak. He ended with “…I probably shouldn’t have done it. But we have three more classes to go. Thanks, Ms. Vee.”  The storm settled itself, and all I had to do was listen. He’s reasonable for teaching me when you have nothing to say, you should listen; when you have something to say, you should still listen.

Day one down and I didn’t have to say a thing.

I wish I could say all our days go as smoothly.  Let’s be honest, he’s also taught me patience.

The chair-flipping was only the start to a series of close calls with expulsion. We have yet to have a week that we bring in all our homework or days where we don’t close our eyes, put our head down, dose off, and still insist we we’re paying attention. I’m almost convinced he has a check-list of ways to push my buttons hidden away somewhere in his binder that I have yet to find.

One of City Year’s core values is Ubuntu, a Zulu proverb that means, “I am a person through other people; my humanity is tied to yours.” I don’t think I still completely get it, but I have a deeper understanding of it now thanks to Holden; he’s taught me, is that children aren’t as simple as we like to think. I am just as dependent on James as he is on me; our humanity is interwoven together because we’re sharing the same world. His struggles are my struggles-his success, my success. It’s the reason I am so committed to his commitment to himself. Our relationship is one relationship of billions in this world, and somehow, some way, they are all connected.

Do I still need to “watch out for that one”? Yes. He’s no angel; he’s a thirteen year-old boy. But the boy I met in September isn’t the same one I know now. He might not have the best test scores, the best attendance, or the best attitude, but he’s putting in the effort. He’s investing in himself. He’s starting to hold his own.

And so am I.

I would be lying if I said I was the same Ms. Vee he met in September. I have City Year, my school, my team, but most of all, my students to thank for that.

 

* Students name changed for privacy

My name is Jessica Haynes and I am from a south suburb of Chicago, Dolton, IL. I grew up in Chicago and attended CPS for grammar school (Wacker) and high school (Harlan). Due to the neighborhood I grew up in, I was very sheltered. My grandparents had a huge part in raising me. Because of that, I was not able to travel the neighborhood like my friends; they needed to know my whereabouts almost hourly and I had a set time to be home from school. This made me become very close to them. I had “normal” girl challenges growing up. In grammar school I was bullied, did not have many friends, and struggled with feeling different while trying to fit in. Struggling in grammar school, made me a closed person but somehow made my high school experience a very positive one.

After high school I attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL. I chose to attend Bradley because my godmother attended school there and it was far enough from home but just close enough so I could come home on weekends. Going from a predominately African American high school to a predominately Caucasian one was a huge culture shock and quite an adjustment. Bradley was amazing with helping me transition from high school life to the college atmosphere. While at Bradley I was a part of several student organizations and held many executive positions; the most monumental organization I joined was Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  I decided to join this organization because of the close connection the ladies had on campus. I could relate to each member on a personal level and saw something in each of them that I wanted to achieve. Things such as better time management, leadership skills, campus networking, and general life skills. Once I joined, I became more passionate with the business side of the sorority. I valued this because I think that with organizations there is a backbone structure that needs to be in place for the organization to run smoothly. Once I became the president of my chapter that what my ultimate goal.

Being a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has prepared me for City Year because it forced me to step outside my comfort zone to work with other people within the sorority and outside the sorority to accomplish events on campus and state-wide levels. I chose to give a year of service to City Year because I believe in the future of our young people. If the younger minority population is not properly equipped with the tools educationally and socially they will not be able to compete in society. City Year Chicago brings together 100+ women and men to work together and Zeta has help me understand that people are different and we must be able to set aside our differences and focus on our main goal.

I think it is important for African Americans who are apart of Divine 9 organizations to give a year of service because although each Divine 9 organization is different, they all are focused on service. Giving a year of service will correlate with what their organization was founded upon. Young African Americans seeing other African Americans in a position of power or leadership will hopefully give them motivation to strive for more.

An inspirational person in my life and someone I admire is Zora Neal Hurston. I believe Hurston has a passion for writing and educating others that is contagious for anyone who researchers her. One of my favorite quotes by her is, “It is hard to apply one-self to study when there is no money to pay for food and lodging. I almost never explain these things when folks are asking me why I don’t do this or that.” This quote is so prevalent to the service we give in City Year. Most of the students we come in contact with are faced with so much more than what meets the eye. It is important to realize this in order to be the role model we desire and to provide excellent service.  For Black History Month I am reflecting on the influential leaders in my life who have helped me become the woman I am. Everyone you come in contact with can be made into a learning opportunity. I am very fortunate for the African Americans I’ve come in contact with who have had a positive impact on my life.