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Pilsen Families Commemorate “Día de Los Muertos”

10/18/2009, 1:50 PM

Friday, October 16, 2009

Alex Morales

On Friday October 30th, the Pilsen community will host its annual Día de los Muertos procession and celebration. The procession will start at 10:00am at St. Procopius Parish, located on 18th Street and Allport, and culminate at Pilsen’s El Zócalo at 18th Street and Paulina. During the Día de los Muertos procession, hundreds of neighbors come out to see traditional Santa Muerte skulls and enjoy the dancing and poetry of the Saint Procopius Parish School children at El Zócalo, where people gather to drop gifts for their ancestors at an altar decorated by the schoolchildren.

El Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, is tradition that can be traced back to indigenous populations in Mexico and the rituals they practiced to honor their deceased relatives. These ceremonies were observed by ancient civilizations for thousands of years. To these ancient cultures, death was viewed as a continuation of life; therefore, instead of fearing death, they embraced it. The celebration of Día de los Muertos was later adopted by the Spaniards, who moved the celebration date to November 2, to coincide with the Catholic commemoration of All Souls' Day.

Alex Morales

In its current form, Día de los Muertos pays tribute to loved ones who have passed away with visits the cemetery to clean and decorate their ancestors’ graves and share a meal together. (A common decoration is the Santa Muerte skull, which has been used in Día de los Muertos celebrations since the Aztecs.) The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that their ancestors will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations often take a light-hearted tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. This tradition now has migrated to the United States along with the many Mexican families who have made Chicago their home, and the strong Mexican-American presence in Pilsen makes for an authentic Día de los Muertos for families and schoolchildren. Please join us at 10 am on October 30th!

Brand New Affordable Senior Housing Becoming a Reality: Casa Maravilla

10/20/2009, 1:38 PM

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Alex Morales

In March 2009, The Resurrection Project embarked on the construction of a new state-of-the-art living facility for Chicago’s independent seniors, Casa Maravilla. Located in the Pilsen neighborhood and less than 5 minutes from the downtown area, Casa Maravilla will help meet the need for affordable senior living in the lower southwest side of Chicago.

This $20 million project will be the first affordable senior housing development in Pilsen and will offer 73 affordable units—a mix that includes studios, one and two-bedroom apartments. Depending on income, rents will fluctuate between $350 to $900 monthly (including heat).

Among Casa Maravilla’s unique features is a Satellite Senior Center run by City of Chicago Department of Family Services. The center will be open for the whole community and will feature a fitness facility as well as the popular Golden Dinner Program, offering seniors hot nutritious meals daily and more. Health education sessions, exercise classes, conferences and trips will also be part of this innovative community facility.

Growing Station's Community Gardens at El Paseo, just steps away from Casa Maravilla

The Resurrection Project also considered the environmental impact that its developments have in the community and have included advanced green elements like geo-thermal heating, a 75% recycled-material exterior insulation, a semi-permeable parking lot and a green roof (designed to decrease cooling costs), into the new building’s design. Residents of Casa Maravilla can also take advantage of the community gardening opportunities located in their block, just steps away at El Paseo’s Growing Stations Community Garden.

Another convenience is Casa Maravilla’s proximity to Alivio Medical Center, a local bilingual medical non-for-profit organization, which will improve access to affordable health care to all those seniors taking advantage of this great housing opportunity.

Casa Maravilla’s attractive new apartments are currently is slated to open by May of 2010. Applications are not yet being taken, but those who are interested can put their names on a waiting list. For more information on Casa Maravilla and/or to join the waiting list, please call us at 312-666-1323.

Inspiring Families to Learn with Elev8!

10/15/2009, 1:48 PM

Elev8's Mariachi Bridge Program

Elev8, an initiative designed to integrate new services locally at the Pilsen neighborhood elementary school Orozco Community Academy, has successfully engaged students and their families in a wide variety of educational opportunities ranging from computer training to health classes. During its first year, thirty Orozco parents took advantage of the opportunities, and this number continues to grow as Elev8 popularity grows.

“Response has been very positive as parents seized the opportunities available, took advantage of the programs and learned new valuable skills, which have improved their living” shared Luis Bermudez, Elev8 Site Director. “Elev8 parents learn new skills, they can make the leap to use a computer, to eventually use email and the internet, and perhaps, increase their earning potential.”

Many Elev8 parents committed to these courses achieved perfect attendance during this 1st year cycle; this despite the many different responsibilities parents cope on a daily basis. Those with perfect attendance were able to enter in a special giveaway of two brand new laptops, possible thanks to a Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) grant.

Susana Gonzalez, an Orozco Academy parent and Elev8 participant, was one of the lucky parents to win one of the personal computers. “I was initially attracted by the topics covered by the Elev8 programs and decided to participate. I saw the benefits of these educational opportunities when I realized my English language skills were improving and, more important, as I was operating a computer. I defied that intimidation technology always made me feel” explained Ms. Gonzales. “Thanks to Elev8 I am capable of using a computer and be more aware about what my daughter does on the internet. We are both growing academically thanks to Elev8.”

Elev8's Computer Class

Another Elev8 participant and grandmother of an Orozco student, Maria Elena Rodriguez, also recently made the leap into the digital age. “My main motivation was to learn computers so I could help my grandson, know what he is watching online and also to be able to communicate with friends and family, here and back home,” Ms. Rodriguez commented. Like other participants, it was Maria Elena’s first encounter using computers. “Before, I felt insecure, but after seeing my grandson using the computer and understanding it pretty well, I realized that I could learn too. Thanks to Elev8, I was able to learn the basics, now I have my own email and I am eagerly waiting for a more advanced course.”

More Orozco parents are taking advantage of the learning opportunities Elev8 brings to the community and as the program enters its 2^nd year this trend is bound grow, especially when there is the chance of winning a new personal computer. “New parents are getting engaged, those that knew about Elev8 but had not yet taking advantage of the Elev8’s programs. This is good news as it ensures a higher turnout for this school year and years to come” exclaimed Mr. Bermudez as he looks forward to extend the impact of Elev8 programs in our community.

Learn more about Elev8 and its first year in the community in the following articles:

For more information contact Luis Bermudez, Elev8 Site Director at Orozco Community Academy, at (312)666-1323 ext. 241 or email lbermudez@resurrectionproject.org

Mayor Daley Dedicates Casa Morelos

9/16/2009, 3:26 PM

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - City of Chicago Mayor's Press Office

Alex Morales

Mayor Richard M. Daley today dedicated a new development in the City’s Pilsen neighborhood that provides 45-units of affordable rental housing for low-income families and is a part of a new affordable housing campus.

“The creation of more quality affordable housing for individuals and families is one of the ways that we are building a better future for the people of Chicago,” Daley said in remarks delivered at Casa Morelos, 2015 S. Morgan St.

“We will continue to work with our community partners to provide housing that promotes the social and economic well-being of our communities.

Casa Morelos was constructed in partnership with The Resurrection Project. To build the development the City invested $2.9 million in loans, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) provided a $750,000 loan and $948,820 in tax credits, generating $8.9 million in equity and an investment of $48,000 in donations tax credit equity. Additional funding came from grants and a private mortgage loan.

Casa Morelos

The building includes a mix of one- to three-bedroom units in a seven-story building with initial monthly rates from $530 to $755. Sizes range from 552 to 1,116 square feet. Amenities include laundry facilities, onsite parking, a community room with free Wi-Fi access and a community garden that is open to nearby residents.

Green Roof

The project incorporates various green elements into the design and construction of the development. Features include water permeable paving, highly efficient boiler and hot water systems, a green roof that reduces sewer overflow and exterior wall insulation made from recycled materials.

The development is part of a campus environment that provides a range of housing, including Casa Maravilla, a 72-unit affordable senior housing complex currently under construction with a City-operated senior services center in the same location and the adjacent Alivio Medical Center.

Alivio Medical Center was constructed with $1.7 million in Enterprise Zone (EZ). The center serves as the primary medical care facility for the surrounding community.

“The campus will create a strong sense of community, where residents will work to support and recognize each other’s contributions,” Daley said. “It is developments like these that help our neighborhoods grow stronger, and demonstrate how working together we can provide affordable housing citywide.

“We are proud of our investment here and the progress we have been able to make working with our housing partners. We remain committed to teaming up with our partners to build better neighborhoods and create housing opportunities for all residents,” he said.

The Casa Morelos site brings the latest investment to the community. The City’s commitment includes nearby developments that have received support, including the 25-unit multifamily housing development called Casa Guerrero and several
New Homes for Chicago developments located on scattered sites.

Mayor Richard M. Daley, Alderman Danny Solis and TRP's CEO Raul Raymundo tour Ms. Pintor's apartment.

Alex Morales

Since 1991, the City has had a longstanding partnership with The Resurrection Project in bringing quality affordable housing to the community. The City has helped support the creation of over 200 units of for-sale affordable housing and over 200 units of affordable rental housing in the area.

Daley thanked The Resurrection Project, a longtime leader in redevelopment efforts in the community.

“By joining resources and drawing on each other’s expertise, we are able to achieve results that none of us would be able to do alone,” he said.

Applications are being accepted for the building, which recently opened. For leasing information, call The Resurrection Project at 312-666-1323.

Planting & Harvesting at El Paseo’s New Growing Station Community Garden

10/5/2009, 3:00 PM

Monday, August 31, 2009

Ron Gordon

Pilsen continues its trend towards green growth: early in July, a new community garden was built and planted at W 21st street and S. Sangamon. The garden sits nestled amongst the native plants of the Paseo Project, a newly rejuvenated green space adjacent to the Alivio Medical Center and the newly opened Casa Morelos (The Resurrection Project’s latest building, offering 45 new units of affordable rental housing to the neighborhood).

This once overgrown and abandoned lot is now a lively pathway where residents take evening walks with their dogs, bicycle, jog, and garden in the Growing Station Community Garden, where raised beds and planters overflow with dozens of varieties of vegetables and herbs. The garden was initiated last February by a small group of local gardeners, artists, and designers who wanted to create a shared gardening space for the residents and contribute to the greening of Pilsen.

With the help of The Resurrection Project, Alderman Danny Solis, CDOT, and Alivio Medical Center, the group has raised money and connected with residents at the Pilsen Community Farmer’s Market. Funding, building materials, and tools have come from the Growing Station group, as well as from generous donations from local residents and the Pilsen Community Farmer’s Market. Local residents volunteered and helped to move mulch and dirt, construct raised beds, build a shed and composter - ultimately making this vision a reality.

Like so many urban gardens, the Growing Station Community Garden is helping to bring nature, beauty, and vitality in our community.

Get Involved: Volunteer and Invest!

11/2/2007, 10:41 AM

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