The Resurrection Project - Latest news

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.

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!

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

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.

Examinate Comadre! TRP's Araceli Lucio on Chicago Catolico

9/18/2009, 3:51 PM

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Chicago Catolico - Translated by Alex Morales

The Church Also Says “Examínate Comadre”

(original article from Chicago Catolico Vol.4 No.5 May 2009)

TRP's Araceli Lucio educates parishioners

Karen Callaway for Chicago Catolico

The Archdioceses of Chicago joins the annual campaign “Examínate Comadre”, a campaign aptly touted for Mother’s Day that aims to timely detect and prevent breast or cervical cancer among the women who attend their parishes.

Paulina Guzmán always remembers her happy encounter with a Latina woman whom she met in 2003 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The women, without health insurance and also undocumented, had attended one of the workshops offered at no cost by Access Community Health Network with the purpose of preventing breast and cervical cancer deaths among minorities.

“After the workshop the women perform a test and detected breast cancer. Since she was undocumented, she couldn’t have access to the necessary funds to cover the cancer treatment but part of our mission is to get her in contact with hospitals where she can get the treatment at little or no cost. That was it and she survived” said Guzmán, program coordinator.

Guzmán deemed this case as a “God sent testimonial about the importance of the Examínate Comadre campaign”, one that her non-profit organization puts together at Illinois parishes and communities, with funding from the State’s Department of Public Health.

Through this initiative, over 250,000 women received information at one of the 300 parishes during 2008 and all around Illinois. “This year we want to reach to half million women at 600 parishes of different denominations” said Guzmán.

The campaign reaches it peak point during “Examínate Comadre” on Mother’s Day Sunday May, 10.

Good for the Epiphany Parish
When Alicia Barrios, community organizer for the Epiphany parish in Little Village found out that Examínate Comadre (Pin A Sister) is a program to save lives, she did not hesitate and contacted Access Community Health Network. Barrios realized that an effective way of disbursing this vital information in her community was during the distribution of food items. So every Monday, while the parishioners wait for these items at the parish located at 2425 S. Keeler Ave., a health advocate talks to them about the importance of mammography and pap smears tests.

“Most important is to save lives by reaching out to women or men that can rely to their wives about the risks they are facing if not tested” said Barrios.

The parish put the initiative in practice 8 months ago, when it was distributing food items to 50 families, by now they distribute 72 food packages weekly. “We are satisfied because we are not only helping your with your faith and basic food needs, but also with information that can save lives” said Barrios.

Araceli Lucio from The Resurrection Project, one of the non-profit organizations that help in the implementation of the campaign, emphasized on that this programs does not exclude any women, regardless of the migratory status she is in and permits her to receive the testing and treatment at little or no cost.

Latinas are at Higher Risk

The data managed by the Illinois Department of Health points at Caucasian women are the most prone to contract breast cancer, however Latinas registered the highest number of deaths due to this disease.

Based on the studies results, Guzmán assures that breast cancers is being diagnosed on Latinas when it is at advanced stages and this must be a due to not practicing preventive medicine as Caucasian women do.

“There are many obstacles. Many Latinas and African-American females do not have health insurance since it is too expensive. For obvious reasons, they rather pay their rent than going to the doctor. In the case of Latinas, the problems compound as some might be undocumented”. Araceli also explained the cultural aspect that comes to play as Latinas are not accustomed to this sort of testing.

For those in charge of coordinating and launching the campaign in the Chicago parishes this event is of capital importance as many women trust movements taking place within the Christian faith as it helps their brothers and sisters alike.

For Guzmán the message that this campaign transmits to Latina women is simple: regardless of your migratory status, we link you with the resources and proper care, this could save your life.

Access Community Health Network and The Resurrection Project invite other parishes to participate and register in the program by calling (773) 257-5901 or by email to guzp@accesscommunityhealth.net.

*for a .pdf of the print version of the article click here.

La Raza in Chicago

9/18/2009, 3:49 PM

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Curtis Black for Newstips v2.0 Community Media Workshop

Newstips Editor Curtis Black from Community Media Workshop announces The Resurrection Project as recipient of the 2009 Family Strengthening Award of the National Council of La Raza in recognition of the role of its financial services program.

Read the whole article - http://communitymediaworkshop.org/newstips/?p=671.

Pilsen Community Comes Together at Tarde en El Zocalo 2009

9/18/2009, 10:25 AM

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Alex Morales

Around 700 neighbors attended this year's Tarde en El Zocalo

Alex Morales

Last Friday August 21st, Tarde en El Zócalo—The Resurrection Project’s annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage—took place on the Zócalo plaza in Pilsen (18th Street & Paulina Street). 700 neighbors spent a fun evening enjoying festivities that included music, film and faith.

The evening kicked off with a beautiful performance of the Rondalla Voces Románticas de Chicago: 12 acoustic guitars led by Juan José Noyola serenaded the audience, performing nostalgic romantic ballads and classics by the likes of Los Panchos and Los Condes.

Rondalla Voces Romanticas de Chicago

Alex Morales

The Rondalla’s guitar sounds set the perfect pace for the evening as abuelitas in attendance remember their first danzon while eagerly waiting for a special street Mass service sponsored by the Pilsen Catholic Cluster. Special guest Francis Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago delivered the Mass in English and Spanish. Other priest from local parishes, including board member Father Mike Michelini, assisted the Cardinal in the proceedings. The Mass service also featured the music from Grupo Éxodo, a local Christian musical group with a tropical flavor (featuring TRP’s financial counselor Guille León).

Francis Cardinal George

Alex Morales

Around 8:00pm, local artist groups Tarima Son and Fandanguero came together on stage to perform. Their fusion conjured the sounds of Son Jarocho (Son is musical time signature, Jarocho is a Mexican region) to an audience that, regardless of the drizzly weather, couldn’t stop dancing or tapping their feet.

After this phenomenal performance, the evening ended with popcorn and a special presentation of the movie Gol!, an inspirational story about a youngster who crossed the border with his parents and his dreams of becoming a futbol (soccer) legend. The movie was sponsored by National Louis University.

TRP would like to thank all of those who made this year’s Tarde a successful event. We are already looking forward to celebrate the next Tarde en El Zócalo in 2010 and predicting it as the most special Tardes yet since 2010 marks our 20th anniversary. Stay tuned.

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.

Hoops in the Hood Recognizes RBL on its 10th Anniversary

8/26/2009, 4:11 PM

Alex Morales

Jeanette Galicia

On August 22nd , during the Hoops in the Hood Cross-City Final at Seward Park, The Resurrection Project was recognized for pioneering a successful initiative, the Resurrection Basketball League (RBL). For the past 10 years, RBL has provided provides neighborhood youth with safe alternatives to gang activity during Friday nights in the summer.

In 1999, The Resurrection Project initiated this program designed to engage the youth in healthy, teach them about leadership and sportsmanship, and prevent them from engaging in gang violence. The effort gave birth to the Resurrection Basketball League (RBL), an initiative whose goals are to build relationships within the community and directly impact the youth by providing a safe space for them—and their families—to have fun and learn team-building in an environment that usually is reserved for gang activity. During Friday nights, RBL youth discover, on the blocks they are taught to avoid, that they have alternatives to the guns and violence that dominate those areas.

The Resurrection Basketball League program served as the model adopted by the City of Chicago for Hoops in the Hood, a citywide LISC sponsored program. Today the Hoops in the Hood street basketball program is present at 11 New Communities Program neighborhoods and also encompasses arts activities, public health screenings and police engagement, thus laying the groundwork for stronger safety-oriented collaborations between residents and law enforcement.

“This honor is all due to the great work by all of the volunteers & staff along the years and the kids that made us realize that it wasn't about us, it was about them and that we needed to address safety in creative ways” declared Alvaro Obregon, TRP’s New Communities Program Director and co-founder of the Resurrection Basketball League.

As we enter a second decade of providing safe spaces for youth, The Resurrection Project looks forward to successfully continue providing these positive recreational alternatives to our neighborhood’s youth.

Announcing The Guerrerense Scholarship Winners

8/20/2009, 5:34 PM

As our community’s schools continue nurturing our youth to create our future leaders, TRP continues promoting opportunities for those willing to pursue their dreams and succeed in life. Last May we announced the Guerrerense Scholarship, an opportunity for students of Guerrerense heritage to receive an educational award to make paying for post secondary studies less of a burden.

After carefully reviewing several high-caliber applications, the committee selected 3 recipients from our local Benito Juarez High School. The Resurrection Project is proud to announce that seniors Daisy Garcia, Rosalba Castrejon and Raquel Olivas are the 2009 recipients of the Guerrerense Scholarships.

“I plan to get my college degree in psychology and be able to apply my knowledge and skills with the youth in the community” states Daisy, a future DePaul University student and an active leader in the community through her service at Casa Juan Diego and St. Pius for five years. Once she graduates from college, she plans to continue her service to the community by engaging more in social events that promote the pursuit and value of education.

Like Daisy, Raquel would like to pursue a career as a psychologist “I feel that I am a reliable person that many time friends and family members have come to for advice and I would like to help other people as well. I definitely want to be civically engaged in this beautiful and culturally enriched Mexican community that has been great to me for all these years.”

One of Raquel’s future goals is opening her own affordable practice locally to assist the community. Rosalba also plans to be engaged in her community as a teacher to actively promote the value of an education as the key to attain success. “I would love to work in Pilsen as an elementary-bilingual teacher and help the youth because I know that children need help to succeed at an early age, and I want to be that source of help” she said.

Collectively, these young women would like to advice fellow Guerrerense youth to work hard to achieve all your life goals and dreams. “Times are difficult for everyone right now, whether you are trying to get a job, or trying to pay for college but keep in mind that we live in the 'land of opportunity' and no matter how difficult things might seem, there is always that light shining bright at the end of the tunnel, nothing is impossible” Rosalba stated.

Digital Excellence Program Helps Bridge Divide

7/28/2009, 4:53 PM

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Jane DeRonne for LISC/Chicago

Four neighborhoods are bridging the digital divide through LISC/Chicago’s Digital Excellence Demonstration Communities (DEDC) pilot program, bringing universal, meaningful participation in technology to low-income communities. Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the program as an integral part of the City of Chicago’s Digital Excellence Action Agenda that was launched July 21.

The four pilot neighborhoods—Pilsen, Englewood, Auburn Gresham and Chicago Lawn—have developed digital excellence plans and begun their implementation, including projects such as distributing low-cost, refurbished computers; training community members in using digital resources; creating community web portals (http://www.pilsenportal.org/ is one example); and helping local youth develop digital content.

The neighborhood-based, wide-ranging plans aim to build awareness, skills and digital infrastructure and programming. "If we want to improve the quality of life for everyone, we must work to make sure that every resident and business has access to 21st Century technology in their own neighborhoods and homes,” said Daley at the July 21 news conference in Pilsen.

The Resurrection Project in Pilsen, Teamwork Englewood, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp. and Greater Southwest Development Corporation in Chicago Lawn—all lead agencies in LISC/Chicago’s New Communities Program (NCP)—engaged more than 300 residents, public agency officials, business owners and nonprofit leaders from more than 60 institutions to develop their digital excellence plans.

The neighborhoods are now implementing their plans, including working with community partners to take advantage of special Microsoft grants that will provide software to 33 nonprofits working in the DEDC sites.

With support from LISC and guidance from expert planners, the neighborhoods are also developing a cross-community “master plan” that focuses on five main goals: raising awareness/changing mindsets; providing education, training and technical support for users; providing universal, affordable high-speed Internet access; providing affordable hardware and software; and developing digital programming, skills and content.

The planning process leverages the experiences and relationships developed through NCP, which over the past seven years has built a robust and effective platform for community development initiatives.

"We’re proud to build on the New Communities Program and support neighborhoods as they connect their community members to technologies they need to be successful in today’s world,” said Andrew J. Mooney, LISC/Chicago’s executive director.

Other support for the DEDC program comes from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Microsoft Corporation.

You can watch the press conference in its entirety here.

The Resurrection Project Wins Family Strengthening Award at 2009 National Council of La Raza Conference

7/16/2009, 3:11 PM

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Congratulations TRP!
The Resurrection Project (TRP) is honored to be a recipient of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) 2009 Family Strengthening Awards. NCLR is the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States and is hosting its annual conference in Chicago from July 25-July 28. TRP will be presented with the Award during the conference’s National Affiliate Luncheon.

“By connecting families to critical social service networks and key support services, our affiliates empower them to become active and contributing partners in the development of stronger American communities,” stated José A. Velázquez, NCLR’s Deputy Vice President of Affiliate Member Services. NCLR, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, presents the Family Strengthening Awards to three outstanding community-based member organizations (from a national network of nearly 300 Affiliates) whose programs have made a measurable impact in the advancement of Latino families.

The Resurrection Project is honored to receive this Award in recognition of the accomplishments of its Financial Services initiative and its successful integration with the rest of our efforts to shaping a thriving Latino community. In conjunction with the annual convention, TRP Financial Services director Kristen Komara will be participating in panels and workshops to disseminate our best practices to other affiliates from around the country. We are proud to be a local and national leader in building healthy communities.

The National Affiliate Luncheon is being held Saturday, July 25th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m as part of the 2009 NCLR Annual National Conference. You must be registered to attend. For more information or to register, please click here.

The Resurrection Project Unveils Casa Morelos

7/10/2009, 10:17 AM

Monday, June 22, 2009

On Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 3:30pm, The Resurrection Project, in partnership with its financing partners Bank of America, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the City of Chicago Department of Community Development, celebrated the completion of Casa Morelos—the newest affordable rental building and the first State of Illinois Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project in the community of Pilsen—with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the site located directly north of the Alivio Medical Center in Pilsen.

The economic climate and depressed housing markets have increased the communities’ need for affordable housing, especially for renters. Casa Morelos will provide 45 units of high-quality housing at affordable rates to Chicagoland families at a prime location easily accessible to health care, transportation, local schools and parks, and the Pilsen Industrial Corridor.

Father Charles Dahm blesses Casa Morelos

The Resurrection Project showcased the new building, which includes 45 one, two, and three bedroom apartments and features several green building technologies including a green rooftop system reducing energy consumption and water entering the storm sewers. Casa Morelos is located at 2015 S. Morgan in the Pilsen community.

You too can live at Casa Morelos! We are accepting applications, and to complete one simply click here, print, complete and bring it to our offices. For an application in Spanish click here.

Pilsen Community Rallies Against State Budget Cuts

7/9/2009, 4:32 PM

Alex Morales

The proposed Illinois State budget cuts will have severely detrimental effects on services that are crucial for children, youth, and families. Programs for families in need are in jeopardy of being cut in half, if not eliminated.

These devastating cuts would translate into a lack without educational support, lack of counseling/therapy for mental illness, abuse and neglect.

We urge our legislators to put people before politics, work through the challenges, and give the people in Illinois a deserving budget - not one balanced on the backs of working class families.

School's Out: The Importance of The Dream Act

7/9/2009, 12:19 PM

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Walter Morris - Medill News Service Reporter Chicago

It's the end of the school year, and for thousands of graduating Chicago students, that means looking ahead toward college. But for one group of teens, the phrase "School's Out" means just that. Walter Morris explains.

To learn more and to get involve in our efforts contact Fernando Martinez at (312) 850-1935 Ext. 107.

Public Notice and Invitation for Public Comment Regarding a Neighborhood Stabilization Program’s Federal Grant Application

7/6/2009, 2:52 PM

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The Resurrection Project, as part of a national consortium of non-profit affordable housing developers, will submit an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Round II (NSP II) Notice of Funding Availability released on May 4, 2009.

The coalition participants have chosen Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC) to act as the lead applicant and fiscal agent for this grant request.CPLC is among the largest non-profit community development corporations in the United States.CPLC has organized this coalition in partnership with NALCAB – National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders. All of the organizations that make up this consortium serve predominately Hispanic/Latino communities and provide bilingual/ bicultural services.

The purpose of this application is to stabilize neighborhoods whose viability have been and continue to be damaged by the economic effects of foreclosed upon, abandoned, blighted and vacant properties.The CPLC/ NALCAB NSPII Consortium anticipates that the activities proposed in this application will substantively stabilize local real estate markets, particularly in lower-income areas, and stimulate local economies.

The CPLC/ NALCAB NSPII Consortium hereby solicits public comment on the following program details:

Establish financing mechanisms for the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed upon homes and residential properties.
Purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon.
Establish land banks for homes and residential properties that have been foreclosed upon.
Demolition of blighted structures.
Redevelop demolished or vacant properties as housing.

Public comments may be submitted by visiting http://www.cplc.org/nsp2

Empowerment through financial education for Latina women

6/29/2009, 10:45 AM

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Kiran Sood - Medill News Service Business Reporter Chicago

Guadalupe Raymundo, financial counselor at The Resurrection Project, instructs a group of women at the Instituto del Progreso Latino as part of a program responding to the needs of Latina single mothers in Chicago through comprehensive services.

For Cicero resident Leticia Franco, a single mother, a typical day includes working as a part-time cashier, caring for her 10-year-old son, and preparing for the GED exam she hopes to take this summer and that, once passed, will bring her closer to her long-term dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Franco, 27, took another important step toward achieving her goals earlier this year when she signed up for financial counseling sessions as part of a pilot program, Mujer Avanzando, that's aimed at raising the financial literacy levels of single Latina mothers.

The courses, held at the Instituto del Progreso Latino in Pilsen, teach the women how to manage their money, build their budgets, and secure safe, affordable housing.

“If you look at statistics, the number of single mothers that have no skills, especially the Latina women, or have low education, it is very hard for them to get a job,” said Guadalupe Raymundo, financial counselor at the Resurrection Project, a community organization that offers services in the Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

Single mothers now head 10 million homes nationwide, and their number is growing, according to a report released last month by the Chicago-based Eleanor Foundation, an advocacy group aimed at helping working women achieve economic independence.

In the Chicago area, including both the city and surrounding suburbs, single mothers head 39 percent, or 84,942 households, of which 49 percent are black, 25 percent are white and 23 percent are Latinas.

Up to 76 percent of single mothers in the Chicago region are employed—with 77 percent of those employed working 35 hours a week or more. Fewer than 10 percent receive public assistance, but nearly 40 percent of single mothers earn just $30,000 per year or less, the Eleanor Foundation study found.

Mayra Franco, 20, attending her second session of coursework as part of Mujer Avanzando at the Instituto del Progreso Latino.

KIRAN SOOD

Without the necessary tools and resources, these women, some of whom receive no child support and who dream of well-paying jobs and financial security, face barriers in achieving economic success for themselves and their families.

“They are here looking for something where they can excel in their education and provide a better education for their children, and break the cycle,” Raymundo said. “It is really important for them not only to discover the potential they have, but to also put it into practice.”

The program is a partnership between Instituto del Progreso Latino, The Resurrection Project and Mujeres Latinas en Acción, all of whom will leverage their relative expertise in the core areas to revolutionize a community partnership model that produces demonstrable results where working women increase their earnings, multiply their household assets and eventually become homeowners

KIRAN SOOD

Financial literacy has become a hot-button issue in many communities that have been hard hit by the housing crisis, among them Cicero, Pilsen and Back of the Yards. In the city of Chicago, there were 99,488 foreclosure filings in 2008 – a 53 percent increase over 2007, according to RealtyTrac Inc.

Personal bankruptcies are also on the rise. According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings rose 37 percent nationwide in May to 124,838 from the same period a year ago.

Money Smart Week, held by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in April, featured more than 500 events, of which 40 were Spanish language discussions on topics including homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and personal finance.

More than 87,000 individuals participated in the weeklong series of events. Fourteen percent of the adult attendees were Hispanic, compared with 39 percent last year, said Alejo Torres, senior outreach program manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, who was unsure of the reason for the drop in attendees identifying themselves as Hispanic.

For any community in which foreclosure is an issue, Torres said, financial education is increasingly important. He acknowledged that many individuals made mistakes, and some were misled.

"Financial products are becoming more and more complex every day,” Torres said. “Education has to be implemented across the board. People need to take action before they make big financial decisions; otherwise it is much harder to dig yourself out of a situation.”

Visa Inc. and the Chicago Fed co-sponsored the third annual Financial Literacy and Education Summit on April 20 to discuss financial literacy as a component of the solution to the global economic crisis.

“A year ago, [the issue] was suffering in darkness,” said Jason Alderman, director of financial education at Visa. “One by-product of the recession is that people have focused more on education. We want to make sure Americans can be resilient if another crisis hits.”

Back at the Instituto del Progreso Latino in Pilsen, Mayra Franco, 20, just completed her second week of courses. The oldest daughter of an unemployed single immigrant mother, Franco enrolled in the course after a friend told her it would help her build a budget, save money, and prepare for the higher education she dreams of achieving.

In addition to weekly attendance at the courses, she divides her time between part-time classes at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, working 35 hours a week as a cashier at a local store, her family at home, and spending time with her boyfriend. She aspires to attend college to study business management someday.

“I need help, I cannot do everything by myself,” Franco said. “I have problems doing my resume, I want to get a better job, and I want to know how I can get started saving money, and how they can help me get into a university.”

For women like Mayra and Leticia Franco, financial education programs are a stepping stone to a better life, and one they hope to pass on to their children.

“My son understands too, when I take him to day care..[that] he is helping me,” Leticia Franco said. “For him education is important, and he also wants his mother to have this important education as well.”

Community Partners Showcase Holistic Development

5/15/2009, 2:03 PM

Friday, May 15, 2009

Alex Morales

Andrew J. Mooney, Executive Director of LISC/Chicago, Scott C. Swanson, President & CEO of Charter One Bank and TRP's Executive Director Raul Raymundo discuss the new housing development for 17th Street and Damen Ave.

Alex Morales

On Wednesday May 14th, at the Celebrating Holistic Development event, The Resurrection Project, Alivio Medical Center, Gads Hills Center, LISC/Chicago, Charter One Foundation and other community members celebrated their successful efforts on Health, Education, & Housing in our community. Around 200 community residents were there to learn more about the future of Pilsen and to enjoy of the sounds of the Orozco Mariachis, the dancing of the Orozco Ballet Folklorico and delicious Mexican botanas.

The event highlighted exciting new developments within the Pilsen community—including a community health center at the Jose Clemente Orozco Community Academy, a local middle school— and the partnerships that have been leveraged to see them succeed. The Orozco Health Center will soon be opening, not just for the students but the community in general. The new facilities will be operated by Alivio Medical Center and will offer a wide variety of medical services at little or no cost for its patients.

Orozco's Ballet Folklorico delights the audience

Catherine Ruffing

The Health Center is a component of Elev8, TRP’s innovative program for students and parents at Orozco that transforms the educational achievement and life outcomes of disadvantaged middle school students through extended-day activities; weekend and summer programs; connecting families to public benefits; mentoring and help with high school placement. At the moment Elev8 runs 28 different programs at Orozco, with opportunities for the community on computer literacy, English and arts and crafts courses among other offerings.

Celebrating Holistic Development also introduced TRP’s new housing development and latest bricks-and-mortar investment - 19 new townhomes at 17th and Damen Avenue across the street from the school, literally steps away from the middle school.

In a neighborhood facing low high school and college graduation rates and an ongoing lack of affordable housing, TRP and its partners are investing in the future of local families. Considering health, education, housing and more to promote viable community living is our holistic approach and the event was able to honor and recognize the partnerships that make this possible.

Free Tax Preparation Protects Locals from Predatory Practices

4/28/2009, 1:19 PM

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Alex Morales/Walter Morris for Medill News

The Resurrection Project, through the support of LISC/Chicago (Local Initiative Support Corporation) and in partnership with Instituto Del Progreso Latino, worked intensively to keep communities from paying too much for tax preparation.

Fortunately, through the Center for Working Families, an innovative program launched so far in 12 Chicago community-based organizations with the intention to increase financial stability among low-income local residents, we were able to reach this critical mass.

CWF’s efforts aimed to keep away local residents from predatory tax preparation practices in which taxpayers surrender almost 30% of their total reimbursement for a quick refund check or a high interest loan on the refund.

Mr. Walter Morris from Medill News at Northwestern University explains:

CWF helps families and individuals become financially safe by providing job services and long-term case management; one-on-one financial and money management counseling; customized banking products; state-of-the art screening for public benefits and free tax preparation services.

For more information contact Instituto Del Progreso Latino at (773) 890-0055.

Senator Dick Durbin Visits Pilsen

4/27/2009, 4:29 PM

Monday, April 27, 2009

Alex Morales

On Saturday April 27, Senator Dick Durbin visited Pilsen to learn more about the local issues and how the community is working together to improve its quality of life. Community Leaders from Resurrection Project, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, and Alivio Medical Center, along with students from Benito Juarez Community Academy, effectively presented their concerns to the Senator on issues such as education, safety, affordable housing and immigration. Local concerns were voiced as well as local successes evidenced in the work done in Pilsen through the Pilsen Planning Committee and thanks to the support of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s New Communities Program, who arranged the Senator’s visit to our community.

Later that day Senator Durbin joined Alderman Solis and the Pilsen Community for the Dia De Los Niños Parade

The Senator met with Benito Juarez Community Academy students and received first hand accounts of the difficulties they would face once they try to get into their college of choice. These students praised Senator Durbin’s efforts in supporting the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, better known as the "DREAM Act", a proposed federal legislation seeks to provide certain immigrant students who graduate from US high schools, who are of good moral character, had arrived in the US as children, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment, the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency.

Unfortunately, the DREAM act has not been adopted into law just yet but will make it easier for undocumented students to pursue an education and to become citizens. However, bright young high school students currently seeking post secondary studies are facing the limitations when it comes to the affordability of college and the lack of financial aid available due to their legal status.

Overall the Senator was impressed with our work on issues such as affordable housing, education and community organizing. He congratulated our efforts on saving homes from foreclosure, encouraging us to promote and take advantage of the President’s Neighborhood Stabilization Plan. Our community is very proud of our successes and will continue to work in tandem with our elected officials, influencing their decisions for the common good.