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Author: Gretchen Nord

Spring Break 2019

Youth spent additional time at Family Matters during Chicago Public Schools’ spring break in April. They took part in a variety of activities and field trips. They dyed (and tossed!) Easter eggs, created Vision Boards, went ice skating, and saw a movie.

On Thursday, before the long holiday weekend, fourth grader Jonathan asked a team member, “Pleeease can Family Matters be open tomorrow?” We’re overjoyed when youth are eager to spend time here!

The ice skating trip offered a first experience to all of the youth who attended. One declared that she would just watch, although by the time all the other children were lacing up their skates, she decided that she would try it too.

All of the children maintained a positive attitude about the experience, even when the skates hurt their ankles. Some traded in skates for different sizes or styles, and they persisted in skating. No one gave up.

Jonathan was a rockstar model of persistence. He was completely soaking wet within 30 minutes on the ice from the many times he fell. Each time he doggedly got up, took a breath, and continued his assault on the ice. Slowly, over the course of the session, he learned to stop “attacking” the ice and started to walk-glide.

After one of his falls, Jonathan commented to a team member, “I am not a quitter, Devon. I fall down, but I get back up and keep trying.”

We’re so grateful for these opportunities to spend extended time with youth and look forward to more full days ahead during summer programming.

If you would like to volunteer at Family Matters this summer, please email Devon. We have many opportunities available!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zarian and Matthew

Tutor/mentor-youth pairs have participated in one-to-one conversations this year to learn more about one another. We’re pleased to introduce our first pair – Zarian (Z) and Matthew (M)!

Z: Hi, this is Zarian Cargill.

M: And I’m Matthew Walter. Ok Zarian, do you remember starting tutoring with me? What were your first impressions?

Z: Hmm. It was pretty fun. Because I was excited, I didn’t know what was going on but, I was like, maybe I get to play games! And my sister was here so if I didn’t know what was going on she’d help me.

M: Love it. Anything else? First impressions of your time with me?

Z: You were a very, very, very nice guy and you still are. Even if you were trying to say “no” to something you would say it very nicely.

M: Thanks for sharing that, Zarian.

Z: No problem. Do you remember starting tutoring with me? What were your first impressions?

M: I feel like I had a lot of first impressions of you. I noticed that you were very grateful and thankful. And you had a lot of joy and laughter, and you and I really clicked and connected. You’re very conversational, and we laugh a lot together. What more do you want, right?

Z: Yeah.

M: Pretty awesome. Ok next question. Zarian, what do you like about the time we spend together?

Z: I like when we work on math because usually in my class math is hard, but you make it easy.

M: What about it feels easy?

Z: Well like, you help me and make me feel good. Like if I get something wrong, you tell me to slow down and you say it nicely.

M: That’s good to know that that’s helpful for you. Thanks for sharing that.

Z: No problem! What do you like about the time we spend together?

M: I really like that we’re able to work on your homework, do activities from Brooke, read, or work on math. And we’re also able to talk about your life and about your friends and things that you like as well. That’s what I like the most.

Z: (whispers) Thank you.

M: (laughs) Alright Zarian. What have you learned about me during your time in tutoring?

Z: Oh I learned a lot of stuff about you! I learned that you are like the nicest person ever!

(M laughs)

Z: I learned your last name.. Literally just now!

M: (laughs) Yes.

Z: I learned that you’re one the best tutors ever! You should be on the news.

M: (laughs) Oh Zarian.

Z: Like WGN news! 

M: WGN? Like specifically?

Z: Yeah.

M: Man, thank you Zarian! That’s so kind. 

Z: What have you learned about me during this time?

M: Zarian, I’ve learned so much about your friends, Shaneke and Anders, your family, your mom, your sister, and your brother. And Hamilton. And I feel like I learned a lot about how appreciative you are about all of the things you are involved with in your life. You also like games, and learning about and creating stories. I love that. Perfect night to talk about this right? Because we just wrote a story! What have you learned about yourself during this time?

Z: I learned that I have the best tutor ever! I learned that I have the best manager of the best tutor, which is Brooke. (I don’t know if she’s manager…)

M: She’s the manager. 

Z: Oh! I learned that I’m actually good at math when there’s someone nice around me. See, I have a whole family here, and I learned about Sandy [Matthew’s wife], and I learned about everybody! Oh my goodness, I love Family Matters.

M: Love it. That’s just so great. But I’m glad you learned about yourself that you like math and that you’re good at it. And we’ll continue getting better, right?

Z: Yeah. What have you learned about yourself during this time?

M: I think I learned that when I help you it also helps me. When I remind you to like, slow down with math, I also need that reminder for myself to slow down when like I’m reading. Or to slow down when I’m doing math. So this experience of helping you is also helping me. Which is pretty cool. What are the things you remember most about our times together?

Z: Ohh.

M: What things stand out to you?

Z: I remember, I remember when you beat me in Foosball!

M: Oh man. I didn’t mean to.

Z: It’s okay!

M: It happens.

Z: You’re the boss.

(Both laughs)

M: I’m the Foosball boss?

Z: Yeah, and I remember when we did the hot chocolate stand, there was this nice man walking around and after he got the hot chocolate he was like, “Why, thank you for this free hot chocolate!” And then he walked away. He was very nice.

M: That’s awesome. That was fun. Was that during the Christmas party?

Z: Yeah.

M: Nice.

Z: And I remember when I saved the day during the Christmas party with my phone by turning on some Christmas music.

M: You totally saved the day.

Z: What are some of the things you remember most about our time together?

M: I feel like we laugh a lot. I remember those times. I also remember dancing. I feel like randomly we just dance. So fun. Oh like right now.

(Z dances)

M: Uh oh, he’s dancing.

(both laughs)

M: Alright last question. If this were the last time we were gonna see each other, what would you wanna tell me?

Z: I would wanna tell you.. Oh my god you’re the best person ever!! I love you, you’re so nice! 

(M laughs)

Z: I hope this friendship never ends. You’re like the best person. I love you, you’re awesome. Sandy’s awesome!

M: Zarian, you’re so sweet.

Z: You’re awesome.

M: That’s so kind. That’s like the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I don’t even know what to say. If I were to answer the same exact question for you, I would say, Zarian you’re an amazing person. And you’re gonna do amazing things and you’re awesome.

Z: Thank you.

M: And this isn’t the last time we’re gonna see each other so we don’t have to worry about that.

Z: Phew.

M: Cause we’re buds. Thanks for saying all that nice stuff Zarian.

Z: No problem.

M: We’ve always got nice things to say about each other.

Z: True.

M: Truth! Alright, so what do you wanna say to end it? Just say something classic Zarian.

Z: Uhm.. Uhm I’m a godson.

(both laugh)

M: You heard it here.

 

 

Evening Tutoring Gives Back

This winter, Evening Tutoring hosted a supply drive for two organizations that are neighbors of Family Matters: Care for Real in Edgewater and Refugee One in Uptown. The collected items were specifically requested by the organizations and included household items, personal care items, clothing, and food.

To promote the drive, youth in Evening Tutoring created posters to hang throughout the building, letting everyone who wanted to participate know what to bring and where to put the items. Youth and tutor/mentors were also asked to spread the word to people they know outside of Family Matters. A collection box was placed on the first floor. 

Over three weeks, multiples of the following items were collected and donated: toothpaste, soap, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, clothing (for all seasons), boots, shoes, sheets, blankets, calendars, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, and pasta.

At the end of each week, the donations were delivered to Care for Real and Refugee One for disbursement to the families they work with. 

The idea for hosting a “drive” originated during Evening Tutoring’s Community Conversation last September. Tutor/mentoring pairs gathered together to discuss how they’d like to make a positive impact on their local and global community. The consensus was to host a supply drive, collecting items that people need and aren’t always able to access. 

Representatives from Refugee One said that they are “delighted” to receive the calendars they requested. During one drop off to Care for Real, a box of razors, soap, and shaving cream was handed to the gentleman organizing the donations. He looked at the box and said, “Wow! We can really use these.” 

Thanks to all who contributed to the drive for supporting these two organizations and giving back to this community!

 

 

Voices in Photos

by Talia Waxman, Family Matters Intern

This fall, That Goddess Power (Family Matters’ Teen Girls Program) conducted a Photovoice project: a community-based participatory research project about the ways that we respond to, resist, and heal from the impacts of violence. The purpose of the project was to discuss different issues and solutions surrounding how violence has impacted our lives, what we see, and why we think these things happen. TGP worked on the Photovoice project every Monday for six weeks.

Photovoice has three main goals: to enable people to record and reflect on their community’s strengths and concerns, to promote dialogue, and to reach policy makers. We took photos to represent how we felt about these different discussions. In our final workshop, we came up with six themes that capture our findings: Feelings, Every Picture Has A Message Behind It, Memories & Loved Ones To Be Remembered, Beauty is Everywhere / Overlooked World, Life Continues & We Move Forward, and Friend Support, Sister Bond, Love. Each photo connects to our themes in many different ways.

At the end of the project, we organized a photo exhibit at Willye B. White to share our work with the community. We decorated unique frames for each one of our photos, and hung them alongside captions that explained the meaning behind the photo. We wanted everyone to see a different perspective of Rogers Park through our eyes. Our photo exhibit showed the unique talents each one of the photographers captured. We celebrated with food, music, and lots of friends and family from the community. Everyone who attended had the chance to respond our exhibit by hanging up a sticky note with their thoughts. The responses talked about how the exhibit was inspiring, how teen girls are resilient, and how our photos gave them hope and appreciation for youth in Rogers Park!

Thank you to everyone who supported us and our Photovoice project. We are proud of our work and excited about the impact it had on us and our community.

 

 

Partner Spotlight: Specialty Print Communications

In a conversation with Adam LeFebvre, the President of Specialty Print Communications (SPC), his deep compassion from which the organization operates was immediately apparent. SPC’s six-year relationship with Family Matters speaks for itself. As the marketing and communications business grew, so did its engagement with Family Matters—sponsoring the Annual Gala, supporting teens in summer internships, and encouraging alumni of our programs to apply for positions.

According to Adam, the company’s track record of giving back extends even further. Adam remembers his upbringing in a modest and hardworking family. As the roots of the family business took hold, he recalls how he was raised to be altruistic. His father led by example rather than by setting expectations. He watched his father consistently and quietly step up whenever and wherever support was needed. For the Lefebvres at that time, it often meant providing free print services, because that is what they had to offer. The family has taken this spirit with them from generation to generation. It is a legacy that Adam and his wife instill in their two children today.

Adam, far right, with friends at Family Matters’ 2014 Gala.

There are two primary criteria that SPC look for when they extend their services and support to organizations: 1) a proven track record of success and 2) a direct impact. The business prefers to partner with people who demonstrate drive and motivation. Family Matters meets all of SPC’s criteria. Time and time again SPC has seen the youth come through our programming as achievers—graduating high school and going into the next phase of life, overcoming many obstacles along the way. From his perspective as an individual supporter and company sponsor, Adam surmises that there must be some magic for anyone who enters Family Matters’ doors and has the commitment to see the programs through. He believes that there are self-perpetuating opportunities and unlimited potentials to be had: the mentorships, the real-life exposure, the small victories. These are all components of the magic.

Family Matters teens visiting SPC in July 2018

Given his, and SPC’s exponential belief in the youths’ futures, and the effectiveness of Family Matters’ programming, SPC encourages all youth who have graduated from Family Matters to explore working at SPC. They are guaranteed an interview. SPC seeks employees who have the type of commitment, drive, and motivation that Family Matters develops. In addition to this generosity through his company, Adam is eager for the day when his schedule will allow him to tutor-mentor a youth one-to-one. As he puts it, “The truth is, it’s all going to pay us all back because it’s going to make the world a better place.”

Thank you to Adam and all at SPC for supporting Family Matters – we are incredibly grateful for your partnership!

If your company is interested in a partnership with Family Matters, please contact Amanda Reuter at amanda@familymatterschicago.org.

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Marietta McPike

Marietta McPike has been teaching piano at Family Matters for 20 years. In that time, she has worked with approximately 75 young people who participate in Youth Development programming. She began playing piano herself at the age of nine. She fondly remembers her own teacher, and how he would later become a friend. An important figure in her life, he taught her piano, harmony, and theory.

In addition to teaching piano, Marietta worked at IBM for 35 years. Still, she always found time for music. The skills that learning piano develops translate across several applications. It is a discipline where one must use the eyes, ears, brain, and muscles in order to progress. It requires the mastery of multiple senses as well as the mind. When asked how it feels, from her perspective as a teacher, when a young piano player demonstrates improvement on a song, she affirms, “The very best it when someone conquers a persistent problem… and suddenly can do it!”

She reflects, too, on how the youth have influenced her and on how they have shaped her thinking on very different perspectives as to expectations. She notes that one can be influenced by one’s surroundings, either to grow or to be stifled. Marietta remarks, “I like to challenge their ideas of what is possible and try to encourage them to reach higher, overcoming limitations.”

Learning piano is one way that youth, families, and Family Matters are contributing to building an equitable society in the North of Howard neighborhood. As Marietta says, “I think exposing the students to successful classical musicians of color, of different nationalities, of different ethnic backgrounds shows them that anyone….absolutely anyone…..can learn an instrument and be a star.  I adore showing them Winton Marsalis….Kathleen Battle…because it proves that they too can accomplish their goals.”

Family Matters is deeply grateful for all that Marietta shares with our community—time, talent, and a tenacious belief in Family Matters’ youth. There are currently five Family Matters youth piano players, and we are always seeking portable pianos for them to take home to practice, music books, and accessories to supplement their learning. Or you might consider sharing your own time and talent in another way!

Project RISE 2018

Two summers ago, Family Matters’ Boys to Men program launched an employment initiative, Project RISE, in partnership with the Community Church of Wilmette. Now in its third year, and with the support of the City of Chicago’s Chicagobility Summer Internship Project, Project RISE expanded this summer to include 31 youth.

Project RISE works to address biases and barriers that impede access to the workplace—deepening an understanding of how to leverage youths’ strengths and build relationships across ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. The program encompasses leadership, financial literacy, resiliency skills training and employment readiness, including the mock interviews and resume support given by members of the church’s congregation.

Mock Interviews

This summer’s participants worked 15 – 20 hours per week and had the opportunity to earn up to $450 in total. Teens were also provided a nutritious daily snack.

Community business partners included Sol Café, Little Beans, Neon, Urban Warrior, V-Tone Fitness, Neon CRM, Heartland Café, Ya Mon Jerk Grill, and the United Church of Rogers Park – all of which provided safe and supportive learning environments for youth.

Exposure to Possible Career Paths

Project RISE also afforded youth an opportunity to attend six field trips and to host four guest speakers. Guest speakers’ presentation topics focused on banking and personal investment strategies.

Field trips exposed youth to a diverse array of postsecondary college or career tracks and included:

–   Morningstar, Inc. (to deepen their understanding of financial literacy and the power of personal savings).

–   WNBA Chicago Sky game (including a “meet and greet” with a player and the coaches to learn more about sports management).

–   Exelon (to learn from a panel of diverse employees about their experiences as people of color in corporate America).

–   Specialty Print Communications (to get a “behind the scenes” look at direct marketing and the company’s innovative online and manufacturing operations).

–   Oakton Community College (to be introduced to the offerings of two-year schools: two-year degrees, certificate programs, and how one can take alternative paths by combining the two – i.e. obtaining an EMT certificate to fund a nursing degree).

Project RISE youth leaning in and asking questions in the Morningstar Board Room

Reaction from Teens

When asked to name one skill gained during the Project RISE experience that they are most proud of, youth shared:

“Teamwork.”

“Getting along with new people I meet.”

“Better listening.”

“Working hard so I can get what I want.”

“My communication skills.”

“Patience and understanding my limits, and finding a way to go beyond them.”

Project RISE continued to provide youth a forum to build transformative relationships, created opportunities for leadership development, and fostered teachable moments. We are excited to continue to grow the Project RISE program in the coming year!

If you are interested in hosting Family Matters teens at your workplace, or in supporting the program in a different way, please contact Chris at chris@familymatterschicago.org. To make a contribution, visit our donation page here.

Learning Matters 2018

This summer Family Matters once again offered the Learning Matters summer program for area youth entering grades 2-6. The program included hands-on classes around a variety of engaging topics, educational field trips (including an overnight camping trip), one-to-one literacy tutoring sessions, and many leadership development activities.

Classes

Youth signed up for week-long morning and afternoon classes, all of which involved project-based experiential problem solving.

In Cupcake Wars, small groups adapted a basic cupcake recipe and decorated the cupcakes to represent countries in the World Cup. The groups then competed in the “World Cupcake Challenge.” In Mad Scientists, youth created a parachute to drop an egg safely to the ground from the 2nd floor fire escape. In Creative Expression, individuals used art materials to create a visual depiction of themselves. In The Building Challenge, popsicle sticks and hot glue were utilized to create a bridge that supported as much weight as possible.

Cupcake Wars

Youth also solved mysteries, created new crayons from crayon scraps, made every kind of slime imaginable, and created cheer routines and dance moves. They learned about animal species, native Illinois plants, and the properties of human blood and how it travels through the body.

During the über-popular Best Lemonade Stand Ever, groups of three devised, prepared, and implemented business plans that included what to sell, where to sell, how to price, and how to advertise their products. Several youth focused their efforts and their wits on creating plans and then rallying the rest of their groups to execute them. They problem-solved along the way; when the first location seemed to be a dud, one group leader started giving out lemonade free of charge, which actually enticed some people to pay. Another leader started walking the area with a sign and became a barker, calling out, “Lemonade — get your nice cold lemonade!” They encouraged their team members when they got distracted, saying, “Hey, you gotta come back over here and help. You want us to make money, right?”

When it was time to divide up the proceeds, each of the 13 team members had earned $4.50. There were happy faces all around!

The Best Ever Lemonade Stand

Underlying all of the fun, the new experiences, and the learning were opportunities to work together to accomplish tasks, to build friendships, to gain and sustain academically, to care for each other, and to build confidence in one’s own abilities to think and create and solve.

Field Trips

Many field trips were incorporated into morning and afternoon classes. Tea Time culminated in a Beach Tea Party (requested by the four girls in the class). The group prepared chai tea in a thermos, packed a bag with tea cups and treats, and then dined at the beach front. Before dipping their feet into the water, the group shared what they appreciated about one another.

Beach Tea Party

The highlight of Animals & Conservation was visiting Not Just Thee Fish Bowl, a pet store in Evanston full of exotic and diverse animals. The youth in the class saw numerous species and loved petting rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, ferrets, birds, a tortoise, and the store cat, which one of the youth insisted on naming “Steve.” It was exciting to see the children interact with the animals with such curiosity and interest that time stood still.

Visit to Not Just Thee Fish Bowl

Other groups visited Emily Oaks Nature Preserve, The Skokie Sculpture Walk, Patisserie Coralie, and Calvary Cemetery.

The overnight camping trip at the Little House of Glencoe near the Skokie Lagoons was a favorite for everyone. Just thirty minutes from Rogers Park, the campground seemed like a different world. The children ran out of the cars and into the cabin and grounds shrieking: “This place is great!” “How long do we get to stay?” “All of this is ours?”

Tents were pitched, a campfire was lit, meals were made together as a group, trails were hiked, boundless games were played, a hammock and tree swing were set up, crafts were created, and so much fun was had! For a number of youth, this was their first experience “camping,” or it was a first experience in a different way; two students made and tasted s’mores for the first time. It was a wondrous two days, full of fun, creativity, and deepening relationships.  

Little House of Glencoe Camping Trip

Literacy Work

Every student in Learning Matters participated in Power Hour – an hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week dedicated to reading and literacy activities (and a little math). Additionally, the students were encouraged to participate in the Reading Challenge: to read 500 minutes — 100 minutes per week for each of the five weeks of Learning Matters. Students could count the time they read during Power Hour and also read at home to reach that goal.

Each child was encouraged further to partner with a parent, older sibling or another adult family member and read together during these summer weeks.

Power Hour Reading Buddies

Until Next Summer …

It is such an affirmation to witness the joy and enthusiasm for the learning environment and student camaraderie at Learning Matters each summer.

 

Family Matters’ 2018 Graduates

We’re excited to share the following list of Family Matters’ 2018 graduates. Congratulations to all!

High School Graduates

Ket Net Pree, Acero Cruz High School. Ket will attend a two-year program at Arrupe Loyola this fall, then plans to transfer to a four-year university.

Melissa Soriano, Senn High School. Melissa will attend Truman College in the Fall to complete her Associate’s Degree before transferring to a 4-year University.

Maung Htay, Senn High School. Maung will attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago this fall.

Yissel Saenz, Rickover Naval Academy. Yissel will attend Lake Forest College this fall.

Kaleyah Wesley, Pathways in Education. Kaleyah was the recipient of the CCH (Coalition for Chicago’s Homeless) Scholarship, and will attend Harold Washington City College this fall.

Shaniya Spears, Pathways in Education. Shaniya will attend DePaul University in the fall.

Ariel Thoma, Amundsen High School. Ariel will attend Wright College this fall.

8th Grade Graduates

Jennifer Nunez, Gale Math & Science Academy. Jennifer will attend Sullivan High School.

Serena Phillips, Disney Magnet School. Serena will attend Evanston Township High School.

Jair & Joav Silva, Nichols Middle School. The twins will attend Evanston Township High School.

Orimoloye Wiliams, Nichols Middle School. Ori will attend Niles West High School.

Alex Torrez, Gale Math & Science Academy. Alex will attend Sullivan High School.

Lamonte Weathers, Gale Math & Science Academy

Michael Porter, Gale Math & Science Academy

Jaheem Adams, Gale Math & Science Academy

Other Graduates

Kevin Jones, Curt’s Cafe Training Program

Bianca Armour (Teen Girls Alumna), Concordia University, BA in Healthcare Management and a minor in Human Resources.

Nachelle Burton (Teen Girls Alumna), Arizona State University, MA in Criminal Justice.

Teen Filmmakers Start a Conversation

Members of Boys to Men (Family Matters’ Teen Boys Program) have hosted four community screenings of their film, Silence the Violence, a documentary that looks at the multiple causes of gun violence through the eyes of young men in Chicago. The film is a culmination of roundtable discussions with the police and the community at large.

Silence the Violence was filmed in Rogers Park and includes stories from all around Chicago. It was produced by Chris Spence, Family Matters’ Director of Teen Boys and Youth Engagement, and members of Boys to Men. Funding for the film was generously provided by the Community Church of Wilmette.

The young men in the film provide courageous, genuine reflections about life and death. They maintain that the violence is an issue of easy access to firearms and lack of access to alternatives to violence. The result is a powerfully arranged collection of everyday footage, statistics, 911 calls, and personalization of what have come to be all-too-familiar news stories.

Through the screenings and panel discussions, Family Matters seeks to offer Rogers Park youth a platform for relating their experiences of discrimination, sharing their opinions on the issue of gun violence, and providing other youth an opportunity to offer insight on promoting peace within our neighborhood and city.

“The experience I had at the theater was amazing. It gave me a platform to show other people how minority youth, including myself, struggle in the neighborhood we live in and to tell our personal story. Being on stage answering questions from the audience made me feel as if I was a spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the people in my community.”  

– Elijah, Boys to Men member

The four screenings (held at the Community Church of Wilmette, Centered Studios, and the New 400 Theaters) were followed by panel discussions, which engaged diverse audiences in constructive dialogue with the young men. Given participant responses, we believe that they emerged with a deeper understanding of these complex issues.

“The screening was a great thing. I love the way I got to talk about our community problems and to find a solution. We need all the help we can get to make our community a better place.”

– Derek, Boys to Men member

Proceeds from the screenings support Project RISE, which offers internships for the youth at local businesses.

We are hopeful that the screenings have inspired future opportunities for collaboration and justice-oriented action.

If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a group screening of the film, please contact Amanda Reuter at amanda@familymatterschicago.org. We would also welcome feedback from anyone who attended one of the screenings.

If you would like to make a contribution to support Boys to Men, please follow this link.