May 2010 E-Newsletter

The Pilsen Wellness Center’s Teen REACH Program, currently seeks volunteers for summer programming activities offered to young persons receiving services during the academic school year. Funded by Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Community Health and Prevention, Teen REACH incorporates six prevention-focused core components. These include Academic Tutoring, Life Skills Education, Parental Involvement, collaborative Sports and Recreational Activities, as well as Cultural Enrichment programming.

The Program also offers students
an opportunity to develop positive relationships with adult mentors, particularly those identified at
highest risk for poor educational performance, and few known social supports. Through skilled and experienced tutoring, consistent dialogue with school staff and parents, the Center’s Teen REACH program seeks to improve academic performance and long-term career outcomes for young persons receiving services.

summer program

To volunteer*, please contact Ms. Leticia Fernandez, the Center’s Human Resources Supervisor, via phone (773.579.0832, ext. 265) or
e-mail (lfernandez@pilsenmh.org)
to discuss sharing your time and talents with area young persons.

*Please note that all candidates will
be screened and must agree to criminal background checks as well as participate in orientation youth services training.

Editor: Teresa L. Bentley
Art Director: Leticia G. Vásquez

The IDHS Division of Mental Health, Child & Adolescent Services has awarded the “Reaching Out to Help” Grant to the Pilsen Wellness Center. The initiative involves efforts to expand DMH’s promotion/prevention and early intervention services and builds upon its C&A service system transformation.

The Community Health Initiative to Support and Promote Awareness (CHISPA) program will provide mental health education resources for families. Services will incorporate a local systems of care model which will be youth-guided, evidenced-based, focused on clinical excellence, and provided in a way that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Prevention services will include referrals, the development of support groups, coaching, mentoring, training and education, advocacy, and the creation of community forums. The intervention services will be a continuum of the clinical work the TOYS Program currently provides.

The “CHISPA” (meaning SPARK) program will outreach religious, educational, and other community stakeholders. CHISPA behavioral health workshops for service providers, parents, and youth will also support coping skills building and develop coping skills to increase resiliency and protective factors associated with better mental health outcomes.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Kathryn Saclarides, TOYS Program Supervisor, at (708) 683-5500, extension 24 or via e-mail at ksaclarides@pilsenmh.org.

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