www.PilsenWellnessCenter.org
 
 

Cultural Collaborations with
the Chicago Children’s Museum
childrens_museum


The Chicago Children’s Museum, in partnership with the Pilsen Wellness Center, Inc., held its annual Passport to Mexico 2009 Exhibition on October 15 through 18, 2009. The Center’s Unidos Formando Un Futuro Program participants were invited to help organize a number of exhibition activities. The UFUF participants created colorful posters for all 31 states of Mexico and its Federal District which incorporated traditional aspects of each state’s known specialties and characteristics.

Activities during the vibrant exhibition included Migahon arts and crafts, Día de los Muertos sugar skull decorating, Piñata making, Lotería games and cultural performances like the “Ballet Folklórico Nacional.” Finally, the exhibition concluded with a “Taste of Mexico,” which allowed the public to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine.

The Pilsen Wellness Center’s key collaboration with the Chicago Children’s Museum resulted in a tremendously successful exhibition. More than 2,300 people attended each day, breaking attendance records and creating positive memories highlighting the beauty and cultural traditions of Mexico.
 
 
 

Advancing the Safety
of Women and Children

On October 30, 2009 Pilsen Wellness Center participated in the annual Stop the Violence Rally to end domestic violence. The DV rally began its walk through the Pilsen and Little Village communities with a remembrance ceremony at the Mexican Fine Arts Museum.  Folkloric dancing and poetry readings honoring past victims of domestic violence brought light to the tragedy and pain of families still mourning their loss.  The Center’s Division of Substance Abuse treatment site located at 3113 West Cermak Road in Chicago has remained the rally’s ending point for the past 4 years.

  


Over 100 participants representing 7 community-based organizations and victim families joined the event which culminated with testimonies from victims, as well as words of hope and inspiration from community based organizations in attendance.  A moment of silence and reflection for murdered victims concluded the afternoon event.
 
Community members acknowledged the work of Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) and the Pilsen Wellness Center.  As key partner agencies fighting to end violence against women and children, both continue their roles as principle organizers for the Stop the Violence Rally within the larger Chicago metropolitan area.
 
 

D.C.  Immigration Rally

The Pilsen Wellness Center (PWC) joined Catholic and Evangelical pastors, community leaders, faith-based organizations and families in support of comprehensive immigration reform and called for an end to the heartrending separation of families.

Volunteer PWC staff traveled alongside the thousands of supporters converging on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. on October 13, 2009, to insist that President Barack Obama keep his campaign promise to address the broken immigration system.  With a single and unanimous voice, participants underscored that any Comprehensive Immigration

 
dc_rally

Reform must respect and uphold the human dignity
of immigrant persons who out of necessity leave desperate economic circumstances to sustain their families.
 
 

Perspectivas Latinas
Community Forum

Pilsen Wellness Center (PWC) attended its second annual CAN TV “Perspectivas Latinas” Community Forum hosted by Carina on October 20, 2009.  The Forum focuses on the issues and concerns of Chicago’s nonprofit organizations in areas of health care, economic development, arts, education, immigration, labor, and domestic violence.  Carina interviewed the Center’s staff serving within the divisions of Mental Health and Youth Prevention Services.

Patricia Perez, the Division Director for both Mental Health treatment and Education, emphasized the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive approach and perspective that considers an individual’s traditions and customs to support the therapeutic alliance between clinician and service recipient.

Kathryn Saclarides, the Therapeutic Outpatient Youth Services (T.O.Y.S.) Program Supervisor, focused on the importance of early identification of children’s behavioral issues.  Timely diagnosis and treatment

 
perspectivas_Latinas

improve therapeutic outcomes for children and may reduce symptom severity and adverse consequences resulting from delayed interventions.Maria Gonzalez, the Center’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coordinator, joined the dialogue and discussed the available youth services provided by the Pilsen Wellness Center.  Offered across multiple settings (home visits, schools, and on-site), these programs support the healthy social, emotional and academic development of young persons residing within our multiple service areas.
 
CAN TV will air the Perspectivas Latinas Community Forum on November 7 and 12, 2009, at 8:30 p.m.
 
 

Community Open House:  Accessing Quality Mental
Health Services

The Pilsen Wellness Center, Inc’s Division of Mental Health hosted an Open House for community residents and other local community providers on Friday, November 6, 2009.  The Outpatient Recovery Center (ORC) site, located at 2015 West Cermak Road, opened its doors providing information to attendees regarding the vast array of Mental Health program offerings.
 
Representatives from the HIV/AIDS, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, PATH, Linkage, Outpatient, CILA and Pilsen Inn Residential programs were available to answer questions, offer helpful literature, and provide contact information. Over a dozen community

 
open_house

providers attended the event as well as many community residents.  For more information regarding our Mental Health Programming, please contact Patricia Perez, the Division Director for Mental Health Services, at (773) 927-6987 or at pperez@pilsenmh.org.
 
 

LYHS Happenings …

A busy October 2009 month included many positive activities for LYHS students.
 
College Fair Participation – On October 2, twenty LYHS seniors attended a local college fair.  Besides bringing the largest group of visitors to the event, most LYHS students applied to numerous colleges and universities attending the fair. 
 
Report Card Pick-up – October 16 marked the first quarter report card pick up day.  The LYHS Staff met with students' relatives and provided academic status information for families in attendance.  Other community organizations were also on hand providing valuable information regarding locally accessible services.

  
 
Breast Cancer Awareness Walk – Principal Ellis and 11 LYHS students participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 18 along Chicago’s lake front. The cold temperatures did not dampen enthusiasm and provided an opportunity for students to meet survivors and key support networks for person’s battling the disease.
 
October 2009 Spirit Week – LYHS celebrated its Fall Festival October 26 through the 30th incorporating a variety of themes each day from pajama day to twin day.  Competition winners were treated to a multi-course breakfast provided by Principal Ellis and her Leadership Team.  The week concluded with a costume party with activities into the evening hours where students could celebrate the holiday in a safe, violence-free environment.