Alternatives

09/17/2021

The 2021 Community Input Survey is now live! This survey allows The Alliance for Health Equity to track changes in community health status and provide opportunities for communities to give input on their top health needs and effective strategies for addressing those needs.

You can fill out the survey by clicking on the link below.

The 2021 Community Input Survey is now live! This survey allows The Alliance for Health Equity to track changes in community health status and provide opportunities for communities to give input on their top health needs and effective strategies for addressing those needs.

You can fill out the survey by clicking on the link below.

09/16/2021

Last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Interim Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Dr. José M. Torres announced the creation of the Chicago Families Forward Fund. It will provide a $500 microgrant to each CPS student experiencing housing insecurity to assist with needs that families and students are facing.

This funding is critical and a step in the right direction as families and students experiencing homelessness have faced housing instability, job loss, loss of family members, and serious health issues during the pandemic. All Chicago families and students need housing and other resources to succeed in school. The direct, flexible payments to CPS families and students experiencing homelessness will allow families and students to address a variety of unique and urgent needs.

Last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Interim Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Dr. José M. Torres announced the creation of the Chicago Families Forward Fund. It will provide a $500 microgrant to each CPS student experiencing housing insecurity to assist with needs that families and students are facing.

This funding is critical and a step in the right direction as families and students experiencing homelessness have faced housing instability, job loss, loss of family members, and serious health issues during the pandemic. All Chicago families and students need housing and other resources to succeed in school. The direct, flexible payments to CPS families and students experiencing homelessness will allow families and students to address a variety of unique and urgent needs.

09/13/2021

Returning to school can be scary, exciting, and/or uncertain for many young people, especially after attending so long remotely. See our 6 tips for supporting your child returning to school: acknowledging feelings through this change, establishing new routines, supporting mental health, and strengthening trusting relationships with your child as well as their school!

See more at:
https://www.family.cmho.org/back-to-school-tips/

#backtoschool #mentalhealth #alternativesyouth #alternativesinc #supportmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

09/10/2021

SEPTEMBER IS SU***DE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month. Su***de is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. COVID-19 has negatively impacted su***de rates around the country. Learning more about the warning signs and risk factors behind su***de can help save lives. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis and struggling with thoughts of su***de, call the toll-free National Su***de Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

#su***deprevention #su***depreventionweek #su***depreventionmonth #stopthestigmamentalillness #alternativesyouth #alternativesinc

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The number of su***de attempts and su***de deaths among young people has rapidly increased in communities around the country. Many experts believe that COVID-19 plays a role in this. Social isolation and lack of access to mental health care services have negatively impacted su***de rates among young people.

Last year, Cook County reported its highest number of su***de deaths among Black residents in over a decade. In an interview with Lakeidra Chavis of the Chicago Sun Times, Jessica Newsome, our Director of Behavioral Health said this:

"I think that we're already in a situation where the young people we serve are dealing with the impact of white supremacy in their communities and community violence, and then we add in COVID"

RESOURCES:
If you or someone you know…

- Is in crisis, and needs help right now: Call the toll-free National Su***de Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

- Would like help locating mental health resources in the Chicago area: Call or text NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) Chicago Helpline: 833-626-4244

- Can cope independently, but wants to talk to a trusted adult about finding support and further resources: Call our hotline (Alternatives Helpline): 773-506-7474 or press extension #250

08/27/2021

Tomorrow afternoon, get ready for the start of the school year by checking out the Back 2 School Wellness Fest!

Tomorrow afternoon, get ready for the start of the school year by checking out the Back 2 School Wellness Fest!

07/28/2021

Study Confirms School-to-Prison Pipeline | Education News | US News

"Children who attend schools with high suspension rates are significantly more likely to be arrested and jailed as adults – especially Black and Hispanic boys."
https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2021-07-27/study-confirms-school-to-prison-pipeline

New research found that early strict discipline causes an increase in adult crime.

07/27/2021

r3.illinois.gov

Alternatives is pleased to be a recipient of the ICJIA's R3 grant: Restore, Reinvest, and Renew for our Strive Together South Side (STSS) program that addresses underlying causes for behavioral issues in schools (that most often include trauma and grief), prioritizing access to supportive services instead of suspension and other punitive measures.

We'd like to send a special thank you to Senator Robert Peters,13th Legislative District, Tori Hughes, Principal of Parkside Academy, Dixon Romeo, Parkside LSC Vice Chair, and Dr. Valencia Hudson-Barnes, Principal of Mollison Elementary School.

https://r3.illinois.gov/downloads/01.21.21_ICJIA_R3_Grants_Release_Final.pdf

07/23/2021

ONE WEEK UNTIL RFP DEADLINE!

Alternatives has released a call for RFPs to provide $46,000 to one community organization or individual Restorative Justice practitioner. The selected applicant will contract with Alternatives to implement a school community engagement project of their own design in our Southside Chicago neighborhoods. Deadline for applications is July 30th, 2021. View the full RFP at tinyurl.com/AlternativesRFP

ONE WEEK UNTIL RFP DEADLINE!

Alternatives has released a call for RFPs to provide $46,000 to one community organization or individual Restorative Justice practitioner. The selected applicant will contract with Alternatives to implement a school community engagement project of their own design in our Southside Chicago neighborhoods. Deadline for applications is July 30th, 2021. View the full RFP at tinyurl.com/AlternativesRFP

07/20/2021

Have your voice heard! Cook County is set to receive almost $1 billion from the federal government to help COVID-19 recovery. They need your help to determine how to prioritize this funding. All you need to do is take the short survey at bit.ly/CookCountyARPASurvey

Have your voice heard! Cook County is set to receive almost $1 billion from the federal government to help COVID-19 recovery. They need your help to determine how to prioritize this funding. All you need to do is take the short survey at bit.ly/CookCountyARPASurvey

07/16/2021

TWO WEEKS UNTIL RFP DEADLINE!

Alternatives has released a call for RFPs to provide $46,000 to one community organization or individual Restorative Justice practitioner. The selected applicant will contract with Alternatives to implement a school community engagement project of their own design in our Southside Chicago neighborhoods. Deadline is July 30th, 2021. View the full RFP at tinyurl.com/AlternativesRFP

TWO WEEKS UNTIL RFP DEADLINE!

Alternatives has released a call for RFPs to provide $46,000 to one community organization or individual Restorative Justice practitioner. The selected applicant will contract with Alternatives to implement a school community engagement project of their own design in our Southside Chicago neighborhoods. Deadline is July 30th, 2021. View the full RFP at tinyurl.com/AlternativesRFP

07/12/2021

Looking for new opportunities? We're hiring for Restorative Justice Practitioners, Therapists, Case Managers, Behavioral Health Managers, a Development Associate and more. If you know someone awesome, tag them in our post and don't forget to check out our website for more information at: https://alternativesyouth.org/get-involved/career-opportunities/ #linkinbio

Looking for new opportunities? We're hiring for Restorative Justice Practitioners, Therapists, Case Managers, Behavioral Health Managers, a Development Associate and more. If you know someone awesome, tag them in our post and don't forget to check out our website for more information at: https://alternativesyouth.org/get-involved/career-opportunities/ #linkinbio

07/06/2021

Alternatives has released a call for RFPs to provide $46,000 to one community organization or individual Restorative Justice practitioner. The selected applicant will contract with Alternatives to implement a school community engagement project of their own design in our Southside Chicago neighborhoods. Deadline is July 30, 2021. View the full RFP at tinyurl.com/AlternativesRFP

Alternatives has released a call for RFPs to provide $46,000 to one community organization or individual Restorative Justice practitioner. The selected applicant will contract with Alternatives to implement a school community engagement project of their own design in our Southside Chicago neighborhoods. Deadline is July 30, 2021. View the full RFP at tinyurl.com/AlternativesRFP

06/15/2021

Defund CPD's Juneteenth Resistance Training is happening this Saturday from 2:30-4:30pm at our #DefundCPD Block Party! This training is only open to Black folks and Latinx folks from the neighborhood.
Join us to learn more about the #DefundCPD campaign and why we need abolition. Other block party events are happening throughout the day from 1-7pm at the Breathing Room. Interested in attending? Register ahead of time at http://ow.ly/wtvf50F8sFL or share this flyer with a friend!

#WeDoThisTilWeFreeUs #Juneteenth #JuneteenthChi #CommunityCare #CareNotCops

Defund CPD's Juneteenth Resistance Training is happening this Saturday from 2:30-4:30pm at our #DefundCPD Block Party! This training is only open to Black folks and Latinx folks from the neighborhood.
Join us to learn more about the #DefundCPD campaign and why we need abolition. Other block party events are happening throughout the day from 1-7pm at the Breathing Room. Interested in attending? Register ahead of time at http://ow.ly/wtvf50F8sFL or share this flyer with a friend!

#WeDoThisTilWeFreeUs #Juneteenth #JuneteenthChi #CommunityCare #CareNotCops

06/14/2021

Finalists Selected in Multi-Million Dollar Chicago Whole Child Learning Acceleration and Wellness Initiative • A Better Chicago

Alternatives is proud to be one of eight finalists in A Better Chicago's Chicago Design Challenge. Congratulations to our colleagues at Juvenile Protective Association, Leading Educators, VOCEL, Chicago HOPES for Kids, Roosevelt University, and Lion's Pride Mentoring!
https://www.abetterchicago.org/blog/finalists-selected-in-multi-million-dollar-chicago-whole-child-learning-acceleration-and-wellness-initiative

CHICAGO – As students across the city head into their final weeks of a school year rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, a local venture philanthropy fund focused on supporting Chicago youth from cradle to career today announced eight finalists as part of its multi-million-dollar initiative to identify...

06/11/2021

We’re kicking off the summer with a Juneteenth #WeDoThisTilWeFreeUs Block Party! The day will include a Resistance Training for Black folks and Latinx folks from the neighborhood to learn more about and tap into the #DefundCPD campaign. Other activities including art, music, dance, and canvassing, will be happening throughout the day! If you can’t make it and want to get involved, start by signing onto our petition to #DefundCPD!

What could Chicago do with reallocated funds from the police budget? How would you use their $1.8 billion yearly budget for your community?

#Juneteenth #JuneteenthChi #CommunityCare #CareNotCops

We’re kicking off the summer with a Juneteenth #WeDoThisTilWeFreeUs Block Party! The day will include a Resistance Training for Black folks and Latinx folks from the neighborhood to learn more about and tap into the #DefundCPD campaign. Other activities including art, music, dance, and canvassing, will be happening throughout the day! If you can’t make it and want to get involved, start by signing onto our petition to #DefundCPD!

What could Chicago do with reallocated funds from the police budget? How would you use their $1.8 billion yearly budget for your community?

#Juneteenth #JuneteenthChi #CommunityCare #CareNotCops

06/11/2021

Alternatives' Peace Ambassadors offered feedback that was integrated into StreetLight Chicago's new mobile app, providing up-to-date information on resources for unstably housed young people in Chicago.

Join us Wednesday, June 16 at 12pm for a presentation of StreetLight’s new Mental Health Resource page!

StreetLight is a mobile resource app and website providing up-to-date information on resources for unstably housed young people in Chicago. The new Mental Health page provides a current, map-based listing of available resources in the Chicago area and important information to help young people access those resources and make informed decisions about their care.

Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/5416226071027/WN_yP3NZsMzRNmuLAZgyyiTiw or stream live on Facebook.

04/21/2021

Our youth deserve healing! Join us this Friday, 4/23 at 4pm to support @onenorthside’s Police Accountability team and Communities Partnering for Peace (CP4P) team as we make space for our youth. We'll join together in a BBQ, hold healing circles, and discuss how to support our young people through these difficult moments. Register at: tinyurl.com/Healing4Youth

04/16/2021

50 Years of Alternatives

50 years of community, support, and education. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this organization that continues to support families and youth across Chicago.

Video created by Alex Myung featuring interviews with Miguel Rodriguez, Jon Schmidt, and Chelsea Osei.

04/13/2021

Welcome to Spring! Here at Alternatives we're starting a community garden at our Washington Park location - 241 E. 57th St.! Do you have gardening supplies that need a new home? Visit our website at alternativesyouth.org/garden to get involved.

02/28/2021

Alternatives' 50th Anniversary Celebration

Alternatives' 50th Anniversary Celebration is now live! Join us!

02/25/2021

Count down to Saturday!

#TBT The Bricolage mural on the façade of Alternatives’ youth center was a rich, collaborative, youth-driven public art project. People commonly think of it as a mosaic, but Bricolage is a methodology of combining a wide range of different found materials, in this case including mirrors and ceramic tiles. Over the course of the summer, there were multiple community members who joined the young people in completing the project. It started as a juvenile justice diversion program and expanded to include summer employment programming. The young people collaborated with artists, Tracy Van Duinen and Todd Osborne from the Chicago Public Art Group, in 2006 to develop a unified concept and pull in themes of what is important to youth.

Celebrate our 50 year Anniversary with us this year! Check alternativesyouth.org/50years for tickets to our virtual event.

02/24/2021

This weekend, parents, please join us in community to talk about important developments.

During this workshop, parents will learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and its benefits.

To register, contact Daven Crump at [email protected]

See more of our upcoming events at alternativesyouth.org/events

This weekend, parents, please join us in community to talk about important developments.

During this workshop, parents will learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and its benefits.

To register, contact Daven Crump at [email protected]

See more of our upcoming events at alternativesyouth.org/events