On May 16th, we gathered once again for Cocktails and Complicity at Impact House. During this evening, we had the pleasure of hearing from speakers Bessie Alcantara, Leslé Honoré, and Ayoka Noelle Mota Samuels. They led a compelling discussion on the dynamics that perpetuate inequality in the non-profit sector, touching on crucial topics such as the challenges faced by women of color leaders, the nonprofit industrial complex, and the intersection of capitalism and philanthropy.
This event marked the conclusion of our journey with Leslé and Ayoka. As the night drew to a close, they shared their reflections on the collaboration over the past few sessions. Ayoka expressed, “You gotta have joy in your life and this is one thing that makes me so happy and grateful.” Leslé added, “This exchange is wildly important and feeds our souls in ways we can’t always get when we are doing the work we are discussing." #Alternatives #opendialogue #CocktailsandComplicity
Last month, students from Howard University spent part of their spring break in Chicago for a collaborative workshop with our Restorative Justice Team. During this day-long adventure, the group set agreements and had an open dialogue about how restorative justice practices can be weaved into our daily lives, did a circle together, and more!
Together they explored key elements of restorative justice, learned how to host their circles within their communities, and collectively explored what the world would look like if we shifted away from punitive measures. #Alternatives #AlternativesYouth #RestorativeJustice
We are excited to announce that our Executive Director, Bessie Alcantara, and Peace Ambassador Joseph McCray joined Sufyan Sohel on his show “Change Agents,” to talk about the impact of restorative justice programming.
The episode will air tomorrow, Thursday, March 7th, at 7:30 PM on CANTV. To stream the episode live or to watch it afterward on YouTube, click on the link via linktr.ee/alternativesyouth
Happy Black History Month! Join us as Maurice, a Peace Ambassador, and powerful individual who continues to shape our work, shares his perspective on how he will be celebrating this month. During this video, Maurice shares how he will be commemorating his grandmother, his experiences as a young Black person in Chicago, and more! #HappyBlackHistoryMonth #BHM #Alternatives
Happy Black History Month! Click to hear Maurio, a Peace Ambassador with Alternatives share how he is re-envisioning the world around us and how he hopes the future changes for Black People. As you listen to and/or read the wisdom that Maurio is sharing with us, we ask you also join him on the journey of re-imagining a world where Black people are safely held, protected, and uplifted. #HappyBlackHistoryMonth #BHM #Alternatives
Happy Black History Month! Join us as Maya, a voice resonating with wisdom and insight answers questions that explore who she will be drawing inspiration from during Black History Month, her hopes for the future, and more! Maya is a Peace Ambassador with Alternatives and we are grateful for all of the contributions that she continues to bring into our space. #HappyBlackHistoryMonth #BHM #Alternatives
On January 12th, our own Prevention Supervisor, Pat Sykes was featured on an episode of the 21st Show to talk about youth and prevention as it pertains to substance use. Here is a short clip from the highlight, but we encourage people to click on the link in our bio to listen to the show. #Alternatives #AlternativesYouth #ChicagoNonprofit #Chicagoyouthprogramming #ChicagoYouthProgram #RestorativeJusticeChicago #ChicagoRestorativeJustice #ChicagoPrevention #21stShow #Chicagothoughtleader
Solidarity Isn't So Simple
ICYMI, this year's theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation" ironically to "reinforce the need to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are welcomed in decision-making processes." This theme may have been inspired by the outdated and inappropriately named "Hispanic Heritage Month". If you didn't know, the origins of the word Hispanic, refers to a person whose cultural traditions originate from Spain, a term that "immediately erases all of the centuries of pre-Columbian history, culture, and civilizations that existed before the European conquest and colonization of the Americas," according to Paul Ortiz in a conversation with NPR. "And that's understandably upsetting to people who are not white." It alienates indigenous and Afro-Latino communities whose history includes deep resistance to the Spanish invasion and is not necessarily tied to Spain, Ortiz says.
Furthermore, "Hispanic"- is not a monolith and people whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America should not be lumped together without consideration for the many identities and experiences that co-exist in the United States. As so perfectly summarized by Sabrina Rojas Weiss, "What does a Peruvian who speaks only Quechua have in common with a Cuban who speaks only Spanish and a second-generation Puerto Rican New Yorker who only speaks English? If you had to pick one thing, it’s probably the fact that white Americans think we’re all the same."
So, if you're looking for a way to observe this month of recognition of Latinx heritage and history with your young ones, we encourage you to check out the resources listed by Sabrina Rojas Weiss in her article on SheKnows (https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2345886/hispanic-heritage-month-children/)
and check out the resources shared by Story Corps (https://storycorps.org/hispanic-heritage-month/).
Alternatives is growing! Visit our website to check out our latest job openings and share with your friends
Alternatives is hiring! Check out our new job openings by clicking on the link in our bio.
#Alternatives #AlternativesYouth #AlternativesChicago #ChicagoJobs #ChicagoNonProfit
Deadline has been extended until Sunday! Request for Proposals: Restorative Justice Practitioner or Community Organization.
Please submit a proposal of your own design to support Alternatives in meeting its goal of increasing community access to restorative practices within the Chicago neighborhoods of Auburn Gresham, Chatham and Roseland.
Proposals must be received by Alternatives no later than 12:00pm Sunday, May 29th, 2022.
Check out the RFP here:https://secureservercdn.net/166.62.112.107/c29.7ab.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cdph-rfp_-community-organization-3.pdf
#Alternatives #AlternativesYouth #HiringInChicago #ChicagoJobs #ChicagoNonProfitJobs #ChicagoHiring #HiringInChicago
We are hiring!
Our Grant Writer will identify, define and develop funding sources to support existing and planned program activities as well as lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies.
If you are interested applying for any of our open positions, email your resume and cover letter in pdf format to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
Visit our website for more information.
https://alternativesyouth.org/get-involved/career-opportunities/
Alternatives Meets New Executive Director, Bessie!
