Community S e r v i c e s Association House offers a full range of educational programs to assist in the advancement of the lives of our community members. The Center for Working Families offers intensive job preparation and job placement services, as well as financial coaching workshops. Careers for Youth provides teens with job readiness training and placement services. Transitions to Careers provides transitional employment, job readiness training
and job placement services to people with criminal records. The Vocational Bridge Academy offers math, reading, writing, and career planning skills. English as a Second Language, citizenship and literacy classes are offered by The Learning Place. The Technology Center offers ongoing computer courses. Income Support Services offers on-site emergency assistance to families in need.
Center For Working Families Careers for Youth Transitions to Careers The Learning Place Vocational Bridge Academy Immigrant Services Citizenship Education English & Spanish Literacy ESL: English as a Second Language GED Preparation Lee y serás Family Literacy
Community Technology Center Income Support Services Food Pantry and Thrift Shop
More than 150 community residents attend Mo classes or visit our Technology Center every month. Last year, Income Support Services provided food from our pantry to over 11,000 individuals and families in need. The Center for Working Families works with nearly 500 participants each year in helping them achieve financial stability through job placement and money management .
El Cuarto Año H i g h
School
Association House’s High School, El Cuarto Año offers a small class size, high teacher to student ratio, and individual learning plans with an emphasis on technology to each of its nearly 100 students. It is an ideal school setting for re-enrolled students who have left the traditional school setting. In collaboration with the Youth Connection Charter Schools, Alternative Schools Network, and Chicago Public Schools, El Cuarto
Año offers a variety of tutoring and mentoring programs along with competitive academic studies. For many young people, this is the second chance they need to continue their education, earn their high school diplomas, and find viable employment. Students are able to achieve their dream of graduation often overcoming great odds through hard work and dedication.
Students enrolled in the high school benefit from an intensive mentoring program that extends past graduation to ensure life long success. 90% of our seniors receive their high school diploma. Over 70% of students increase their math and reading skills each year.
Faces of Hope A SUCCESS STORY
After relocating to Chicago, the Mendez Family was struggling. Lucia, the oldest of their four children, heard of the Association House from her cousin who was enrolled in the alternative High School, and she quickly joined too. Staff learned that family members were facing financial, educational, employment and health issues. They quickly connected the family with free health screenings and dental check-ups and offered special emergency funding to provide help in covering lagging utility bills. Lucia’s mother and father enrolled in the agency’s English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes. Recently, both her parents proudly passed the Citizenship interview and are continuing their commitment to become US citizens. Their ability to better communicate with employers has helped her parents gain full time work. Lucia is also working at her first job for a local printing company. This spring, Lucia will be the first member in her family to ever graduate from High School!