Family Service is a community organization that provides youth programs, counseling, money management and education services to families in the north suburbs, regardless of their ability to pay. It is also the latest United Way partner to receive a Latino Initiative grant.
Latino Initiative grant money develops programs that strengthen Latino families in metropolitan Chicago. Four agencies received up to $50,000 to develop effective programs that are helping at-risk youth and engage entire communities. They are tapping local resources throughout their community, including local businesses, community leaders, educators, police, parents, experts and the youth themselves.
Through the Latino Initiative, Family Services will strengthen and enhance existing Latino support systems in Highwood and Highland Park. They will develop an organized and recognized voice for Latino issues and a forum for Latino youth and families to become empowered around issues in their community.
Elsi Rodriguez is the supervisor at Family Service’s Nuestro Center. She also oversees “La Escuelita,” the after-school homework club for first- through eighth-graders and the “Nuestro Verano” summer camp program. Elsi began her work at Family Service as a high school volunteer in their summer camp program.
“We are very excited to be part of this initiative because there are a lot of young people in our community who are on the fence of success or failure,” Elsi said.
Thanks to the Latino Initiative, Family Services is able to provide students with other options.
“Unfortunately, without the right guidance and support, children will drop out of school or turn to gangs, drugs and other vices,” Elsi said. “The need people in their lives that they can look up to and help them make the right choices. The United Way Latino Initiative will do just that.”
