Tag Archives: Mexico

Youth Development

Annoucement: UP2Youth Program launches with new positions!

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Universidad Popular’s (UP) youth program has been assisting at-risk youth and families in Little Village since 2008.  This program has evolved to include partnerships with many institutions and community organizations such as the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, University of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Sinai Urban Health Institute, Boy and Girls Club, Enlace Chicago, Gary Elementary School, Little Village Academy, Farragut Career Academy, Little Village High School, St. Agnes of Bohemia School, Violence Prevention Collaborative, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Public Parks – including many community groups and advisory committees. The program is intended for youth to find a place where they feel comfortable and safe through mentorship with caring adults. This program nurtures youth minds with social, cultural, reading and writing skills, academic achievement, life skills, parental involvement, sports and recreations, health literacy and service learning. Each youth develops leadership skills to achieve their goals and inspire others along the way.

UP to Youth is a youth-led initiative that seeks to empower young people through an environment where they can express themselves and engage their community freely through service-based projects that build skills among youth to enable them to create positive change in their world.  UP to Youth is founded on the model of popular education as conceived by the social theorist and educator, Paulo Freire with the goal of providing a holistic approach to youth leadership and positive youth development that serves as a gateway to higher education.

Since early 2014, Universidad Popular has been advocating with the assistance of youth and parents to reach out to State legislators to support funding efforts of after school programs. We urge you to help us build upon the structure for youth programming we have created and share these job descriptions with others.

Positions available below:

1.)

Job Title: Academic Specialist Fiscal Year: 2017
Department: Youth Programming Program: UP2Youth

Job Summary:
The Academic Specialist assists and supports the UP2Youth Program Coordinator with curriculum-based tutoring plans and tracking grades and progress of youth. In addition, the Academic Specialist is responsible for delivering programmatic activities and tutoring assistance to youth in the community, The Academic Specialist reports directly to the Youth Program Coordinator

 Job Responsibilities:
Create curriculum-based after-school classes that focus on educational achievement and academic outcomes.

  • Oversee tutoring and studying groups to ensure tutors/mentors are using techniques that will help participants develop assets crucial to learning.
  • Collect progress reports and report cards from participants and/or schools to track and analyze academic progress.
  • Meet with participants quarterly to analyze their strengths and weaknesses in school and together create a plan for educational success using goal setting, plans for healthy study habits, and other techniques.
  • Match academically low-achieving participants with volunteers, staff, and peers who excel in areas of weaknesses for individual or group tutoring sessions.
  • Plan and facilitate quarterly trips to college and high school campuses for program participants to learn more about higher education and the benefits of academic achievement.

Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Bilingual Spanish/English is mandatory.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, and Excel.
  • Experience working with youth.
  • Be patient, good listener, responsible, and culturally sensitive.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the growing needs of the organization.

Send Cover Page and Resume to:                                            apply@universidadpopular.us

Universidad Popular
Olivia Flores-Godinez
2801 S. Hamlin Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60623

2.)

Job Title: Program Coordinator Fiscal Year: 2017
Department: Youth Programming Program: UP2Youth

Position Overview
UP’s Youth Program Coordinator will administer the design and implementation of the UP2Youth program. He/she will ensure program quality and performance, which includes overseeing staff development, communicating with parents and youth participants, and maintaining relationships with funders, community partners, media, and other youth development providers. This programs hours of operation are Monday – Friday 3pm – 5pm

Responsibilities
 Create program design and work plan for the current year to be approved by Management Team.
 Oversee recruitment and registration process for new participants.
 Maintain participant and volunteer records updated and organized.
 Develop and manage a strong team of youth facilitators, providing leadership in the vision for the program and training and assistance for day-to-day program activities.
 Cultivate current and prospective funding for the UP2youth program.
 Develop relationships with other youth providers, local high schools, parishes, community organizations, local businesses, and ensure UP2Youth’s presence at community events.
 Plan and organize program events.
 Attend administrative conferences and other available trainings.
 actively participate in weekly coordinator meetings, staff meetings and organization-wide events and activities.
 Adhere to UP’s mission and policies
 other duties as required.
 Guide Youth research/advocacy projects
 Encourage Civic engagement on UP2Youth
 Do PR on UP2Youth matters issues

Requirements
 Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in positive youth development, social work, psychology, education or another related field.
 Two or more years of experience working with youth.
 Bilingual and bicultural in Spanish and English.
 Proficient in basic computer software: Microsoft Office, Internet, basic database management and data entry.
 Demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing and reporting.
 Familiarity with the participatory education.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the growing needs of the organization.

Send Cover Page and Resume to:                                            apply@universidadpopular.us

Universidad Popular
Olivia Flores-Godinez
2801 S. Hamlin Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60623

3.)

Job Title: Outreach Specialist/Facilitator Fiscal Year: 2017
Department: Youth Programming Program: UP2Youth

Job Summary:
The Youth Outreach Specialist assists and supports the UP2Youth Program Coordinator with recruiting new youth and networking with local schools and organizations. In addition, the Youth Outreach Specialist is responsible for delivering the sports and psychical recreation program to youth in the community. The Youth Outreach Specialist reports directly to the Youth Program Coordinator. This programs hours of operation are Monday – Friday 3pm – 5pm.

 

 Job Responsibilities: 

  • Create recruitment and outreach plan to attract local youth participants to programing
  • Develop and maintain partnerships with all schools participants attend.
  • Create mutual agreements and contracts with principals and other administrators that assist the program with data collection and information gathering on participants.
  • Become familiar with standards in physical recreation and implement them in program design
  • Plan daily opportunities for physical recreation that appeal to a broad spectrum of youth interests including team sports, various styles of dance, yoga, aerobics, and others
  • Evaluate progress in participant’s physical health based participation in physical and nutritional activities
  • Actively participate in community coalitions and dialogues with the purpose to explore resources, prevent violence, and promote cultural expression among youth

 

Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Bilingual Spanish/English is mandatory.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, and Excel.
  • Experience working with youth.
  • Be patient, good listener, responsible, and culturally sensitive.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the growing needs of the organization.

Send Cover Page and Resume to:                                            apply@universidadpopular.us

Universidad Popular
Olivia Flores-Godinez
2801 S. Hamlin Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60623

4.)

Job Title: Parent Engagement Specialist Fiscal Year: 2017
Department: Youth Programming Program: UP2Youth

Job Summary:
The Parent Engagement Specialist assists and supports the UP2Youth Youth Program Coordinator with parent communication in addition to referring families to proper agencies for assistance. The Parent Engagement Specialist reports directly to the Youth Program Coordinator. This programs hours of operation are Monday – Friday 3pm – 5pm

Job Responsibilities:

  • Act as a liaison between the organization and families of youth participants
  • Maintain continual contact with parents regarding activities, events, youth behavior and progress, and other relevant issues as they occur
  • Plan and deliver new parent orientations at the beginning of each school year
  • Provide all families with information regarding rules, policies, events, daily activities and other items and ensure their understanding
  • Connect families to internal and external resources
  • Refer youth and their families to services not provided by UP
  • Plan and host monthly Parent Advisory Council meetings to share information about the program with the parents and to gain feedback
  • Distribute and collect evaluations to analyze and monitor success of program
  • Provide quarterly workshops for parents based off interest surveys
  • Organize parents to provide bi-weekly healthful meals for youth participants

Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Bilingual Spanish/English is mandatory.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, and Excel.
  • Experience working with youth.
  • Be patient, good listener, responsible, and culturally sensitive.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the growing needs of the organization.

Send Cover Page and Resume to:                                            apply@universidadpopular.us

Universidad Popular
Olivia Flores-Godinez
2801 S. Hamlin Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60623

These positions expire 11/18/16

Commentary, English Literacy

La Villita and Ayotzinapa: Universidad Popular Participants Share Their Thoughts

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Outline of the City of Chicago in the State of Guerrero
Outline of the City of Chicago in the State of Guerrero

Little Village is the second largest Latino community in the United States. Many of us came to the United States looking for something “better,” something that Mexico could not offer to us or our families. Yet, our hearts and minds are constantly crossing “the border.” Although many of us often face the heart-wrenching realization that we cannot be physically with those we love, we know that our destinies are always tied. What happens in Mexico reverberates around the world through all Mexicans and through all of us who work to create a better world, just as the 43 of Ayotzinapa have worked for.

The choices we make here impact our brothers and sisters in Mexico. Their situation is our situation. That is a bridge across the border that no matter how high a wall, how repressive a government, how obscure the law, will never be taken down. This, in the end, is the nature of diaspora: reciprocity. And the goal? To succeed alongside those we love, to overcome barriers, to fall and rise together–regardless of where they are.

The following are short reflection pieces about the current situation in Mexico by several participants from our morning English Literacy Classes in our Learning TO Succeed (LETOS) Program. These individuals are residents of La Villita. Regardless of their place of origin, they feel and have a connection with Mexico that makes these recent events affect their lives here.

LETOS participants sharing what they wrote with their peers.
LETOS participants sharing what they wrote with their peers.

 

We asked a simple, broad, yet, contentious question:

How do you feel about the current situation in Mexico?

These are their answers.

Hello, My name is Rosalina.

I feel angry about the current situation in México because I want a peaceful and beautiful México. I can’t believe what the Mexican government is doing to our people. I hope that it’s not true what they say. I hope these students are still alive.

Hello, My name is Guadalupe Martinez.

I am sharing my opinion regarding what is happening Mexico. I feel sad for the 43 students and their families. I think that Peña Nieto should resign because his government is corrupt and every day I hear more and more deaths are happening. I think that this should stop because it is very sad to hear this. Corruption is in the Mexican government. Although there is corruption, México will always be a very, very nice country.

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My name is Victor,

I would like to talk about the 43 students that were massacred in Mexico. It isn’t just regarding the 43 students, it is concerning Mexican history, a bloody history. This event made us remember the largest students massacre in Latin America. I’m talking about Tlatelolco, October 2nd, 1968, at plaza de las tres culturas. Since this date until now, for students, it’s a sensitive topic. Everyone who is young is revolutionary, and the students have memory. This isn’t just about the 43 murders, this is about repression.

My name is Rosa Gamez,

The boys were captured in Cocula, Guerrero. I’m feeling very impotent because of this event. The Mexican police force is intolerant. The government should have people who are professional in all aspects working as police.The teachers are there to help students become better persons. I would like to send the student’s parents hugs and I hope they find their children soon. God bless them.

Hello, My name is Yazmin Mendoza.

43 students in Mexico fought for liberty and respect. The family and friends of these 43 are still fighting for them to return alive, and the president Enrique Peña Nieto doesn’t do anything to fix this problem. Everyone must fight for Mexico to become free. We should all fight to free Mexico from all this corruption.

I am Salvador. This is what I think about this issue:

It’s really bad. I feel sorry for their families and I don’t understand why the government doesn’t do anything. I am tired of hearing every day on the news what I know are just lies from the Mexican government.

AyotzinapaVivosLos43

Commentary, English Literacy

Why do we Celebrate the Day of the Dead?

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LETOS participants preparing their altars for the Day of the Dead Celebration
LETOS participants preparing their altars for the Day of the Dead Celebration

The following writings are short essay/reflections from Universidad Popular’s Learning to Succeed English Tutor group. These individuals have been with Universidad Popular for several years, advancing their knowledge of the English language through all the levels of our Adults English Literacy program. This year, we’ve presented them with the challenge of helping their fellow community learners in their process of learning English. Every Wednesday and Thursday they receive training for tutoring and teaching-learning while at the same time refreshing English skills in an intensive 3-hour advance English learning group. 

These essays are their contribution to Universidad Popular’s 2014 Day of the Dead Celebration, which took place last October 29th in our community hall. The multiplicity of perspective and the depth of analysis and research presented here is but a small example of the wonderful minds that walk through our halls everyday and that fill our amazing community. 

Enjoy!

-Miguel Alvelo

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Our tradition started a long time ago.

An essay by María

In Mexico we celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 2nd. This day is very important for a lot of Mexican Families.

Our tradition started a long time ago. In many of the cultures that composed ancient Mexico such as the Mayas, Olmecas, Mexicas, etc. the dead had a very important place in society. When the Spaniards came to Mexico the tradition of the Day of the Dead already existed, but the Spaniards incorporated the catholic religion into it along with other ideas. Then started the mixing of traditions and now this celebration is different from the old days.

All the things we use for this celebration have different meanings.

The idea of making altars come from people thinking that the dead can come back on this day. Families build the altars in different ways. Some altars are made with 7 levels, or steps. Each step has different items.

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 Before we start the altar, however, we first need to sweep the area with aromatic herbs. We need to clean in 4 directions: North, south, east, and west.

To make the altars we can use cardboard, or wood to make our 7 levels or steps.

First, we make the last level. It’s bigger than the others. One by one we complete the 7 levels, each smaller that the other. Then, we cover them with a black or white cloth.

  • On the first step we put the picture of a religious image or our favorite picture of the dead.
  • The second step is only for the souls in purgatory.
  • On the third step we put salt for the children in purgatory.
  • On the fourth goes the “pan de muerto.” This bread is decorated with red sugar to symbolize blood. Sometimes, the bread is made for the relatives of the dead as a means of consagration.
  • The fifth step is for the dead’s favorite food, fruit, and beverages.
  • The sixth step is for a picture of the dead.
  • And on the seventh we put a cross.

Other offerings are also put on the altars. Often times, 4 candles are used to make a cross.

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The elements of the altar are purple and yellow chains made with Chinese paper. This symbolizes the union between life and death. “Papel picado” also means happiness for life. Flowers are used to welcome the soul. white flowers symbolize the earth and purple flowers mean sorrow. The fired up wick of the candle symbolizes the spirit’s ascension and also serves as a guiding light.

The family of the deceased stay awake all night waiting for the spirit to come back and enjoy the food they’ve prepared for them.

Today, this celebration is changing and does not carry with it the same faith than in the old days. Some people don’t understand much about it. Sometimes this celebration seems to be more about competition and making money than about remembering those who are gone. Other traditions are mixed with these days, such as Halloween, and every time more Mexican are preferring to celebrate them instead of the Day of the Dead. But I hope this tradition doesn’t die. I hope that it passes from generation to generation around the world–wherever Mexicans live.

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The tradition has changed.

An essay by Mario Flores

In Mexico people celebrate the Day of the Dead in November.

When I was in Mexico, my grandmother celebrated this day in November. She did it to remember her sons. She cooked bread and some food, light candles, and stayed awake until midnight. At midnight, according to tradition, is when dead people return as flies.

People also go to the graves of the dead, light candles and pray on their tombs.

Nowadays that tradition has changed because people like me have immigrated to other countries. For example, when I got married we used to light candles during the first few years and we also went to church. But after a few years, we stopped. in this country not many people celebrate the Day of the Dead. The tradition has changed.

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…when I started the English classes at Universidad Popular I saw for the first time the beautiful decorations and traditions

An essay by Tomasa

I do not celebrate the Day of the Dead because in my country no one does.

Now, when I started the English classes at Universidad Popular I saw for the first time the beautiful decorations and traditions  they did.  The only thing I worried about was that the smoke from the candles in the altars was making me dizzy. My teacher at the time, Annabel, took us to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen where we saw a lot of altars with nice decorations.

I think it’s important to celebrate this tradition because it is a special day to remember our family who have passed away. There is a catholic tradition behind it that begins with the first day of November, celebrating “all saints day,” and the second day of november, celebrating “the day of the dead.”

I feel this tradition has changed because young people have lost interest in our original customs. They are influenced by the traditions of this country–where they were born, or where they grew up.

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The Day of the Dead is a holiday to remember and give tribute to people who were a part of this world.

An essay by Minerva Vazquez

We celebrate the Day of the Dead because it’s a Mexican holiday and, of course, we’re Mexican. This tradition comes from our ancestors.

My family used to celebrate this special day to honor our deceased loved ones. We decorated an altar with bright colors, candles, pictures, and a lot of food. We used orange, red, purple, and yellow ornaments. We used candles to illuminate our dead’s way. We put some pictures of persons who had passed away–these could be our relatives or friends. My grandmother cooked different kinds of food. She cooked every meal that was the favorite for each person who had died, but she also prepared sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and mole.

I have been celebrating the Day of the Dead since I came to Chicago, but not exactly like we did in my hometown. I light some candles and pray a rosary. I think by doing this we’re contributing to keeping alive this wonderful Mexican tradition.

This celebration is important because we have the opportunity to remember our loved ones who have died. It is much like “Memorial Day” in the U.S. because both holidays honor people who have passed away. In Memorial Day, the U.S. honors men and women who have died in military service, and in the Day of the Dead we (Mexicans) honor our relatives and friends who have passed away.

Although it is a good time to gather together and show respect for our loved ones, on the other hand we also have a reason to a family party. This is good! Don’t you think?

This celebration comes from the catholic celebration of “All Souls, and all Saints Day on November 1st and 2nd. There are some traditional activities that take place at the cemeteries, for example: cleaning the tombs, then placing a paper flower crown  or a vase of wild cempaxuchitl. This holiday is from far away in southern Mexico.

The Day of the Dead is a holiday to remember and give tribute to people who were a part of this world. What about marking your prints in all people’s hearts and when the time comes you will be remembered with bright colors, your favorite food, some wild marigolds, or at least with a fragile light. I personally believe that each of us celebrates the Day of the Dead one way or another.