CCIL & ASH Participation St. Patrick's Day Parade a Success

CCIL’s participation in the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2009 would not have been possible without the friendship, support and sponsorship provided by A Safe Haven (ASH). More than 20 people dressed in green from CCIL and ASH gathered alongside the float. The camaraderie before, during and after the parade was amazing! Those representing CCIL on, and alongside, the float included: Alderman JoAnn Thompson, Kathy Fink, Ron Archie, Rick Roberts and Jenny Brandhorst.

The parade was viewed locally on ABC7 where ASH and CCIL were mentioned. ASH posted an incredible video of the event on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrSyvp6XM_8

CCIL in St. Patrick's Day Parade

A Safe Haven, L.L.C (ASH) is participating for the first time in Chicago’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a salute to Chicago Christian Industrial League’s (CCIL) “100” Year Anniversary! The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to begin on March 14th at noon at Columbus and Balbo. ASH float #11 will include both executive staff from ASH and CCIL, led by Brian Rowland, founder, CEO of ASH, Neli Vasquez-Rowland, Co-Founder, and Rick Roberts, former CCIL CEO and White House Point of Light Award Winner.

“ASH is honored to salute CCIL as the City’s oldest homeless program founded in 1909. CCIL restores families affected by poverty and homelessness by providing comprehensive programs and services that transform their lives and strengthen our community. Our mission at A Safe Haven, L.L.C. is aligned with the mission of CCIL and we are proud to have CCIL as a valued partner serving the needs of those most “at risk” in the community,” said Brian Rowland, CEO of ASH.

“We are looking forward to an exciting day in the spirit of celebrating both Chicago’s famous St. Patrick’s Day with other Chicago-based businesses and dignitaries, and the anniversary of CCIL” added Brian Rowland.

About A Safe Haven, L.L.CA Safe Haven, L.L.C. is a Social Economic Model providing and coordinating supportive recovery home housing, job training, affordable housing, and job placement services. ASH’s housing and case management services are available for people who are in recovery from diseases of alcoholism and drug addiction.

Dodge Ram Convoy and Cans Benefit CCIL

After three days of collecting canned food from the Chrysler LLC sponsored Chicago Auto Show Food Drive, a caravan of Dodge Rams delivered more than 20,000 pounds of food from the show to CCIL. More than 20 student volunteers from John Hancock High School helped unload the canned food and stocked CCIL’s Community Food Pantry which feeds at least 250 families every week.

“Every year at Chicago Auto Show, we try to showcase the character of Chrysler not just the great cars and trucks we build. Chrysler is an American company that is dedicated to providing good American jobs and serving the communities in which we live and work,” said Lewis Scott, Director of Chrysler’s Midwest Business Center. “We are so proud to continue our partnership with the Christian Industrial League and the great work they do everyday to feed the people of Chicago.”

CCIL is a century-old organization that restores families and individuals affected by poverty and homelessness by providing comprehensive programs and services empowering people to transform their lives and strengthen the community.

“During these tough economic times, we’re so thankful for Chrysler’s generous sponsorship at the Chicago Auto Show. Every week CCIL’s Community Food Pantry serves more than 250 disadvantaged families. This wouldn’t be possible without the kindhearted charitable contributions from our loyal supporters and community partnerships,” said Jenny Brandhorst, CCIL Communications Manager.

For more information about Chrysler, CCIL and the Chicago Auto Show please visit each website…http://www.chryslerllc.com/, http://www.ccilworks.org/, http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/

Foodservice Training Program 2009

CCIL, Aramark and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (MOWD) have found the recipe for successfully helping individuals turn their lives around - a foodservice training program for non-violent ex-felons. These nine week training classes have been stirring up excellent results helping people secure jobs in the foodservice industry.

2009 Nine Week Training Class Schedules:
February 23 - April 24, 2009
April 27 - June 26, 2009
July 6 - September 4, 2009
September 14 - November 14, 2009

Training Time: 7am - 3pm

Location: CCIL training kitchen and Classroom #2 on the second floor - 2750 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago

Facilitator/Instructor: Bob Joens, Foodservice Director

Interested candidates must first be referred to CCIL's Center for Workforce Development.

Please contact Debra Rowry at 773-435-8424 for referral information.

*Training dates and times are subject to change. Please check with us frequently for any schedule updates.

Hunger - Together We Can Fight It

“All that will matter to us someday is what we did while we were here to help those who needed us.” - Alan Shawn Feinstein

For the 12th consecutive year, Alan Shawn Feinstein is dividing $1,000,000 among hunger fighting agencies nationwide to help raise awareness and funds during March and April 2009. Visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org for more information about this remarkable grassroots effort in supporting hungry families.

Feinstein’s past $1,000,000 challenges to fight hunger have raised a record $940,000,000 for agencies nationwide. Any donation CCIL receives designated to the Feinstein Challenge qualifies our organization as being eligible for additional funding from this campaign.

Contributions can be mailed to: CCIL, 2750 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL Attention: Feinstein Challenge or visit www.ccilworks.org to donate online.

Loyal CCIL supporters know the importance of the work we’re doing to stop the ravages of homelessness and hunger. CCIL could not carry out this tall order without you. This year we plan on meeting and exceeding Mr. Feinstein’s challenge making this one of the most successful
anti-hunger campaigns ever!

Chicago Cares Celebration of Service

Each year Chicago Cares sends thousands of volunteers throughout the city to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s memory. This year, 17 volunteers spent their Saturday at CCIL participating in the Chicago Cares Celebration of Service.

Children in CCIL’s family program were treated to an “Around the World” multicultural fair meant to further Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community. The children made a craft or learned a game from seven different countries. Japanese origami and Guatemalan “worry dolls” were two of the children’s favorites.

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator Chris Wiens comments, “The kids had a wonderful time learning about different cultures. They now have a common interest with children from all over the world, whether it is origami or mancala. It’s the start we need to find a common humanity in our overseas neighbors and an important lesson for us to remember at home as well.”

KIPP Ascend Charter School donates canned goods

On Thursday, January 15, KIPP Ascend Charter School donated more than 2,000 canned goods to CCIL’s Community Food Pantry. On one of the coldest days of the year, the students bundled up to help CCIL volunteers load all of the food items. The donation will help feed at least 1,300 struggling families who receive aide from CCIL’s Community Food Pantry.

“The spirit of service demonstrated in the student’s willingness to help us load the food was inspiring. They should be proud of their efforts to help out struggling Chicago families. It was obvious they wanted to carry this project through to the end and would not be satisfied or warm until each and every canned good was put in our van,” said Chris Wiens,

CCIL Volunteer Coordinator.

About KIPP Ascend Charter School...
KIPP Ascend Charter School is a tuition-free, college preparatory middle school located on Chicago’s West Side. As a charter school, we offer a free, public education to any student, grades 5-8, who chooses to enroll.

Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to succeed in top-quality high schools, universities, and have a positive impact on their communities. At KIPP Ascend, students "climb the mountain" to college!