Friday, June 19, 2015

LOS and Arab American Family Services team up to protest the IL State budget cuts, which will drastically affect the IWC


 LOS and AAFS joined together in North Riverside today, June 19th, to protest the IL Budget Cuts that will devastate the Illinois Welcoming Centers, which served more than 5,000 families last year! LOS and AAFS leaders want to send a message to the State of IL and Governor Bruce Rauner that these services are essential!

Here, LOS's executive director Hector Rico addresses the youth participating in the protest. These youth ages 16-24 have had their wages frozen, delaying the compensation they have earned form working in their communities through the ALAS youth employment program.




Tuesday, June 2, 2015

LOS Offers Weekly Legal Nights for DACA and other Immigration Appeals Services

LOS Continues to Offer Weekly Legal Night


The Latino Organization of the Southwest continues to offer a legal night every Wednesday, starting at 6pm, giving community members the opportunity to meet with a Board of Immigration Appeals- Accredited Legal Representative for consultation or help with submitting numerous types of immigration paperwork.

Community members may also make an appointment with an immigration lawyer by calling LOS at (773) 581-1900 and asking for Alejandra Cabrera. 

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La Organización Latina del Suroeste sigue ofreciendo unas noches legales cada miércoles empezando a las 6 de la tarde, dando la oportunidad a quedar con un representante legal certificado por la junta de apelaciones de inmigración. La consulta es gratis por muchos tipos de solicitudes de temas del inmigración.

Para hacer una cita con la abogada de inmigración, llame a LOS a (773) 581-1900 y pregunte por Alejandra Cabrera.



Latino Organization of the Southwest seeks funding from the Washington Square Health Foundation and Others to Jumpstart the PSEM Program

The Latino Organization of the Southwest is in the midst of developing the Proyecto Salud Emocional del Migrante (PSEM) counseling program, which in English means the Migrant Emotional Health Project.

Through PSEM, LOS will be providing free counseling services to uninsured and underinsured Latinos throughout the Southwest Side of Chicago and the surrounding areas. LOS has always been committed to the empowerment of our communities, and therefore LOS hopes to offer family counseling, drug and alcohol addictions counseling, and domestic violence counseling to immigrants who otherwise would not be able to afford quality counseling services.

LOS is currently recruiting an advisory board for this project, so if you or your colleagues would be interested in being a part of this advisory board, please send an introductory email and resume to Padraic Stanley, Youth Development Coordinator at stanley.padraic@gmail.com.

In pursuing funding for the program, LOS has submitted an application to the Washington Square Health Foundation, for which the Principles for Community Health Care Report can be downloaded here.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Summer programs updates




We are proud to congratulate Maria for earning the 
Fiesta del Sol Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship! 
Maria has participated in LOS Civic Engagement program, Writing Club, Scholarship Club, and volunteers at LOS helping young people. She is a leader in her community.

Follow our successes on Twitter using #youthinaction


The College Essay Club is coming to a close. After four weeks of intensive brainstorming and writing activities, youth are able to begin their college admission essays. 



And...our young people were inspired to consider a career choice during our
Be Who You Want To Be Parade
They took their chants to the streets, along East 63rd street, South Pulaski, and West 67th street to West Lawn Park. We'd like to thank the 13th Aldermanic Ward, the Chicago Fire Department, and all those who encouraged our youth to believe in their achievements. Thank you!



It's been a busy summer! 

Come out and celebrate with us and our families! 


Like us on Facebook for more up-to-date information! 




Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Strategic Planning


 
Latino Organization of the Southwest participated in a strategic planning session.
 
Excellent Customer Service
Relevant Programming
Agency of Choice
Building Community
were some of the themes mentioned in the planning session.
 
Thank you to everyone who participated!
 



 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Help Support LOS programs!

Enjoy a great meal while helping to support LOS programs.

Be sure to print out the image and take with you.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

LOS takes students to UIC for a tour


On Friday March 28, L.O.S sponsored a tour to UIC.  The students that attended represented four different schools: Catalyst Maria H.S, Argo Community H.S, Pathways H.S, and Richard J. Daley College, and the students’ academic range is from high school freshman to college freshman.

The students were attentive to the admissions presentation in which the presenter informed the students of the enrollment requirements such as the ACT scores, GPA’s, and Financial Aid responsibilities.

The students liked the information that was given to them; specially, because one student is thinking of going into Bio-engineering and UIC has the college that deals with that field.  After the information session, we were given a tour of the campus which lasted approximately forty-five minutes.  The area that all the students liked was the recreation center where there is a three-story rock-climbing wall and a swimming pool with a lazy river.  On a not-so-good note, all the eateries on campus were closed due to spring break; we did not have time to go out to eat lunch anywhere else because the bus pick-up time was close.  Next time we go to tour during spring break, we know to pack our lunch, oh well, lesson learned.

Overall, I believe it was a productive day in which we learned something new.

--Luis Munoz, Higher Education & Job Readiness Coordinator







Thursday, March 13, 2014

#CúbreteIL: La historia de Carlos


Get Covered Illinois. The deadline for the Marketplace approaches. Contact LOS for more info!



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Friday, February 28, 2014

DREAMers can go to college

There are 1.5 million undocumented students under the age of 18 living in the United States, 65,000 graduate every year, most have lived in the US for most of their lives. One of the major challenges in obtaining a higher education faced by this population is the inability to apply for financial aid. 

On Thursday, February 20, 2014, LOS, in collaboration with Eric Solorio High School, presented a "DREAMers" Financial Aid workshop.  The main speaker was Ms. Leticia Moreno, a Financial Aid Officer from IIT University.

Undocumented students as well as parents were invited to listen to the information on how to successfully ingress into a Higher Education institution.  Ms. Moreno explained the process for enrollment and the different ways to achieve success in regards to acquiring institutional and private scholarships as well as student loans.  

Parents and students were very interested in the information that was provided, because there were many points of interest that the listeners learned.  

Ms. Alejandra Cabrera, from LOS, was also invited to speak on the process of how to apply for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) which should help students maneuver through the job market to find employment.

This workshop was a success, and because of it, more workshops will be presented in the near future.     

--
Luis Muñoz, Higher Education & Job Readiness Coordinator







For more information go to:

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Latin Dance Fundraiser Event!

Join us for music, dance, and fun!
Celebrate Valentine's Day early and bring a guest.
Help support LOS programs.
 
 

Saturday, February 8, 2014
6:00PM - 10:00PM
Matli Dance Academy
4241 W. 63rd Street
Chicago, IL 60629
 
Agenda:
Doors open at 6:00pm
6:30PM - Dance Lessons --Must RSVP
7:30PM -- Dance Off
8:30PM--Open Dance
 
$10.00 Per Person
21 and over. No Children Allowed
Complimentary Beverage included.
Contact Elizabeth at 773-581-1900 or email at earroyo.los@gmail.com


Hope to see you there! 
 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Regional Gifted Centers for English Language Learners (ELLs)

Chicago Public Schools News:

December 13th marks the deadline to enroll in a Regional Gifted Center, accelerated learning for academically advanced k-8 students who speak Polish and Spanish.

Does your child...

...constantly ask questions?
...speak like a child who is older?
...know more than other children her/his age?
...love to learn?

If you answered yes, the Regional Gifted Center may be the program for your child!

December 13 is the deadline to apply.

For more information contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773/553-2060 or oae@cps.edu

Friday, November 22, 2013

LOS gives back to the community!

This year, on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, LOS will join #Giving Tuesday in a day celebrating giving. Charities, families, businesses, community centers, students, retailers and more will come together for #GivingTuesday (on Twitter), to celebrate and encourage giving during the Holiday Season. 

LOS is excited to begin our annual fundraising campaign with this movement!

Our goal is to raise $10,000 and increase our web presence. And you can help us make that happen by making a pledge (button on sidebar), making a donation, and/or following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out how our program participants and staff give back to the community!








How do you give back to the community?

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Celebrating 20 Years of Service

The Latino Organization of the Southwest celebrates 20 years of service to the community!


 

Join our LOS community by interning, volunteering, or participating in our programs. Sign up for our newsletter for more information.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

The LOS Fall Fest

 
Goblins and witches enjoyed an evening of games, face painting, and fun at the LOS Fall Festival.
 
The LOS Youth Club engages youth in activities such as math, science, reading, writing, and art. After school programs are held at neighborhood schools.  
 
For more information contact us at 773-581-1900
 
The inclement weather didn't stop us!
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
Have a Happy & Safe Halloween!


 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Ven a Celebrar la Herencia Hispana con LOS

VEN A CELEBRAR LA HERENCIA HISPANA Y
 APOYAR LA LUCHA CONTRA LAS DEPORTACIONES


SABADO 21 DE SEPTIEMBRE EN LA ORGANIZACION LATINA DEL SUROESTE
 4051 W 63RD ST 

5:00 PM A 9:00 PM


TENDREMOS POZOLE, TACOS Y MUSICA
HOT DOGS Y LOTERIA MEXICANA

LOS FONDOS SERAN PARA APOYAR LA PARTICIPACION DEL COMITE EN DEFENSA DEL INMIGRANTE EN LA CONFERENCIA Y DIA DE ACCION QUE SE REALIZARA EN ARIZONA DEL 12 AL 14 DE OCTUBRE COMO PARTE DE LA CAMPANA “NI UNA DEPORTACION MAS”


ENTRADA GRATIS
(Si tienes preguntas puedes llamar al 773 581 1900 pregunta por Miguel Vera o Rosi Carrasco)

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The quest for knowledge...

A note from our Higher Education/Job Readiness Coordinator


I am happy to report that this fiscal year has been very successful; we, as an organization, and as a group of students that were part of the college tours, took pride in our quest for knowledge and empowerment.  We took some valuable steps in going on eight college tours to find out what each school offered.  The colleges as well as the campuses differed from one to the next and this is what made them interesting. 

The range of the group of the students’ grades ranged from freshman in high school to sophomore in college and the interests differed from one student to the other.  I would like to think that the students learned how to maneuver through college admissions and financial aid; or at least how to find, and where to find, any necessary help to apply to a higher education institution.

We took our last college tour for the year at The University of Chicago August 21, 2013.  I was very excited that some students were genuinely interested in coming to this tour because it shows resolve and hunger to succeed in life.  The students engaged in the presentation with the admissions officer by asking questions and giving their comments.  We also learned that this is where the first atom was split in 1938 and this is where the first Heisman Trophy was born ; “Known initially as the DAC Trophy, it was first presented to Jay Berwagner, the legendary "one man gang" from the University of Chicago on December 9, 1935”.

One student said that “the best thing about the school is that they cater to students during finals by creating an environment where many learning tools are at the students’ disposition."  The second thing that the student liked was the campus itself.  She liked the combination of the Neo-Gothic with a few of the more modern structures such as the exercise facility and the open green spaces.  The least thing that the student liked, or didn’t like, was the "high price to attend this institution”.








I believe that after these college tour experiences the students have a better understanding of how and where to apply; they have a better rounded idea of how to build their future, and that’s what this program is all about. 

On a personal note, I wish that more students participate in the coming year because the more exposed to knowledge, the better prepared one is to succeed in life.

Thank you all
Luis Alberto Muñoz.
Higher Education Coordinator
For more information on our Higher Education program you can contact Luis at 773/581-1900