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Howard Area Community Center
Recipient of the Chicago Ignatian Volunteer Corps: George Sullivan Magis Award

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Howard Area Community Center was honored at the Chicago Ignatian Volunteer Corps, 2013 Evening of Gratitude Gala. Howard Area was the recipient of The George Sullivan Magis award. The George Sullivan Magis Award is named after George Sullivan, co-founder of IVC Chicago Chapter. This award was in recognition of Howard Area Community Center’s twelve year partnership with Chicago Ignatian Volunteer Corps.

Since 2001, Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) members have found an ideal home in HACC programs. HACC believes in the human dignity of every participant who walks through our doors, and so do the IVC volunteers. IVC volunteers have assisted HACC participants in a variety of ways, from filling out LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) applications to helping with job placement, resumes, and computer skills at the HACC Employment Resource Center.

IVC volunteers’ hands-on work enables HACC to serve more clients each year and spend more one-on-one time with our participants. For over 12 years, HACC program participants have benefited tremendously from the talents of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps members. We are so grateful for IVC volunteers’ service which has helped HACC become more efficient and effective in serving the poor.

Howard Area Community Center 2013 Spring Gala

On Saturday, April 20th, 2013 at the Valley Lo Club located in Glenview, IL, Howard Area Community Center celebrated its more than 45 years of serving the Rogers Park community. Guests were treated to fine dining overlooking a panoramic view of the lake and golf course. Guest also enjoyed a silent auction, listening to one of our participant’s share his story on the impact Howard Area Community Center has made in his life, and learning more about the wonderful work being done at Howard Area Community Center. Most importantly, 120 guests mingle with likeminded individuals who believe in making a difference in our community.

In addition to celebrating the more than 45 years of serving the Rogers Park Community, the event allowed Howard Area to recognize two of its committed supporters: This year’s Community Partner Award Recipient was Reverend James Coleman. He has worked with the Howard Area Community Center Employment Center to help many change their lives and become productive citizens, thus promoting community safety. The Volunteer Award Recipient this year was HACC Women’s Benefit Board. Since the group’s inception in 1988, they have raised over a million dollars to support programs at HACC.

Special thanks to our Gala Sponsors for helping us to make this event a huge success:

Gold Sponsor: Robert & Nanda Lapata

Silver Sponsor: North Shore Community Bank and Trust Company

Bronze Sponsor: Albany Bank and Trust; Dale and Erica Granchalek; Kloepfer Insurance Service, Inc.

Friend of the Gala: Irpino Construction, Inc.

In addition, special thanks to all of our supporters who purchased event tickets; purchased ads in our Tribute Book; donated items to the Silent Auction.

We could not have done it without you!

Check us out on facebook to view event pictures: https://www.facebook.com/howardarea

Food Network Host, Melissa d’Arabian, Joins HACC Cooking Matters Class

Bestselling author and host of Ten Dollar Dinners joined in on HACC’s Cooking Matters for Families class while on a brief visit to Chicago. Students warmly welcomed Melissa to “a perfect balance of information, hands-on cooking, and fun.” Read more about Melissa’s visit, by clicking on the image below.

Howard Area Community Center
Recognized With AT&T Investing In Illinois Award

CHICAGO, IL JANUARY 28, 2013 — AT&T Illinois today announced Howard Area Community Center is the winner of an “AT&T Investing in Illinois Award.

As part of the award, Howard Area Community Center will receive a contribution of $5,000 from AT&T to be used for their Resource Center Computer Lab Programs.

“AT&T is delivering the wired and wireless broadband solutions that consumers and businesses want in today’s Internet-based economy. We are also committed to giving back in the communities we serve. AT&T Illinois has a proud history of making corporate contributions to Illinois non-profit groups and programs that are making a difference locally,” said Sylvia Aldrete, AT&T External Affairs Director.

State Rep. Kelly Cassidy nominated the organization for the recognition from AT&T Illinois.

The AT&T Investing in Illinois Awards provide resources and recognition to organizations and programs that are improving lives in their communities and the state by advancing education, economic growth, new technologies and other essential community services.

Read the full press release by clicking here.

HACC Youth Facilitate At Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair

Youth from Project JAM! were invited to be workshop presenters at the 12th Annual Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair on Saturday, November 17th. Youth leaders worked as a team facilitating two 75-minute workshops attended by 25-30 guests. These break out sessions covered the topics of the Adultism Awareness House and Theater as Weapon/Forum Theater on Bullying. The presenters gained real-life skills in preparing for the fair. The young presenters did an incredible job representing HACC and themselves.
Catch the full story by clicking image below

Chicago Tonight -
Freedom Lost & Won: Exonerees Sing Their Story

Four recently exonerated men, wrongfully convicted several years ago, now share their stories through music. Of them, HACC’s own CSAC Coordinator, Antoine Day, shares his vision for continuing to serve others who are wrongfully convicted. Learn more about these gentlemen and Day’s vision in a feature story by Chicago Tonight here.

HACC’s Adult Literacy & ABE Students Featured In Illinois Literacy Newsletter

The Illinois State Library Literacy Office, a supporter of Howard Area, has featured our Adult Literacy program and some of our ABE students in it’s Fall issue. Learn more about our program by checking out the newsletter here.