Association House of Chicago

?? What is Association House? Allow us to reintroduce ourselves... Association House is a home away from home, where a fresh start and a fighting chance at a bright future is always within reach. Behavioral health support, child welfare services, career training, public health outreach, even a fully accredited alternative high school are here for anyone in need: all under one roof. Learn more about how Association House lifts up Chicago every day at associationhouse.org.

Does the winter weather have you feeling down? You might be feeling Seasonal Affective Disorder-- that sluggish, sad feeling that can come with shorter days and colder nights. ?? This week, our Public Health AmeriCorps team set up shop to give our staff tips on how to beat the winter doldrums. From light therapy, to gratitude lists, to self-care activities, they shared tons of resources on how to live your best life all season long. They asked staff who stopped by to write down what they were grateful for-- a reminder to cherish the good in your life when times get tough. We're wishing everyone a week of joy & gratitude going into Thanksgiving week! ??

The things kids' wishlists change every year, but for the last 125 years, our commitment to the kids of Chicago has stayed the same. Association House has been a place for kids and teenagers to find joy, safety, and opportunity from the time of Raggedy Ann to the Funko Pop craze-- and we're not planning on stopping! ???? Our annual Holiday Smiles Toy Drive is happening NOW! Help us put smiles on our foster kids' faces this holiday season. View and gift this year's most wanted toys on our Amazon wishlist at https://loom.ly/2paU558, and we'll deliver them to kids all over the House! ?? #toydrive #holidayseason

Congratulations are in order for our foster care superstar, Angelica Gervacio! Last week, she was honored with the CWCA Staff of the Year Award by DCFS for her outstanding work in foster care case management. Our participants have told us countless stories about Angelica's compassion and dedication to her work. We're so proud to have her at Association House! The award was given as part of Latino Family Institute Day, a day of workshops and seminars on advancing the rights of Latinos as they navigate the Child Welfare system. We had a great time learning and sharing our ideas on how to move our industry into the future!

Begin a career in clean energy today on Chicago’s South and West Sides! Join us to begin your journey in some of today's most in-demand fields: weatherization, HVAC, solar energy installation, EV charging station installation, and more! Stipends, tuition coverage and other services are available to qualified participants with crucial support from the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership network. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gX5_rtPN.

?? The Holiday Toy Drive has officially begun! ?? Discover 3 easy ways to bring holiday cheer to kids at Association House at https://loom.ly/DCfJLbA. #toydrive #happyholidays

Just like a CPR class can give you the skills to save a life, our Mental Health First Aid courses can do the same when a mental health crisis strikes. Our free classes, available for adults and youth, can teach you to identify, understand, and safely respond to signs of mental illness. You'll complete the course knowing how to safely de-escalate when someone is experiencing a panic attack, psychosis, overdose, or suicidal thoughts. Plus, you'll receive official certification for your resume! If you care about keeping the people around you safe, our Mental Health First Aid course can help give you and those around you peace of mind. Sign up for a free in-person or virtual class at https://loom.ly/AHZs0ZI.

Each cohort of our Culinary Careers program faces off in a sushi battle, and the whole House selects the champion! It was a tight race in taste, creativity, and presentation... but the ~real~ winners were all the participants and staff members who stopped by to try a piece from each of these aspiring chefs. ?????? Read more about what our culinary grads are capable of at https://loom.ly/jllccv0.

A high school education can help you discover your passions, but there are some things that you can only learn on the job. That's why we invited volunteers working in dozens of different industries to our Career Reality Day-- a crash course on the many careers that our students can look forward to. ?? Students spoke to industry pros in banking, healthcare, counseling and more, getting valuable insider information as they consider their futures. Thanks to all our volunteers for giving our students the lowdown, and thanks to Huntington National Bank for all your help organizing! ??

????? Let your voice be heard! Northwestern Medicine is asking our community to tell them about what our family and friends *really* need when it comes to healthcare. Take 15 minutes to make a difference by filling out this year's Community Health Needs Assessment at https://loom.ly/hWUke6A. #communityhealth