PODER & Oprima-1 LLC

Recently, a former government official complained that immigrants in Chicago are "too educated" about their rights. But let’s be clear—knowing your rights is not a privilege, it’s a necessity. And it’s thanks to organizations like PODER, UnidosUS (@WeAreUnidosUS), and our dedicated partners (The Resurrection Project, Latinos Progresando, Instituto del Progreso Latino, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Enlace Chicago and many more) that immigrant communities are informed, empowered, and prepared. As an UnidosUS Affiliate, PODER is committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of immigration status, knows and can assert their rights. Through Know Your Rights sessions, workforce training, and advocacy, we help build a stronger, more resilient community that will not be silenced by fear. But we can’t do this alone—this work is powered by collaboration. When organizations, elected officials, and community leaders come together, we create ripples of change that extend beyond our classrooms and into the lives of those we serve. #TogetherWeTransformLives #juntosPODEMOS #SalirAdelante

As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day and everyone is Irish in Chicago, you might think it's always been this way. You would be wrong. Below are article excerpts from today's Chicago Tribune written by Robert Loerzel. Link to full article below. "In the 1850s and 1860s, Kilgubbin [today’s Goose Island] was a slum where poor Irish immigrants lived in ramshackle shanties, squatting on property they didn’t own. In an era when the Irish faced widespread prejudice, “Kilgubbin” was used as an insult. A typical shanty contained one room occupied by a cow and a pig; a second apartment where geese and chickens roosted; and a kitchen, where 10 to 12 children were “lying upon the floor in rows, in the most squalid rags and filth.”? When the Great Famine devastated Ireland in the 1840s, Chicago was a destination for thousands of Irish fleeing starvation. By 1850, 1 out of every 5 Chicagoans was an Irish immigrant.??“They were literally ‘dumped’ at the Port of New York, with scanty clothing and absolutely penniless,” the Tribune reported. Kilgubbin was “the haunt of the vilest and lowest population of the city,” where visitors faced the danger of being “swamped in mud, suffocated with stench, or bludgeoned in wild Celtic freakishness.” https://lnkd.in/gc5i4qeu #ImmigrantIntegration #StPatricksDay #IrishHistory #Chicago

A great Migration Policy Institute link for those searching for facts about immigrants and immigration in the US. Below is just one infographic, about education of recent arrivals and other groups, that may surprise you #TellingOurStory https://lnkd.in/gjx69b7Y

After 28 yrs, I still love my job. But that doesn't mean when work events, most often in evenings and weekends, take time away from family it isn't hard. But this past weekend was different - despite a Sat morning event and another Sat evening. Thanks to Skills for Chicagoland's Future, I brought two of my children and wife to see the Chicago River dyeing. And then in the evening, my wife joined me again to celebrate Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago 50th anniversary. Special thanks to Bridget Altenburg and birthday gal Pam Tully + entire #Skills team for welcoming the Loftus family into their beautiful new digs along the river. And to Manny Jimenez and Marquette Bank for extending a plus one so I could bring my beautiful bride to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to enjoy an inspiring #NHS program, listening to DJ Terry Hunter and private access to #MSI exhibits including Blue Paradox. Community starts from within - so when we welcome our families into our work and mission, we strengthen the bonds that drive us all forward. Let’s continue building workplaces where our families see, feel, and celebrate the impact we make together. #juntosPODEMOS #StrongerTogether #PODERCommunity #FamilyAtWork

Save the Date! ??? On May 29, 2025, at 12 PM, we unveil a mural that tells the story of migration, empowerment, and transformation. This is more than art—it’s a tribute to our shared journey and the resilience of our community. Join us as we celebrate growth and new beginnings. More to follow soon. #PODERMural #OurJourney

Ronald Reagan understood the value of immigrants in our workforce. Reagan passed laws that brought immigrants out of the shadows and into the economy. The result was an economy that grew more than 80% in just eight years which benefited all Americans! We should bear this in mind as we consider the impact of mass deportations today. Removing workers will slow our economy and drive inflation higher, especially amid an existing labor shortage. Tell your congressman to advocate for immigration reform, including increasing the number of work visas, that will keep our economy expanding and our costs down. **See New York Times article attached below. Cambridge Caregivers Manchester Care Homes Jill Lampert Brian Levy Jill McMillan Rebecca Shi Juan Carlos Cerda Craig Goldman Sam L. Susser American Jewish Committee (AJC) Dallas Business Journal MSNBC CNN Fox News TV The New York Times The Wall Street Journal

#TellingOurStory American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) Member Adam Lampert shared his expertise from his 15 years in the senior care industry, and now CEO of Manchester Care Homes and Cambridge Caregivers: “We don’t go out looking for people who are immigrants,” he said. “We go out hiring people who answer the call — and they are all immigrants.” #ImmigrationReform #LetsGetToWork

Check out March’s Know Your Rights calendar ??????

?? 40 Hours. No Cost. No Catch. Just Results. ?? I’ve been doing this since I was 17 a?os—when I thought advertising was just a side gig. A way to hustle, learn, and figure things out. I had no idea it would flip my life upside down. Advertising made me. It gave me mentors, strategy, creatividad, and growth. It put me in rooms where brands were built, agencies were transformed, and companies and their clients made MILLIONS. Now? I’m giving (más) back. ?? I’m offering 40 hours of my expertise—pro bono—to one organization ready to take its next BIG leap. ?? For 15+ years, I’ve driven multi-million-dollar growth for brands, agencies, and organizations across every budget, every challenge, every constraint. I’ve worked and excelled in remote and hybrid environments before they were the norm, collaborating across industries and time zones with one goal—GROWTH. ? Business growth & organic expansion ? AI-powered storytelling & brand strategy ? Creative leadership that actually moves the needle ? Helping brands navigate change—without miedo, waste, or BS ?? If you want smart strategy that delivers—let’s talk. ?? If you need branding or positioning that actually WORKS—let’s build. ?? If you’re serious about the future and not just surviving, but THRIVING—this is what I do. ? No fluff. No gimmicks. Just 40 hours of ?? real work to MOVE YOU FORWARD. If we build something GREAT? You decide if we keep going. If not? You still walk away with a WIN. And so do I—because every project becomes another case study for the tecnología I’m building. ?? Don’t take my word for it. ?? Ask Anna L. Calix and Daniel Loftus what we’ve built together for their organizations and enterprises with the right strategy genuinely tailor-made for them at Gifts from Liam and PODER in the beautiful magical Chicago, IL. ?? Read my reviews on LinkedIn. ?? LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gxF3_35R ?? Look at my portfolio: https://lnkd.in/bUwbDAg ?? First 40 hours? FREE. The rest? Eso depende de ti. #AIforGood #ChirinosCode #LILITA #CreativeStrategy #TechnologyForGood #NonprofitLeadership #InnovationForImpact #BrandGrowth

On March 11th, IMRR is sponsoring a Know Your Rights session from 3-5PM in person and on Zoom with The Resurrection Project, Access Living and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). We will cover the recent changes in immigration policies and their potential impact on immigrants with disabilities. It will be held in English and Spanish with American Sign Language interpreters. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gSZ-exmN