Latino in Chicago

Latest Episodes:

Sylvia Puente, Latino Policy Forum Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

Today’s episode features Sylvia Puente, Executive Director of the Latino Policy Forum - the only public policy and advocacy organization in the Chicago metropolitan area working to improve educational outcomes for children, make housing accessible and affordable, promote just immigration reform, and build the influence and leadership of the Latino community. Through the Latino Policy Forum, she works with more than 100 organizational leaders in the Chicago metropolitan region and has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S.” by Hispanic Business magazine.

Sylvia was introduced to her life’s work as an advocate, policy analyst, and activist for Latino issues at age thirteen when she joined her mother on picket lines in support of the United Farm Workers.

We Learn About:

The Latino Policy Forum’s impact strategy and its evolution
Data supporting the successes and challenges of the Latino community
Sylvia shares reflections on the farmworkers movement and what inspired her to get engaged in policy, and
The Forum’s work to position and cultivate Latino and African-American leader

Notable Resources:

Latino Policy Forum's Issue Briefings

Harvard Family Research Project: Guide to Measuring Advocacy and Policy

Jack Weatherford, Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World

To learn more about the Latino Policy Forum, visit: latinopolicyforum.org

To support the Forum's mission: Click Here to Donate

Listen on iTunes Latino in Chicago - Sylvia Puente, Latino Policy Forum Eric B. Lugo

Maria Pesqueira, Mujeres Latinas en Acción Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

Today, we connect with Maria del Socorro Pesqueira, President and CEO of Mujeres Latinas en Acción. Founded in 1975, Mujeres empowers Latinas by providing services that reflect their values and culture and by being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their lives. The agency serves as a beacon for Latinas and their families, serving over 8,000 community residents annually.

Maria is celebrating her 15th year as CEO Mujeres and offers some great insight on her experiences in that time.

We learn about:

Mujeres' services in supporting women and families across Chicago
Maria’s journey to the organization and her first experience with domestic violence
The organization’s vision for how men can play an active role in ending domestic violence
Maria’s approach to leadership, and why it’s personal, and
Mujeres’ participation in the Purple Purse Challenge

Notable resources:

Peter Drucker, The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization

Allstate Foundation, Purple Purse Challenge

SUPPORT MUJERES IN THE PURPLE PURSE CHALLENGE - DONATE HERE

To learn more about Mujeres, visit: mujereslatinasenaccion.org

To support Mujeres' mission, Click Here to Donate

Listen on iTunes Latino in Chicago - Maria Pesqueira, Mujeres Latinas en Acción Eric B. Lugo

Kirstin Chernawsky, Erie Neighborhood House Oct 16, 2016

Show notes

Today we’re speaking with Kirstin Chernawsky, Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House, an organization with a history of serving immigrant families since 1870. Kirstin began her tenure at Erie in 2013 as Senior Director of Development & Communications. In March of 2016, Erie’s Board of Directors named her Executive Director, making her just the ninth individual - and fourth woman - to serve in this capacity.

In August 2016 Kirstin was named to the Crain's Leadership Academy, a cohort comprised of rising leaders in the nonprofit and business sectors. She also sits on the Board of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Chicago Women in Philanthropy.

We learn about:

Erie’s services supporting immigrant communities
Reflections on her first 8 months in the role at Erie House
Offers advice to young leaders and in particular young women on embracing new opportunities
Challenges of the State Budget Impasse

Notable resources:

State Budget Impasse - Mapping the Damage to Illinois' Human Services

Adam Grant, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success

Kobi Yamada, What Do You Do with an Idea & What Do You Do with a Problem

To learn more about Erie, visit: eriehouse.org

To support Erie's mission, Click Here to Donate.

Listen on iTunes Latino in Chicago - Kirstin Chernawsky, Erie House Eric B. Lugo

Jose Rico, United Way of Metro Chicago Oct 10, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Jose Rico, Senior Vice President of Community Impact at the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Jose leads the organization’s community impact work in education, income, health and basic needs support. He also stewards its Neighborhood Network model of delivering highly coordinated and concentrated services in underserved communities.

Prior to the United Way, Jose served as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics where he planned policy, strategic initiatives, outreach, and communications for President Obama’s education agenda in the Latino community.

We learn about:

The UWMCs approach to investing in non-profits and communities
Jose’s perspective on Latino leadership
Opportunities for philanthropy to build coalition
Importance of finding passion and mastering your craft

Connect with Jose on LinkedIn Here.

To learn more about the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, visit: uw-mc.org

To support the mission of the UWMC, Click Here to Donate.

Listen on iTunes Latino in Chicago - Jose Rico, UWMC Eric B. Lugo

Juan Salgado, Instituto del Progreso Latino Oct 03, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Juan Salgado, President and CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino. Juan has led Instituto through a 15-year period of national award-winning recognition and growth by establishing best-practices education and workforce development. In 2015, Juan was selected as a MacArthur Fellow, also known as the Genius Award, recognizing his strong community leadership and innovative approach to education in the Latino immigrant community.

We learn about:

Instituto’s services and approach to supporting community
Juan’s perspective on learning to lead
The value of informal mentorship, and
The importance of investing in the Latino communities across the region

Notable resources:

MacArthur Foundation - MacArthur Fellows, Class of 2015

University of Chicago, To & Through Project

Matt Desmond, Evicted

Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me

To learn more about Instituto, visit: institutochicago.org

To support the mission of Instituto, Click Here to Donate.

Listen on iTunes Latino in Chicago - Juan Salgado Instituto del Progreso Latino Eric B. Lugo

Sol Flores, La Casa Norte Sep 20, 2016

Show notes

In our first episode, we hear from one of Chicago’s most dynamic Latina voices. Sol Flores, is the founding Exective Director of La Casa Norte, an organization based on the West and Northwest Side of Chicago helping over 4,000 families impacted by homelessness.

We learn about:

La Casa Norte's mission and vision
Homelessness in Chicago
Leadership lessons
Ways to support Chicago communities

To learn more about La Casa Norte, visit: lacasanorte.org

To support the mission of La Casa Norte, Click Here to Donate.

Listen on iTunes Latino in Chicago - Sol Flores, La Casa Norte Eric Lugo

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