Join Us in Austin 014

Join Us in AustinWelcome to Austin

After years of predatory lending, foreclosure, and building abandonment, there is now hope for sta-bilization and recovery

in Austin’s housing market.One year ago, the City of

Chicago designated the area between Laramie, Chicago, Central, and Kinzie Avenues as Austin’s Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) zone. This designation not only focuses the City’s efforts towards holding building own-ers accountable for vacant and blighted buildings, it has also channeled the vast expertise and resources of large non-profit housing organizations such as Neighborhood Housing Services, Community Invest-ment Corporation, and Mercy Portfolio Services to these same blocks in Austin.

While the City and their partners have organized their resources to jumpstart Austin’s housing market, Austin’s com-munity leaders are also coor-dinating their efforts to bring about comprehensive neighbor-hood change. Improving schools, public safety, neighbor relations, and employment prospects are all issues that are being ad-dressed by dedicated leaders and their organizations.

The following stories provide examples of courageous leaders in Austin and positive trends in the area. We hope to dispel some myths about the community and encourage others to JOIN US IN AUSTIN as we restore our com-munity to greatness.

Andrew BornDirector of Programs and

Development

INTRODUCTION

COMMUNITY COMMITMENTJuly 9, 2014

DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

WARMER WINTERS AHEAD: Ethel Mason, 85, had a furnace and new energy-e� cient windows installed in her Austin home under the MMRP. She is also set to get a new roof.

By LA RISA LYNCHContributing Reporter

Unlike most Chicagoans Ethel Mason is looking forward to next winter.

The long time Austin resident lives in a massive stucco house with drafty sin-gle pane windows that did little to keep

old man winter out and the often high heating bill that came with him.

To deal with the chill that permeated her home in the 5300 block of west Ohio Street, Ma-son often layered in warm clothing and cranked up her thermostat. She hopes that’s not the case next winter. Mason was one of the few lucky

ones to qualify for a forgivable loan under the city’s Micro Market Recovery Program which allowed her to replace her old windows.

The MMRP aims to stabilize neighborhoods hit hard by foreclosure. The program partners

with community groups to rehab and reoccupy vacant homes, offer foreclosure prevention as-sistance and help existing residents repair their homes.

Through the program, Mason got 24 win-dows replaced with more energy efficient ones and a new furnace. A new roof is in the works. The cost for the windows and furnace came to $12,100, something Mason said she couldn’t af-ford without the assistance of the program.

“I really am looking to see just how much I save on my gas bill,” said Mason who lives on a fixed income and struggles paying her gas bill

Austin homeowners get energy saving makeover

Forgivable loan program under city’s Micro Market Recovery Program provides funding for home repair

“Hopefully it will inspire people to take more pride in their property and

their neighborhood.”Andrew Born

Austin Coming Together

See STABILIZING NEIGHBORHOODS on Page 14

14 Austin Weekly News, July 9, 2014

JOIN US IN AUSTIN

that topped $500 per month this past winter. The 86-year-old moved into her Austin home 41 years ago.

“Every month they’ll send shut off notic-es. I send them what I can send them. I am hoping and praying that it will go down. I’m hoping next winter it will be better with the windows,” she said.

Austin is one of 12 communities involved in the MMR program. The program targets certain neighborhood blocks for redevelop-ment. The Austin target area is between Laramie, Central, Chicago Avenue and Lake Street. Austin Coming Together is the lead agency for the city program.

The forgivable loan program does two things, says ACT’s Andrew Born. The pro-gram provides access to financing to home-owners who ordinarily wouldn’t qualify for traditional loans to make home repairs. And it helps stabilize Austin’s already great housing stock by allowing homeowners to reinvest in their properties.

The forgivable loan essentially becomes a grant, Born said. Homeowners are given the money to do the repairs, but as long as they stay in their homes for a certain period of time a portion of the loan is deducted, he said.

The program is to encourage homeowners to make investments in their homes, Born said. He hopes other families are inspired by the makeovers and will do the same. The tradeoff, he said, is the value of their homes and the neighborhood would increase, turn-ing blighted areas into a more livable space.

“Hopefully it will inspire people to take more pride in their property and their neighborhood … or get more involved in their block clubs …,” he said.

Born noted that Austin has many stately homes, some of which have fallen into disre-pair. Access to credit is one reason homeown-

ers cannot reinvest back into their homes. This program takes the burden off some families, but is also limited by how many Austinites qualified for the program, he said.

Out of the 100 applications distributed,

only five households qualified for the pro-gram with another 10 applications being con-sidered. Residents had to make less than 80 percent of the area median income, and have no unpaid water bills or parking tickets. Un-

fortunately, Born said, that kept the numbers small as to who qualified for the program.

“That has kind of been an ongoing chal-lenge,” Born said. “We’re hoping that if we got the word out that people have gotten the loans and have made some good repairs, people will overcome their reluctance to ap-ply next year for the next round of funds.”

Austin resident Mrs. Price, who did not want her first name used for article, said the program works. She too is looking forward to winter. Her home in the 600 block of North Lorel was also in dire need of new windows.

“They were old and just deteriorating and my house was so cold,” Mrs. Price said, not-ing that her windows were so drafty that the curtains would blow from the wind. “It was just ridiculous. I got duct tape and every-thing but they still will be standing out just like a parachute.”

Thanks to the program, Mrs. Price had 37 new windows installed and a new outlook on winter also. This winter, she hopes her gas bill will be cut in half from the $3,000 she paid when the polar vortex engulfed Chicago.

Mrs. Price called the program a godsend since she wouldn’t have been able to afford the $12,500 price tag to install the windows. She admits she had some skepticism that the pro-gram was a scam when first told of it. Now, she encourages other homeowners to give it a try.

“These programs weren’t working for the Austin area. So everybody was afraid [but] I would tell them it really works. And if I say it works, it works,” Mrs. Price said.

STABILIZING NEIGHBORHOODS

Continued from page 13

Courtesy Aaron Fenster

INSPIRING PRIDE: Neighbors on the 600 N. block of Lorel Avenue.

Want to � nd out more?

You can find out more about the Mi-cro Market Recovery Program by call-ing Andrew Born at Austin Coming Together. Born is ACT’s community planning director. His number is 773-417-8612.

JOIN US IN AUSTIN

5049 W. Harrison St.

For More Information Contact: Andrew Born Phone: 773-417-8612 Email: aborn@ austincomingtogether.org

Tired of Renting?

Ready to Buy Your Dream Home?

The City of Chicago’s Purchase Assistance Deferred/Forgivable Loan May Be Ideal for You!

Micro Market Recovery Program

Purchase Assistance

Deferred/Forgivable Loan

$15,000 down payment grants toward the purchase of MMRP area properties

$35,000 grants for homebuyer repairs

Properties must be homebuyers’ primary places of residence and be 1-4 units

Program Administered by:

Micro Market Recovery ProgramTired of renting?

Ready to buy your dream home?

The City of Chicago’s Purchase Assistance Deferred/Forgivable Loan may be ideal for you!

6/27/2014 Home Buyers | Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago

http://www.nhschicago.org/site/3C/category/what_to_expect 1/2

LANGUAGE: English | Español | CONTACT US »

HOME BUYERS

About the Classes

Home Buyers

Home Improvement

Calendar

SIGN UP FOR E-NEWSReceive RegularUpdates

ENTER YOUR E‑MAIL

Home Buyer Education SeminarTaking NHS’ Home Buyer Education Seminar is an important firststep to homeownership. Offered in both English and Spanish several times each week in Chicago and Elgin, the classesare free and provide all the information people need to get ready to purchase, rehab, insure,and maintain a home. Attendees who complete the eight-hour curriculum will earn aHomeownership Education Certificate, which many lenders now require before issuing aloan. The classes can be taken over the course of four weeks in two hour sessions, on twoconsecutive Saturdays, or all in one day.

Classes are taught in four parts, and cover:

I. Orientation

Explore the pros and cons of home ownership, along with the added responsibilities of owninga home today and in the future.

II. Budget and Credit

Learn how to improve your money management skills and increase your fiscal awareness, sothat you can afford and manage a mortgage payment in the future. Also learn what credit isand how to improve your credit score.

III. Shopping for a Home

Learn how to shop for a home, and find out about some of the steps that you will go through,such as the HOME INSPECTION. Learn about working with Realtors, finding the right housefor your needs and maintaining open communication with the lender, Title Company, theseller and you.

IV. Getting the Deal Done

Don’t be confused by terms like ‘Down payment’, ‘closing costs’, ‘reserves’, ‘points’. Learn thelanguage of home buying and prepare for your loan application. Receive an introduction to themortgage loan process: Loan application, Good Faith Estimate, Truth-in-Lending disclosure,the Note, the Mortgage, the Deed. Learn what to look for in these documents.

For More InformationFor locations and to register, please visit our calendar or call 7733294243.

Careers | Contact Us | Donate | Get Involved | Volunteer | Special Events | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

A nonprofit organization established in 1975, NHS is committed to offering Chicago residents affordable resources so they can buy, fix, and keep theirhomes. We partner with residents, block clubs, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, the City of Chicago, insurance companies, corporationsand foundations so that families can protect and preserve their single biggest investment—their homes. Our mission is creating opportunities for people tolive in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their neighborhoods. Copyright © 2010 Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. Allrights reserved.

16

For more information, contact: Andrew Born, at [email protected]

Austin Weekly News, July 9, 2014 15

JOIN US IN AUSTIN

New life springs from ‘Old Y’Pastor Wilkerson gathers up services for youth, seniors on

Central AvenueBy BOB MEAD

Contributing Reporter

Most people still call it “the Old Y.”

Pastor Robbie Wilkerson gently corrects them. “Actually now it’s the Austin Community Resource Center” (ACRC). Since taking on

the role of executive director of the ACRC, Wilkerson has worked diligently to bring resources and organizations together at the ACRC that will truly make it an amazing re-source for the Aus-tin neighborhood.

As you go in through the en-trance on Race Av-enue you encoun-ter a lot of activity. Two beautiful mu-rals depict the Austin community. Children, youth and adults are in-volved in numer-ous activities. You can tell they feel safe and at home here.

The ACRC truly has become a safe haven and center for community enhancement and enrichment. This summer 80 high school youth are involved in a variety of intern-ships and programs. Twenty are children’s camp leaders, 30 are involved with African Drumming, 15 are active in a theater pro-gram and 15 are involved in Rights to Power,

a youth advocacy training program. There are 50 Kindergarten through 8th grade chil-dren involved in a summer day camp.

A diverse collection of service organiza-tions call the ACRC home. They include

the New Birth Christian Center, a number of After School Matters programs, the Sub-stance Abuse Prevention/Detention Reduc-tion Program (juvenile focus), the veterans’ program Dry Hootch, Youth Outreach Ser-

vices juvenile re-entry program, and the Il-linois Association of Extended Care which assists organizations with licensing of re-covery homes.

See SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE on Page 16

A safe haven and center for

community enhancement

and enrichment.

BOB MEAD/Contributing Reporter

NEW LIFE FOR AUSTIN: Pastor Robbie Wilkerson helped transform “ e Old Y” into a Community destination.


JOIN US IN AUSTIN

While the ACRC mission statement is still being refined, the purpose of ACRC is to in-spire and empower Austin residents of all ages to realize their strengths, possibilities, and rites of passage through exercising their full potential. Wilkerson says he wants the ACRC to be known as a safe haven for youth, a location for se-niors and veterans to connect and re-ceive services, and a recreation facility with gyms, fitness, and dance.

The vision of the leadership team is to be the commu-nity leader recog-nized for helping men, women, and youth improve the quality of their life, family, and community.

When the Chicago leadership of the YMCA was exploring closing the facility at Central and Race avenues, they contacted SRHAC (Single Room Housing Assistance Corpora-tion) to take over the management of the housing portion of the facility. Ald. Emma Mitts was present at one of those meetings and when the topic of what to do with the rest of the building came up she called Wilk-erson of the New Birth Christian Center to be involved in the conversation.

Wilkerson pulled together a network of the Austin Coalition for Youth Justice, the Leaders’ Network (a network of about 30 West Side ministers), and the Westside Black

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Continued from page 15

Inspiring and empowering

Austin Residents of all ages.

Elected Officials to begin putting together an effort to transform the under-used facil-ity into a centrally located facility that can be accessed for health and wellness, youth programs, senior services, and re-entry ser-vices.

Wilkerson says his concept in restoring so many services to the Resource Center are to attempt to get back to the basics of what the YMCA originally intended; creating a young person’s Christian association. While most of the organizations located at the ACRC are not faith-based, the flavor of what is being offered meets the needs of the Austin com-

BOB MEAD/Contributing Reportere

EXERCISING THEIR POTENTIAL: Enjoying family time near the ACRC.

We Can Help Find a Program for You….

◊Mortgage Modifications ◊Credit Counseling ◊Foreclosure Prevention ◊Financial/Budgeting Counseling ◊Pre-Purchase Counseling ◊Rental Assistance

ALL SERVICES ARE FREE!!!!!!!!

HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency Kingdom Community, Inc. 5151 West Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644

Phone (773) 379-0077 Fax (773) 287-0071 Website- www.kingdomcommunityinc.org

We Can Help Find a Program for You!


JOIN US IN AUSTIN

Courtesy Aaron Fenster

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: � e ACRC o� ers many programs.

munity in a holistic manner. The facility and programs

are definitely accessible. All programs are free for youth. For adults a donation of $10 per month is requested. This is amazing for the variety of pro-grams and activities available.

While the ACRC is up and running full speed ahead there is still room for growth and im-provement. There is a full size swimming pool that exists but needs updating before it can be used. There is a major effort to pursue funding to make the needed updates to the pool and other areas of the facility, which State Rep. LaShawn Ford is help-ing push.

The Austin Community Re-source Center is definitely emerging as a real treasure for Austin, a true resource for our community’s positive transfor-mation.


We Can Help Find a Program for You….

◊Mortgage Modifications ◊Credit Counseling ◊Foreclosure Prevention ◊Financial/Budgeting Counseling ◊Pre-Purchase Counseling ◊Rental Assistance

ALL SERVICES ARE FREE!!!!!!!!

HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency Kingdom Community, Inc. 5151 West Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644

Phone (773) 379-0077 Fax (773) 287-0071 Website- www.kingdomcommunityinc.org


JOIN US IN AUSTIN

Group aims to build capacity of black contractorsBlack Construction Alliance headed by Austin resident

Willie ThompsonBy LA RISA LYNCH


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is as good a day as any to start an economic em-powerment movement for those shut out of lucrative state and municipal contracts.

That’s exactly what Austin resident Willie Thompson did when he and 14 individuals from the construction industry met on King’s birthday. The goal was to formulate an action plan to secure more contract op-portunities for black owned con-struction companies and build construction capacity in the com-munity. That meeting marked the impetus for the Black Construc-tion Alliance, 8727 S. State St.

Thompson, a union carpenter for 28 years, called it a “dismal failure” that black contractors consistently get less than one percent of state and two percent of city contracting opportunities when blacks represent 14.5 per-cent of Illinois’ population and 32.9 percent of Chicago’s resi-dents.

Last year, he said, the state did $35 billion in construction contracts from everything from engineering, painting to architectural and landscaping “and black folks have gotten less than one percent.” That’s opposite of Dr. King’s economic vi-sion for black Americans since blacks are still shut out of unions jobs, Thompson said.

“We want to be conscious of the disparity that we have. It’s all about getting more than

the one percent share,” said Thompson, BCA’s board chair and owner of Thompson Construction.

Capacity is often blamed for the paltry percentage of contracts going to black con-tractors, a notion Thompson disagrees with.

“The powers that be said it is based off capacity. They consistently say black folks haven’t shown capacity to do projects…,” he said.

BCA aims to change that through what Thompson called asset mapping. The idea is to find what black contractors are out there, their trade skills and project his-tory and create a database from that. Even down to black hardware store owners who can supply construction or building mate-

rials, Thompson said. By creating this network or pipeline, companies can go there to hire qualified and bonded black contractors.

“What we have is a da-tabase of those resources that the contractors can tap into,” Thompson said. “It’s a bottom up approach.”

BCA has already yielded results. Thompson noted his organization was able to furnish four contrac-tors for a 700 unit condo project in south suburban South Holland. He said the project manager connected

with BCA to find contractors ranging from tuck pointing to carpentry work, fencing and masonry work.

“Our folks have been able to get exposure to more job opportunities so they can in-crease the market share,” he said.

The database also helps build capacity. Contractors who need accountants, archi-tects or specific skilled tradesmen can use

the database to find them. Having people with the necessary skills to round out a con-tractor’s workforce enables them to bid for more jobs, said Thompson.

Capacity comes from having the people and the resources to do the projects. BCA also has relationships with lending institutions to se-cure financing, another hurdle for black con-tractors. There’s also a mentoring component for those interested in the construction trades.

“As we begin to identify these folks, [we] find out what they are lacking to overcome these barriers to success and develop a strat-egy so they can overcome those deficien-cies,” said Thompson, who plans to open a BCA branch on the West Side.

Since that Jan. 20 meeting, the group has grown from 14 members to over 600. Mem-

bers range from carpenters, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, laborers to handymen and architects.

Thompson believes by having a solid pool of black contractors, redevelopment of black neighborhoods can start from within. Archi-tects, engineers and landscapers can exam-ine a block and make recommendations on what houses can be rehabbed, demolished or even if a vacant lot is feasible to build a new structure or a park. Another part of that is hiring residents who have construction skills to do some of the work, he said.

“We can impact the community in that way,” said Thompson. “It is creating a net-work of resources within your community.”

For more information call 312-257-3472 or visit www.bcaofchicago.com.


BUILDING CAPACITY: Willie � ompson shares Dr. King’s economic vision for black Americans.

“We can impact the community...It is creating a network of resources within your community.”

Willie ThompsonBlack Construction

Alliance

JOIN US IN AUSTIN

Chicago NSP/Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Visit chicagonsp.org, and learn more about the Rehab Forgivable Mortgage Program

For more information, contact: Cardigan Shipman at Mercy Portfolio Services

312.428.4120 | [email protected]


JOIN US IN AUSTIN

Group aims to build capacity of black contractorsBlack Construction Alliance headed by Austin resident

Willie ThompsonBy LA RISA LYNCH


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is as good a day as any to start an economic em-powerment movement for those shut out of lucrative state and municipal contracts.

That’s exactly what Austin resident Willie Thompson did when he and 14 individuals from the construction industry met on King’s birthday. The goal was to formulate an action plan to secure more contract op-portunities for black owned con-struction companies and build construction capacity in the com-munity. That meeting marked the impetus for the Black Construc-tion Alliance, 8727 S. State St.

Thompson, a union carpenter for 28 years, called it a “dismal failure” that black contractors consistently get less than one percent of state and two percent of city contracting opportunities when blacks represent 14.5 per-cent of Illinois’ population and 32.9 percent of Chicago’s resi-dents.

Last year, he said, the state did $35 billion in construction contracts from everything from engineering, painting to architectural and landscaping “and black folks have gotten less than one percent.” That’s opposite of Dr. King’s economic vi-sion for black Americans since blacks are still shut out of unions jobs, Thompson said.

“We want to be conscious of the disparity that we have. It’s all about getting more than

the one percent share,” said Thompson, BCA’s board chair and owner of Thompson Construction.

Capacity is often blamed for the paltry percentage of contracts going to black con-tractors, a notion Thompson disagrees with.

“The powers that be said it is based off capacity. They consistently say black folks haven’t shown capacity to do projects…,” he said.

BCA aims to change that through what Thompson called asset mapping. The idea is to find what black contractors are out there, their trade skills and project his-tory and create a database from that. Even down to black hardware store owners who can supply construction or building mate-

rials, Thompson said. By creating this network or pipeline, companies can go there to hire qualified and bonded black contractors.

“What we have is a da-tabase of those resources that the contractors can tap into,” Thompson said. “It’s a bottom up approach.”

BCA has already yielded results. Thompson noted his organization was able to furnish four contrac-tors for a 700 unit condo project in south suburban South Holland. He said the project manager connected

with BCA to find contractors ranging from tuck pointing to carpentry work, fencing and masonry work.

“Our folks have been able to get exposure to more job opportunities so they can in-crease the market share,” he said.

The database also helps build capacity. Contractors who need accountants, archi-tects or specific skilled tradesmen can use

the database to find them. Having people with the necessary skills to round out a con-tractor’s workforce enables them to bid for more jobs, said Thompson.

Capacity comes from having the people and the resources to do the projects. BCA also has relationships with lending institutions to se-cure financing, another hurdle for black con-tractors. There’s also a mentoring component for those interested in the construction trades.

“As we begin to identify these folks, [we] find out what they are lacking to overcome these barriers to success and develop a strat-egy so they can overcome those deficien-cies,” said Thompson, who plans to open a BCA branch on the West Side.

Since that Jan. 20 meeting, the group has grown from 14 members to over 600. Mem-

bers range from carpenters, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, laborers to handymen and architects.

Thompson believes by having a solid pool of black contractors, redevelopment of black neighborhoods can start from within. Archi-tects, engineers and landscapers can exam-ine a block and make recommendations on what houses can be rehabbed, demolished or even if a vacant lot is feasible to build a new structure or a park. Another part of that is hiring residents who have construction skills to do some of the work, he said.

“We can impact the community in that way,” said Thompson. “It is creating a net-work of resources within your community.”

For more information call 312-257-3472 or visit www.bcaofchicago.com.


BUILDING CAPACITY: Willie � ompson shares Dr. King’s economic vision for black Americans.

“We can impact the community...It is creating a network fo resources within your community.”

Willie ThompsonBlack Construction

Alliance


JOIN US IN AUSTIN

One of Chicago’s best schools. Right here in AustinBy BOB MEAD


In many suburbs the quality of the public schools is a sig-nificant factor in the appeal of a neighborhood or com-munity. The better the schools are, the greater the appeal to live in the area that the schools serve. What if there was a Chicago neighborhood school that was so good that

it influenced your decision to consider living in that area?Would you be impressed by a neighborhood elementary

school whose 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students exceeded the national average for math scores on the Northwest Edu-cation Association’s testing? Whose approach to teaching was so successful that it was made an AUSL Teachers Train-ing Academy preparing teachers for public schools all over the city?

It wouldn’t be hard to believe that 94 percent of those stu-dents’ families were either satisfied or very satisfied with the school, or that 93 percent of the families would strongly recommend the school to others, or that 92 percent of the families believe that the school has made the community a better place.

How about if over 98 percent of the students in that school qualified for free and reduced lunches? And, what if the school was located in an area of Chicago identified as hav-ing a higher than normal number of foreclosures and in need of being included in the Micro Market Recovery Pro-gram?

The Howe School of Excellence is that neighborhood el-ementary school. Located off the beaten path on the 700 block of north Lorel Avenue, Howe is truly a bright dia-mond among Chicago public schools. And it is right here in Austin.

At the end of the 2008 school year Howe was stuck in a bad place with a very negative culture. Only 19 percent of the students tested at or above their grade level, and about 20 percent of the students exhibited serious negative be-havior issues. CPS was close to calling Howe “not salvageable.”

The Academy for Urban School Leader-ship (AUSL) asked to be allowed to come in and do a turn-around project with Howe. The group asked for one year to demon-strate a successful, positive change, and it received the go-ahead from the Chicago Pub-lic Schools.

AUSL’s three primary goals for that initial 2008-09 school year included 1) Improve the attendance rate, 2) Decrease student mis-conduct, and 3) Improve parent satisfaction. Central to the success was ensuring that teachers were properly equipped which included one-on-one coaching, giving teachers the tools needed to achieve their own development goals, and providing professional development both within the school and through CPS development opportunities. That first year was a big success.

Co-principals Daphne Sherrod and Carrie Mendez were brought to Howe in 2008 and helped lead that turn-around effort. They are still there today, working with passion and

commitment to be sure that the students who graduate from Howe School of Excellence are truly “college ready”.

The primary goal, and central strategy, is to improve the student attendance rate. This past year, that rate was 95.3 percent, above the CPS average of 94.5 percent. But, Sherrod and Mendez aren’t satisfied with that. They want to reach 96 per-cent, then 97 percent. Why is attendance so important? They say it is because “if the kids aren’t in school, they can’t learn.”

To the question of how do you get urban kids interested in being in school, the response is to create a positive environment, offer out of school activities that the children want to be involved in. Activities include academic clubs like Young Authors; sports that include wres-tling, football, soccer, and volleyball; dance, an art fair and science fair, and much more.

All of these activities are being led and coached by teachers and staff from Howe, so the students have extended exposure to adults who are truly invested in their success. The big hook with the activities is that the children aren’t allowed to participate unless they are meet-ing the attendance and academic requirements that have been put in place. The children want to be involved so they are motivated to get to school every day – on time; to com-plete homework and do well with their studies.

Recognition of the students’ successes is also a big part in providing the motivation to pursue excellence. There is a

Student of the Month, and monthly recognition of students in the areas of academics and attendance. There is a quar-terly awards program to which the parents are also invited.

To help the children put meaning to the words “being col-lege ready” the school takes students on field trips to col-leges and universities in the area. Recently the school asked some of the students who graduated in the spring of 2009, after the turn-around was begun and have completed their first year of college, to come back and talk with the students. They were excited to share that the concepts they learned as part of the turn-around process truly helped them to be prepared, to succeed in high school and be ready for college.

The turn-around has been more than successful. The strat-egies incorporated and the improvements that have been achieved have led the AUSL to offer their Chicago Teacher Residency program at Howe. The residency program is a Teachers’ Training Academy particularly preparing teach-ers to serve in the urban environment.

What that means for the school is that the classrooms be-ing used in the teacher residency program have two teacher trainees for the entire school year being mentored by an experienced “master” teacher. This puts the teacher to stu-dent ratio at less than 1 to 10. The program that the teacher trainees are in operates in conjunction with National Lewis University. Upon completion of the year in the training academy they receive their Master’s Degree.

All in all, the turn-around has made Howe School of Ex-cellence a tremendous resource, not only for this neighbor-hood, but for the City of Chicago.


EXCEEDING THE NATIONAL AVERAGE: Co-principals Daphne Sherrod and Carrie Mendez lead the way with passion and commitment.

Howe School goes from troubled to terrifi c

Students who graduate from Howe School of

Excellence are truly “college ready”.

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Proud to partner with Austin Coming Together to support

the neighborhood we love and serve

Join Us in Austin section was organized by the Austin Micro Market Advisory Council with the generous

support of the following organizations:

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Join Us in Austin 014