Annual Report 2002 - Howard Area Community Center

119612 Annual Report 2005 4/14/06 2:37 PM Page 2Dear Friends,We live the mission of the Howard Area Community Center (HACC)every day, and the people who visit us – as participants, staff,volunteers, or supporters – see this through our activities and programs.Our day starts early with the 7 a.m. arrival of children at theThe mission of the Howard Family Center. Breakfast is served from 7-9 a.m., and by 9 a.m., mostArea Community Center is to of our 128 children, ages birth to five, are in their classrooms. Parentsassist low-income individuals are welcomed by teachers, family workers, and administrative staff,and families in Rogers Park to and information about the children and parenting events is beingstabilize their lives and to exchanged in a friendly atmosphere.develop the social skillsAt the Alternative High School, students begin arriving fornecessary to become effective breakfast as early as 8 a.m. and classes begin at 8:30. Our principalcommunity members. In order to and several counselors and teachers greet each of the 86 students toaccomplish this mission, the assure them that we are pleased to have them at the school and thatagency’s programs provide when they are not here, they are missed.emergency intervention, family By 9 a.m., there is usually a group of people waiting for ourstabilization and promote main doors to open. Our lobby fills quickly as staff and clients enter,developmental growth. ready to start a new day. Clients sign in for a variety of social services.Parents with children birth to six, pregnant women and seniors comehere for supplemental monthly food from our Mother and Child (MAC)program. Other clients seek assistance with energy payments, rentalassistance, case management, or emergency food supplies. Our dentistand dental assistant prepare to see their first patient. By the end of the day,between 55 and 70 people will be assisted by our many social services.Nine a.m. is also the beginning of an active day at ourEmployment Resource Center. People walk in to use the computer labfor resume preparation and internet job searches or to access printinformation about available jobs. Over the course of the day, 30 peoplewill have participated in one of our employment-related workshops,and an additional 12 walk-in clients will have taken advantage of theresources of the center.Credits: the Howard Area CommunityCenter thanks Lynn MecklenburgBy 9:30 a.m., more than 100 adults are engaged in our adultfor editorial services, Casey Kremer education classes or receiving individual tutoring. They are learningfor design services, and Kay Fureyfor photogrpahic services.English as a Second Language, reading and math, or preparing for a2GED. Adult students with children under five attending one of ourclasses may have taken their children to our on-site childcare roomwhere teachers trained in early childhood education focus on literacyskills, while their parents attend to their own educational needs.As the day progresses, people may gather to participate in oneof HACC’s many discussion groups and training sessions that coverhealth issues, HIV prevention, family literacy, domestic violence, and avariety of parent-related issues, some of which are conducted by ourcommunity health workers. Our home visiting project for families withchildren birth to three will make 10 home visits over the course of theday. You may see parents cooking lunch as part of a nutrition class orparticipating in a parent/child movement class.Between mid-afternoon and early evening, our Youth Programcomes alive at three elementary schools and one high school. Youngpeople are also engaged in projects at our Computer Clubhouse. Daily,more than 140 young people participate in after-school arts & crafts,homework help, career exploration, and recreation.As evening approaches at the Family Center, the last childrenare picked up by 6 p.m. Preparations may then begin for a parentmeeting or Policy Council meeting. At the main center in the eveninghours, you might find a meeting of the Board of Directors, a domesticviolence group, volunteer tutoring, and additional education classes.As the long, productive day comes to an end, more than 700people will have utilized our services or participated in one of our offsiteprograms, continually emphasizing our role in the lives of lowincomeresidents of Rogers Park.Executive DirectorPresident of the Boardof Directors