For many years, our church has supported Latino families in need in Highwood through our annual Angel Tree, gifts, Thanksgiving baskets, school supply drive and cash donations to programs sponsored by Family Service of Lake County’s Nuestro Center.
As COVID-19 began to be diagnosed in Lake County, Family Service moved to close its Nuestro Center educational and family support programs provided to Latino students and their families in Highwood and Highland Park. They were challenged to pivot and think hard about how best to continue to support these families during this crisis. Family Service staff began by making calls to its clients to maintain personal contact with all of its clients during this crisis. These calls revealed a high degree of impact on the 82 Latino families (410 people) they support through their programming at the Nuestro Center. During those calls, the staff discovered that over 54% of families and students are suffering disproportionately from the COVID-19 crisis as their average family has 5 members, lives on $20,000 and is now experiencing partial or full wage loss. Already living on extremely limited financial resources, they now cannot meet financial obligations and daily needs for food, medical care, medicine and household goods. For these reasons, Family Service launched an Emergency Fund with first priority to address immediate needs of families in their Nuestro Center-based education and family support programs. 100% of funds raised will be used to address their clients’ needs.
Due to our longstanding and strong relationship with the Nuestro Center, First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield was invited to brainstorm with their staff on how to structure the program and became the first to join what is now a community-wide coalition of individuals, churches, synagogues, foundations and other community groups to support an Emergency Fund to immediately address the Latino Program families’ food and basic necessities. FPCD has committed to helping 10 of these families with support for 8 weeks at $150/week. FPCD Session voted to approve 1) an expenditure of up to $10,000 for the Family Service Emergency Fund from its G2G Mission Fund and 2) a special offering for the congregation to contribute to the FPCD Family Emergency Fund, supporting families including the Nuestro Center families as well as those of our congregation and local community.
Please pray for these families and if you are able, consider donating to our special offering, the Family Emergency Fund, using the link below.
Liz Chavez, Nuestro Center’s Supervisor, writes:
”A Highwood family of 5, like many of our families during this time of virus pandemic, is struggling to support their family. The father is the only one working and his hours have been reduced. Mom, who is currently pregnant, is unable to work and is home with her two little girls while also taking care of her elderly mother. Their food supply is beginning to dwindle and the little personal hygiene and household products they have won’t last long. With only Dad working, rent and utilities bills are a concern and the parents decided to cut certain amenities like cellphones in order to save their money for food. Recently, their youngest daughter became sick and Mom was unable to find medication. Their eldest daughter also became sick with respiratory issues that pointed to asthma and again Mom has had a hard time finding medication or respiratory help.”
Creating brighter futures- Stronger families make a strong community
-our motto
Family Service of Lake County was founded in 1997 as a local response to the growing needs of the Latino community. It provides community resources, referrals, and programs for families in Highwood and Highland Park. Some of the dynamic services offered include ESL (English as a second language) classes, health screenings, art classes, after-school homework club, computer training, counseling, senior & caregiver support and community-based summer camp.
FS aims to assimilate Latino families into American society while still maintaining a sense of strength and pride in their cultural heritage. This is done by connecting families with resources such as: finding doctors, instruction for obtaining a driver's license, assistance in locating employment, help registering children in local schools, and working with teachers and tutors to help meet the educational needs of immigrant children. Family Service operates Nuestro Center as a focal point for many of it services in the heart of the immigrant community in Highwood.
FS aims to assimilate Latino families into American society while still maintaining a sense of strength and pride in their cultural heritage. This is done by connecting families with resources such as: finding doctors, instruction for obtaining a driver's license, assistance in locating employment, help registering children in local schools, and working with teachers and tutors to help meet the educational needs of immigrant children. Family Service operates Nuestro Center as a focal point for many of it services in the heart of the immigrant community in Highwood.
FS aims to assimilate Latino families into American society while still maintaining a sense of strength and pride in their cultural heritage. This is done by connecting families with resources such as: finding doctors, instruction for obtaining a driver's license, assistance in locating employment, help registering children in local schools, and working with teachers and tutors to help meet the educational needs of immigrant children. Family Service operates Nuestro Center as a focal point for many of it services in the heart of the immigrant community in Highwood.
Getting Involved
Tutoring-Homework Club/YESS program/Latino Youth Initiative Program
Trained staff work alongside elementary school students. They work closely with teachers and parents to understand each student's needs and to ensure effective educational assistance. Called Nuestro Center, this after school program works to build up students through developing their academic and social skills. Students participate in field trips and art activities funded by a local foundation. The YESS program (Youth Education Support & Success) is a similar program run at Northwoods junior high. The Latino Youth Initiative (LYI) program provides support for high school students.
Summer is generally a difficult time for parents as they must find a way to continue to work full-time and care for their children. Family Service of Lake County welcomes children into their Nuestro Verano Camp providing relief to many parents. The camp aims to achieve 5 things:
1) provide a safe summer environment for children who might otherwise be left alone or with older siblings or elderly relatives while their parents and siblings work
2) provide an opportunity to enjoy nutritious meals and beneficial exercise
3) continue and reinforce educational advancement made during the school year through a summer reading program in partnership with the Highland Park Library and STEM activities
4) allow for fun opportunities for outdoor adventures at local parks and swim facilities
5) supply cultural enrichment trips that provide horizon-broadening experiences similar to those enjoyed by their peers in the broader community.
Health and Wellness Programs
The adults are not forgotten at Family Services. Many health and wellness programs are in place to ensure the highest quality of life can be reached for all members of the family. Services include information about health conditions, food and nutrition classes, mobile food pantries, and access to counseling for individuals, couples, and families. Most programs are offered in both Spanish and English.
English Language Learning
Children and adults are provided with opportunities to learn English as a second language by working with teachers in School District 113. There are both daytime and evening classes aimed to improve the English skills for non-English-speaking adults. These classes are held at the Nuestro Center.
