Our New Puppy, Rio!

Friendships with Fellows

One of the great things about this experience aside from the teaching and the courses is the friendships that are made along the way. I've only been here for a week, and already it feels like I have been working with everyone for months. This experience makes me remember why I want to be a teacher, and it helps me to remember that there are so many people passionate about working in an area that is constantly changing and adapting to new norms. I'm so excited to continue working in Chicago and continue to meet new people along the way. I could not have asked for a better group of coworkers. I am so happy with my cohort, and I am confident that when we leave this program, we will have experiences that will stay with us throughout our teaching careers. I cannot believe how fast time flies, and working with such great people makes the long days and meetings exciting and engaging. I am so grateful to be part of such an incredible organization, and I am happy that I have had the privilege of working with such an awesome group!

This morning, we played kickball with all of the other neighborhoods and staff. This was a really cool bonding experience, and it gave us all a chance to work with one another outside of the classes and professional experience. The game was all in good fun, and for a while, I forgot about all the negativity that surrounds many of the Chicago neighborhoods. For those few hours, we were just playing kickball at the park, we weren't in a "dangerous" neighborhood, we weren't uncomfortable. The park itself was really nice, having such vast amounts of green space in the city is not the most common, and the park was filled with walkers, runners, bikers; the happy faces just showed me that there is so much more to this city than people realize. So often, when people hear the term Chicago, they think of downtown and the loop area, people don't always visualize the communities or neighborhoods that make up the city. This experience has showed me there are so many great areas of the city I would have never known existed today had I not been given this opportunity. Our kickball game was in Little Village, predominately hispanic community. This area was filled with beautiful artwork, local shops, and vendors throughout the streets. I loved how welcoming everything appeared to be, and this part of Chicago is something I would never have ventured off to on any other typical day. I think in order to truly understand Chicago culture, it is important to be well informed about the different demographics and neighborhoods that exist. Visiting different neighborhoods and schools has given me the opportunity to see some of the character that exists in the city, and I never would have imagined the city is as diverse as it is. Stepping outside my comfort zone has given me the chance to see what Chicago truly has to offer, and I have a much better idea of what my teaching experience will look like.

STEP UP!

     This summer, I am participating in a fellowship program called STEP UP. For this program, I am living with a host family in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago. Auburn Gresham is a predominately black neighborhood, so being Caucasian, I'd say that my coworkers and I are pretty easy to spot. During the program, we all teach summer school in the morning, work at a local community organization in the afternoon, and participate in classes and other activities during the evenings and on the weekends.

       I am teaching the third grade summer bridge program at Westcott Elementary school, and in the afternoons I am working for the Greater Auburn Gresham Corporation, with the Neighborhood Development Corporation. I contact local small business owners and try to engage them in some of the GAGDC programs and set up interviews with them.

       This program is designed to create a unique experience that allows us to make connections within the community we are living and working in. Living in Auburn Gresham is so unlike anything you'll find in the suburbs. Being from Vernon Hills, I can see just how different the two lifestyles are despite their proximity to one another. Traveling just 40 miles south, I've been introduced to a completely different lifestyle. The people in Auburn Gresham form somewhat of a family, the people look out for one another and have created their own unique community. However, Auburn Gresham still has its problems. At home, I walk around any time of the day without a care, and I have access to just about any type of food product, type of clothing, or other everyday item within about a five mile radius. Auburn Gresham has a few food vendors, most of which are fried food or southern style food, a Walgreens and a CVS, and a few gas stations. There are not many options when shopping for fresh food or produce, clothing, or basic household items. Many of the buildings appear abandoned or are boarded up, and those that are not appear old or run down.

       The GAGDC has a number of amazing programs that are working to lift morale and improve the area, but it appears that this neighborhood is almost frozen in time. I cannot imagine growing up in a town with so few resources and programs. There are almost no programs for children to participate in outside of school and during s summers, and I feel that this contributes to some of the other problems that exist in the area. Being one of Chicago's south neighbors, the area is accompanied with numerous negative stereotypes and violence problems. I am not going to deny that this community is scotch free when it comes to violence, but this is not a war zone as many people might think. Yes, there are gangs here; but no, I am not in direct danger. Gangs are groups that participate in organized crime, and I myself am not part of a gang or any other group that poses a threat to gangs in the area; which means I am not a target for any of the gangs or groups in this area. I don't walk around alone, and I don't take nightly strolls with friends. I have taken the necessary precautions to ensure my safety, but overall this area is not as scary as people might think. Yes, I do feel out of place and sometimes hesitant, but nobody has abruptly come up to me or made me personally feel threatened.

        The street that I live on along with other fellows in the program is made up of beautiful, nineteenth century brick houses. There are a mix of two-flats and single family homes. The houses have so much charm and character, and it's sad to see that such charming areas are virtually invisible to the rest of Chicago simply because the area has a negative stigma attached to it. I believe that if the GAGDC and other organizations keeps working, eventually, conditions in the area will start to improve. If people could look past their stereotypes and fears, they would find that Auburn Gresham is just another community with normal families who want the best for their children. I think that in a few years, Auburn Gresham could blossom into a safer and more inviting area to outsiders. With the right investments, time, and care, this community could turn into a more positive area and possibly attract more outsiders to come by and visit. My hope is that one day, Auburn Gresham appears to be as lively as some of Chicago's other neighborhoods and that visitors can see the character and community atmosphere that exists in Auburn Gresham.