IN THIS MONTH'S FAMILY MATTERS ...

“I thought I was the toughest dude out there, living that street life, and you all got me. You all turned me into a teddy bear for my daughter, and I enjoy every moment of it.” 

- Joe Avila, Gerst Family Young Fathers Program's Father of the Year

"These are men of their word ... they see something in me that I didn't see in myself." 

Following the Gerst Family Young Fathers Program’s first-ever virtual training series in June, we were pleased to join together over Zoom for our first-ever Online Awards on July 16 to recognize a few outstanding dads from the past year, and celebrate the achievements of all our graduates. While we could not celebrate in person, the honorees, program staff, alumni, and supporters who participated felt the positive energy.

Congratulations to our Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Training graduates! 

As the fourth cohort of our Calumet Center’s Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) Training Program graduates, 20 newly trained medical assistants are ready to join Chicago’s healthcare field at a critical time. We’re pleased to share 100% of our graduates have now passed the state licensing exam! Participants are now working with the program’s job developers to find employment in the field.

Initially there was a bit of concern over entering the healthcare field during such a challenging time, shares Program Manager Jackie Morris, but many said, “This is what we signed up for; this is what we want to do.”

Older Caregivers Project and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren programs offer virtual support for older adults

Isolation is an issue many of the older adults Metropolitan serves have dealt with even before the outbreak of Covid-19; as social distancing and shelter in place mandates deepen that isolation, the Older Caregivers Project at our Midway Center consistently finds ways to offer meaningful activity and engagement.

One participant shares: “I am very pleased with the program, a lot that we do helps me use my time. The seminars are good and we do different things, I thank everyone for everything, William especially. The program is very uplifting and I am very pleased.”