The following are local resources that teachers can work with to bring forth more opportunities for students at a local level. Students will gain opportunities to expand their knowledge in topics covered in class in various subject areas. Students may use these organizations to further make an impact in their community.
Logan Square Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization that has been working with residents in Avondale, Logan Square and Hermosa to advance human rights since 1962. LSNA is a community-based organization advancing diversity, leader development, and models for engagement as the catalyst for social justice. To ensure that the voices of all Logan Square residents are heard, every piece of LSNA’s work is done in deep consultation and partnership with leaders in the community, including clergy, principals, teachers, parents, and other institution and neighborhood leaders. Forty-three community institutions including schools, churches, block clubs, and agencies are members of LSNA, engaging more than 2,000 people in organizing and supporting programs. Additionally, LSNA is a leader in deep city- and state-wide coalitions in order to achieve collective goals.
STARTALK - STARTALK’s mission is to increase the number of U.S. citizens learning, speaking, and teaching critical need foreign languages. STARTALK offers students (K–16) and teachers of these languages creative and engaging summer experiences that strive to exemplify best practices in language education and in language teacher development. Summer programs available in the Chicago area for middle and high school students as well as teachers.
Women's Global Education Project (WGEP) - This organization was founded in 2003 by returned Peace Corps volunteer Amy Maglio after serving in rural Senegal and seeing firsthand the many barriers there that kept girls from going to school. Women’s Global Education Project works to address the complex barriers – economic, cultural and social – keeping girls out of school and uses a multi-tiered approach that includes scholarship support, family indolent, and community awareness to help more girls go to and succeed in school.
Math Circles of Chicago - Math Circles of Chicago provides free programs outside of regular school hours. They provide equitable access to students living in Chicago and attending public schools focusing on grade 5-12. Math circles are enrichment programs for participants to investigate math non-competitively.
GCE Lab School cultivates global citizens ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Through blended, project-based learning, we foster a diverse community of learners who use the city as a classroom to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to courageously take action locally and globally. GCE Lab School allows participants to participate in weekly field experiences, guest workshops, and case studies with professionals to embrace the inspiration and practicality of real-world learning. Through this rich programming, students will be challenged to question your assumptions about the world, discuss practicalities and possibilities in the workplace, and experience a wide range of jobs and career prospects.
Casa Central transforms lives and offers community support, with a special focus on Hispanics. Our network of social services propels children and youth, individuals and families, and seniors toward self-sufficiency and a higher quality of life. Casa Central is the largest Hispanic social service agency in the Midwest. Since 1954, Casa Central has delivered evidenced based, award winning programming in response to the needs of the Hispanic community. Through comprehensive, family-centered programming, Casa Central is the conduit through which thousands of individuals build hope for the future while equipping themselves to achieve a sustainable, higher quality of life for the benefit of self, family, community and society.
The National Museum of Mexican Art defines Mexican culture as sin fronteras (without borders), and through their programs and exhibitions they capture the wide range of Mexican cultural expressions and art forms, from ancient to modern and on both sides of the border. They represent the Mexican community from its own point of view and in its own voice. The museum believes in art as a bridge between communities, and we believe that art in education expands minds and breaks down barriers while preserving cultural heritages. The National Museum of Mexican Art offers a wide range of educational programs for children and families, teens, school groups, and educators.