>> GOOD EVENING.

[ SPEAKING GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING AT 5:00 AND 6:00.

THE SHOW TONIGHT, MORE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO STRETCH RESOURCES IN AN ONGOING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

LIMITING HEALTHCARE FOR A DOCUMENT IT.

CHICAGO NEEDS MORE LATINO YOUTH MENTORS.

WE WILL TALK WITH ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A MEMBER.

A PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN HILTON KICKED OFF THIS WEEK.

HEAR HOW YOU CAN KICK IT CURBSIDE AT THE TECH.

PUERTO RICO.

INFLUENCE THE ARTWORK OF A RISING CHICAGO ARTIST BUT ALL THAT AND MORE COMING UP IN OUR FIRST STORY.

LOOKING FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THE MIGRANT CRISIS.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> BRANDON JOHNSON'S ADMINISTRATION DESIGNED FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO CHICAGO'S HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

MORE THAN 10,000 ASYLUM-SEEKERS HAVE ARRIVED SINCE LAST AUGUST.

MANY LIVE IN A POLICE STATION FLOOR.

OTHERS, PLACED IN LARGE SHELTERS.

MANY CHURCHES STEPPING TO HELP.

THE CITY IS NOW PREPARING TO SEEK PROPOSALS FOR A COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL THAT COULD CUT DOWN ON HIGH COSTS AND FIND MORE PERMANENT HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THESE NEW ARRIVALS.

NOW WITH MORE IS MADE BRANDON JOHNSON'S FIRST DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF.

I WANT TO WELCOME HIM.

THINK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

AND I WANT TO START BY ASKING WHAT DID THIS SETTLEMENT LOOK LIKE?

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL?

>> SURE, LET ME JUST FRAME UP FOR YOU THAT WE SETTLED IN KIND OF CONTEXT.

THIS IS REALLY JUST STARTING TO LOOK AT WE ARE KNOWN AS A WELCOMING CITY.

WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION BRANCH.

AND NOW THE BUILDING HAS BEEN STRUCTURED TO BE ABLE TO OPERATIONALIZE THAT CONCEPT.

SO, WHAT WE MEAN BY THAT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE TEMPORARY HOUSING OR THE, YOU KNOW, THE CONGREGATE SHELTERS THAT ARE TEMPORARY, THAT IS JUST THE FIRST STOP TO A PATTERN AND TO A PATH OF RESETTLEMENT.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE WILL BE LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH OUR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS SO THAT THEY CAN STAFF OUR TEMPORARY SHELTER.

THEY CAN ALSO SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

WE PARTNER WITH THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO, PROBABLY SIX MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN START THEIR LIFE IN CHICAGO AND BE ON A PATH FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR CITY.

>> THAT IS WHAT EVENTUALLY THEY ALL WANT.?

THAT IS WHY THEY ARE HERE.

HOW WOULD THIS PLAN HAVE HELP ACTUALLY WITH CUTTING THE CURRENT CITY COSTS?

>> CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH A TEMPORARY STAFF FIRM THAT IS NATIONAL.

IN THE PAST, IT HAS BEEN UTILIZED FOR STAFFING NEEDS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

IN MANY WAYS, THIS IS INCREDIBLY COSTLY.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE DOLLARS ARE NOT STAYING IN OUR CITY.

YOU HAVE GOT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT ARE COMING IN FOR A PERIOD OF ONE MONTH, THREE MONTHS, SIX MONTHS, A YEAR.

AND THEY ARE PUT UP IN HOTELS AND THEIR PAID, YOU KNOW, A WAGE AND IN SOME CASES, BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING MORE THAN JUST ONE SHIFT, THAT WAGE INCREASES.

AND SO THAT IS WHERE THE COST FACTOR IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

NOR IS IT JUSTIFIABLE.

AND WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO ENSURE IS THAT WHO WE HAVE WORKING WITH OUR NEW ARRIVALS, ARE CULTURALLY CONGRUENT.

THEY ARE LINGUISTICALLY RESPONSIVE, AND THEY ARE ALSO TRAUMA INFORMED.

DR. WHITCOMB WAS EVENTUALLY COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WOULD HELP MIGRANTS FIND A MORE SUITABLE AND MORE LONG-TERM PLACE TO STAY, CORRECT?

>> THIS IS TRUE.

RIGHT NOW, OUR CURRENT SETUP IS COMMUNAL, CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

SERVING TO KIND OF BE THE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR RESETTLEMENT.

IDENTIFYING APARTMENTS, BLOCKING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGH POTENTIAL APARTMENTS.

HELPING THEM WITH SIGNING THE LEASE.

WE HAVE OUR OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PROVIDING WRAPAROUND SUPPORT AND LEGAL SERVICES AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC BENEFITS.

BUT AGAIN, THE IDEA IS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THE CULTURAL CAPITOL OF OUR COMMUNITIES RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO FOR THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE.

>> RIGHT, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE SIX MONTH PARENTAL ASSISTANCE TO MIGRANTS.

WILL EVERYBODY GET THIS ASSISTANCE?

WHO WILL QUALIFY FOR THE SIX MONTHS?

>>?

SO, RIGHT NOW, HOW IT IS SET UP IS MORE CURRENTLY IN TEMPORARY SHELTER WITHIN THE CITY.

YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FUNDS.

PRIOR TO THE SIGNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET, THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAD IDENTIFIED SOME FUNDS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

FOR WHAT WE CALL ASYLUM SEEKER EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SO, THOSE FIND IT WAS ABOUT $4 MILLION.

WOULD 3.6 MILLION GO TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO PROCESS THESE APPLICATIONS IF YOU ARE IN THE SHELTER.

AND THEN ABOUT 600,000 GOES TO OUR CATHOLIC CHARITY PARTNER.

AND THEN THERE IS ALSO A PORTION THAT GOES TO NEW LIFE WHICH HELPS WITH MOVING OUT.

NOW, THE PLAN IS AND FISCAL YEAR 24 THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF UP TO $25 MILLION THAT THE STATE HAS PROVIDED THAT WILL EXPAND OUR CAPACITY.

>> THERE IS A TOPIC THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE KNOW MIGRANTS HAVE TO WAIT UP TO SIX MONTHS EVEN TO GET LEGAL WORK PERMITS.

HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH FEDERAL OR STATE LEVELS TO ADDRESS THIS?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

HAVE ALREADY BEEN WORKING ON THAT EFFORT FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE AN UPCOMING MEETING WITH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION.

THE ILLINOIS DELEGATION THAT IS OF PRESENTED HIS.

BOTH IN CONGRESS AND THE HOUSE OF HER PRESENTED AS WELL AS THE SENATE.

TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, TALK ABOUT AND STRESS UPON THE NEED FOR ACCESS TO SEE THE WORK AUTHORIZATION.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL AS NATIONAL EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS WHO ALSO HAVE A DESIRE TO STREAMLINE WORK AUTHORIZATION.

>> THE SOONER THEY CAN GET THE PERMIT THE SOONER THEY CAN BE INDEPENDENT, RIGHT?

AND THAT'S MY >> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> AND BE ON THEIR OWN, THE FAMILY.

WELCOME OUR THANKS TO CHRISTINA FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.?

THANK YOU.

NEXT, HEALTHCARE FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IS UNDER FIRE AS WELL.

BRENDAN FRIEDMAN WILL HAVE THE STORY IN A PREVIOUSLY RECORDED CONVERSATION.

THAT IS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> ILLINOIS IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT PROVIDES HEALTHCARE BENEFITS TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS PEOPLE, THE STATE IS BEGINNING TO SCALE BACK THAT COVERAGE AND IS CAUSING APICAL RIFT.

AMANDA JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

AMANDA.?

ILLINOIS ISN'T JUST ONE OF THE ONLY STATES TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR ON DOCUMENT ADULTS.

IT WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST.

BUT DOING SO IS PROVING COSTLY.

TO THE POINT THAT THE STATE IS PEELING BACK.

ILLINOIS SEPARATELY PROVIDES COVERAGE TO UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN UP TO AGE 18.

UNDER A PROGRAM THAT BEGAN IN 2020 AND HAS EXPANDED SINCE TO NOW ALSO COVER ADULTS.

AGES 42 AND OLDER.

THESE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND CREE CARDHOLDERS OF LESS THAN FIVE YEARS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL MEDICAID BENEFITS.

BUT LATINO LAWMAKERS AND OTHER ADVOCATES TRIED TO GROW THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE ALL LOW INCOME ADULTS.

INSTEAD, THE OPPOSITE IS HAPPENING.

ON FRIDAY, THE GOVERNOR ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED CHANGES.

AMONG THEM, AND ENROLLMENT PAUSE.

IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGINS JULY 1st, ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS AGED 42-64 WON'T BE ABLE TO SIGN UP.

THE STATE IS GOING TO CAMP AT 16,500, THE NUMBER OF SENIORS WHO CAN BE ENROLLED.

AND EVERYONE ENROLLED WILL HAVE TO START PAYING CO-PAYS.

OF 100-$250 FOR HOSPITAL VISITS.

THEY ARE FIGHTING THE CHANGES.

>> THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THIS PROGRAM EXISTS AND WILL SHOW UP AT THE HOSPITAL NEEDING CANCER CARE OR OTHER ACUTE CARE.

AND WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE.

AND NOW WON'T BE.

AND SO THERE IS CERTAINLY CONFUSION AND FEAR NOW.

>> SHE SAYS TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT IT IS ALL ABOUT COST SAVING IS NONSENSE BECAUSE IN THE LONG RUN, SHE SAYS GIVING ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE PEOPLE ACCESS TO PREVENTATIVE CARE SAVES MONEY.

SHE SAYS SOMETHING ELSE IS AT PLAY.

>> I THINK THE NARRATIVE AROUND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEND MONEY ON HEALTHCARE AND ESPECIALLY HEALTHCARE FOR THE VULNERABLE DOES COME FROM A PLACE OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT SENTIMENT AND BELIEVING SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE WORTHY OF HEALTHCARE THAN OTHERS.

>> THEY HAVE LOTS OF ALLIES IN THAT FIGHT.

LATINO LAWMAKERS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, AND OTHER GROUPS ARE LIKEWISE CRITICAL SAYING ILLINOIS GOVERNOR PRINTER HAVE TURNED THEIR BACKS ON PROMISES OF BEING A WELCOMING STATE.

BUT REPUBLICANS LIKE SENATOR DAVE STEVENSON SAY THIS IS A CLASS ILLINOIS CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE ON MYSELF.?

IF YOU'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT SAYS WE WILL TAKE THE SICKEST OF YOURS, SEND THEM TO US, IT WILL BANKRUPT OUR STATE.

IT WILL MEAN WE WON'T BE ABLE TO HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.

IT MEANS OUR SENIORS AREN'T GOING TO WAIT.

OUR DISABILITY COMMUNITY IS GOING TO SUFFER.

THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE THAT HAVE CANCER AND HEARTS AND OTHER ISSUES WITH THEIR INSURANCE COSTS GOING WAY UP TO COVER THIS, THEIR SUFFERING -- >> TO THAT END, HE AGREES THAT FOLKS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE NEW CO-PAYS.

BUT HE SAYS THEY WILL STILL GO TO THE DOCTORS, JUST THAT HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS WILL HAVE TO SWALLOW THOSE COSTS.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS JUST A MOVEMENT FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS BUDGET, STATE OF ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS IS NOW INSTEAD GOING TO BE MOVED TO HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE HIT WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE, WHICH THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO THEN PAY, MOST LIKELY, BY FORCING IT ON TO EVERYONE THAT HAS INSURANCE.

>> MEDICALLY MENTIONED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF POLITICAL PUSHBACK FOR IT.

WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> THE GOVERNOR IS IN A TOUGH SPOT POLITICALLY BECAUSE HE HAD TOUTED THIS PROGRAM ORIGINALLY.

BUT NOW HIS ADMINISTRATOR PROJECTS THE COSTS ARE GOING TO TOP $1 BILLION.

SO THESE NEW LIMITATIONS, NOT A SURPRISE.

LEGISLATORS GAVE HIM THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THESE CUSTOM ROLLBACKS.

IT IS PART OF THE BUDGET DEAL AT EASTSIDE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

BY PUSHING BACK PUBLICLY, THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE REALLY ALLOWING THE GOVERNOR TO WHERE THE POLITICAL JACKET.

NOW, THE TEAMS HAS, HOWEVER, THE PROGRAM, STILL A SUCCESS.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, THEY SAY, WHO WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, DO NOW.

AND THEY POINT OUT THAT IT IS A FAR CRY FROM AN ESTATE WITH THE FISCAL IMPLOSION A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK.

MEANWHILE, ADVOCATES LIKE HEALTHY ILLINOIS SAY THAT THEY ARE WORKING AS HARD AND QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO GET FOLKS SIGNED UP FOR THAT JULY 1st ENROLLMENT DEADLINE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BACK WITH MORE.

THE LEAKING OF VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> MENTORING PROGRAMS AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BETWEEN A YOUNG PERSON AND AN UNRELATED ADULT CAN OFFER EMOTIONAL AND LIFE SKILL SUPPORT THAT KIDS MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE GET.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT KIDS IN MENTOR SHIPS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND ENROLL IN COLLEGE.

HAVE LOWER RATES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND OVERALL REPORTS ABOUT HER FEELINGS OF SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE.

A LOCAL MENTORSHIP ORGANIZATION SAYS THERE ARE ENOUGH MENTORS TO SUPPORT THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

ESPECIALLY LATINO AND BILINGUAL MENTORS.

JOINING US WITH MORE, [ SPEAKING GLOBAL LANGUAGE ], CLUB MANAGER AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CHICAGO.

SHE SAID SHE IS A LINGUAL SITE BASED PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS OF METRO CHICAGO.

AND APRIL CURTIS.

CHIEF OF STAFF AT YOUTH GUIDANCE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC, DEFINITELY, FOR THE YOUTH HERE IN CHICAGO.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

HOW DOES BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ACTUALLY HELP OFFER KIDS A BETTER OR BROADER PICTURE OF CAREER OPTIONS?

>> SO, WE HAVE MENTORING THAT HAPPENS WITH CORPORATE PARTNERS.

SO, WE PAIR UP YOUTH WITH ADULT MENTORS THAT WORK, YOU KNOW, DOWNTOWN.

THAT HAVE DIFFERENT JOBS LIKE ENGINEERING, I.T., BANKING.

IT GIVES THAT YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES TO, YOU KNOW, LEARN ABOUT OTHER JOBS THAT THEY MAYBE WOULDN'T USUALLY KNOW ABOUT.

>> LATER ON WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW THOSE MATCHES ARE BETWEEN A LITTLE AND A BIG.

RIGHT?

I KNOW THEY'RE BIG ON THAT.

APRIL, YOUTH GUIDANCE ADMINISTRATION IS BECOMING A MAN AND WORKING ON WOMANHOOD PROGRAMS.

COULD YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT ON THAT?

>> BOTH PROGRAMS ARE INTENSIVE TRAUMA INFORMED PROGRAMS TO ADD YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN THAT IS SCHOOL-BASED AND IS THROUGHOUT THE CITY CITY OF CHICAGO.

AND IN ALL THE SCHOOLS ACROSS CHICAGO.

AND THEY ARE INTENSIVE.

AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND PAIRING THEM UP IN GROUP SETTINGS WITH A THEM OR A WELL COUNSELOR.

AND IT SUPPORTS THEM WITHIN THE SCHOOL-BASED SETTING AND HELPS WITH SOCIAL EMOTIONAL COGNITIVE SKILLS THAT HELP THEM ON A TWO-YEAR TRAJECTORY AND SUPPORTING THEM THERE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL SKILLS.

>> IN THAT CLUB OF CHICAGO, THAT IS LOT OF ACADEMIC FOCUS.

HOW DOES THAT FIT?

>> THE FOCUS ALSO HAS LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS.

AND ALSO HEALTHY HABITS AS WELL.

SO WE DO HAVE A YOUTH SPECIALIST THERE WITH THE KIDS AND HELPS THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK AND ANY OTHER EXTRA NEEDS AS WELL.

BUT WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST ACADEMICS.

>> OKAY.

WAS AT, HOW IMPORTANT IS LANGUAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORING OF RELATIONSHIPS?

>> I WOULD SAY IT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF THE YOUTH THAT WE SERVE OUR FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN.

AND AT HOME, YOU KNOW, PARENTS ONLY SPEAK SPANISH.

SO, YOUTH ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR MENTORS THAT THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH IN BOTH LANGUAGES, RIGHT?

SO IT IS DEFINITELY IMPORTANT FOR THEM, CULTURALLY, TO HAVE A CONNECTION WITH THEM THEIR MENTOR.

THEY'RE BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER.

>> RIGHT.

APRIL, HOW CAN A MENTOR SHIP ACTUALLY SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLES DEVELOPED IN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS?

>> WELL, FOR THEM, THEY GET TO SEE WHO THEY CAN RELATE TO AND DEVELOP EVEN FURTHER THE RELATIONAL SKILLS OF DEVELOPING, INTERVIEWING SKILLS, HOW TO IDENTIFY THEIR EMOTIONS, SELF-REGULATION, IDENTIFYING THEIR ANGER.

IDENTIFYING THAT IT IS OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY, WORKING WITH THEIR SADNESS OR HAPPINESS, IDENTIFYING THEIR DIFFERENT CUES IN LIFE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO JUST WORK THROUGH THEIR EMOTIONS.

THERE IS A HAPPY MOMENT AND A SAD MOMENT AND WORKING WITH SELF-REGULATION IN THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEM.

>> HOW MUCH NEEDS DOOZY FOR ACTUALLY LATINO MENTORS?

IS THERE A SHORTAGE?

>> I THINK THERE IS.

BUT I THINK WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION WE HAVE, WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE THE DIVERSITY AMONG THE LATINOS.

AND ALSO AMONG OUR CLUBS, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, WE DO ACADEMIC.

AND CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP AND ALSO LIFESTYLE.

SO I THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE LATINOS.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON?

I KNOW IN YOUR CONVERSATION YOU FACE THE SAME ISSUE.

THERE IS A LACK OF LATINO MENTOR SHIPS.

AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN AS WELL.

HOW DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION VIEW THIS?

>> SO, WE DO OUR ORGANIZATION SERVE ALMOST ABOUT 90% OF PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND OUR YOUTH, OUR PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND FOR THE MENTORS, WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT 30% OR FEWER OF ADULTS COLOR.

SO, WE HAVE CONNECTED WITH ORGANIZATIONS, WITH OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY DIFFERENT DI E-GROUPS WITHIN THEIR COMPANY.

SO THAT WE CAN PUSH OUT A, YOU KNOW, A RECRUITMENT EFFORT FOR THOSE BLACK AND BROWN.

>> IF YOU GO ANY FURTHER, OTHER ANY MORE WOMEN THAN MEN?

>> YES.

YEAH.

SO FOR MYSELF, IN OUR PROGRAMMING, WE HAVE ABOUT 9% OF ADULTS, OF BOTH PEOPLE OF COLOR.

9% ARE MEN.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A MENTOR?

>> FOR A MENTOR WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THAT IS WILLING TO GROW A RELATIONSHIP WITH A YOUTH THAT MAY BE OF SIMILAR BACKGROUND OR MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT CULTURE.

THAT IS INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT KINDS OF SPORTS, DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.

SOMEONE THAT IS REALLY OPEN TO NOT ONLY SHARING ABOUT THEIR LIFE, LEARNING ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE'S SKILLS OR STRUGGLES.

>> AND EXPERIENCES SHARED APRIL, WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES A SUCCESSFUL MENTORSHIP ORGANIZATION?

>> SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE CONSISTENTLY.

AND WHO IS GOING TO INSIST SHOW UP.

AND JUST BE GENUINE WITH THEM.

AND WILLING TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND SHOW THEM SOMETHING NEW.

A LOT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR EXPOSURE.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

AND BUILD A RELATIONSHIP.

>> WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE BUT I DO WANT TO ASK WHAT DUTY MENTEES TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE GAINED FROM THE MENTOR SHIP?

>> THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT HAS CHANGED THEIR LIFE.

THEY HAVE CREATED A BOND THAT THEY NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT.

THEY ARE SO INTO THEIR OWN CIRCLE.

BUT, AGAIN, THE EXPOSURE, WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN LIKE SAID.

WHAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE WHAT YOU KNOW, IN THEIR LIFE.

I CAN TELL YOU SOMETIMES THE MENTOR ENDS UP ACTUALLY GETTING MORE FROM THAT RELATIONSHIP.

I WAS IN BIG BROTHER MYSELF A FEW YEARS BACK.

AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD.

SO, DEFINITELY FOR YOUNG MEN WHO WANTS TO BE A MENTOR, THEY SHOULD REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.

SO, LADIES, THINK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

OUR THANKS TO ELDA JUSTINA REA WHO AND APRIL CURTIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE ARE BACK WITH FOUR IN CHICAGO TONIGHT.

LATINO VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

UNCLE ANYWHERE.

>> CHICAGO-BASED ARTIST CREATED A SERIES OF WORK ABOUT HER HOMELAND.

PUERTO RICO.

AND HER MIGRATION TO HER ADULT HOMETOWN.

-- MAKES TEMPORARY PUBLIC SCULPTURES THAT IS BOTH ISLAND CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE.

HER ARTWORK HAS BEEN EXHIBITED IN BRAZIL, CUBA, AND THE MUSEUM IN NEW YORK CITY.

MARK VITELLI CAUGHT UP WITH HER IN HIGH PARK.

>> THE BIG GARAGE DOORS OF THE HYDE PARK ART CENTER ARE OPEN.

WELCOMING VISITORS INTO AN IMMERSIVE STRUCTURE.

ARCHITECTURAL MOTIFS MIRROR PATTERNS SEEN ON HOUSES IN PUERTO RICO.

A HAND FABRICATED DOMINO TABLE REFLECTS EIGHT POPULAR PASTIME ON THE ISLAND.

AND THERE ARE PHOTOGRAPHS EMBEDDED IN THE WORK.

THE PROJECT IS CALLED DRAFT.

NOT THE POLITICAL KIND, BUT A TRANSPLANT.

AN OFFSHOOT PLANTED IN A NEW PLACE.

>> I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE SERIES GRAFT FOR A DECADE NOW.

THEY, THE WORD GRAFT COMES OUT OF MY NECESSITY OF CREATING SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS MY MIGRATION.

MY DISTANCE FROM PUERTO RICO IS, EFFECTS AND INFORMS THE WAY I SEE PUERTO RICO.

I THINK IT MEANT SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT WHEN I LIVED THERE.

AND WHAT IT MEANS NOW, IT IS IMPACTED BY MY MIGRATION.

IN THE EXPERIENCE OF LIVING IN PORTO RICO.

>> A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME WORKS REVEALS VIEWFINDERS WITH TINY PHOTOS OF PUERTO RICO.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MIGRATION, THAT IS NOT ONE SINGLE EXPERIENCE OR FEELING.

MIGRATION COMES WITH GRIEF AND LOSS AND NEGOTIATIONS OF THAT JOURNEY.

>> SOTO GREW UP IN PUERTO RICO.

SHE MOVED TO CHICAGO 25 YEARS AGO AND GOT HER MSA FROM THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE.

SHE MAKES EPHEMERAL ARTWORK OUT OF TAPE, TIN, PLYWOOD, AND PLASTICS.

AND SHE REUSES MATERIALS.

PARTS OF THIS WORK WERE PREVIOUSLY IN A POND AT THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS.

>> I DESCRIBE IT AS ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION.

IT HAS A SYMBOLIC TRANSPLANT CRITICAL ED GRAFF BECAUSE, FOR ME, GRAFT, THE WORD COMING FROM SKIN TRANSPLANTS, I KEPT THINKING ABOUT IS A REALLY ACCURATE WAY OF REPRESENTING MY SENTIMENT AS SOMEBODY THAT MIGRATED FROM PUERTO RICO.

>> FOR LATINO VOICES, THIS IS MARK VITELLI.

>> HER ARTWORK WILL BE AT HYDE PARK ART CENTER THROUGH AUGUST 6th.

SUMMER NIGHT THEN A RELAXING ON A PATIO WITH LIVE MUSIC AND MAYBE A COCKTAIL?

IF THAT SOUNDS GOOD, GRAB A FOLDING CHAIR AND YOUR DANCING SHOES AND HEAD OUT TO TACK ROOM AT PILSEN HALL ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR THE FREE LIVE MUSIC SERIES KICKING IT CURBSIDE.

>> IT IS OUR SERIES OF FREE MUSIC PRESENTED ON OUR PATIO THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TIME.

IT CAME OUT AS A CONCEPT FOR THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE COULDN'T DO SHOWS INSIDE.

WE STARTED PUTTING DANCE ON THE PATIO SO PEOPLE COULD GATHER SAFELY OUTDOORS.

IN THE FRESH AIR, AND WE GOT SO MUCH POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM IT THAT WE DECIDED TO KEEP IT ROLLING YEAR AFTER YEAR.

WE WANT TO FIND AS MANY WAYS TO PRESENT MUSIC AND PLATFORM ARTISTS THAT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT AS POSSIBLE.

OUR SERIES ALLOWS US TO ALSO FIND MORE WAYS TO PRESENT LOCAL MUSIC IN A FREE SETTINGS THAT THERE IS NO BARRIERS TO ENTRY.

YOU CAN ROLL RIGHT UP, YOU DON'T NEED TO ORDER ANYTHING.

YOU CAN BRING A CHAIR AND SET IT UP IN THE LOADING ZONE IF YOU WANT.

IT IS FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYBODY.

WE WANT ANYBODY TO COME WITH YOU ARE TAKING A STROLL DOWN PILSEN, AND YOU JUST WANT TO COME IN FOR A SONG OR YOU WANT TO DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY WITH THIS.

PLEASE COME ON BY.

>> KICKING IT CURBSIDE RUNS THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST.

YOU CAN FIND THE FULL SCHEDULE AND MORE DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO JOIN CHICAGO TONIGHT HOST BRANDON FRIEDMAN THIS MONDAY, JUNE 26th FOR OUR NEXT BLACK VOICES COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

OUR STEEL GRAPPLING MATCH PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSURES AT TICKET LATER WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES SINCE THEN AND WHAT IS AHEAD UNDER A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

RSVP, VISIT ONLINE/EVENT.

DON'T FORGET, ALSO, TUNING TO CHICAGO EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.

WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH SOME MORE FROM THE MUSIC SERIES KICKING IT CURBSIDE AT PILSEN HALL.

FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES, HERNANDEZ.