After-School Arts Programs Help With Family Income

With the rise of unemployment and scarcity of jobs in Pilsen, parents at Orozco Elementary School have teamed together in an after-school program devoted to “Migajon Artistico,” a type of traditional Mexican ceramic craft.

They sell the art at local festivals and events to support their income, while sharing the wealth with other parents. Some have even found jobs teaching classes through the program, like Maria Rosa Martinez, the instructor of the arts class, who said her courses prepare parents to get ahead.

“It’s a way for people to create their own business and get a hand with work to become independent artisans,” said Martinez.

The Resurrection Project funds the local after-school program, “Elev8 Chicago.” Elev8 is held for both students and adults during the school year offering afternoon classes that range from art and yoga classes, to basic computer and English courses.

Elev8 Site Coordinator Luis Bermudez said five different schools throughout Chicago offer similar after-school programs, including Ames Middle School in Logan Square and Reavis Elementary School in Hyde Park. Bermudez said the art class at Orozco was designed to create economic opportunities for parents while building a stronger school community.

“Like The Resurrection Project, it’s a holistic development. It’s not enough to provide an after-school program for kids,” said Bermudez. “The idea is to see the family as a whole by partnering with other organizations. That’s all part of Elev8, and the art component is just part of something larger.”

What once started as a small art class of 10 parents almost three years ago has grown to classes of 180-some adults.

Sonia Zamora, parent-leader and volunteer at Orozco, said although the art classes are free, the cost to run the arts program can be pricey when adding the materials, such as corn flour, baby oil, paints and chemicals used to preserve the ceramic. The overall cost to run the adult after-school program is $20,000 a year, and $28,000 to $30,000 for the student program.

“It’s expensive to do this kind of workshop, and sometimes the school doesn’t have enough funds,” said Zamora.

Resurrection Project Board member Raul Hernandez said if the funding from local organizations and help from other programs in the community were not available, this opportunity for parents and students would not be possible; companies such as Atlantis Philanthropy and Northern Trust have donated thousands of dollars to the project. He said with these alliances through organizations, churches and local businesses, The Resurrection Project is working to place more programs in the community, but help is limited.

“Funding is hard to come by, and it’s been a struggle for us to get those funds,” said Hernandez.

Resurrection Project Executive Director Raul Raymundo said it’s a joint effort from the community and groups like Elev8 that make these types of programs possible, and he hopes to see more classes. He said The Resurrection Project is partnering with schools like Orozco to bring resources that provide opportunities for parents and students to better themselves.

“Elev8 has improved our quality of life at many levels but, most important, it has given us an opportunity to grow as parents to be able to help our children succeed academically and beyond,” said Zamora.

The Resurrection Project also funds community investment in subsidized homes, rental housing for seniors and community facilities, such as day care. For more information how to get involved in these programs, or to help fund this organization, visit www.resurrectionproject.org.