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ONWARD HOUSE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
FALL 2024
A Message from our Executive Director | CARES Campaign
Program Updates | Events Recap | Ways to Support
Dear Onward House Supporters,
Welcome to the first edition of our quarterly newsletter - I’m excited to share with you the incredible progress we've made and give you a glimpse of the great things on the horizon for Onward Neighborhood House.
Our year-round Early Childhood and School-aged programs had a busy summer, with some students transitioning to kindergarten and others moving into our School-Aged program. The new program year began on September 1st, and classes are now in full swing. It’s always a joy to see our classrooms buzzing with energy and learning, as we support our students in their academic and personal growth.
As we reach the halfway point of Hispanic Heritage Month, I am especially proud to reflect on the diversity within our organization. With a staff that mirrors the rich cultural makeup of the Belmont Cragin community—the largest Latino population in Chicago—we are uniquely positioned to serve our residents with deep understanding and care. At the same time, we wholeheartedly welcome and support all immigrants, regardless of their country of origin.
Onward House has seen remarkable growth over the past few years, and we are on the brink of even greater expansion. In May, we celebrated our first Gala since 2020, where we unveiledplans for a new building, and were met with overwhelming support from community members, elected officials and partner organizations. With the opening of this new facility next year, we will be better positioned to extend our reach and deepen our impact across Chicago’s northwest side.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. I look forward to sharing more exciting updates and successes with you as the year progresses!
Thank you for your continued support!
Mario Garcia
Executive Director
Onward Neighborhood House
Onward House CARES Campaign:
Community, Access, Resources, and Equity
for the Northwest Side
At Onward House, we believe that when we come together, we can create lasting change. We are thrilled to announce the Onward House CARES Campaign, which covers both the capital necessary to renovate the new Community Center, and operational support to staff and maintain the Center for the next five years. Set to open in late 2025, our new Community Center will pave the way for health and prosperity for families on the Northwest Side, building upon the model we've honed for over 130 years.
Through our partnership with the Reva and David Logan Foundation, we’ve secured a 31,000-square-foot property at 2644 N. Central Ave., just two blocks from our current buildings. This new space—complete with three levels and two parking lots—opens the door for us to scale up our current programs and expand vital health and medical services.
In addition to our partnership with CommunityHealth, which offers basic healthcare, this new site will allow us to expand into pediatric care through a new partnership with Infant Welfare Society. We are also excited to partner with Cicero Family Service to offer critical mental health services to the community. By welcoming trusted social service providers to share our space, we’re able to offer a comprehensive range of services, all under one roof.
Lobby & Waiting Area: A bright and inviting entryway that creates a warm atmosphere for visitors and fosters a sense of belonging.
The new facility will also allow us to significantly enhance our Food Pantry operations. With more storage, refrigeration, and an indoor waiting area, our participants will no longer have to brave Chicago’s unpredictable weather as they wait in line for much-needed food. Additionally, our partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository has recently expanded, and we are now proud to be a food distribution hub through their food rescue program, ensuring that even more food reaches our community. We will also create a Rooftop Garden, which we will develop with support from Star Farm, a Chicago-based urban farming specialist. In addition to facilitating community awareness about the health benefits of gardening, the farm will supplement the food pantry with an additional 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of produce.
Food Pantry: A welcoming space designed to resemble a grocery store, offering dignity and choice to all our community members.
The new building will feature a multipurpose Community Center, creating room for even more programming to meet the growing needs of our neighborhood. This space will allow us to bring in community partners to host workshops, information sessions and activities that promote education, health, and overall well-being for residents of all ages.
Community Space: A versatile gathering area where we plan to host community workshops, nutrition classes and more.
This new center will empower individuals and families today while laying the groundwork for generational impact, fostering stronger, more resilient communities for years to come. The new space will be a beacon of hope, health, and opportunity for the families we serve, and we are deeply grateful to the Reva and David Logan Foundation, our visionary program partners, and incredible supporters for making this project a reality.
New Beginnings: Illinois Welcoming Center
for Immigrants and Refugees
Since 1893, Onward House has been a steadfast pillar of support for immigrants, continuously adapting to the evolving needs of our community. Today, that legacy thrives through our Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC), a haven for immigrants and refugees seeking guidance, resources, and a sense of belonging. Located in the heart of Belmont Cragin at the Hank and Kim Marshall Center (5413 W. Diversey), the IWC serves as a vibrant hub, welcoming new arrivals as they begin building their lives in a new country and serves over 1,600 households each year. As one of 35 IWCs across the state, our center is a vital link in Illinois' mission to support and empower its immigrant populations.
Through our Southern Border Asylee program, a partnership with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), a dedicated team of seven case managers provides critical support to over 800 individuals each year. Four days a week, our team works on-site at the shelter on 1308 N. Elston, offering direct assistance to newly arrived asylum seekers. These case managers serve as lifelines, helping individuals and families navigate the complex process of settling into life in the United States.
The IWC isn’t just about service—it’s about connection and community. Every Monday at 12:30 PM, in collaboration with Cicero Family Service, we host free workshops at our main offices which address topics from mental health and wellness to legal education and family dynamics.
Our IWC team also plays an active role in reaching out beyond our doors,
meeting residents where they are. Whether it’s at community events, local gatherings, or through one-on-one conversations, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone knows about the support and resources available through Onward House. Our goal is to be a visible, accessible presence in the lives of those we serve, offering help, guidance, and hope.
On August 13th, PBS NewsHour visited Onward House as part of a report on the influx of migrants from Latin America since the summer of 2022.
Click the below to watch a short clip, or see the full video here.
At Onward House, we are more than just a service provider—we are a community of care, advocacy, and support. As we continue to welcome new arrivals, we remain committed to our mission of providing a safe, welcoming space for all.
A Swinging Success: Onward House’s Annual Golf Outing Raises $46,000 for Our Programs
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Annual Golf Outing, held at the beautiful Ravisloe Country Club, was a tremendous success! Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our supporters, we raised an incredible $46,000 in support of Onward House’s vital programs.
It was a perfect day on the course, filled with friendly competition, sunshine, and a true sense of camaraderie—an inspiring reflection of the commitment our community has to Onward House’s mission.
The success of this year’s outing wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our participants, sponsors, and volunteers, whose dedication made every detail of the event memorable. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Sinch, for their outstanding support.
We can't wait to see you on thegreen next year!
Fostering Courage and Curiosity:
First Field Trip of the School Year
Last month, our Early Childhood Education students embarked on their first field trip of the year to the Garfield Park Conservatory—a day filled with discovery, learning, and new experiences! For many of our young learners, this outing was more than just a trip to see beautiful plants—it was their very first time riding a school bus and exploring a new part of the city.
In the weeks leading up to the big day, our dedicated teachers went above and beyond to ensure the children were well-prepared for the adventure ahead. They carefully wove lessons about plant identification into their curriculum, teaching the students what they would encounter at the conservatory, which plants were safe to touch, and which plants to avoid. For children with diverse abilities or those experiencing challenges at home, this preparation was crucial. Knowing what to expect helped make the students feel more at easeabout stepping into an unknown, potentially overwhelming environment.
And the learning didn’t stop there. Knowing this would be many students’ first time riding a school bus, teachers included bus safety guidelines in their lessons. The children practiced how to buckle their seatbelts and even role-
played how to help a friend who might be struggling with theirs. These activities gave students confidence, fostering a sense of teamwork and mutual support.
This first field trip of the year wasn’t just a fun excursion—it was a vital
experience in building self-assurance and resilience, skills that will serve our students in the classroom and beyond. We are so proud of the effort our teachers put into preparing for this day and of our students, who embraced the adventure with curiosity and courage.Here’s to a new school year and many more exciting field trips ahead!
More Than Just Groceries: How Our Pantry Brings Fresh Food and Hope to 250 Families Weekly
Every Thursday, as you walk down Diversey Avenue, you’llencounter people of all ages and backgrounds, many arriving hours before distribution begins at 3pm, as they wait for the Food Pantry doors to open. The line stretches along the sidewalk, a testament to the crucial role our pantry plays in the community.
Once inside, participants are greeted by a friendly volunteer at the registration table before they begin their shopping.At Onward House, we uphold dignity and respect,offering a secular no-questions-asked approach, with the only requirement being that participants live within a designated radius.In the market-style layout, participants can select from a variety of freshfruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, bread, grains, breakfast foods, and culturally relevant products.
This program, which services over250 families per week,is run in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). Along with supplying the bulk of our food, GCFD generously donated new fridges and arefrigerated cargo van toenhance our food rescue efforts and expand our produce inventory. In winter of 2024, our food pantry staff began to collect food items through GCFD’s food rescue program from Jewel, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Mariano’s and Whole Foods.
Thanks to this partnership, we’ve become adistribution hub for other food banks. We now deliver some of these items to two local food pantries, Iglesia Evangelical Emanuel and New Hope Bible Food Pantry.With increasing demand,we’vealso expanded our GCFD deliveries from twice a month to weekly, enabling us to offer more fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats to address high levels of hypertension and diabetes in our community.
Fresh produce, healthful foods and pantry staples aren’t the only essentials participants come away with.Once their shopping is complete, participants canchoose from a selection of gently used clothing, children's toys and even furniture.
The Onward House Food Pantry is open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and located at 5433 West Diversey Ave.
Here’s a message from Onward House Food Pantry Coordinator Philena Price on what it means to run a food pantry hundreds of families rely on week after week:
"As a lifelong resident of Belmont-Cragin, running the Food Pantry at Onward Neighborhood House is incredibly personal to me. I’ve been in the shoes of the families we serve—I know what it feels like to walk into a pantry where you're just handed food and sent on your way. That’s not what I wanted for our community.
When I first joined ONH, I went on a tour with our partner from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and I knew we could do more. From greeting people with a smile to playing music in the background, I envisioned creating a welcoming space where no one would feel ashamed to be here—whether they’re coming for help or volunteering to give it.
One memory that will always stay with me happened on a freezing winter day, below 20 degrees. We were about to close when a family walked in with a little girl around my son's age. She was wearing shorts, a tank top, and no shoes. Luckily, I had brought in some of my son’s old clothes that day, and we were able to dress her in warm winter gear. It's moments like that which remind me why this work means everything to me."
Ways to Get Involved
Join Aux Board:The Onward House Auxiliary Board is a dynamic and dedicated group of Chicago professionals who are passionate about supporting the goals and mission of Onward House. As a service-focusedfundraising organization, the Auxiliary Board plays a vital role in supporting the growth and success of Onward House.By becoming a member, you’ll have the chance to give back, make an impact, and be part of a dynamic team helping to provide holistic services that uplift our community.
Volunteer:Looking to give back and make a difference in your community? Onward House is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to support our mission of empowering families and individuals! Whether you want to volunteer regularly or just for a day, we have opportunities for everyone:
🌟 Food Pantry Helpers – Assist in distributing food and essentials to families.
🌟 Beautification Projects – Help improve our space with one-off projects like gardening, painting, and more!
🌟 Event Volunteers – Lend a hand at our special events to support our programs and services.
Grateful for our amazing food pantry volunteers at RSM LLP! From left to right: Anneth Venegas, Richard Rodriguez, Roberto Soto, and Onward House board member Nelly Montoya.
Explore Careers at Onward House: Are you or someone you know
passionate about supporting equity, access and opportunity? We are currently in need of qualified Early Childhood Education teachers, support staff, and a variety of otherroles. Click here to view the full list of job openings.
Share the Mission: Know someone who might be interested in supporting Onward House? Whether it's a friend, colleague, or someone passionate about community service, forward this email to at least one person and help us spread the word about our services and opportunities to get involved!
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