Carlos Ramirez has returned to a role on the Erie Neighborhood House Board of Directors, having previously served while holding the role of president of the Erie Associate Board (bylaws state that the president of the Associate Board will also participate on the Board of Directors). His new role was affirmed by fellow board members at a meeting last month.<\/p>\n
A resident of Chicago\u2019s Humboldt Park neighborhood, Carlos is Bureau Chief of Civil Rights for the Illinois Department of Transportation and has been a tireless advocate for the mission of Erie House over the past decade.<\/p>\n
His initial connection to Erie House was formed in 2008 through his friend, Alex Montgomery, who was director of development at the time. \u201cI wanted to volunteer somewhere,\u201d he recalls, \u201cand Alex told me, \u2018We\u2019re developing this board for young professionals\u2014do you want to help?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
And thus the Erie Associate Board was formed, spearheaded by Carlos and a handful of fellow Erie House volunteers and supporters. Today that board has 20 members and is responsible for planning two events each year\u2014the Goose Island Fundraiser and the Tequila Tasting\u2014to raise money and awareness for Erie House programs. In addition, Associate Board members serve as advocates for Erie House in the community, and many volunteer in various program initiatives.<\/p>\n
Carlos also began tutoring in the TEAM youth mentoring program that fall and has volunteered in the program each year since. \u201cThe goal is to get these kids into college,\u201d he explains. That goal has been attained rather consistently: In the past 19 years, TEAM has achieved a 100% high school graduation rate, and 98% have gained acceptance to a college or university.<\/p>\n
\u201cTEAM would have been a great program for me to be involved with back when I was in high school,\u201d he says with a smile. \u201cI\u2019ve had the opportunity to develop a good relationship with the students I have mentored over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy letting these kids see that it\u2019s a bigger world,\u201d he continues. \u201cThey need to understand that they have options instead of feeling stuck\u2014you can go away to school, start a career, make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through his involvement as a mentor and Erie Associate Board member, Carlos has developed a deep appreciation for the agency\u2019s mission. \u201cErie House is a great organization that helps families at all levels,\u201d he says. \u201cIt’s an organization that reflects my culture, but Erie House does so much for so many different people. From early childhood education and programs for school-age kids to adult education\u2014like English classes and workforce development\u2014it covers everything for a community that needs it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erie House executive director Kirstin Chernawsky looks forward to adding Carlos\u2019s experience and insight to the board of directors. \u201cCarlos has been a champion for the mission of Erie House, both as a TEAM mentor and as a key member of the Erie Associate Board,\u201d she says. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to have his leadership in the work of our board.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Carlos, the timing of his decision to join the board of directors seemed appropriate. \u201cI think there was an opportunity to make a greater impact,\u201d he says. \u201cEspecially with the changing political climate, it’s an opportunity to make a greater impact and help Erie House navigate that road.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Carlos Ramirez has returned to a role on the Erie Neighborhood House Board of Directors, having previously served while holding the role of president of the Erie Associate Board (bylaws…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":290,"featured_media":2428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[40],"class_list":["post-2427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-board"],"yoast_head":"\n