Helping Communities Grow
Issue NO. 5, Volume 2
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WARNING! Highly Contagious
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This
Episode
Features
:
The stuff you want to see....
Super Facts and Random Thoughts
Empowering Yourself
Youth’s Voices Survey Results
Clean Air Campaign
Where Do Your Loyalties Lie?
Hispanic Recruitment Increases in Military
Summer Activities for Youth
Teen Depression
Teen Suicide
PEER PRESSURE: WHY TODAYS YOUTH IS MISUNDERSTOOD
Your Reflection
Newsletter Quote of the Month:
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
-Ghandi
- What do eggs have to do with Easter? Jesus rose from the grave, so hide the eggs?
- Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
- Houses had thatched (thick straw) roofs piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
- Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
- Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."
- Most lipsticks have ground up fish scales in them.
- Chain e-mails are the most ridiculous thing ever! According to them I should have died about 50 times already.
- Vanilla contains 35% alcohol. Why? I dunno, but the government requires it.
- Computers talk in 0’s and 1’s (binary code). Everything on computers is translated into something like this: 1010001011111010100101011010111000101001011001.
- It is IMPOSSIBLE to die from eating pop rocks and drinking soda. The worst thing that would happen is a really loud burp! There have been studies about it.
- Speaking of soda; did you know that most soft drinks like soda and fruit punch slowly eats at your teeth (it melts your teeth!)? The worst is ice tea and the least harmful is root beer.
- HIV/AIDS is NOT deadly. What the virus does is destroy the immune system. The thing that kills you is infections you’ve gotten after you get HIV.
- Tomatoes are fruits, in facts anything with seeds in it or on it is a fruit. Like pumpkins, cucumbers and so on. And potatoes are not a vegetable.
- The human brain has seven blocks/ spaces for short term memory; and the brain is most likely to remember the first or last thing that happened or was read that day.
- In the 1500’s most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June.
Have you ever heard the word empowerment? I first heard it when I was talking with my friends about youth taking action. I recently found out that it means to feel powerful enough to make changes in yourself and in the world. But how do feel powerful? How do you get powerful?
I personally think that you get power by knowing yourself and the world around you. Knowledge is a tool that can help you defend yourself in every day situations. Being unique and different to me is power. There is only one you in this world, so there for everyone is unique and special in their own way, which equals power. Everyone, even you, has power.
Teenagers feel powerless when they are up against figures of authority. For example; teachers, some family, older students, the police, and a lot of other people are figures of authority. Even though they feel this way, teenagers have power and rights, but they have to know their rights and that will give them power. Every situation is different, but you can
Q. What is the Clean Air Campaign?
A. The Clean Air Campaign is a campaign set up to educate people about the coal power plant located on Pulaski and so that they can empower themselves and take action.
Q. When did it start?
A. It started in 2001 when a Harvard study explained how coal power plants affect the health in communities.
Q. Changes made since campaign started?
A. Since people became informed and educated, a coalition was started. The City Coalition Organization got together in Pilsen and Little Village but then the City Coalition Organization got involved.
Ordinance was introduced to reduce the pollution of the coal power plant and is still being debated in city hall.
Update: Because of pressure, they will plant trees to try and reduce emissions, begin to store coal in a covered facility, continue to inform people with new data to strengthen position, and trying to pressure the governor to clean up coal power plants. For example, new technology, clear coal, and other services of energy.
Q. What are toxic tours?
A. It is a walk through neighborhood’s industries, natural resources, culture, and how they work and co-exist together.
Q. Goal of toxic tours?
A. To teach community and youth how to host toxic tours so that they can give the tours. By doing this they will teach not only others, but also themselves.
Update: Coalitions led to other communities looking in their own backyards and starting to talk about what the company does and how it affects them.
If people want to join the Clean Air Coalition contact LVEJO.If you want to learn about Toxic Tours they an attend our Youth Leadership starting at the end of July.
Hispanic Recruitment Increases in Military
Many Latino youth are joining the Marines and willing to die for this country. Most join because they need money to pay off their college tuition. According to figures provided by the Defense Department, the recruitment of Hispanics increased 15.2 percent during the last year, while the number of new black and white recruits decreased. The Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force recruited 23,190 Latino soldiers, the figures show. During the same period, recruitment decreased 7.6 percent among blacks and 4.6 percent among whites.
So why are more Latino youth being recruited these days?
For many, it’s the only way pay for college and obtain Citizenship
For a few, it’s because they really want to do it!
Jorge Mariscal, a professor at the University of California and also a Vietnam veteran states "Poverty and lack of opportunities are driving a generation of Hispanics to war," he said. "They can't find a job or pay for college. This is about having no other choice."
There are other choices. Scholarships, Funds, and Loans are a choice as well. They are 10 times better than joining the military. Scholarships are awarded to students to pay for their college tuition. The military promises that they will pay your tuition but have you ever noticed that their promises are never written down, signed, and approved? Have you noticed that they do not specify a certain amount of money? Usually they will say they can give you up to $20,000. Notice: UP TO $20,000
They could give you $5 for all they care, and they still fulfill their “promise” because they gave you money.
The next time you come across a military recruiter who claims that you if you join the military you will get money to pay your college tuition, ask them for that statement to be in writing and ask how much they will be giving you. Don’t let them brainwash you! Ask for the evidence.
-Marisol AKA Mini-sol
As of February 2005 the cost of the war to the City of Chicago was 2.1 billion. This could have funded:
- 83,601 4-year scholarships at public universities
- health insurance for 1,032, 648 Chicago children
- 228,414 Head Start students for one year
- 29,886 public school teachers for one year
- 15,572 housing units in Chicago
82 TEENAGERS WERE SURVEYED ON SOMME ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEM AND THE COMMUNITY. THEIR OPINION WAS ASKED ON THINGS THAT CONCERN YOUNG ADULTS. THESE ARE THE RESULTS.
MILITARY:
Are you for or against Militarization?
For- 22 people
Against- 50 people
Neutral- 3 people
Don’t know- 4 people
No answer- 3 people
Would you join the military for college funding?
Yes- 23 people
No- 48 people
Maybe- 12 people
Do you want to join the military?
Yes- 11 people
No- 60 people
Maybe- 10 people
Don’t know- 2 people
Are you in a military program such as JROTC?
Yes- 10 people
No- 75 people
TEEN SEXUALITY:
Who do you talk about sex to?
Friends/Family- 60 people
Teachers- 3 people
Siblings- 6 people
Everyone- 6 people
No one- 10 people
Boy/Girl friend- 6 people
Blank- 3 people
Are you sexually active? Since when
Yes- 29 people
No- 44 people
Blank- 6 people
Ages: 0-9 2 people 10-12 1 person 13-15 25 people 16-18 1 person
What percentage of your friends is sexually active?
Percentage: 0-10 10 people 11-20 4 people 21-30 3 people
31-40 2 people 41-50 8 people 51-60 4 people 61-70 3 people
71-80 6 people 81-90 4 people 91-100 16 people
Do you use Birth Control?
No- 51 people
No answer- 6 people
Don’t know- 2 people
Do your friends?
Yes- 30 people
No- 16 people
Don’t know- 30 people
Blank- 5 people
Maybe- 1 person
CHOICE ISSUES:
Would you ever consider having an abortion?
Yes- 15 people
No- 54 people
Maybe- 11 people
Blank- 2 people
Don’t know- 1 person
What do you think about abortion?
Moral- 14 people
Immoral- 52 people
Don’t know- 16 people
If you were a father/mother would you allow your child/ren to have an abortion?
Yes- 12 people
No- 59 people
Maybe- 14 people
Don’t know- 10 people
Have you ever been pregnant?
Yes- 6 people
No- 73 people
No answer- 6 people
What do you think about teen pregnancy?
For- 3 people
Against- 66 people
No answer- 5 people
Don’t know- 6 people
Maybe- 1 person
Do you know any teens who are pregnant?
Yes- 75 people
No- 5 people
Blank- 1 person
If you were a doctor would you do an abortion?
Yes- 14 people
No- 51 people
Blank- 13 people
Maybe- 2 people
ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES:
Are you for or against Gay Marriage?
Against- 25 people
For- 36 people
Don’t care- 20 people
No answer- 3 people
Do you know anybody who has other sexual orientation besides “straight”?
Yes- 69 people
No- 20 people
Sometimes- 6 people
Don’t care- 3 people
No answer- 3 people
Do you feel uncomfortable around gay couples?
Yes- 53 people
No- 20 people
Sometimes- 6 people
Don’t care- 3 people
No answer- 3 people
What is your sexual orientation?
Straight- 60 people
Gay- 2 people
Bisexual- 10 people
Not sure- 2 people
No comment- 7 people
Have you ever been curious to explore a sexual orientation different than “straight”?
Yes- 25 people
No- 51 people
Don’t care- 10 people
Maybe-2 people
Would you accept people that have a sexual orientation other than “straight”?
Yes- 52 people
No- 7 people
Don’t care- 10 people
Maybe- 2 people
“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.”
Do you spend your summer watching T. V. and being bored in the house with nothing to do? You’re not alone. A lot of teenagers do that over the summer, but did you know that there are a lot of things you can do for fun in the community?
Project Vida
1, 2659 S. Kedvale
Chicago, IL 60623
Phone (773) 522-4570
Fax: (773) 522-4573
2. 2757 S. Keeler
Chicago IL, 60623
Phone: (773) 277-2291
Fax: (773) 277-3543
Description: Project VIDA is an organization that was founded to educate youth of racial and ethnic minorities about HIV/AIDS and various prevention education programs. They offer many programs to young men and woman. (This includes teenagers!) People can volunteer for this organization. Note of advice: Be open minded! These are some of the programs they offer:
SHEROS- Is a program for young women between the ages if 12-24. The program talks about the issues of women today such as date rape, self esteem, self defense, pregnancy, and HIV/ AIDS. This program meets weekly.
NANDI- This program is for young African-American women between the ages of 12-24. This program talks about the issues of pregnancy, STD’s, and HIV/AIDS
School Based Initiative Programs- This program currently has no funding but still goes on without it. The program tries to raise awareness to children teenagers between the ages of 9-20 about HIV/AIDS, healthy choice issues, and peer pressure.
The CRU- This program is for young men between the ages of 15-24 who are Latino or African Americans who are Gay, Bi, questioning, curious or down low. In this program there are discussions about sex, relationships, self-esteem, coming out, and many more topics. This group meets Saturday afternoons from 1-2pm.
Toman Branch Library
2708 S. Pulaski
Chicago, IL 60623
(312) 745-1660
Description: Our newly opened public library will have their usual summer reading program plus a program for teenagers!
Teen Volume- Teens ages 14-19 are invited to join book discussions at the Chicago Public Library. This is your opportunity to speak up and share your opinions about books.
Book Splash- A program that encourages reading and enjoying books. The program is for teens between the ages of 3-14. There are raffles, contests, and programs aside from reading amazing books.
By: Daniel AKA SiCkO and Marisol AKA Mini-sol
Teen Suicide. Don't those words scare you? Many of today's youth try or commit suicide because they think that the world is against them or that they have no reason to be in this world. Guess what? They are wrong! Even though they might think that they have no reason to be in this world, they are wrong for the simple reason that everyone has a goal in life. It can be the smallest of a goal but you must accomplish it. Suicide is something that I personally think is wrong. Why would you take your life away for a stupid reason? That is something that many youth must think about while they are walking to school, park, or library. It must be thought out very seriously. Every year the percentage of youth that commit suicide increases. We must stop this!!!!!!! Nobody in this world should be taking their own life away. We know that one day we will all die, so we should just wait for that day!!!
By: Allen Govea AKA Oreo
PEER PRESSURE: WHY TODAYS YOUTH IS MISUNDERSTOOD
Peer pressure in today’s society is supplied in many forms from television to radio even our very own friends in my first articles on this topic I will explain of how we are influenced by the many things we see. How are we influenced as children specifies what we might become as adults so how in the ages of youth and adult must we choose such wrong role models to represent us. Must we choose role model that uses their sexual experience or their foul language to hold us in their hands and mold us as they please? How have we come to choose they these role models? How did we learn from these people? Why have we gone so crazy as to believe anything they choose to spew from their mouths. So as my favorite band once said
Tell me what's wrong with society
When everywhere I look I see
Young girls dying to be on TV
They won't stop 'till
They reach their dreams
Diet pills, surgery
Photoshopped pictures in magazines
Telling them how they should be
It doesn't make sense to me
Crazy by Simple Plan
Article By: Daniela AKA whrlwnd
Do you have something cool that you think
the rest of the world needs to See?
It could be a poem, a drawing, a music review, a sports review, An article, or an opinion.
Send it to “el Cilantro.” care of: Leo Tellez
By: Rocio Linares
Many believe that today’s generation is only concerned with their friends, social life, and themselves. How wrong can adults interpret today’s youth? Sure we care about our friends, social life and about ourselves but we are mostly concerned about our families. Many youth are primarily concerned about the well being of their families and the relationships they have with them. Many adults might get the impression that we are not listening to them when we are being scowled at for “no reason at all.” Though the truth is that we do listen yet, we just don’t want to admit that the adult telling us off might be right. The relationship one has with their parents is very precious and shouldn’t be taken for gratitude. Not only parent but grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins etc. This is concerning anyone who has been with you throughout your whole life who you have confined in. I have met so many youth who have lost their parents and never had the opportunity to know the feeling of having your parents look at you with love and admiration. Ask yourself these questions.
- Who has been with you through good and bad times?
- Who has gotten you out of tight situations?
- Who was with you when you said your first word or took your first step?
- Who constantly tells you how proud they are of you or yells at you for doing something you shouldn’t?
I can’t count the number of times my parents have yelled at me for having my room dirty, not starting my homework early, or just being a lazy butt and not helping around the house. Heck, I think my life is just about constant chaos with my family but they always have some type of praise in my part. Just by saying “Oh, eso esta bien!” or “I’m proud of you, mi hija!” Don’t get me wrong I’m not the perfect child who never fights with their parents or slams their bedroom door in irritation when they tick me off. I do that all the time but I have also learned how to control myself and what I do and say. In other words I’ve learned how to bite my tongue with “some” issues. Just keep this in mind next time you have and argument with your parents or with the person you are close to: they are trying to do what’s best for you even though sometimes you must bite your tongue and just go with it but also be and independent person and learn how to stand up for what you believe. If you think that what your “mentor” is saying or doing is wrong voice your opinion and don’t stay quite. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks.
Laterz, La Roca
Did you know that approximately 4 out of 100 teens get seriously depressed each year? There are various reasons why teens these days fall into depression. It is often because of grades, family problems, relationships, low self-esteem, or growing up in certain uncomfortable environments. People of all ages, race, and ethnic groups can fall into depression. Some people tend to mistake the difference between being depressed and being sad once in awhile. That is the reason why parents don't know what their child is going through. Their child may seem sad and their parents think it's perfectly normal for teens since they're going through changes both physically and emotionally. Depression affects your thoughts, feelings behavior and overall health. Depressed teens lack in confidence, feel guilty for no reason, and might even think about committing suicide. People with depression should seek help as soon as possible before they're condition gets worse.
If you think you're going through depression and need help you can always talk to your parents or a trusted family member. You can also talk to your school counselor, a psychologist, or you can contact the Youth Crisis Hotline @ 1.800.448.4663.
BY: :((----->>MaRiA ZaVaLa:))()::<---
Take a look at your self in the mirror. What do you see? A reflection of yourself, but there is more to it than you think. Your reflection in the mirror is a reflection of your physical self. The result of reproduction! Ever wonder why you ’ re hair is curly like your mom ’ s hair or short in height. It ’ s all about the genes. You ’ re parents make you who you are both physically and behavior wise. A positive example; a person who was raised with family values will most likely follow these values throughout his/her life. Negative example; a person who ’ s parents constantly fight, and argue verbally will most likely follow their parent ’ s example throughout their life and love relationships. Parents wonder why their children fall into the ugly world of drugs, alcohol, sex, and gangs but they sometimes forget to evaluate themselves as parents. Parents should communicate with their children, share family values and promote a positive attitude. After all, parents ’ attitudes reflect upon their children. Whether your parents teach you to forgive and forget or disrespect people of the opposite sex, they contribute to your inner reflection. The inner reflection which is invisible to the human eye, but the heart feels its presence.
END!
[ Volume 2 - Issue No. 1 | Issue No. 2 | Issue No. 3 | Issue No. 4 | Issue No. 5 |
Issue No. 6 | Issue No. 7 | Issue No. 8 | Issue No. 9 | Issue No. 10 | Issue No. 11 ]
Keep the Douglas L/54th Cermak Train Open to O'Hare Field 24/7
CTA Petition Sheet Spanish
(.doc 304 kb) / (pdf 68 kb)
Community Organizer, People United for Dignity, Democracy & Justice (PUDDJ) Campaign:
lvejo@sbcglobal.net
Campaign for Public Transit Equity:
lvejo@sbcglobal.net
Healthy Latino Schools Campaign:
Jovita Flores
Mapping Our Future - Community Mapping Project: Project Coordinator/ Community Organizer:
Kim Wasserman
Community Mapping Organizer:
Lorena Lopez
Youth Newsletter "El Cilantro":
el_cilantro@sbcglobal.net
For general information please email:
lvejo@sbcglobal.net
Technical Support:
T Stetter
Other important topics
(Download as Adobe pdf):
Healthy Schools In Latino Communities flyer
"Tips on Base Building" from LVEJO Board Member Carlos Fernandez
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