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Metropolitan's SAPP Teaches Students to Stay Away From Drugs
200 students at Solorio High School & Hernandez Middle School completed Metropolitan's Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) which strives to educate youth about the negative consequences of using drugs & alcohol. Raquel Monge, program coordinator with MFS Midway taught the Lionsquest Substance Abuse program to the sudents which concluded in an awards ceremony. Read more about the program & statements from the students here.
Metropolitan Midway Partners in the Chicago DFSS' WINGS Metro Domestic Violence Housing Project
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the 1st Chicago expansion project in over a decade to open a new domestic violence shelter in Chicago. Metropolitan is partnering with WINGS & the Greater Southwest Development Corporation to help the families of domestic violence on the city's southwest side.
The “WINGS Metro” development will provide interim housing in the city’s Chicago Lawn neighborhood to survivors and their children fleeing from domestic violence. The project includes construction of a new 40-bed, suite-style domestic violence shelter designed for the highest levels of safety and comfort, as well as access to critical services, such as safety planning, legal services, support groups, and employment assistance. The facility is scheduled to open next summer and is expected to serve 100 families within the first year.
Read more here: http://bit.ly/19mxwFa
May 29, 2013Metropolitan's Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP)Metropolitan’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) and its coalition have opened its doors to make a difference in reducing drug use among youth on the southwest side of Chicago. The goal of the SAPP program is to increase prevention-related drug knowledge and resistance skills, ultimately enhancing “protective factors” and reversing or reducing “risk factors” among youth.
After administering pre and post tests to students involved in the initial phase of the SAPP program, results demonstrated a positive view of the future and decision making skills with statistically significant changes. 38.5% of high school students reported a decrease in intention to use substances after taking Lions Quest 8-10 week substance abuse prevention workshops. We look forward to these numbers increasing over time.
The SAPP program was launched this past fall and is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Midway program focuses on the Gage Park community, specifically Hernandez Middle School and Solorio High School. Click here to examine how Metropolitan’s substance abuse prevention program has engaged the community in prevention services.
 Celebrating the Week of the Young Child
A full slate of fun, educational and healthy activities are planned to celebrate Week of the Young Child, April 14-21, at Midway Head Start and Children’s Center. Children will enjoy engaging activities from obstacle courses, calming classroom techniques to Family Math Night and exploration of culture and the arts. Click here to see what fun activities are planned for the week.
Get the Facts on Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence is a prevalent problem among our youth. Violent relationships have serious consequences for victims that put them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult re-victimization. February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness month. As a leading provider of child and youth development services in the Chicago area, Metropolitan Family Services urges parents, adults and teens to learn the signs of an unhealthy relationship. Click here to view the full infographic.Healthy Families attend the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier 
This year the Midway Center’s Healthy Families program are celebrating the Holiday season with clients by attending the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. On November 30, Midway had 30 families attend the event. This outing allows parents to meet new parents and reconnect with those from previous outings. The festival provides an excellent opportunity for positive parent child interaction. For example, parents are able to identify and talk about the different activities, lights, and decorations that attract the child’s attention. Participants are also able to enhance social skills as well enjoy several rides and games. Positive discipline strategies were observed and modeled by HFI staff.
- Posted December 2012
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Events
In October, domestic violence awareness took center stage at Metropolitan, with several events held throughout the month.
Left Photo: Rally Kicks-Off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Staff from Metropolitan’s domestic violence programs, including Ida Anger, program manager, and Heather Flett, program supervisor, from the Midway Center, took part in a rally to kick off awareness events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The rally was sponsored by the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network.
Right Photo: Running for a Cause Program Supervisor Heather Flett organized the “Metrothoners,” a team of Family Violence Intervention Program staff who ran in the Chicago Marathon. Flett also launched sponsorship for the marathoners on Crowdrise.com, a unique site that blends online fundraising with crowdsourcing and social networking. The effort raised $3142 for Metropolitan’s violence intervention programs.
- Posted November 2012
Two Chicago Lawn District Police Officers Honored at Annual Police Officer Recognition Ceremony
The Chicago Police Department's 8th District Subcommittee on Domestic Violence honored two Chicago Lawn District police officers at the Annual Police Officer Recognition Ceremony held Oct. 4 at the police station at 3420 W. 63rd St.
With wives and children looking on, officers Nicholas Cortesi — a Garfield Ridge resident — and Timothy McKeon, of Mt. Greenwood, were presented with framed certificates of appreciation honoring them for their “outstanding service to survivors of domestic violence.” Their names will also be placed on a plaque honoring all the officers who have been given the annual award since the subcommittee was founded 17 years ago.
MFS counselor, Susie Moya, chairs the Domestic Violence subcommittee and stated in her comments, “We would like to thank you for the work you do. We take it very seriously, and we know you do too.”
Leaders of the subcommittee explained that the 8th District was the first in the city to have such a group, but now all the police districts do. Like the others, the 8th District subcommittee was formed as a partnership between police and community residents and organizations interested in battling domestic violence. This special ceremony is a part of the public and private efforts to raise awareness during October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For more details related to the police officers who were honored, click on the link.
- Posted October 2012
Ida Anger to Retire After 37 Years with the Agency
Ida Anger, manager of clinical services at Metropolitan’s Midway Center, announced her plan to retire January 4, 2013, after 37 years of exceptional service and many years of dedicated leadership. Midway Center Executive Director Laurie Sedi said, “Ida is known throughout the agency and the industry for her passion for her work, our clients, the profession and her staff.” Last year, Ida was named Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers’ Chicago District Chapter. Ida has been a fixture in violence prevention and intervention services, actively collaborating with state and local domestic violence agencies and service providers to improve services to victims and their families. “Please join me in extending our deepest thanks and early best wishes to Ida,” said Sedio.
- Posted September 2012
Help Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence
Recently, the Midway Center had to close intake for its domestic violence program because the need in the area is far outpacing agency resources. “There is a 6- to 8-month waiting list for our program,” says Heather Flett, program supervisor, whose staff has been offering callers referrals to other resources. Metropolitan provides intense counseling and trauma-focused services for women and children of domestic violence, as well as special services for child witnesses and bilingual clients. In an effort to raise awareness and funding for the program, Flett and some fellow staff members have formed a team (the “Metrothoners”) and registered to run in the Chicago Marathon. “The marathon is in October,” said Flett, “which also is Domestic Violence Awareness month.” If you would like to help out, visit the Crowdrise fundraising website to donate in support of the team and watch for more information about “cheering sites” that will be set up along the course the day of the event. And thank you to all who have already donated.
Photo caption (l to r): Ximena Melo Bravo, Heather Flett, Suzanne Ponces
- Posted September 2012
Client Story - Making a Difference - Arcelia
Arcelia is a member of Metropolitan’s kitchen staff at the Midway Head Start facility. Her son and daughter attended Metropolitan’s Head Start program there. Her son is now a Junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, studying to become a coroner. Arcelia’s daughter attends Mother McAuley high school and is looking forward to attending the University of Illinois at Chicago as well, with plans to become an orthodontist.
Arcelia is very pleased with the Head Start program and feels both of her children were very well prepared when they entered kindergarten. Arcelia has been very involved with her children’s education, helping out at the facility as a parent volunteer back when her son was first enrolled in the program. She eventually became an employee. Now, years later, she is still part of Metropolitan’s Head Start team.
- Posted May 2012
Safe Exchange & Supervised Visits Offered at Midway
Our Midway Center, 3843 West 63rd St., Chicago, now offers a program called Midway Connections. This program offers Safe Exchange & Supervised Visits program to provide a secure, conflict-free place for parents to take their children for courtappointed exchanges from one parent to the other. It also allows non-custodial parents and their children a chance to spend time together in a safe and comforting environment. The program aims to make a separation less traumatic and help children build and maintain healthy relationships with their parents or guardians. The services are free to eligible participants.
- Posted March 2012
Metro Board and Midway Center Families Gather Under the Stars
Throughout the year, the young professionals of the Metro Board host Friends and Family events for client families to get together for an afternoon of family fun. The Friends of Family events allow for board members to interact with our clients and provides a fun filled field trip for kids and families from our Midway Center. On Jan. 7, members of the Metro Board and 29 students from Midway Center and their families enjoyed a day out at the Adler Planetarium. The group also was joined by members of Associate Board of the Legal Aid Society (AB LAS) for young lawyers.
- Posted February 2012
"All You Need is LOVE" Clothing Donation Keeps Little Ones Warm
More than 300 new winter coats, hats and gloves brought a little holiday warmth to 72 pre-schoolers during the 5th Annual “All You Need Is LOVE” Winter Clothing Drive Dec. 7 at the Metropolitan Family Services Midway Children’s Center. The donations were made possible by Coats For Kids-Chicago, started in 2007 by Glen and Amy Busch, and The Horton Group insurance agency, through the All You Need is [g]LOVE program, a charitable initiative of Chicago’s legal community, led by Metropolitan’s Karina Ayala-Bermejo.
- Posted January 2012
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