ELEV8 PROGRAMS

 

Though a partnership with The Resurrection Project, Elev8 brings together schools, families and community members in Pilsen to increase educational opportunities and improve academic achievement for students at Orozco Academy and beyond.

 

Elev8:

 

•           Extends learning opportunities for students beyond the classroom and traditional school year;

 

•           Provides high-quality school-based health services to children and their families;

 

•           Encourages parents to be actively involved in their children's education; and

 

•           Offers family supports and resources designed to promote economic stability, good health and continuing education.

 

 

Individually, these components play a pivotal role in children's lives. Elev8 integrates them because an approach that considers the whole child and their family has the greatest impact.

 

We focus on the middle grades because those years are a time of critical transition for young people. Elev8 aims to ensure that by the time students finish 8th grade, they are prepared for high school and go on to graduate.

 

Over the past five years, Elev8 at Orozco Academy has reached over 700 students through out-of-school time initiatives. These after-school programs range from cultural arts opportunities such as Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Band to academic enrichment programs like Battle of the Books and Science Fair Club. Elev8 also promotes youth advocacy by responding to student interest. By offering programs that have been requested through inquiry and student petition, Elev8 demonstrates how students can affect change at their school. These diverse programs include Japanese Club, Photojournalism, Bike Club, and more. Additionally, extending the school day ensures students remain in a safe and positive setting between 3:30pm-5:30pm, key times for community drug and gang activity.

 

In order to enhance student relationships with the school and faculty, most programs are led by teachers who want to share their interests with students in a safe and engaging environment. Elev8 also partners with Chicago institutions such as Joffrey Ballet, The Field Museum, and the National Museum of Mexican Art to connect students with a wide range of local resources.

 

Elev8’s emphasis on school-based health has also been an impactful aspect of its work. Since opening in 2009, the Orozco School-Based Health Center has served over 1000 visitors. Offering physical health and mental health services to the Orozco student body and the greater Pilsen community, the full-service clinic is staffed by Elev8 partner Alivio Medical Center. In addition, Elev8 formed a partnership with the Adler School of Professional Psychology in 2013, adding an art therapy intern to the socio-emotional support available at Orozco.

 

Elev8’s commitment to bridging the achievement gap extends beyond student support initiatives. Elev8 invests in parents to not only facilitate student achievement at home, but to also enrich school culture. Elev8 works with families by providing educational opportunities and linking them to community resources. Parent engagement includes leadership development courses, financial wellness workshops, and digital literacy training. Through The Resurrection Project, parents also have access to affordable housing opportunities, foreclosure prevention services, and home ownership programs.