Corazón Community Services Is A Cicero Cultural Powerhouse
Miguel Ortiz, a youth advocate and former participant of Corazon, painted a mural that is highlighted in the newly renovated computer lab. Jorge Martinez / Cicero Independiente
By Jorge Martinez
On a warm summer morning, Arkelys Hernandez is greeted by a large mural and friendly faces when he walks into Corazón Community Services, ready to start his day.
Located at the corner of 25th and 54th Street, Corazón Community Services is a non-profit community center dedicated to serving the Cicero community, with nearly a two-decade-long history.
What began as an organization he discovered through a friend three years ago has now become a second home to Hernandez. Having graduated high school, Hernandez is excited to return as a health ambassador and provide the same welcoming space for others.
“Corazón gave me so much opportunity and the people are just so helpful and encouraging,” said Hernandez. “It became a safe sanctuary.”
The organization sparked an interest in advocacy and service that he hopes to continue after attending a field trip with Corazón to Springfield. Hernandez said he hopes to study environmental science at Morton College.
Ruth Granillo, Hernandez’s mother, said she has seen significant change in her son since joining Corazón.
“I see him as more social and outspoken,” said Granillo. She said Cicero needs more non-profits like Corazón to provide events and services to community members.
Services and Mission
Founded in 2003 and later established in a permanent location in 2006, Corazón has a dance room, kitchen and lounge, a communal garden and a recently renovated computer lab. Every day, the center is filled with youth completing their homework, playing physical sports or simply having fun with peers.
“This is our home and we want to make [young people] feel at home here too,” said Gina Estrada, youth employment coordinator for Corazón.
Corazón also provides free STD testing and distributes Narcan, a drug that reverses opioid overdose. Community members can get tested for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Estrada said Corazón hopes to “break down barriers and stigma” around getting tested by offering easily available testing. Community members are encouraged to get tested through their online form.
The computer lab received a renovation in early September, sponsored by the shoe retailer Snipes. The lab brings youth a sense of motivation and excitement, featuring over a dozen computers. Corazón plans on using the new tech to offer digital literacy services and resume-building workshops to adults and young people.
The new lab features a mural by Miguel Ortiz, a youth advocate and former participant. Ortiz said he wants to show youth “where we come from,” focusing on a theme of legacy and honoring Mexican roots.
He has shared his passion for art with other youth by encouraging them to paint to express themselves, with many youth artworks hanging on the lounge walls.
Communal garden and artwork created by youth are displayed on the lounge walls at the Corazón Community Center. Jorge Martinez/Cicero Independiente
Empathy for Youth
“The beauty of our program is that it never stops,” said Eric Manjarrez, youth advocate for Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope). “Youths grow up with us from seventh to twelfth grade and even beyond.”
Teen REACH is a mentorship program partnered with Unity Jr High School and Morton East High School. Manjarrez said he has actively worked with Corazón since 2010.
Manjarrez said he stresses the importance of empathy and companionship for youth, wanting to fight the presumption of guilt many young persons face.
He shared a story about a high schooler he worked with who was labeled as “at-risk” due to possible gang involvement and severe bullying. Manjarrez became close with the young person and soon realized there was no gang affiliation; they simply needed a friend.
“I’m the person I am today because of my time with Corazón,” said Roxana Barranco, youth advocate and a previous Corazón participant since 2013.
Barranco said empathy can take the simple form of “chisme”, known as gossiping, to playing ping pong with youth because what matters is “making sure youth know they’re not alone.”
She helps provide health services to youth in the form of sexual health education and teen pregnancy prevention. While Barranco understands that Cicero public schools are under-resourced, she calls on district administrators to “give a voice to youth” as Corazón does.
“We want to be the backbone for these kids,” said Barranco. “We don’t have all the money in the world but with the little we do, we try to help.”
Jorge Martinez is a freelance community reporter and contributing reporter at Cicero Independiente.
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