PODER

Looking to enhance your communication, time management, and goal-setting skills?

Join PODER’s Customer Service Program and get equipped with new tools to improve your performance at work. AND earn a nationally recognized certification!

Course starts June 22. Call or email to enroll now!

📞 312-226-2002
📧 [email protected]

Thank you to Literacy Foundation for our 2026 adult literacy grant! Funding received will support our Adult Education and Literacy programs, helping adult learners strengthen their English language, literacy, and workforce readiness skills.

We are deeply grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for their belief in PODER, our mission, and the power of investing in Chicago communities.

This support is more than a grant, it is an investment in opportunity, education, and the future of the young people and families we serve every day. Through partnerships like this, we are able to expand access to literacy, workforce development, and community-centered programming that creates lasting impact.

Public-private partnerships are essential to building stronger, more equitable communities. When organizations, foundations, and community leaders come together with a shared vision, real change becomes possible.

We are honored to stand alongside partners who believe in the potential of Chicago’s neighborhoods and the people who call them home.

Do job interviews make you nervous? Do you have questions about what to say, or what not to say, in an interview? Watch this video for some tips!

¿Las entrevistas de trabajo te ponen nervioso? ¿Tiene preguntas sobre qué decir o qué no decir en una entrevista? ¡Mira este vídeo para obtener algunos consejos!

9 Mistakes to Avoid in a Job Interview RELATED VIDEOS ➡️ Who Would You Hire?: https://youtu.be/cn3bJ4xe...

☀️ Horario de Verano en PODER HQ

En PODER creemos que cuidar de nuestra comunidad comienza por cuidar a las personas que la sirven todos los días.

Para apoyar el bienestar de nuestro equipo, el equilibrio entre trabajo y vida personal, y el tiempo con sus seres queridos, PODER HQ tendrá horario de verano del 5 de junio al 4 de septiembre.

🕐 PODER HQ cerrará a la 1:00 PM todos los viernes durante este período.

Nuestro equipo trabaja incansablemente para apoyar a nuestra comunidad a través de educación, desarrollo laboral, bienestar, defensoría y conexión. Este horario de verano les brinda la oportunidad de recargar energías para continuar sirviendo con el mismo compromiso y corazón.

Gracias por su comprensión y por apoyar una cultura laboral que valora el bienestar, la familia y el cuidado colectivo.



⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

☀️ Summer Hours at PODER HQ

At PODER, we believe that caring for our community begins with caring for the people who serve it every day.

To support staff wellness, balance, and time with loved ones, PODER HQ will operate on Summer Hours beginning Friday, June 5 through Friday, September 4.

🕐 PODER HQ will close at 1:00 PM every Friday during this period.

Our team works tirelessly to support community members through education, workforce development, wellness, advocacy, and connection. These summer hours provide an opportunity to recharge so we can continue showing up fully for the communities we serve.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting a workplace culture that values wellness, family, and sustainability.

Ready to land your first customer service job? Join PODER’s Customer Service Program and get certified! Course starts June 22. Call or email to enroll now!

📞 312-226-2002
📧 [email protected]

Community voices matter.

Earlier this month, PODER attended the Community Town Hall regarding the proposed last-mile delivery facility planned for the former Myers & Steel site.

The meeting included updates and discussion around:

• Traffic and transportation planning
• Environmental monitoring and green space commitments
• Workforce development, job opportunities
• Community impact and school safety considerations
• Ongoing opportunities for resident input and engagement

As a community resource organization, PODER is sharing this information to help ensure our community has access to updates and knows where to direct questions, concerns, and feedback.

If you have questions, concerns, or would like to stay informed on project updates, please visit:

www.51ststreetredevelopment.com

There you can:

• View project updates including job opportunities
• Access meeting materials
• Submit questions or concerns directly to the project team
• Learn about future community engagement opportunities

PODER is closely monitoring employment opportunities and will connect Gage Park and surrounding community members to future training and jobs as they become available.

Community participation helps shape stronger outcomes. Stay informed. Stay engaged.

LetsGetToWork

Las voces de nuestra comunidad importan.

A principios de este mes, PODER asistió a la reunión comunitaria organizada por Amazonsobre la propuesta del centro de distribución de última milla planeado para el antiguo sitio de Myers & Steel.

Durante la reunión se compartieron actualizaciones y se dialogó sobre:

• Planificación de tráfico y transporte
• Monitoreo ambiental y compromisos de espacios verdes
• Desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y oportunidades de empleo
• Impacto comunitario y consideraciones de seguridad escolar
• Oportunidades continuas para la participación y comentarios de los residentes

Como organización de recursos comunitarios, PODER comparte esta información para ayudar a garantizar que nuestra comunidad tenga acceso a actualizaciones y sepa dónde dirigir preguntas, inquietudes y comentarios.

Si tiene preguntas, inquietudes o desea mantenerse informado sobre las actualizaciones del proyecto, visite:

www.51ststreetredevelopment.com

Ahí podrá:
• Ver actualizaciones del proyecto, incluidas oportunidades de empleo
• Acceder a materiales de las reuniones
• Enviar preguntas o inquietudes directamente al equipo del proyecto
• Conocer futuras oportunidades de participación comunitaria

PODER está monitoreando de cerca las oportunidades de empleo y ayudará a conectar a los residentes de Gage Park y comunidades vecinas con futuras capacitaciones y oportunidades laborales a medida que estén disponibles.

La participación comunitaria ayuda a construir mejores resultados. Manténgase informado. Manténgase involucrado.

Estamos orgullosos de celebrar a dos destacados miembros de la comunidad de PODER que fueron reconocidos por Literacy Volunteers of Illinois durante la Conferencia On the Road to Literacy 2026.

👏 Felicidades a Carmen La Porta, ganadora del premio June C. Porter Student is at The Top!, en reconocimiento a su perseverancia, crecimiento y inspirador camino educativo.

👏 Felicidades a Rohan Sohini, ganador del Outstanding Tutor Award, por su dedicación, liderazgo y compromiso en apoyar a estudiantes adultos a través de la alfabetización y la educación.

Aunque ninguno de los galardonados pudo asistir al evento, agradecemos a Sophia Kortchmar, Coordinadora de Voluntarios e Instructora de Inglés Integrado de PODER, por aceptar con orgullo ambos reconocimientos en su nombre y representar el increíble impacto de la comunidad de educación para adultos de PODER.

En PODER, creemos que la alfabetización transforma vidas, y estos reconocimientos reflejan el talento, la resiliencia y el compromiso que existen dentro de nuestra comunidad. Estamos increíblemente orgullosos de Rohan y Carmen por este merecido reconocimiento.



💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫

We are proud to celebrate two outstanding members of the PODER community who were recognized by Literacy Volunteers of Illinois during the 2026 On the Road to Literacy Conference.

👏 Congratulations to Carmen La Porta, recipient of the June C. Porter Student is at The Top! Award, recognizing her perseverance, growth, and inspiring educational journey.

👏 Congratulations to Rohan Sohini, recipient of the Outstanding Tutor Award, for his dedication, leadership, and commitment to supporting adult learners through literacy and education.

Although neither awardee was able to attend the event, we are grateful to Sophia Kortchmar, PODER's Volunteer Coordinator and Integrated English Instructor, for proudly accepting both honors on their behalf and representing the incredible impact of PODER’s adult education community.

At PODER, we believe literacy changes lives and these recognitions are a reflection of the talent, resilience, and commitment within our community. We are incredibly proud of Rohan and Carmen for this well-deserved recognition.

Do you find it difficult to write in English? Watch this video for some tips from PODER teachers Mike and Chris!

¿Te resulta difícil escribir en inglés? ¡Mire este video para obtener algunos consejos de los maestros de PODER, Mike y Chris!

3 Tips for Better Writing ✍️ ✏️ RELATED VIDEOS ➡️ Adjectives & Nouns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBRAX05-n7w&t=1s Adjective Order: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wjQ02BrGj4&t=6s Test...