Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, May 9, 2024 - Full Show

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOINED THAT NON THIS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

ADVOCATES SAY THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ARE AT RISK OF LOSING ACCESS TO AFTER-SCHOOL FOR MY AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, IT HAPPENS.

WE'LL SEE.

HOW A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS HELPING PEOPLE PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME.

AND MORE LATINOS ARE PURSUING ADVANCED DEGREES.

WE NEED A FEW WHO JUST GRADUATED.

>> AND NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

SOME YOU CHICAGO STUDENTS ARE CALLING OUT THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TODAY SAYING THE REMOVAL OF THE CAT MAN ON CAMPUS WAS A COWARDLY AND TRAUMATIZING RATE.

POLICE CLEARED THE PRO-PALESTINIAN ENCAMPMENT ON THE SCHOOL'S QUAD ON TUESDAY JUST BEFORE 05:00AM UNIVERSITY.

PRESIDENT CITED SAFETY CONCERNS OVER ENCAMPMENT.

STUDENTS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT UNTIL THE UNIVERSITY NEEDS THEIR DEMANDS.

>> PRESIDENT OF THIS UNIVERSITY CANNOT EVEN ADMIT THAT THE UNIVERSITIES AND GOT THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

BUT WHILE YOU CHICAGO CAN REMOVE US FROM THE QUAD AND DESTROY THE PHYSICAL SPACE WE BUILT YOU.

CHICAGO CANNOT DESTROY THE ENCAMPMENT BECAUSE THE KID ENCAMPMENT IS THE PEOPLE.

ALL OF US HERE ARE THE MOVEMENT TO FIGHT AGAINST US CITY.

AND YOU CHICAGO'S COMPLICITY.

>> AND THE FORMER NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PLAYER SAYS HE WAS REPEATEDLY TASED AND AT LEAST ONE INSTANCE, THE TEAM'S COACHES WATCHED AND LAUGHED AS IT HAPPENED.

THE ALLEGATION COMES AS PART OF THE NEW LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF FORMER LINEBACKER NATHAN FOX.

HIS CASE IS AMONG 3 NEW CASES BROUGHT IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXTENSIVE HAZING SCANDAL.

FOX INTO UNNAMED PLAINTIFFS FILED SUIT THIS WEEK AGAINST NORTHWESTERN AND FORMER HEAD COACH FOOTBALL COACH PAT FITZGERALD FITZGERALD WAS FIRED LAST YEAR AMID AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HAZING ALLEGATIONS.

A UNIVERSITY SPOKESPERSON DECLINED TO COMMENT AND AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING FOR CHERYL DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

THERE'S MORE ON THIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND IF THERE'S ONE SURE SIGN THAT SUMMER IS AROUND THE CORNER, IT'S THE OFFICIAL TURNING ON OF BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN.

THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT SAYS ICONIC FOUNTAIN RETURN ON THIS SATURDAY.

THE PARK DISTRICT SAYS IT'S PART OF HIS SWITCH ON SUMMER EVENT.

HAPPENING FROM 11:00AM TO 01:00PM.

THE EVENT WILL ALSO INCLUDE OFFICIAL KICKOFF FOR THE PARK DISTRICT'S NIGHT OUT IN THE PARK.

SUMMER PROGRAMMING, WHICH SHOWCASES CULTURE EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES ACROSS THE CITY.

THOSE ARE ALWAYS SO FUN.

UP NEXT, ADVOCATES WARN ABOUT CUTS TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR STUDENTS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICE IS MADE POSSIBLE IN BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> ADVOCATES FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM.

THEY SAY AS MANY AS 40,000 STUDENTS IN ILLINOIS COULD LOSE ACCESS TO TUTORING SERVICES, RE CREATION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

IF LAWMAKERS DON'T APPROVE FUNDING.

THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRIBUTES THIS FUNDING AND GRANTS ARE MADE IN 3 OR FIVE-YEAR CYCLES.

BUT IN 2003, THE AGENCY MISCALCULATED.

HOW MUCH MONEY WAS AVAILABLE AND APPROVED MORE GRANTS THAN THE STATE COULD A FORT.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OUR.

SUSAN STANTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AFTERSCHOOL CHILDREN AND TEENS ALSO KNOWN AS ACT.

NOW, STEPHANIE GOT TO SEE A DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AT THE BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL AND ERIC WORDS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL'S INITIATIVE OF YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

I GUESS MY MY FIRST QUESTION RIGHT AWAY AS HOUCK HAS HAPPENED AND SUSAN, I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S AT RISK FOR DOZENS OF PROGRAMS?

ACTUALLY HUNDREDS OF PROGRAMS AT THIS POINT WHAT THAT RISK IS THAT STARTING ON JUNE 30TH 2024.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SEE FUNDING COMPLETELY CUT OFF TO HUNDREDS OF PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THAT MEANS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE FUNDING TO PAY STAFF.

THEY DON'T HAVE FUNDING TO KEEP SITES OPEN IN BUILDINGS OPEN AND THERE WON'T BE SOMEWHERE SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO GO IN THE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS AND DURING THE SUMMER AND IS A NETWORK COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS LOCAL YMCA CHAPTERS AND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHICH AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS COULD LOSE THEIR FUNDING AND HOW MANY STUDENTS AND STAFF COULD BE IMPACTED.

>> SO THIS IS A STATEWIDE PROGRAM THAT'S ACTUALLY FUNDED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CALLED 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY, LEARNING CENTER'S.

>> AND THE SITES THAT ARE AT ISSUE, THERE'S ABOUT 300 STATEWIDE THAT SERVE ABOUT 40,000 YOUTH.

WE'RE LOOKING ABOUT 2000 STAFF STATEWIDE THAT WILL END UP BEING IMPACTED.

A LOT OF STUDENTS.

STEPHANIE, I WANT TO GO TO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES AT BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL PROVIDES THROUGH THE AFTER AFTER PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK ON THIS PRESSING AT THE MOMENT, WE SERVICE 1500 STUDENTS, 400 PARENTS.

SO THEY ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR IN THE SUMMER.

IN THE SUMMER WE SERVICE CLOSE TO 2000.

WE WE SEE A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT ARE COMING IN TO RECEIVE THE SERVICES FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR ENRICHMENT FOR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL LEARNING AS WELL.

WE HAVE INSTRUCTORS THE TIME TEACHERS THAT ARE SEEING AN EXTRA HOUR TO SUPPORT THE STUDENTS.

AND WE ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF FROM THE SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SAID REALLY RELY ON US FOR DAY CARE 4 REALLY SELF-DISCOVERY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE A HARD TIME IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO BURNING THE MATERIAL AND UNFORTUNATELY, DAYTIME IS NOT ENOUGH MYSELF.

I BENEFIT FROM AFTER SCHOOL WHEN I WAS YOUNGER STUDENTS.

YOU KNOW, THE PRESSURE OF UNDERSTANDING THE MATERIAL WHEN YOU ONLY SPEAK SPANISH, THIS HATCHED ABOUT THIS THESE ARE PROGRAMS ARE DEFINITELY NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.

ABSOLUTELY.

TALKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU SHARE?

SOME OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS SECOND HAVING A CHILD OR FAMILY IF THESE PROGRAMS ARE CUT?

>> WELL, A LOT OF OUR PARENTS HAVE MORE THAN ONE JOB RATE SO THAT IT'S CRUCIAL FOR US TO HAVE A PLACE FOR THEM TO BE SAFE BETWEEN AFTER SCHOOL HOURS AND A LOT.

LIKE I SAID, A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS OFFER KIDS A MIX SUPPORT.

SO A LOT OF THE STUDENTS THAT AREN'T YEAH, GRADE POINT AVERAGE.

THIS IS A PLACE FOR THEM TO GET THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT THEY ARE AT RISK OF NOT BEING I'M ABLE TO PASS TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL THEY WERE GOING TO BRING YOU IN.

THE YMCA HAS SEVERAL SITES AS WELL.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT THIS PROCESS AND HOW DOES IT ALSO YMCA PROGRAM?

AND AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING >> SO THE YMCA MUCH FOR CHICAGO, WE HAVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL SITES IN THE CITY.

>> ALL IN THE MOST UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY.

I THINK THAT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO WE SERVE SO FAR.

THIS JUST THE SCHOOL YEAR ACROSS ALL OF OUR SCHOOL SITES.

WE'VE SERVED ABOUT 3100 STUDENTS AND 2000 ADULTS AND ABOUT 95% OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE STUDENTS OF COLOR.

AND ABOUT 91% OF THEM ARE LOW INCOME.

WE ARE COMMUNITIES SUCH AS WORLD'S LINE WEST GARFIELD PARK ENGLEWOOD, NEW CITY 22 SITE.

22 AND THE FUNDING DOESN'T COME WITH SOME SITES HAVE TO CLOSE.

THAT LOOKS SO AT THE END OF THE WE WOULD HAVE 7 OF OUR 22.

>> ALSO BASICALLY ABOUT A 3RD OF OUR PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE LOSING ITS JUST AT THOSE 7 SITES ALONE.

SINCE WE HAVE STARTED OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOLS.

WE'VE SERVED OVER 4,000 STUDENTS IN 1600 ADULTS.

SO THE WHOLE THAT IT WOULD LEAVE, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BUILD THESE PROGRAMS AND TO BUILD UP TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND YOU KNOW, BEFORE, YOU KNOW, IT, THESE COMMUNITIES REALLY DO COME TO RELY ON THESE PARTNERSHIPS FOR EVERYTHING THAT I'M SUSAN, STEPHANIE, OF TALK ABOUT THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS.

AND SO TO JUST LEAVE THEM WITHOUT FUNDING BECAUSE A MASTERFUL AND ALL OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT YOU WERE AT THE AFTER SCHOOL RALLY AT THE STATE IN SPRINGFIELD.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS EVENT AND WHY ARE YOU SO PASSIONATE?

>> BEING THERE?

YEAH, BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AT THIS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

THE ONLY SOLUTION IS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ALLOCATE FUNDING TO KEEP THESE PROGRAMS OPEN.

THERE'S NO OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING SOURCE AVAILABLE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THIS POINT.

SO THE TIME TO ACT FOR THEM IS RIGHT WE GATHER TOGETHER THAT DAY BECAUSE WE SEE THE URGENCY IN THIS.

WE KNOW THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO GET INTO THE STATE BUDGET.

SO WE SAW AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS COME TOGETHER FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS TO RALLY TOGETHER FOR SUPPORT FOR THIS ESPECIALLY LOOKING AT SENATE BILL.

29 43, WHICH CHIEFLY SPONSORED BY SEN VALLEY AND STEPHANIE TALKING ABOUT THAT, WHAT HAS COMMUNICATION BEEN LIKE WITH ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DOLLAR?

IT'S BEEN VERY AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT LEAVES WONDERING WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE.

WE HAVE TO >> INTERNALLY DISCUSSED WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS WILL BE BECAUSE WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THESE FAMILIES AND WE CANNOT LEAVE THEM WITHOUT THESE RESOURCES.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS, THIS FAMILY'S?

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE FOR THEM TO KNOW?

OKAY, MAYBE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS NOT GOING TO BE OFFERED HERE?

WELL, WE HAVE A LOT OF PARENTS THAT ARE READY TO FIGHT.

THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL FOR THEM AS A WHOLE, NOT JUST FOR THE STUDENTS.

THEY ARE EXTREMELY COMMITTED AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH US WITH THESE DEMANDS.

AS CAN SEE ACTION.

WE HAD A LOT OF PARENTS BECAUSE THEY SHARED THAT IT'S NOT HELPFUL FOR THEIR STUDENTS.

IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR THEMSELVES.

AND ERIC, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO ACT NOW?

>> AS WE 15,000 STUDENTS IN CHICAGO, 40,000 STUDENTS STATEWIDE CRITICAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING.

WE KNOW HOW AT-RISK STUDENTS CAN BE DURING HOURS OF BETWEEN 03:00PM AND 06:00PM.

ALL THE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES, POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF AND SO THESE ARE SAFE SPACES, YOU KNOW, JUST AT A BEE-LINE, KNOW, FORGET EVEN ABOUT THE AMAZING PROGRAMMING PROVIDING JUST PROVIDING SAFE SPACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

MEAN, SO MUCH TO THOSE FAMILIES THAT YOU MENTIONED.

ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT YOU KNOW, PROVIDING THAT ENRICHMENT.

THOSE PROGRAMS, WHETHER IT BE CHESS OR DANCE OR THEATER OR MARTIAL ARTS WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO SPARK A CHILD'S INTEREST IN MANY TIMES.

STUDENTS MAY NOT HAS ENGAGED IN SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AS ALSO MIGHT BE.

AND SO KIDS COME TO SCHOOL SO THAT THEY CAN COME TO AFTER SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT WILL HAVE TIME FOR ONE LAST QUESTION SAYS WANT TO GO TO YOU.

WHAT ARE THE LAST WORDS WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW?

HOW CAN THEY JOIN?

>> RIGHT NOW WE NEED EVERYONE'S SUPPORT.

THIS NEEDS TO BE THE BUDGET PRIORITY.

NOT JUST A BUDGET PRIORITY.

WE'RE ASKING PARENTS USE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ANYONE WHO'S EVER HAD FINDING AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM TO PLEASE CALL THEIR STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS.

WE ALSO ACTION ALERT ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE REALLY NEED TO ECHO THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING THE SERVICES FOR CHICAGO USE AND USE ALL AROUND THE STATE.

WILL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU MUCH.

>> UP NEXT, BUILDING NEW HOMES AND GENERATIONAL WEALTH FOR SOME LOCAL FAMILIES.

WE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO, TONIGHT'S COVERAGE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS SUPPORTED BY THE SOO LEE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INITIATIVE FOR REDUCING VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

>> PURCHASING A HOME NAVIGATING THE LOAN PROCESS AND FINDING THE BEST MORTGAGE RATE CAN BE STRESSFUL.

BUT A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND HELP PEOPLE PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME.

>> IT'S >> AN IMPORTANT MOMENT JOY AND EXCITEMENT FOR NEWLY WHAT STEPHEN WELLS ANTHONY'S BY THE HORMONE INTO OUR AS THEY'RE WELCOME TO THE BRAND NEW HOME.

>> FEEL LIKE WE'RE BREAKING LIKE GENERATIONAL CURSES.

MY DOESN'T EVEN WE GET IT'S A PHONE CALL FROM THE ORGANIZATION RENEW.

>> THAT THEY SAY CHANGED THEIR LIVES.

>> WAS IN CALIFORNIA VISITING FAMILY THEY'RE LIKE CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU GUYS GOT APPROVED FOR THE PROGRAM AND EVEN BETTER NEWS.

WE HAVE A HOME READY FOR YOU, RIGHT TIME FOR YOUR WEDDING.

>> RENEW COMMUNITIES IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IS REHABBING IN BUILDING NEW HOMES IN THE SUBURB OF NORTH CHICAGO.

TOM CORNING OVERSEES THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF WHAT THEY CALL MATTHEW HOMES.

>> SO YOU CAN SEE THAT EVERYTHING'S OPEN PLAN SO THAT THE FAMILY INTERACTS WITH EACH OTHER OPEN TO THE BASEMENT, OPEN IN THE LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM.

CHILDREN CAN SIT HERE AT THE BAR AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

WELL, MOM'S COOKING, THOUGH LOOKING KITCHEN VERY PURPOSEFUL.

YOU CAN SEE THE WINDOWS FACING OUTSIDER LARGE.

LOOKING OUT ONTO THE STREET AND THEN THE FRONT PORCH, OF COURSE, IS THE WELCOMING ASPECT OF THIS HOME TO DRAW COMMUNITY TO THIS FAMILY.

>> WELCOME YOUR NEW HOUSE.

>> THE COMMUNITY HAS LONG STRUGGLED WITH LOW HOMEOWNERSHIP RATES.

ONLY 33% OF RESIDENTS IN NORTH CHICAGO OWN A HOME ACCORDING TO RENEW THAT THE YOUNG COUPLE SAYS PURCHASING THE FIRST PIECE OF PROPERTY IS AN OPPORTUNITY WAS WE'RE NOT PREPARE FOR ALL MONEY THAT IT TAKES TO SAVE UP FOR DOWN PAYMENTS, ABLE FOR PAYING ALL OF DIFFERENT FEES THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY.

>> PLANNING A WEDDING.

SO THAT TAKES MONEY, TOO.

SO I'M LIKE, HOW ARE WE GOING FOR AWAY GAMES?

CAME TO DON'T PAY ME FOR A HOUSE.

SO IT WAS DEFINITELY A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE >> THE PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH SUBCONTRACTORS IN VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD THESE HOMES AT THE HOME IS SOLD FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 175,000 IN $250,000 RENEWS ALEXA FAMILY TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE BUYING PROCESS IN CLOSING FEES, THEN TRANSFORM CAPITAL ASSIST WITH THE MORTGAGE RATE.

>> TRANSFORM CAPITAL SAW THAT.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF THEIR CLIENTS TO ACCESS FINANCING AT ATTRACTIVE RATES FOR A WHOLE HOST OF REASONS THAT CONTINUE TO THIS DAY.

AND SO WE CREATED TRANSFORM CAPITAL THAT STEPS AND ALONGSIDE RENEW.

AND WE TAKE DONATED CAPITAL.

WE TURN IT INTO BELOW MARKET MORTGAGES AND THEN LENDING IS JUST A REASON TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILIES.

AND SO WE WALK ALONGSIDE THEM AND AS THEY PAY THE LOAN, IT CREATES RECYCLABLE CAPITAL THAT SERVES ANOTHER.

>> THE ORGANIZATION IS ON A MISSION TO BUILD 300 HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY.

LONGTIME RESIDENT CHERYL DUNLAP SAYS IT'S A CHANCE FOR FAMILIES TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE AREA'S DEVELOPMENT.

>> ANY FAMILY THAT?

>> IS WITHIN THIS PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE RESOURCES.

WE KNEW AS A RESOURCE.

THE OTHER MATTHEW HOME FAMILY OWNERS ARE RESOURCES AS WELL AS THE VOLUNTEER.

SO IT'S REALLY CREATING WHAT I FEEL A DIVERSE FAMILY.

>> HERE THE YOUNG COUPLE IS NOW LIVING IN THE GROUP 17TH AND THEY SAY THEY'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD OR ROOTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE IN THE FUTURE AT SOME BABIES.

OH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> DURING HIS ASIAN CALLS HIM AT THE HOMES, REFERRING TO PASSAGE IN THE BIBLE.

AND LIKE WE MENTIONED, RENEW HAS A GOAL OF CONSTRUCTING A 300 HOMES FROM FOR MORE INFORMATION, HOW TO APPLY FOR HOME.

ALL TO BE A VOLUNTEER VISIT.

OUR WEBSITE, MCCAIN AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLYWEDS.

UP NEXT, IT'S GRADUATION SEASON 3 RECENT GRADUATES SHARE THEIR STORIES WITH US.

>> STORIES ABOUT CHICAGO.

HOME OWNERSHIP ARE SUPPORTED BY FUNDING FROM THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY.

TRUST.

>> PURSUING A POST GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIRES PERSEVERANCE AND OFTEN COMES WITH SACRIFICE.

GET THE NUMBER OF LATINOS AND ROLLING IN THESE PROGRAMS HAS INCREASED 81% SINCE 2010.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER OF EDUCATION STATISTICS.

EVEN THOUGH THEY STILL ONLY MAKE UP 8% OF ALL POLLS GRADUATE STUDENTS.

JOINING US NOW TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AS WHAT THE BILLS AND HIGHER EDUCATION ARE GOING TO BE LEFT THIS WHO RECEIVED HER DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND MASTER'S IN PUBLIC HEALTH FROM LOYOLA UNIVERSITY LOOP A FEW MINUTES TO EARN HER MASTER'S IN SPORTS.

PSYCHOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO CLOCKING GUZMAN WHO GRADUATED WITH MASTER'S IN PUBLIC HEALTH FROM LOYOLA UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU GUYS HAVE TO FEEL LIKE SO PROUD OF YOURSELVES A LITTLE I WANT TO GO TO YOU TO VIEW WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE YOUR PAST.

>> AND SO MANY THINGS, A MAINLY MY COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, GROWING UP.

I DIDN'T MEAN A LOT OF HISPANIC DOCTORS ARE DOCTOR SAID LOOK LIKE ME.

SO I JUST THOUGHT TO MYSELF, I COULD DO THAT.

AND THAT PERSON LITTLE.

YOU YOU KIND OF FELT THAT.

YEAH, JUST FROM THAT CLASSIC STORY OF HEARING, SOMEONE SAY, YOU YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT, GO INTO SOMETHING ELSE.

AND I WAS LIKE, LET ME PROVE THEM WRONG.

LET ME RIDGLEY.

YOU STARTED AS IN NURSING GREGORY, OURSELVES, PURSUING, ARE SEEING I DID 2 YEARS.

I GOT ADMITTED TO A NURSING PROGRAM AND THEN I WHAT'S LIFE IF YOU'RE NOT FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS, THAT'S AWESOME.

AND AS WE SAID, ALTHOUGH MORE LATINOS ARE PURSUING THESE DEGREES.

>> WE ONLY STILL MAKE UP A SMALL ABOUT DID YOU FEEL THE IMPACT OF THAT WHILE YOU'RE IN SCHOOL?

>> THAT EARLY, I REALIZE THAT SOMETIMES I WAS LIKE THE ONLY WOMAN EARLY BEING IN THE ROOM AND I FELT REALLY PROUD.

AND I JUST KEPT THINKING LIKE WE NEED MORE THAT THE NURSE AND MORE THAT, YOU KNOW, IS IN THE ROOM IS 100 HIGHER EDUCATION.

AND TELL ME ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY.

WHAT GOT YOU INVOLVED IN WANTING TO PURSUE YOUR COURIER?

>> YES, DEFINITELY.

MY FAMILY IS A BIG MOTIVATOR TO US HAVING ALL THE GENERATIONS BEFORE ME SEE WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH.

AND THEN JUST MY PASSION FOR FITNESS AND HEALTH REALLY GOT ME HERE TODAY, ACTUALLY.

BUT YOUR MOM MAY CAUSE ISSUES SO PROUD OF, YOU SHE'S THE BEST.

SHE'S WATCHING HAVING HER HERE.

>> IN COOKING, HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE LEARNING HOW TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER STUDENTS OF PEOPLE WHO COULD HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY WHEN THERE ARE FEW LATINOS, CAN BE TOUGH.

IT WAS IT WAS REALLY HARD.

AT IT WAS YOU KNOW, I THINK I JUST PUSH MYSELF TO, YOU KNOW.

>> GET OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND ASK FOR HELP.

HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO HELP ME.

AND I TOOK TO MY TENANTS.

SO YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT WAS FACULTY OR ADVISORS, EVEN STUDENTS LIKE IT WAS.

I WAS ASKING FOR HOW THOSE OF LISTENING TO WHAT I COULD DO, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES LOOKING FOR IT.

HONESTLY THAT SOMETIMES THE MOST INTIMATE PART, I WOULD IS LOOKING FOR THAT INFORMATION.

AND ALL OF YOU ARE FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS BE LIKE.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME MORE ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE AND HOW THAT IMPACTED THE WAY YOU NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE?

>> AND IT'S KIND OF EXACTLY LIKE WALKING SAID, YOU GO INTO THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE AROUND YOU SEEMS TO HAVE PARENTS, COUSINS, AUNTS AND UNCLES WHO ALREADY PURSUE THIS TYPE OF DEGREE.

AND THEN ESPECIALLY UP HIGH TO MEDICINE.

IT WAS LIKE, OH, DID YOU FILL OUT THIS APPLICATION LIKE I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF SO FINDING YOUR COMMUNITY AND REALLY PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE AND ASKING FOR HELP, I THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE KIND OF ALREADY HAS THAT THERE YOU HAVE YOUR SUPPORT FROM YOUR FAMILY.

SO FINDING THE MENTORS AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS SITUATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EXCEEDING.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU FACE THAT?

YOU DO A LITTLE WORD IN YOUR HEAD.

THAT IMPOSTER SYNDROME.

>> OH, MAN, IT'S THERE ALL THE TIME.

IT'S TALKING TO ME ALWAYS.

BUT I THINK YOU JUST HAVE TO SAY WATCH ME WORK.

WATCH ME.

WORK ON MY WATCH.

WE PROVE YOU'RE ON AND I'M GONNA TAKE IT EVERY STEP FURTHER THAT YOU SAY THAT I CAN.

LIKE I AT THE MENTALITY LED LET ME PROVE YOU HOW DID THAT IMPACT YOUR PATH TO YOUR DEGREE?

>> SO BEEN TOUGH, NOT KNOWING SOMETIMES WHAT TO DO.

WHAT IS THE FIRST WHO TO TALK TO AND ALSO JUST KNOWING THAT YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH AND THAT MOMENT TO ALSO TALK TO PEOPLE.

I THINK.

>> PROFESSORS, PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOM, SO DEFTLY BEING THE FIRST IN THE FAMILY CAN BE A LITTLE TIMID DATING, BUT DEFINITELY WORTH IT ON THE OTHER SIDE BECAUSE YOU'RE ALSO INSPIRING THOSE BEHIND YOU TO CONTINUE AS WAS ARE ALSO MOMENT MAYBE YOU ARE SELF DOUBTING YOURSELF AS WELL.

>> ALWAYS, I THINK THAT VOICE IS ALWAYS THERE.

THAT LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS SCARED TO BE IN THE CASH ROOM WITHIN A HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH PROPERLY.

>> BUT JUST KNOWING THAT YOU'RE THERE, TAKE CARE OF HER AND THE FUTURE, I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> IN COOKING WERE MADE GOING TO COLLEGE.

SO DIFFERENT FROM WHOLE OUTCOME HOME LIFE.

HOW DID YOU ADAPT?

>> IT WAS A IT WAS A CULTURE COMPLETELY.

I REMEMBER GOING TO SCHOOL AND JUST HAVING TO CHANGE, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THAT I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THAT I JUST IT WAS JUST SOMETHING LIKE AN ADAPTATION AND IT WAS HARD.

YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER COMING HOME AND JUST FEELING DIFFERENT VIBE FROM WHEN I WAS AT SCHOOL.

YOU KNOW, SLOWLY, IT JUST YEAR, I MADE FRIENDS AND I STARTED, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, COME JUST LIKE THAT TO IT.

TALK ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.

YEAH, IT WOULD BE ABLE TO TALK TO EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

>> I GOT TO, YOU KNOW, CREATE VERY GOOD SOCIAL GROUP AND, YOU KNOW, LEARN ABOUT, YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO, HOW TO KISS, YOU KNOW, SUCCEED CLASSES.

AND, YOU KNOW, ALSO JUST SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM.

>> AND IT'S IT'S BEEN GREAT.

BUT WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE HARDEST PART TO YOUR COURIER?

>> OCCASIONAL CLEAR, I THINK COMPARING MYSELF TO SOME OF THE OTHER INDIVIDUALS SAY TO MYSELF, LIKE YOU'RE BEHIND, YOU NEED TO DO THIS.

YOU NEED TO DO THAT.

AND THEN EVENTUALLY I THINK I JUST ACCEPTED IT THAT I'M TAKING MY PACE AND I'M DOING WHAT I'M DOING.

AND I'M PROUD OF, YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE DONE BEEN PRETTY.

YOU'RE HERE THAT WE'RE WE'RE ALL HERE NOW TO DO AS FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> OH, YEAH.

I THINK SOMEONE TOLD ME EARLY IN MEDICAL COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY.

SO IF YOU'RE COMPARING TO OTHERS WILL NEVER BE NEVER BE SATISFIED.

EVEN IF YOU ACHIEVE ALL THESE INCREDIBLE THINGS.

ALWAYS KEEP THAT IN MIND.

EVERY TIME ON TO START TO COMPARE MYSELF THINK SOMETHING IS SO HARD NOT TO COMPARE.

SO WHEN THEY'RE SICK, SOCIAL MEDIA, FOR ONLY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> AND GOT YOU, I WANT TO GO TO YOU AGAIN.

YOU ARE PART OF A PROGRAM CALLED SENIOR SCHOLARS.

WHAT HAS IT MEANT FOR YOU TO HAVE THAT RESOURCE AND BE SUPPORTED BY OTHER LATINOS?

>> OH, MY GOD.

I MEAN, SCHOLARS HELPED ME SO MUCH.

THEY REALLY GAVE ME THE TOOLS, A FOUNDATION TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION INTO MEDICINE AND IT JUST SHOWED ME OTHER DOCTORS WHO WERE LAND THAT I HAD NEVER MET BEFORE.

THEY SHOWED ME THAT I COULD DO IT, THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE THAT LOOKS LIKE ME THAT ACHIEVED THAT.

THAT CAME FROM A SIMILAR ME.

SO WHY NOT ME LIKE WHY COULDN'T IT SO JUST HAVING THAT, THAT COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL STRUGGLE TO FIND IN THE BEGINNING HAVING THAT BEFORE EVEN STARTED MY MEDICAL CARE.

I THINK IT'S INDESCRIBABLE.

HOW MUCH IT HELPED THAT'S GREAT.

AND LOOP ACTUALLY FOUND TIKTOK WITH ONE OF YOUR VIDEOS OF YOU GRADUATING.

I MEAN, JUST WALKING THROUGH STATED MADE ME EMOTIONAL LOOKING AT JUST HOW IS IT FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

YOU KNOW, HOW DID YOUR FAMILY PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR JOURNEY?

>> AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE JOURNEY FROM BEING I GENERATIONS BEFORE ME FIGHT FOR ME TO HAVE THIS MOMENT.

SO WHAT TIME THAT WAS WALKING STAGE?

WAS LIKE THIS IS NOT MY DAY.

THIS IS THEIR DAY BECAUSE THEY'RE HERE WITH ME AND JUST HAVING THEM BE MOTIVATOR HAS ACTUALLY MADE A HUGE IMPACT.

AND THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE THAT BECAUSE I WANTED THEN TO GET A SENSE OF MY FAMILY HOW PROUD I AM OF THEM FOR GETTING ME HERE TO DO WITH SOME ADVICE YOU WOULD WANT TO GIVE TO ANOTHER YOUNG PERSON.

YOU HAVE TO GO FOR IT.

CANNOT LET WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH IN THE PAST AS A KID IN SCHOOL GET THE BEST OF YOU NOW BECAUSE YOU'RE WORTH, YOU KNOW, THE SPACING.

IT'S A SAFE SPACE FOR YOU.

THAT'S REALLY AWESOME.

WALKING YOU WHAT'S WITH SOME LAST WORDS OF ADVICE.

I WOULD IT'S OKAY TO NOT HAVE THINGS FIGURED OUT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMBRACE.

YOU KNOW, UNCERTAINTY AND EXPLORE THINGS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S YOUR PASSION FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU LIKE DOING AND GO WITH HAVE A COUPLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

REALLY HAVE A COUPLE SECONDS LEFT.

>> WHAT WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST WORDS?

>> LEAN ON YOUR FAMILY YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION.

AND AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THEM, YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.

THANK YOU ALL AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE YOU GUYS AGO NEXT.

MAYBE WE'LL HAVE YOU ON THINKS.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5.37, FOR THE WEEK IN REVIEW.

NOW FROM ALL OF US HERE CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

I'M JOHN ON THIS.

STAY HEALTHY.

STAY SAFE.

ONE IS NOT JUST.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY CLIFFORD AND CLIFFORD LAW A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH AND PROUD SPONSOR OF PROGRAMMING THAT OFFERS ADVICE AND STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL