 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hispanic Hero for Homeless
Watch This Video
|
Windows Media English / Español |
  |
|
QuickTime English / Español |
|
| High Resolution Downloads |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
A young Chicago woman has dedicated her life to helping others, after The United Methodist Church helped her. Delia Ramirez’s determination is an inspiration to preachers, politicians and the public alike…and her efforts on behalf of the poor have touched the lives of hundreds of her neighbors. Reed Galin has her story. [Español] |
|||
 |
|||
 |
New Items | Additional Stories | Archives | ||
SCRIPT:
(Locator: Chicago, Illinois)Delia Ramirez goes to work each day knowing she can make a difference.
Delia works with Hispanic neighbors as executive director of Chicago’s “Center for Changing Lives.”
Delia Ramirez, Humboldt Park United Methodist: “What we do there is a comprehensive approach of support services. You need counseling, financial counseling, employment services, housing re-location—all those kinds of services, you do them out of there.”
Delia in staff meeting: “Interim housing is the hardest program.”
Her team assists clients of all ages.
Delia Ramirez: “I see the little girls come into our building, into our program, 5 or 6 years old, 3 years old, looking for a place other than that car where they’ve slept for days and I think of my family.”
Delia’s family fled Guatemala for Chicago when she was an infant.
They sought food and shelter at Humboldt Park United Methodist Church.
Delia Ramirez: “My family moved into this building right after they started coming here for the food pantry, when I was probably going to be a year old. And we lived in this building. We lived literally in this apartment complex for the first six years of my life.”
Now, at age 25, Delia runs the center’s programs out of a very familiar place.
Delia Ramirez: “When I became executive director, my parent’s bedroom became my office.”
Delia on the phone: “Humboldt Park Social Services, may I help you?”
One program at the center helps ex-offenders get a commercial trucking license. It’s the kind of hand up Delia knows will change someone’s future.
Delia Ramirez: “One of our clients just recently said to us at a meeting: ‘You know, I walked out with a permit in one hand and hope in the other.’ To see someone come in hopeless and leave hopeful means the world to me, means the world to me.”
TAG:
Delia Ramirez has received many honors, including an award for young Chicagoans making improvements to their communities. Many neighborhood residents want her to run for City Council. But for now, Delia says she’s happy partnering with her United Methodist Church to help the poor, just as she was once helped.
To contact her, call Humboldt Park Social Services at 773-342-8071.
Posted: July
22, 2009