The was the inaugural year of The Catalyst Schools Alumni Persistence Fund, made possible by the generosity of long-time Catalyst friends Terry and Monica Toth. The fund’s purpose is to help Catalyst alumni meet urgent needs that might otherwise be an obstacle to continuing post-secondary education. Terry and Monica established this fund to honor the spirit and legacy of John Baptiste de La Salle, patron saint of teachers of youth. Funds were shepherded by the Catalyst Maria Post-Secondary Success Team.
During the 2020-2021 school year, there was $7,459.91 in persistence funding allocated to over 30 alumni. This money went to help alumni with tuition costs, books, computers, supplies and other personal items. We were so fortunate to assist 30+ alumni were from the classes of 2017 -2020, and we look forward to helping even more of our alumni persist in their post-secondary endeavors in future years!
This is a terrific gift that complements the existing The Sisters of St. Casimir Legacy Scholarship, also established by Terry and Monica, and The CMHS Leadership in Diversity Scholarship, established by CMHS Post-Secondary team member Victoria Coriano. These remarkable gifts will enhance Catalyst’s already superb college going and college persistence rates, as well as other post-secondary endeavors of our awesome graduates!
We hope that you are safe, healthy and are doing well! Everyone 12 years or older is now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Illinois! All COVID-19 vaccines are offered at no-cost to everyone, regardless of insurance and immigration status. Insurance and government-issued ID are NOT required.
Still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you are interested in learning more about the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to:
Pfizer vaccine appointments are available for 12+ at UIC Credit One Arena. Parents/legal guardians must accompany minors 12-17 years old, but consent can be obtained by phone. Schedule at vaccine.uihealth.care or at 833-536-9829.
Pfizer vaccine appointments are available at multiple city sites. Anyone 12-17-years-old may book an appointment, but a parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment. Appointments can be scheduled at zocdoc.com/vaccine or by calling 312-746-4835. Appointments are strongly preferred, but not required.
Gallagher Way (Wrigley Field) 1119 W. Waveland Ave. (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri)
Apostolic Faith Church 3823 S. Indiana Ave. (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
United Center 1724 W. Madison St. (Open daily until May 3)
Chicago State University 9501 S. King. Dr. (Mon-Sat, closed Sunday)
In addition, these partner organizations with community locations also provide Pfizer vaccine (12+): *This list is not exhaustive and may change.
In addition, CPS is partnering with CDPH and CTU to coordinate vaccination events at specific CPS schools. On Saturday, May 15th between 10am-12pm, Youth Vaccination Events will be held at the following schools:
List of School Sites
Westinghouse HS
Nash ES
Marshall HS
Juarez HS
Chicago Vocational HS
This is part of the new Protect Chicago Vaccination Bus project which uses a modified CTA bus to bring vaccination services into the community. Due to limited supply at these sites, schools located more than 1.5 miles from the school vaccination sites are encouraged to share the opportunities listed above with their families. Vaccination occurs on the Protect Chicago Vaccination Bus, while an observation area is set up outside of the vehicle. A few other important items of note:
Types of Vaccine:
Pfizer (12 y.o.+ / 2 dose series, 21 days)
Johnson & Johnson (18 y.o+/ 1 dose series)
Eligibility:
Youth accompanied by Parent/Legal Guardian (12 y.o.+)
18 y.o.+ do not need to be accompanied by parent/guardian
Appointments/Registration:
No appointment necessary. Registration is required on location.
Limited Vaccine Supply at these sites
Schedule an appointment with a pharmacy: The City of Chicago has provided vaccines to pharmacies across Chicago. These pharmacies each have their own registration link which can be found below. Pharmacies have been asked to prioritize Chicagoans and current patients. For students ages 12-17, be sure to confirm that the pharmacy you choose has the Pfizer vaccine.
Walgreens: register online, call your local Walgreens, or 1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733)
Download the FQHC flyers in English and Spanish to learn more
Reach out to Chicago Vaccine Angels. My Block, My Hood, My City has partnered with the Chicago Vaccine Angels to help all Chicagoans get access to a vaccine appointment regardless of insurance or immigration status. A group of volunteers will secure an appointment for you at a convenient time and location. They can also help with transportation, if needed. If you are interested in booking a COVID-19 vaccination, please click here to sign-up or call 312-600-8925.
We hope that you are safe, healthy and are doing well. Chicago’s city-operated COVID-19 vaccine sites will begin offering the Pfizer vaccine to children 12 to 15 starting Thursday May 13, 2021 (in addition to those 16+ who were previously eligible). The COVID-19 vaccines are offered free of charge, no insurance or ID is required, and no appointment is necessary. To find a locaton of the city-operated site please visit Zocdoc - https://www.zocdoc.com/vaccine or use their call center at 312-746-4835. The city operated clinics include the United Center site and additional city sites include:
American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way in Wrigley Field, 1119 W. Waveland Ave.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (operated by Advocate Aurora).
Chicago State University walk-up; Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center, 9501 S. King Drive; noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
United Center drive-thru, 1724 W. Madison; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski, noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett; noon-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.
The Catalyst Board of Directors will hold a meeting May 10, 2021 from 3:00-5:30 pm. The agenda and meeting information are below. If you have questions, please contact Catalyst's Director of Administration Michael Kasang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Or dial: +1 385-393-5094 PIN: 347 555 673#
AGENDA
*3:00-3:15- Welcome: Dr. Colleen Reardon, Chair and Mr. Gordon Hannon, CEO
Review of agenda
Review and vote for approval of March 1, 2020 Board of Directors meeting minutes; April 30, 2021 Finance Committee meeting minutes, May 5, 2021 Academic Committee meeting minutes and May 7, 2021 Advocacy, Equity and Community Committee minutes
Review and vote for approval for three-year renewal term of Andrew Jones to Catalyst Board of Directors
Review and vote for approval for three-year renewal term of Steven D'Souza to Catalyst Board of Directors
*3:15-3:25 -Public comment (limited to 2 minutes per speaker)
*3:25-3:45-Academic Committee: Dr. Catherine Burns
Progress on reopening
Charter Renewal
*3:45-4:05 - Finance and Strategic Issues Committee: Mrs. Yuan-Ying Hsu
FY21 budget YTD
FY22 proposed budget **vote required**
*4:05-4:25 – Advocacy, Equity and Community Committee: Claiborne Wade
*4:25-4:50 - Austin Renaissance Council and KCA update: Terry Toth, Sharon Morgan and Ed Siderewicz
Please join our efforts as a champion for changing lives at The Catalyst Schools. If you would like to speak with a Catalyst staff member about your donation, please call us at 773-295-7001.
