By: Ashmar Mandou

With support from Alderman Daniel Solis, Chicago Dia de los Niños Parade Committee (CDDLN) has teamed up with Pilsen’s Eighteenth Street Development Corporation (ESDC) to launch the Dia de los Niños Board, a year-long program aimed to work with students, families, and develop future leaders. “This truly is a great opportunity for both our organizations to come together and combine our strong points to create something new for our community,” said Luz Maria Solis.

Through this new partnership, ESDC and CDDLN hope to strengthen the economic development of the Pilsen community by incorporating job training classes and offering seminars on how to build the entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, children will be involved in educational, cultural, and sports activities to help them meet ‘new challenges,’ according to Board’s mission. “This is very unique in that you often come across organizations that focus on either entrepreneurialism or youth-oriented programs,” said Gerry Alvarado, chairman of the ESDC. “We are melding two organizations together to bring add to all the amazing programs that are already out there.”

Solis hopes to bring this new venture to new heights. For the past nine years, the Chicago Dia de los Niños committee, in collaboration with the Chicago Public Schools and more than 50 organizations has held the annual parade in the Pilsen community. The Board hopes to continue to work throughout the year to provide numerous scholarships to students and create new initiatives. “We are currently planning the next Dia del los Niños parade,” said Solis. “Afterwards, we will begin to plan programs for the year.” For additional information or to suggest ideas to the Board, email chicagodiadelosninos@gmail.com.