Frank Avila interviews Susan Sadlowski Garza Candidate for 10th Ward Alderman. Susan is a lifelong resident of the 10th Ward and has worked in Chicago Public Schools for 20 years. She is the daughter of rank and file union leader, Ed Sadlowski. Susan is currently serving as the Area Vice-President of the Chicago Teachers Union. She is in charge of 69 schools, which includes ALL of the schools in the 10th Ward. She is also the current counselor at Jane Addams Elementary. Susan has worked with thousands of families throughout the 10th Ward to create award winning after school programs, such as “Safe-Kids” and “Bully Patrol.” She has worked tirelessly with students and teachers from every school within the 10th Ward. Susan is also a member of “Communities in Schools,” a citywide program that serves at-risk youth. Susan has served on the board of the Hegewisch Community Committee for 15 years. Within the organization she has served as the Program Director and has provided services to hundreds of 10th Ward residents. She is a member of the East-Side Pride, and has been instrumental in the fight against pollutants in our neighborhood. Sue's long career in activism is strongly rooted in her belief that together, we can change this city. She believes our ward needs a true leader, someone who is not afraid to say no to the corporations who have used our community as a dumping ground. We need to organize residents back to the table and create spaces for them to become active in the decisions affecting the 10th Ward. Susan holds a Masters degree in Counseling and a Bachelors in Liberal Arts. Over the course of her career Sue has worked with the following organizations: • Chicago Teachers Union: currently Union Delegate at Jane Addams, 2011- 2013 District Supervisor for area including Southeast side, Pullman, South Chicago, Hegewisch, and East Side. • Hegewisch Community Committee: 15 years as Program Director. Director of SAFEKIDS, Bully Patrol and after school programs serving Addams, Clay, Washington and Gallistel. Applied for and received over $220,000 in grants specifically directed toward 10th Ward youth. • Worked with the Chicago Park District to design and implement the Campus Park on 109th and Ave J. • Mercy Hospital: Obtained free mammograms for women with no health insurance. • Women’s Sports Foundation: Received $60,000 in grant money to provide services for young women’s programing related to building self-esteem while exposing them to new sports. • Worked with the non-profit organization Communities in Schools of Chicago: Coordinator for city wide programs and resources. Helps provide social, emotional and academic services free of charge. • South Chicago Community committee: Distributed food during the holidays. • South Chicago Women's Shelter: Initiated a book drive to build a children’s library. • Department Of Youth and Family Services: Oversaw grants to fund youth programs in the 10th Ward. • Cook County Sheriff’s SMART PROGRAM: Engaged and organized 10th Ward youth to visit Cook county jail to experience the consequences of bad choices. • Safe Humane: brought educational programs on dog safety and anti-dog fighting. • Memory Bridge: Weekly Visits with 22 10th Ward youth who were paired up as “buddies” with Alzheimer patients. • Southeast Drug and Alcohol committee: Positive choices program for youth. • Girls In The Game: Worked with them to bring workshops to young girls. • AmeriCorps: Secured resources to enable volunteer to beautify schools by painting murals. • Tropical Optical, Lens Crafters, Princeton Vision: Secured free eyeglasses to over 400 youth. • Kids In Summer Session: Director for Summer programs through the Hegewisch Community Committee. • Organized an annual coat drive during the fall, a food drive for Thanksgiving, and a toy drive for needy families during the holidays. • Organized the Asthma Van to enable families to receive free asthma education and free medical services.

• published: 15 Mar 2015
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