Sandra Mosqueda
A-STRRONG-U stands for Always Stick Together, Resist, Reach Out and Never Give Up. Our team is here to support families in the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs by providing them with information and resources to keep them safe, informed and empowered.
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I was born in the Southwest Side of Chicago and lived there for 33 years. I began working with youth and families in 1994 as a volunteer at Holy Cross Hospital and tutored near 59th and Kedzie. I attended Mother Maria Kaupus and continued my education at Loyola University Chicago where 6 individuals and myself founded Alpha Psi Lambda Xi Chapter, which is a Latino led co-ed Fraternity. I graduated in 2003 with my BA in Education and worked in the classroom for 3 years. Working in the classroom helped me understand the importance of providing additional support for teachers, parents and students through mental health services and workshops.
I obtained my Master's Degree from the University of Chicago SSA in 2011. During my time there I interned at Northwestern Bluhm Legal Clinic and ACCESS Community Health Network where I developed an expulsion hearing manual for parents and counseled youth at the Department of Juvenile Justice. After graduation I developed a violence prevention curriculum for youth and families. This program proved to be a positive factor for youth, parents and community members that participated in the program.
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Our work is done with passion, dedication and the belief that together we can prevent and cope with victimization and move forward as a community. We can bring about education, peace and healthy coping strategies that will lead to successful choices with an end result of happier families.
