Israel Vargas, MATDIsrael Vargas was the former Director, Community Engagement for Roosevelt University in Chicago. As the former Director, Community Engagement, Vargas was responsible for ensuring Roosevelt University continued its Social Justice mission in the communities through involvement in key issues affecting our communities while providing easy conduit for families to acquire the right education to impact their communities positively.Israel began his career in social services with Parents United for Responsible Education in 2002. He soon joined the Proviso Leyden Counsel for Community Action (PLCCA) as a bilingual housing counselor, where he also facilitated the Strengthening Families program at night. In 2006 he was promoted to program coordinator for employment training and placement. Later he moved on to become supportive services manager at Inspiration Corporation, a social service career trainee with the Illinois Department of Human Services, and then a community organizer with The Resurrection Project, where he organized citizenship workshops and assisted with citizenship applications while also coordinating the Resurrection basketball league as a gang and violence prevention program. Prior to joining his Alma Mater, Israel Vargas was the executive director of San Jose Obrero Mission (SJOM) in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods. At SJOM he was responsible for the overall management and day-to-day operations of two facilities and 20 staff. He nearly tripled its budget, diversified its programming to create better outcomes for participants, and increased its capacity to serve women and children. Israel is the 2014 recipient of Chicago Latino Network's Latino Professional of the year. He served on a community advisory board for NBC 5 Chicago, on the board of Mikva Challenge where he was key to establishing a scholarship for Mikva youth, and Break The Silence Foundation. He has served on the board for the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness and Vice-Chair for the Council on Latino Homelessness. Israel’s passion for helping others has led him to speak against violence and to advocate for higher education at schools, churches, and community events throughout Chicago. He has participated in Ceasefire marches in Cicero and has received an Award of Excellence by the Office of the Cook County Treasure Maria Pappas and Recognition by the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Immigrants and Refugees. Israel holds a Master of Arts in Training and Development (2008) and a Bachelor of Psychology (2005), both from Roosevelt University.

Fundraising/NetworkIn the past 13 years my fundraising activities has secured funding from the following:

1. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development2. Department of Labor, CDBG, CSBG, and DFSS3. Corporations such as William Blair and Co., Blue Cross Blue Shield, and All

State. I am actually engaged with Motorola and have partner with BOEING in community projects

4. Foundations such as Chicago Community Trust, Polk, United Way5. Individual donors

Fundraising/EventsVast experience on event planning and implementation such as:1. Golf Outings2. Networking Events3. Galas4. Open Houses5. Social Media6. Individual donor giving initiatives

Fundraising/ProgramsFundraising initiatives have secured implementation and expansion of programs to appropriately address our constituents such as:1. At PLCCA assisted and secured funding for additional dollars for homeless

prevention and implementation of workforce program to recruit, train, and secure job placement. Additional dollars over 100 thousand

2. At Inspiration Corporation implemented data quality system to ensure capturing outcomes performance to increase funding for expansion of permanent supportive housing

3. At The Resurrection Project enhance program activities to secure revolving funds for the Quality of Life Initiative through LISC

4. At San Jose Obrero Mission secured additional fund to increase budget from 440 thousand to 1.2 million

Fundraising/PartnershipsLeveraging services to ensure proper distribution of funds for partnerships initiatives such as:1. MOU with Heartland Human Services2. MOU with Center for Changing Lives (Formerly Humboldt Park

Social Services)3. MOU with La Casa Norte4. MOU Beacon Therapeutic5. MOU Pilsen Wellness CenterAmongst some

Programs/OutcomesProgram development with sound outcomes performances are crucial for the longevity of the program. I have designed programs as well as enhance other programs through program assessments, audits, staff evaluations. I have partner with the philanthropic world as well as educational institutions such as UIC to evaluate and enhance the following:1. Branding and Messaging2. Tailored job descriptions3. Revamped HR policies to reflect best practices

Programs/Implementation• Workforce Training and Job Placement• Effective Supportive Services and Case Management• Homeless Prevention Funds• Permanent Supportive Housing• Emergency Shelter for Female Parenting or Pregnant ages 18 to 21• Mentoring Program• Life Skills• Computer Literacy• Families in Crisis

Leadership• Co-Chair for the Chicago Homeless Service Provider Commission• Co-Chair for the Council on Latino Homelessness• Sat on the board for:1. Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness2. North Lawndale Employment Network3. Brake the Silence Foundation4. Mikva Challenge

Leadership/CommunityCommunicating effectively with government, philanthropic, and community is very important to form a collective that becomes a resource for our constituents. Some samples involve city wide initiatives such as:1. Member of the board committee to merge Emergency Fund and

Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness into All Chicago2. Reaching legislators to pass budget for social services agencies3. Educating community members to decrease stigma of underserve

populations

Leadership/OrganizationalIt is very important that organizationally, all staff receive the proper mentorship to ensure retention and influence a culture that views each other as a necessity to ensure agency has a culture of cooperation, accountability, and education such as:1. All staffing were encourage to continue their education2. All staff are subscribe to professional development activities3. Staff are included in decision making process and input vital for

implementation effectiveness

Questions?

THANK YOU