By Tim Gale Here at Taller we are asked to hold a lot in our hands; the sticky palms of energetic children of the parents we accompany, heavy stories and hearts. Somewhere along the way I got it mixed up that I was the only one alongside the clients holding their heart. In a gentle…
By Julian Zuzarte As I reflect on my close to 10 months of working at Taller de José, I am reminded of the many ways that I have grown in tandem with my clients. There is no more appropriate example of this than with my client, Isabel. Isabel and I had a rocky start during…
By Rebecca Being a compañera at Taller de Jose has allowed me to explore various levels of service to our communities. Every client that I’ve helped along their journey to change something that impacts their lives is very rewarding to me. I greatly appreciate that Taller has given me the opportunity to work with individuals…
By: Angeles There’s rarely ever a one-step solution. The first step in finding a solution becomes one of many. For Amalia*, the first step was taken months ago. Her oldest son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It was a difficult journey for Amalia and her family to find the proper care needed for her son.…
By: Joan After retiring from high school teaching for 38 years, I wanted to participate in a new adventure. This is the beginning of my ninth year at Taller de José. I have found my adventure. I always tell people that one never stops learning and I took that saying to heart. My learning curve…
By Sr. Betty Seems a bit early in the year to get an invite for graduation, but this is a very special invite. The truth is that after teaching 8th grade for 10 years and then being a principal for 20 years I have been to more than my fair share of graduations. Yet, I am…
By: Brenda As one year ends and another begins, I took this time to reflect on the past year and what it has given me. It sometimes feels as if the clients of Taller de José do more for me, than I do for them. Recently, I was given the opportunity to accompany Dulce*. I…
After years of hard work we are thrilled to announce the publication of the first ever study on the Taller de José model of Accompaniment. Published in the October 2018 edition of the Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, this article is the culmination of years of hard work by Leticia Villarreal Sosa, PhD;…
By: Anne Many of our clients have lived in Chicago for years. They know about many social services that are available from their networks. However, knowledge does not always translate directly into action, for many reasons. We all know that we should eat healthy, but I know that as Christmas approaches, I will be eating a…
By Rebecca As I am beginning my own journey as a Compañer@ at Taller de Jose, I am amazed at how clients who come here from all paths of life have this resilient sense to overcome their struggles. This can be said whether they came here from a referral from a partner agency or through…
