Meet Chicago’s community heroes.
Hear their songs.
Armando Ambriz, medical assistant (Little Village)
A native of Michoacán, Armando has lived in Chicago for more than 30 years. He has worked in the medical field since 2000 and has been on the front lines of Esperanza Health Centers’ COVID response, providing compassionate care for individuals and families on Chicago’s highly impacted southwest side.
Robert Ervin, life coach (West Garfield Park)
Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Robert is co-founder and life coach at MAAFA Redemption Project, a faith-based residential institute for at-risk emerging adult men of color (ages 18-30) located in West Garfield Park, a neighborhood with one of the lowest life expectancies in the city.
Elideth Hernandez, parent mentor organizer (Chicago Lawn)
Originally from Mexico City, Elideth came to Chicago at age 16 to pursue educational opportunities for herself and her children. A parent mentor organizer for Southwest Organizing Project, Elideth’s passion is to give back the kind of support she received, by helping women connect with the resources they need to thrive.
Rochelle Sykes, church office manager (West Garfield Park)
Raised on the West Side of Chicago, Rochelle was baptized into New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church at age 11. More than 40 years later, she is essential to the church’s operations and ministries, serving its members and responding to a wide range of needs voiced by those in need in the surrounding community.
Let’s build a chorus of songs for Chicago.
There are thousands of Chicagoans whose inspring stories deserve to be known and whose unique contributions to our city should be celebrated: domestic workers, teachers, public transit operators, child care workers, food service providers, law enforcement officers, sanitation workers, and beyond. Help us expand this set of songs, strengthen our ties as neighbors, and deepen appreciation for Chicago’s essential workers.