REVIEW - Teacher SCCS Employee Review

Great place to work. I love the team I work with.

No cons I can think of.

This is a forty-four(44) year old not-for-profit 501(c) 3, social service organization, that has been seen a stellar sanctuary in the Avalon-Grand-Crossing Community, for seniors, youth, and children. Throughout the years South Central Community Services, Inc. (SCCS) has offered educational, personal growth, community development, business and entrepreneurial networks building, including small business forums, extramural social outreach, early childhood education and kindergarten, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) alternative education, as well as, after school athletic and social activities with computer labs leading to computer competency; all designed to build, academic preparedness , community unity, social service support, and scholastic outcomes leading to civic minded and well-rounded citizens, with character, inner strength, pro-active determination to help in creating a better social environment for all, and self-reliance, no matter what age group they may reflect. There have been very positive outcomes in this thriving organization with exceptional and renowned individuals who have come out of the community and who have worked both inside and outside SCCS. SCCS has been at the forefront of community service in this area and has been instrumental in maintaining a solid base in order to continue to provide an extension for growth and opportunity for many community residents with limited income and opportunities; as a result, SCCS has played a significant part in nurturing and serving as a point of departure in the success of several renowned media personalities, local/national political leaders, committed community organizers, and many youth who have sought higher education after graduation.

The administrative policies and procedures were consistent with a not-for profit social service protocol, which means that there was a distinct difference in pay if compared to a city or state professional/worker with the same title grade.. Many salaries were on par or slightly below the Federal Occupational Handbook, on the professional treatment level, however, alternative teachers were glaringly underpaid in most cases as were administrative staff. SCCS is funded by state, federal, and Chicago Public School (CPS) budget allowances, consequently, when budgets were cut in all those entities; SCCS reflected those budget constraints rapidly. Since 2008, SCCS has experienced a plummeting funding base and many programs and facilities from 2008 to the present have been eliminated from the core structure of the organization. As a result, both professional and administrative staff were laid off with no chance to return except on a volunteer basis. This stalwart of the community is a mere shadow of what it once was and how instrumental it played a part in the communities it serves.