STATEMENT FROM RON BEAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CEDA GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A distinguished executive with senior management experience in both the non-profit and corporate sectors is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA).

The Governing Board of Directors announced the appointment of Mr. Harold T. Rice to the leadership posts, effective July 1, 2014. 

The Board conducted a national search to identify new leadership to direct the agency and implement innovative procedures to assure CEDA’s long-term stability.

Mr. Rice brings more than 35 years of successful organizational leadership, with a record of corporate strategy development, operational management and fiscal prudence. Since 2008, he has been the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Albany Park Community Center. Prior to that role, Mr. Rice held multiple senior positions at the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, serving at times as the Chief Development Officer, Chief Operating Office and a member of the Board of Directors. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rice owned and operated multiple McDonald’s franchises in the area and also worked for Baxter’s American Hospital Supply Division.

Mr. Rice will report to the Board and have overall responsibility for the implementation of policies, programs, and operations of the agency. He joins a leadership team that has been stabilized and strengthened by the efforts of Pam Pullman, the interim COO and Joel Wilcoxen, the interim CFO.

This year marks CEDA’s 50th anniversary of administering programs and services as part of the historic War on Poverty implemented under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Mr. Rice joins CEDA as the organization continues to design and implement new service delivery models, budgetary controls, and ways to maximize client capacity. CEDA remains committed to its historic mission of working in partnership with communities, empowering families, and helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency.

Mr. Rice earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Engineering Technology from Kennedy-King College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He also has a Master of Science Degree from Cardinal Stritch University.

For more information, please visit www.cedaorg.net.

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For Further Information, please contact Tilden Katz –

(312) 606-2614 / tilden.katz@fticonsulting.com

Apply Now for Home Weatherization!

CEDA Weatherization is a year-round program using state-of-the-art technology to make homes more energy-efficient for qualifying low-income clients in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Weatherization provides safety and health equipment, repairs or replaces heating systems, seals air bypasses and other drafty areas, increases attic, wall, basement, and crawl space insulation. These measures will save energy for homeowners and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Call (800) 571-CEDA (2332) or visit www.cedaorg.net today for more information on how to apply.

LIHEAP-WX Intake Sites Wanted

CEDA is looking for non-profits and townships to be intake sites for Cook County Energy Services and Weatherization applicants. We have an RFP out until April 28, and a pre-RFP meeting Thursday, April 10, 10 AM. Please go to our Purchasing page at http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/Purchasing.html for further information.

I-Team: Heating bills skyrocket during extreme winter

Apply Now for Home Energy Assistance or Home Weatherization!

Now Accepting Applications for Home Weatherization

CEDA Weatherization is a year-round program using state-of-the-art technology to make homes more energy-efficient for qualifying low-income clients in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Weatherization provides safety and health equipment, repairs or replaces heating systems, seals air bypasses and other drafty areas, increases attic, wall, basement, and crawl space insulation. These measures will save energy for homeowners and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Call (800) 571-CEDA (2332) or visit www.cedaorg.net today for more information on how to apply.

CEDA Highlights Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies for Multi-family Residence

Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at North Side Apartment Building

On October 30, National Weatherization Day, representatives from CEDA Weatherization will join officials and community leaders at a 34-unit apartment building on Chicago’s North Side to highlight services being provided through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP).

CEDA will host a local press conference at 10:00 a.m. 4520-32 N. Malden St., Wednesday, October 30, 2013 to announce measures undertaken to enhance energy conservation and efficiency in this multi-family residence. Following the press conference, participants will be taken on a guided tour of the property giving attendees a first-hand look at completed weatherization measures and state-of-the-art weatherization technology used to make apartment homes more energy efficient.

“In Chicago, 28% of housing units are rental apartments. It’s important that these residents receive the same health and safety benefits of a weatherized living space as homeowners”, says Renet Murad, CEDA Conservation and Efficiency Director. CEDA’s Multi-Family Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is for building owners who provide housing to income-eligible residents in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Annually, CEDA, other community action agencies and energy conservation groups nationwide observe the month of October as National Energy Awareness Month, celebrating the achievements made to help improve the lives of thousands of families. Demonstration is open to the public. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the IHWAP program on the statewide level. Weatherization assistance applications are processed through a network of intake agencies in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

People interested in applying to have their home weatherized can visit www.cedaorg.net or call 800/571-CEDA (2332) more information.

CEDA Joins the Nation to Recognize National Weatherization Month

Pat Doherty-Wildner
President/CEO

October is a good time to ready our homes for the winter ahead.  It is important to revisit or develop a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector sounds. It’s time to replaces all batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

October is also National Weatherization Month.  CEDA wants you to begin readying your homes for the winter.  For those Cook County residents eligible for CEDA Home Weatherization, it’s time to visit one of our CEDA centers to apply.

Effective September 2012, the nationwide weatherization focus is primarily on health and safety.  The U.S. Department of Energy has announced adjustments to the Home Weatherization Program to ensure strong health and safety measures for the homes we weatherize.
It’s all about good venting.  CEDA’s Home Weatherization assessors will evaluate the existing ventilation in the home. CEDA’s Home Weatherization assessors will evaluate if:

• naturally drafting combustion equipment like furnaces and hot water heaters are properly vented,
• dryers are properly vented,
• gas appliances and gas lines have leaks, and if
• CO detectors and smoke detectors are properly installed.

Most houses waste energy and different types of houses and apartments have different energy issues. CEDA assessors will still measure energy loss and make sure that your home is tight and safe.

Listen carefully to the results of the energy audit for your home as the assessment measures and priorities are different from past years.

Whether your home is weatherized by CEDA, a professional energy efficiency contractor or by you, a DIY, think health, think safety and think energy savings!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyEfficiency.html

 800/571-CEDA

CEDA Highlights Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies for Multi-family Residence

Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at West Side Apartment Building

 

CHICAGO - October 28, 2011. On the Friday before National Weatherization Day, representatives from CEDA Weatherization joined officials at a 22-unit apartment building on Chicago’s West Side to highlight services provided through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP).

“Over one-half of the Austin community housing stock was built before 1950,” said Robert L. Wharton, president/CEO CEDA.  “It’s essential that these apartments and homes are weatherized to bring down energy costs for the families.”

CEDA hosted a local press conference at 10:00 a.m. at 17 S. Central in Chicago, Friday, October 28, 2011 to announce new measures undertaken to enhance energy conservation and efficiency in this multi-family residence. Following the press conference, participants took a guided tour of the property, getting a first-hand look at completed weatherization measures and state-of-the-art weatherization technology used to make homes more energy efficient.

“We know that in these tough economic times our money is being stretched in every direction… so this is a great benefit for this community to have received this weatherization program offered by CEDA today,” Alderman Deborah Graham, 29th ward.

Property Managers, Bishop Joseph and Jeannie Jones, moved back into the Austin community to renovate the property several years ago with the support of their church, Pleasant Ridge MB Church, which sits across the street.

The couple came to CEDA in 2010 for help with energy efficiency measures, which were completed on all units, including attic insulations and furnace repairs.

“We open our doors to the homeless. We open our doors to anybody in distress,” said Jeannie Jones. “We see the difference of what this weatherization did for this community.”

Building resident Charmin Edwards, who moved to the property after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, expressed her contentment with the work done in her unit. “It’s been fabulous what CEDA has done,” she said.

Annually, CEDA, other community action agencies and energy conservation groups nationwide observe the month of October as Weatherization Month, celebrating the achievements made to help improve the lives of thousands of families.

Hispanic Heritage Month - Video Submission

My mom is my hero.

Hispanic Heritage Month - Video Submission

Accounting teacher is my hero. She motivated me to continue to study.

Hispanic Heritage Month - Video Submission

My wonderful sister is my hero

Hispanic Heritage Month - Video Submission

My sister is my hero

Hispanic Heritage Month - Video Submission

8th grade school teacher made a difference

History of Community Action