by Alex Morales
Published: November 14, 2011
We are proud to announce that in August 2011 The Resurrection Project began construction of La Casa, an innovative community-based dormitory in Pilsen that will serve 105 college students with housing, internships, and mentorship programs. The project is currently under construction at the intersection of 18th Street and Paulina Street.
La Casa is a 6-story, 33,000 square feet building. The First floor structure will house a student educational resource center, recreational space, and commercial space.  The project will also have a lounge area, fitness area, classroom, and meeting space. The structure will feature ample glass curtain wall systems and vegetative green roofs.
The ground floor of the 6-story building – at the intersection of 18th Street & Paulina – will be commercial space with 1,460 leasable square feet in the front and 1,200 leasable square feet in the rear.  This space could accommodate a small café or other business.  The 1,200 square foot space in the rear will be occupied by Instituto Del Progreso Latino, a local partner organization dedicated to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training, and employment.  In this space, Instituto, will operate the community resource center to deliver its highly successful program that assist vulnerable high school youth through intensive mentoring, support, internships, and scholarship opportunities.  Additionally, workshops and individual academic counseling appointments will be offered to high school students, college students, and parents from the community in an effort to provide support for navigating through college processes and achieving academic success.
The upper five stories of the building will support La Casa’s residential component. Each floor consists of student units and a resident advisor unit.  The student unit is designed as a suite, complete with a full kitchen, living, and dining area.  This building, along with the entire La Casa facility, will have wireless internet for student and community use.
For more than 20 years, The Resurrection Project has promoted the pursuit of education as key to a successful future, and today we are proud to pave the way for a new generation with La Casa, an innovative community-based dormitory in Pilsen that will serve college students through housing, internships, and mentorship programs. Development of La Casa is supported in part by a $8.4 million capital grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and philanthropic support from the Polk Bros. Foundation, JPMorgan Chase – Facebook Community Giving Campaign, Field Foundation of Illinois, John and Kathleen Buck, Jim and Kay Mabie, Cody and Deborah Engle, and Vive La Hispanidad. Development partners include Denco Construction (General Contractor) and Urban Works (Architect). Stay tuned for more information on how your college-bound family members can be part of La Casa.Stay tuned for more information on how your college-bound family members can be part of La Casa.