Hello, Hermosa Neighbors! 

My name is Jenna Sigman and I am running for the office of board member with the Hermosa Neighborhood Association.  I am a public school teacher, working for six years in Chicago and two years in the suburbs.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of French and English Literature from the University of Illinois-Chicago.  I have a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies from DePaul University.  I have lived in Chicago since 2006, calling many neighborhoods my home, from Bridgeport to Logan Square to Uptown to Hermosa.  My husband and I bought our home in September 2015 in Hermosa on Pulaski Road. 

I became involved with HNA shortly after I moved to the neighborhood.  I was seeking other like-minded people who were interested in forming a tight-knit community and taking on challenges within our neighborhood - I found both when I became a member.  As a board member, I will continue to work with the Board and members in the successful work that HNA has already accomplished in order to make our community thrive for everyone.

My past community outreach experience includes:

• Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, worked in three different south side schools to provide FAFSA coaching to families. 
• Volunteer with PAWS Chicago, Chicago’s largest no-kill animal shelter.
• Volunteer with American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
• Volunteer with DuPage PADS, providing interim housing and support services to end homelessness.
• Founding faculty member of Chicago’s first non-profit, public high school for the arts.
• Active member of Chicago Teacher’s Union and Mannheim Teacher Association.
• Campaigner for federal and local politicians.
• Board member of MUSIC, Inc., an organization providing tuition-free orchestra education to students on Chicago’s west side.
• Active member of several professional education associations.

My goals as an HNA board member include:

• Engage Roberto Maldonado in becoming more involved with HNA since some Hermosa residents live in the 26th Ward.
• Facilitate communication between residents and 26th Ward alderman that will bring improvements to the neighborhood.
• Continue to canvass neighborhood in order to bring new members into HNA.
• Create new ways for neighbors to voice neighborhood concerns (especially those without Internet access).
• Continue to reach out to schools in Hermosa to find more ways for students to be involved with community activities.