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 About
Changing Worlds:
Changing Worlds is an educational arts nonprofit
organization whose mission is to foster inclusive communities
through oral history, writing and art programs that
improve student learning, affirm identity and enhance
cross-cultural understanding.
We partner with schools, teachers and organizations
in a diverse array of communities, fostering inclusiveness
through educational programs integrating literacy and
the arts. By celebrating culture and identity through
oral history, we connect students, parents, teachers
and communities to build a greater appreciation and
respect of cultural differences—and a stronger,
healthier society.
 Since
2005 Changing Worlds has hosted the Immigrant &
Refugee Contributions awards and educational series
to celebrate diversity by recognizing and honoring the
valuable contributions made to Chicago by immigrants,
refugees and their children. The first of its kind in
the city, the series strives to create awareness, foster
positive human relations, dispel stereotypes, enhance
cross-cultural understanding and provide role models
for Chicago’s youth.
In the last four years, this series has honored 20
individuals and shared their stories at the annual recognition
ceremony. Through the program’s educational outreach
efforts, the honorees have made classroom presentations,
inspiring hundreds of Chicago Public School students.
By shining a light on immigrants, refugees and their
children whose contributions are far too often overlooked,
the Immigrant & Refugee series has helped to break
down barriers and create connections among people of
various cultural backgrounds.
 Changing
Worlds is honored to have WomenOnCall.org member Sonya
Rosenberg serving as a volunteer with the organization.
She has been participating in the Immigrant & Refugee
Contributions Series bringing many talents, ideas and
knowledge.
Sonya played a key role in selecting the 2008 honorees
for the categories of Education, Entrepreneurial &
Business Leadership and The Arts as a member of the
Honoree Selection Committee. Members of the committee
review the nominations in each category selecting the
honorees using a rating system in connection to with
the selection criteria.
 Sonya
has also been a lead writer of the Honoree Oral histories.
As a writer she takes the transcribed honoree interviews
and compiles the information into a written oral history.
So far Sonya has beautifully complied two honoree oral
histories and is working on an additional two.
Through her participation, Sonya is helping to affirm
the mission of Changing Worlds and the Immigrant &
Refugee Contribution Series and the importance of embracing,
celebrating and honoring Chicago’s diversity.
 About
Sonya Rosenberg:
Ms. Rosenberg is an attorney with the labor and
employment practice group at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP.
Her work involves counseling employers on employment-related
questions and issues, and handling various employment
disputes, both on the administrative agency level at
the EEOC and equivalent state agencies, and through
the litigation process.
Ms. Rosenberg was really excited to connect with Changing
Worlds at last year's Meet and Match hosted by WomenOnCall.org.
She appreciated learning about Changing Worlds' commitment
to raising cross-cultural awareness and building connections
between diverse communities through literacy and arts
initiatives that celebrate immigrants. Because of her
own background, this message immediately resonated with
her. Her family emigrated from Russia back in 1991 and
then ended up in a small city that had very little diversity
or exposure to different nationalities. She was the
only immigrant in her school, and would have definitely
appreciated being part of Changing Worlds' initiatives
and programs. In short, she liked the positive, inclusive
message of the organization, and knew that she wanted
to get involved.
But, as many working professionals with a lot going
on both at and outside of work, time was a concern.
Fortunately WomenOnCall.org was a perfect solution.
The connection that she made with Changing Worlds through
WomenOnCall.org allows her to contribute what she can,
when she can. In this past year, she has helped to translate
transcribed interviews with Chicago-area immigrants
into written histories for the organization's use, and
participated in the selection of the honorees for the
2008 Immigrant & Refugees Awards and Recognition
Ceremony, which she also attended. Ms. Rosenberg really
appreciates the flexibility that she has in working
with Changing Worlds, and hopes that her connection
with the organization will continue to grow and evolve
over time.
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