By William S. Bike
Editor’s note: At press time, future events listed in Around the Neighborhood still were scheduled, but changes are happening on a daily basis due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Check websites or call before going out in case events have been postponed or canceled.
ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES
Local resident Richard Alvarez has created an anti-racism resources website at https://antiracism-resources.com. You also can find his resource list at www.gazettechicago.com.
ART INSTITUTE NEWS
The Art Institute of Chicago is scheduled to present the exhibition Monet and Chicago during the summer through Monday, Sept. 7, at 111 S. Michigan Ave. Log on to www.artic.edu.
STUDENT LEADER
South Loop resident Maggie Rivera, who recently graduated from Walter Payton College prep, is one of just 300 high school students in the United States and one of just five in the Chicago area to be named a Bank of America Student Leader. She has volunteered with the Hyde Park Refugee Project and Catholic Charities. She will attend the University of Chicago.
BENTON HOUSE INFO
At Benton House,3052 S. Gratten Ave., find out about public benefits such as supplemental nutrition assistance and citizenship application help. Call (773) 927-6420 or email info@bentonhouse.org.
BOULEVARD NEWS
The Boulevard of Chicago at 3456 W. Franklin Blvd. provides medical respite care and housing services for homeless adults discharged from area hospitals. Call (773) 533-6013 or log on to www.blvd.org.
BUCKNER RESOURCES
Residents who want to share their thoughts or require assistance on coronavirus or any issue in the community can reach the office of State Rep Kam Buckner (D-26th) at (773) 924-1755 or by email at Buckner@Illinois26.com.
NURSE CONSORTIUM NEWS
The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium helps foreign-educated nurses attain licensure in Illinois.
National Council Licensure Examination predictor tests are available to demonstrate probability of passing the nursing exam.
The organization’s website at www.chicagobilingualnurse.org also lists jobs available for nurses. For more information, call (773) 838-1870.
CCT NEWS
Check out Chicago Children’s Theatre,100 S. Racine Ave., any evening from 7 to 11 p.m. to see a larger-than-life, multi-color, bright new window installation that changes the colors of the rainbow around the life-affirming message “Everything will be okay.” Chicago Children’s Theatre staff and artists created, programmed, and installed the window display using paper, stencils, and LED lights pulled from the theater’s existing production stock. See a related music video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0JBp0LtbNM.
CCT also offers virtual theatre and learning for youngsters ages two through 13.
For information, call (773) 227-0180 or log on to chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services reports that Community Services Block Grant Scholarships are available for those enrolled or planning to enroll in college or vocational training. Contact Jenny Schuler at jenny.schuler@cityofchicago.org or (312) 746-7291.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Chicago Rec Sports is registering boys and girls ages five through 14 for flag football, to be played between Friday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Oct. 16. Games will be played at the ComEd Rec Center at 1301 W. 14th St. For information go to chirecsports@gmail.com or chicagorecsports.com.
CASH ASSISTANCE
The Chicago Resiliency Fund is a cash assistance program to support Chicago residents who were excluded from federal stimulus aid in response to the coronavirus. The City of Chicago, in collaboration with Open Society Foundations and The Resurrection Project, launched the fund June 22; it will provide $1,000 per household for eligible Chicagoans, which includes, but is not limited to, undocumented individuals, mixed-status families, dependent adults, and returning residents. The fund also accepts donations. See https://resurrectionproject.org/ChicagoFund/.
DEFERRED MORTGAGE
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services can help homeowners find out if they are eligible for up to a year of deferred mortgage payments. Log on towww.cvls.org/get-legal-help/covid-19-relief/.
CITY NEWS
City of Chicago emergency rental assistance is available for people suffering financial hardship. Call 311 or use a search engine to find City of Chicago Family & Support Services online.
The City has launched Chi COVID Coach, an app that allows the Chicago Department of Public Health to communicate with those who are coronavirus-positive or have symptoms. See https://covidcoach.chicago.gov/.
The City announced eligibility expansion for people to get tested for the coronavirus at six City-run testing sites, and it encourages anyone who has had a recent high-risk exposure (including participation in protests) to get tested. Diagnostic testing is free for all Chicago residents. The sites are Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, Horizon Science Academy Southwest, Dr. Jorge Prieto Math & Science Academy, Kennedy-King College, Gately Park, and Columbus Park. The City gives the tests between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To learn more about the six sites and to register to get tested, log on to chi.gov/covidtesting.
GET ORGANIZED
Community Organizing and Family Issues,2245 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 226-5141, organizes and trains parents to win improvements in schools and communities and in how to create organizations and programs. See cofionline.org.
PROPERTY TAX ONLINE
Homeowners and business people can avoid a trip downtown by taking care of their property taxes at cookcountytreasurer.com, including making payments, searching for refunds, and verifying tax exemptions, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said. For more information, call (312) 603-6202.
CMI RESOURCES
The Crisis Management Institute (CMI) works with schools and parents after a tragedy, such as a shooting or national event like the Sept. 11, 2001. To deal with issues related to coronavirus, the CMI launched several websites. One has resources for school counselors, counselors.cmionline.com; a second is for parents, parents.cmionline.com; and a third serves children and their parents, resources-for-kids-during-covid19. Parents can access several children’s books by Marla Koch to help children deal with quarantine by using the resources tab of the parents’ website. For more information, log on to www.cmionline.org or call (503) 585-3484.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
Christopher Considine was the valedictorian, and Alexandra Brist the salutatorian, for the De La Salle Institute Class of 2020. Both will attend Loyola University Chicago.
De La Salle honored several faculty and staff members who celebrated milestones at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. Those marking five years of service: director of facilities Gino Bruno; history teacher, assistant football coach, and head boys’ volleyball coach John Grubisich; director of financial aid and head varsity baseball coach Chris Hall; French teacher and French Honor Society moderator Kenya Madison-Gabler; and English and writing teacher and chorus moderator Ania Ray. School counselor and psychology teacher Tracy Aldaz-Brewer, who coordinates and moderates the Reach Club, posted ten years of service. Those counting 15 years of service: Bethany Costello-Stebelton, who teaches French and American literature, co-moderates the French Club, and oversees the honors independent research project and program for advanced college credit and advanced placement programs; Paul Granat, who teaches art; Angelica Guzman, assistant to the Counseling Department; and Norma Ramos, who teaches calculus and geometry. Those marking 20 years of service: Eric Crosby, who teaches technical drawing, biology, physical science, and residential wiring and coaches cross country; Antonio Maldonado Jr., who teaches Spanish and is boxing head coach; and Fred Muehleman who teaches religion and coaches girls’ golf. Tom White celebrated his 25th anniversary; he is athletic director and head varsity boys basketball coach.
The Chick Evans Scholarship for golf caddies honored four members of the school’s Class of 2020 as Chick Evans Scholars. They and the universities they will attend in the fall are Andres Cuevas of the University of Kansas and Victor DeAvila, Judah Green, and Zabdiel Green of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Judges for the 2020 Illinois Fatherhood Initiative (IFI) Essay Contest named De La Salle students Ahriel Pringle, Talia Baker, and Jack Tepper winners for their essays about their fathers.
De La Salle is located at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355.
LEGAL AID
First Defense Legal Aid, located at 5100 W. Harrison St., provides representation to people in custody, informs people of their rights, and organizes volunteers to help.
For more information, call (800) 529-7374.
FOOD PANTRIES
The following food pantries provide groceries and meals to those who need them.
Chosen Tabernacle Full Gospel, 4310 S. Champlain Ave., Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m., (888) 834-9414.
Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer, 4945 S. Dorchester Ave., Wednesday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., (773) 624-3185.
Hyde Park SDA Soup Kitchen, 4608 S. Drexel Blvd., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (773) 373-2909.
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, 4242 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., (773) 548-7500.
Kenwood UCC Soup Kitchen, 4608 S. Greenwood Ave., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:30 to 10 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m., (773) 373-2861.
Operation Pull Grant Memorial, 4017 S. Drexel Blvd., Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m., (773) 285-5819.
GLESSNER NEWS
Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, has reopened for public tours on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. by advance purchase ticket only. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for seniors and students. On Wednesday, Aug. 26, Second City Jazz will perform a live concert in the Glessner House courtyard. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the music starts at 6 p.m. Bring your food, favorite beverages, chairs, and a blanket and enjoy the evening. Tickets are $12.50 per person and must be purchased in advance, as seating is limited to ensure proper social distancing. For tickets and more information, visit www.glessnerhouse.org or call (312) 226-1480.
GBMA HELP
Greater Bridgeport Mutual Aid, a network of more than 150 volunteers, has organized to provide free grocery delivery, direct people to resources and information through a telephone hotline, provide digital enrichment for students during remote learning, and do neighbor support check-ins. The network serves the Bridgeport, Chinatown, Armour Square, and Canaryville neighborhoods. Services are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Request services on the group’s website at www.gbmachicago.org or by calling or texting the group’s hotline at (312) 818-1393. Donations are welcome by emailing GBMA through the organization’s website.
GWTP JOB TRAINING
Greater West Town Partnership, 500 N. Sacramento Blvd.,offers job placement and training programs in wood products manufacturing and shipping and receiving. Call (312) 563-9570.
HR HOTSEAT
HRHotSeat Chicagois a free monthly online meetup of more than 1,600 human resources practitioners, service providers, students, and Chicago-area professionals in job transition who come together to expand networks and solve problems. Visit www.HRHotSeat.com or email info@hrhotseat.com for a calendar of upcoming events.
GIVE BLOOD
The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers encourages people to give blood. Contact Vitalant at www.vitalant.org or (877) 258-4835 to schedule a donation time. For more information, log on to www.illlinoisbloodcenters.com.
LOW-COST INTERNET
Internet Essentials makes it possible for people receiving public assistance to qualify for low-cost internet service. Log on to internetessentials.com.
LADIES OF VIRTUE
Ladies of Virtue,1245 S. Michigan Ave., (877) 565-7121, provides mentoring and leadership and empowering experiences, including help with school applications, for girls ages nine through 18 from underserved communities. Log on to lovchicago.org.
LATINO UNION
Latino Union of Chicago collaborates with low-income workers to improve their social and economic conditions through employment opportunities. Log on to latinounion.org or call (312) 491-9044. For those looking to hire workers, call (773) 588-2641.
RENTERS’ SERVICES
The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing provides eligible renters with supportive services and free legal aid. The LCBH also offers Rennie the Chatbot at rentervention.com to help with people’s housing problems. The LCBH is located at 33 N. LaSalle St. Call (312) 347-7600 or log on to www.lcbh.org.
MERCY NEWS
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls seeks adults to be mentors for youngsters. Learn more at MercyHome.org/ChicagoGazette.
Call (312) 738-7560 or log on to www.mercyhome.org.
EMPOWERING LATINAS
Mujeres Latinas en Accion empowers Latinas through service and advocacy. Their domestic violence crisis hotline is (312) 738-5358 and their rape crisis hotline is (888) 293-2080. Mujeres is located at 2124 W. 21st Pl. Call (773) 890-7676.
IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
The National Immigrant Justice Center, 224 S. Michigan Ave., provides comprehensive legal services to low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. It will continue to do intakes over the phone during the coronavirus crisis. Call (312) 660-1370 or log on to www.immigrantjustice.org.
FAUCI TO BE HONORED
The National Italian American Foundation announced that in October it will present its prestigious Leonardo da Vinci Award for Leadership in Health and Science for 2020 to Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Fauci graduated at the top of his Cornell University Medical College class in 1966 and became director of the NIAID in 1984 during the Reagan administration. See www.niaf.org.
SUPPORT LITERACY
Open Books’ annual fundraiser Team Bookin’ It brings together runners, readers, and walkers to support literacy. Run or walk with Open Books and Team Bookin’ It in the Race Against Violence, hosted by Strides for Peace. Register for a 5K or 8K run or a two-mile walk. All events held virtually the week of Saturday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 26, culminating with a live-streamed party that evening. Read with Team Bookin’ It at the Open Books Read-a-Thon, which will take place virtually on Sunday, Sept. 20, featuring a team reading for 12 hours. For information, email teambookinit@open-books.org or log on to https://www.open-books.org/team-bookin-it-2020/. Open Books is at 651 W. Lake St.
OUR LADY OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Holy Family and Notre Dame de Chicago parishes have combined under the name Our Lady of the Holy Family,located at 1335 W. Harrison St. Call (312) 498-9883. Sunday services are now offered at 9 a.m. (English) and 11 a.m. (Spanish). Call to register to attend.
OUTDOOR MARKET
The Pilsen Community Market will be held in Plaza Tenochtitlán, 1821 S. Blue Island Ave. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday.
PRAY BRIDGEPORT
Church congregations in Bridgeport and McKinley Park gather under the auspices of Pray Bridgeport to pray, seeking specifically to bless these neighborhoods and one another. For more information, log on to praybridgeport.com.
ART FEST
The Printers Row Art Fest will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Dearborn Street between Polk Street and Ida B. Wells Drive. The Near South Planning Board is in charge. The fest and all its events are free. See printersrowlitfest.org.
PUSH EXCEL SCHOLARSHIPS
The PUSH Excel Scholarship Program assists young people who are qualified but lack the financial resources to attend college. PUSH Excel presents several awards each year through named scholarships. It has extended deadlines for the Ora Lee Sanders and Cirilo McSween scholarships to Monday, Aug. 31. Visit https://pushexcel.smapply.io/acc/r/?g=62833 and click on the green Register button to apply.
RAOUL SUES DEVOS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul is one of 16 attorneys general who filed a lawsuit against U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education, challenging their unlawfully repealing borrower defense regulations and replacing them with regulations that benefit predatory for-profit schools at the expense of defrauded students. Student borrowers who have questions or need assistance can call the attorney general’s Student Loan Helpline at (800) 455-2456. Borrowers also can file complaints on the attorney general’s website at https://ccformsubmission.ilattorneygeneral.net/.
CONTACT ROBINSON
State Representative Lamont J. Robinson (D-5th) wants to hear what residents think are the most important issues in the community. Contact him at (773) 924-4614 or at his office at 5048 S. Indiana Ave.
RUSH GENERATIONS
Rush Generations, a health and aging program, offers classes, screenings, support groups, and other programs for older adults and caregivers. Rush will host the following programs virtually. To register and receive information about how to access them online, call (800) 757-0202.
For questions about medications, the Medication Brown Bag Screeningcan help. Call to reserve a time slot on Wednesday, Aug. 12, between 9:30 a.m. and noon.
Dementia and Memory Losswill feature a panel of experts discussing dementia, age-related memory loss, and Rush’s work to help build a dementia-friendly community. Join online Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Stroke Education and Awareness, with professionals from the Rush Stroke Program, will cover stroke risks, prevention, symptoms, and how to respond if you think someone might be having a stroke. Meet virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
The Chicago Tribuneeditorial board named Saint Ignatius College Prep’s StringWizards program, www.stringwizards.org/, as among the finest Chicago examples of youth social equity programming. StringWizards teaches students marketable vocational skills, such as musical instrument repair, while providing access to music education.
The school is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Log on to www.ignatius.org or call (312) 421-5900.
STUDENT HONORS
Several St. Laurence High School students from the Bridgeport, Chinatown, East Pilsen, and Canaryville areas have made the school’s honor roll: Charlotte Bailey, Stephen Beres, Matthew Dyjak, Lucas Garcia, Ivan Huayamave, Emanuel Lopez, Fiona Sjostrom, Mary Katherine Sjostrom, Ashley Staszak, and Anthony Tado. The school is at 5556 W. 77th St. Log on to www.stlaurence.com.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii rector, the Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni, will celebrate his 45th anniversary of ordination on Saturday, Aug. 15, with a special 5 p.m. Mass, followed by a dinner for congregants outside the church. Reservations are required to attend the Mass and the dinner.
In its Summer Spirituality Series, the shrine will host Walking with Mary, the Mother of God, Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Arrigo Park across the street from the shrine. The leisurely walk will allow reflection on Mary, and the event will include scripture readings, prayer, stories, and poetry. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 19.
The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757 or log on to www.ourladyofpompeii.org.
FOOD AVAILABILITY
Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients now can use their electronic benefits transfer cards at Walmart.com and Amazon.com to order groceries online as part of a national pilot program. For more information, visit: DHS.illinois.gov/OnlineSNAP.
FARMERS MARKET ONLINE
The South Loop Farmers Market online marketplace is open for new orders of produce, meat, eggs, bread, baked goods, specialty foods, plants, beer, and other products every Friday at 9 a.m. Vendors will pack your order and have it ready for pickup on the following Thursday between 2 and 6 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Ave. Pickup fee is $10. During pickup, customers will come to the parking lot of Second Presbyterian Church and form a line outside the church’s back door. Customers must wear a mask and follow all social distancing and safety precautions. The market also will deliver to select buildings. Sign up at www.southloopfarmersmarket.com/slfm-direct.
TRAUMA HELPLINE
The toll-free TURN Trauma Counseling Helpline,(833) TURN123, operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. TURN stands for The Urban Resilience Network, and the helpline assists those experiencing trauma caused by exposure to violence. The organization also provides trained ambassadors to visit community events and schools to educate about trauma.
LOANS AVALABLE
The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced funding updates for small businesses. The deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program funding has been extended to Saturday, Aug. 8. More than $130 billion in PPP funding is available for small businesses affected by the coronavirus. Disaster loans are available for Illinois businesses and residents affected by civil unrest. The deadline for applications for property damage loans is Monday, Aug. 24. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Tuesday, March 31, 2021. See sba.gov
UIC INFORMATION
The National Institutes of Health selected University of Illinois at Chicago Professor Shannon Zenk of the College of Nursing to lead its National Institute of Nursing Research.
The College of Business Administration has created the Stuart Handler Department of Real Estate.
The Oral Medicine and Facial Pain Student Clinic is located in Room 127 of the UIC College of Dentistry at 801 S. Paulina St. Clinic hours are Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clinic sees patients with chronic mouth sores and pain, dry mouth, facial pain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Call (312) 355-1222.
UIC’s Learning Sciences Research Institute has been tapped to lead a two-year collaboration with 24 top Illinois science educators, who will develop clusters of items to be used on the Illinois Science Assessment, the State’s annual science test administered to students enrolled in a public school district in grades five, eight, and 11.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
If your business has experienced substantial economic injury due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Association is authorized to issue assistance through a small business economic injury disaster loan program. This program can provide low interest loans of up to $2 million to businesses and private non-profits. See https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
VEGAN PARADISE
A vegan farmers’ market called Vegan Paradise will be open Sundays through Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Plant, 1400 W. 46th St. Customers must register online ahead of time; type “Vegan Paradise” into a search engine to reach the website.
HIV+ WOMEN
The Women’s Treatment Center offers free assistance with online applications for enrollment into the Illinois Ryan White Part B Program for HIV+ women. Call (312) 850-0050, ext. 4994. The center is at 140 N. Ashland Ave. Log on to www.womenstreatmentcenter.org.
Send news of events held “around the neighborhood” by the 15th of the month before the month they are to occur to William S. Bike, Around the Neighborhood, Gazette Chicago, 1335 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607-3318, fax (312) 243-4270, or email info@gazettechicago.com.