By William S. Bike
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 [email protected].
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.
BRIGHT STAR RESOURCES
Bright Star Community Outreach and Bright Star Church have a trauma helpline and provide professional development, emotional support, and child and family services. Log on to brightstarcommunityoutreach.com/. Donations welcome. The church is located at 4518 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
BUCKNER RESOURCES
Residents who want to share their thoughts or require assistance on any issue in the community can reach the office of State Rep Kam Buckner (D-26th) at (773) 924-1755 or by email at [email protected].
GET HELP
The Catholic Charities call center helps callers with a variety of needs and connects them toprograms within Catholic Charities or other agencies.
The organization offers meals to go at St. Vincent Center, 721 N. LaSalle St., Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. No pre-registration required.
Catholic Charities operates several food pantries.
A counseling/support hotline is available at (312) 948-6951. Catholic Charities also offers professional counseling at (312) 644-7725.
Log on to catholiccharities.net, call (312) 655-7700, or email [email protected].
ART EXHIBITIONS
Chicago Artists Coalition, 2130 W. Fulton St., will present three new exhibitions, all open to the public from now through Wednesday, June 16, by appointment only from 3 to 8 p.m. For more information, call (312) 491-8888.
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.
CHINATOWN WORKSHOP
Community activist Phan Le will present Chicago Chinatown, Past and Present,a 90-minute online workshop focusing on the historical, social, and political aspects of Chicago’s Chinatown, one of the few urban Chinese-American communities in the U.S. that is growing. The workshop will be held Monday, June 7, and repeated every evening through Friday, June 11, at 7 p.m.; the public is invited to sign up for any one of the evenings. Register at tiny.cc/chi-chinatown-poli-ed.
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 [email protected] or (312) 746-7291.
SUNDAYS ON STATE
Chicago Loop Alliance is hosting Sundays on State throughout the summer, closing a portion of State Street so groups can take it over for performances and events. For more information, log on to loopchicago.com.
CPS HOTLINES
The Chicago Public Schools administration has a Healthy CPS Hotline at (773) 533-KIDS (5437) and CPS Parent Tech Support Hotline at (773) 417-1060. Or, email [email protected].
SEEKING YOUNG LEADERS
Chicago Votes offers the Civic Leaders Program, a leadership development program for young people who have experienced incarceration, training them to serve as leaders in the organization’s legislative advocacy, court watching, and voter registration efforts. Chicago Votes is located at 234 S. Wabash Ave. Log on to https://chicagovotes.com.
CHICAGO WOMEN’S PARK NEWS
Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens’ advisory council will meet on Tuesday, June 15, at 6:45 p.m. in the fieldhouse.
The park will have a summer day camp from Monday, June 28, through Friday, Aug. 6. To register, go to www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programs-memberships.
Come to the park for Make Music Chicago on Monday, June 21.
The park is at 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Call (312) 328-0821.
JOBS FOR YOUTH
The City of Chicago has jobs for youth ages 14 through 24. Application deadline is Friday, June 11. Go to OneSummerChicago.org.
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.
LEGAL AID
Cook County officials and partners run Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, a county-wide initiative to help residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues. Services are provided pro bono for Cook County residents without legal representation and are offered to tenants facing eviction, landlords dealing with an eviction, debtors being sued for unpaid debts, creditors wishing to sue on the basis of unpaid debts, and residents who have defaulted on property tax payments or mortgage foreclosure payments. Learn more by visiting www.cookcountylegalaid.org/.
AMERICAN ROULETTE
American Roulette is an art exhibit at the Chase Gallery at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., on display now through Sunday, July 18. Call (312) 421-4600.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute has hired Carlene Klaas as dean of enrollment management, overseeing admissions operations and enrollment management and retention efforts.
The school also hired Gary DeCesare as the new head coach of the boys basketball program. DeCesare brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, serving most recently as director of college athletics recruiting and boys head coach at Gulliver Prep in Miami, FL.
De La Salle will host grade school summer camps in June and July.
The school is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.org.
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.
FARMERS MARKETS
The following farmers markets are scheduled.
Prairie District, Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m., June 17 through Sept. 30, 1936 S. Michigan Ave.
Printers Row, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Sept. 25, 632 S. Dearborn St.
GLESSNER HOUSE
Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Ave., will offer an author talk with Stuart Cohen about his new book, Frank L. Wright and the Architects of Steinway Hall on Thursday, June 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. The Glessner courtyard reopens for concerts this month, hosting CSO cellist John Sharp and friends playing music for string trio on Wednesday, June 9, at 6 p.m. (tickets are $50) and Second City Jazz on Wednesday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. (tickets $15). For more information and to buy tickets, visit glessnerhouse.org.
GPAC MEETINGS
Grant Park Advisory Council meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. This month’s meeting will be held June 16. To register, go to www.facebook.com/ChicagoGPAC/?modal=admin_todo_tour.
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.
HARMONY NEWS
Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. Millard Ave., has converted its sanctuary into a community center for youth programs and events. The church offers reading, tutoring, fine art, music, and dance programs. It also has a food pantry. Call (773) 762-9673.
HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
The Biden Administration has opened HealthCare.gov,created by the Affordable Care Act, through Sunday, Aug. 15, so all Americans can sign up for health insurance.
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. Visitwww.HRHotSeat.com or email [email protected] for a calendar of upcoming events.
ART EXHIBITION
The Hyde Park Art Center is presenting the Metamorphosis of Gabriel Villa and a related virtual artist talk. This exhibition introduces the artist’s new direction in installation and clay sculpture and is available for in-person viewing from now through Saturday, July 17. Advance registration is required via Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/the-metamorphosis-of-gabriel-villa-artist-talk-tickets-150122730127. The Hyde Park Art Center is located at 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Call (773) 324-5520.
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.
HUMANITIES GRANTS
Illinois Humanities is accepting applications for COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Recovery Grants. More than $1 million in funding has been made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 through the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, will provide general operating support for humanities nonprofits as well as humanities-based project grants. Nonprofit organizations with annual budgets of $2 million or less are eligible to apply. The application deadline is Thursday, July 15. To apply, go to https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ihc. For a 1 p.m. information session on Wednesday, June 9, email [email protected].
Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently visited Fulton Labs, a new life science research incubator in the Fulton Market area.
DONATION TO TUMBLERS
Impact Networking, a managed services provider, donated $35,000 to the Jesse White Tumbling Team, a program with a mission to help set at-risk youth on the path to success. Illinois Secretary of State and 27th Ward Committeeman Jesse White voiced his gratitude and appreciation to Impact CEO Frank Cucco. Impact Networking conceives, develops, and executes customized strategies and solutions to improve businesses’ technical, financial, operational, and creative aspects. Log on to www.impactmybiz.com for more information.
ERC EXTENDED
The Internal Revenue Service extended the Employee Retention Tax Credit forall of 2021, and more businesses qualify under the eligibility requirements. ERC is a tax credit the IRS implemented last year as a temporary coronavirus relief provision to help businesses keep employees on the payroll. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit.
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.
MSOMAJI’S MAGIC CARPET
Bronzeville’s Tiffany Smith has written a children’s book, Msomaji’s Magic Carpet,which she designed as an inspirational and education manual for children to dream of travel. Get the book at www.Msomajismagiccarpet.com.
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.
MENTAL HEALTH
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago offers support groups and other resources for individuals who may need help. Call (833) 626-4244 or visit www.namichicago.org.
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.
CABRINI SHRINE NEWS
The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, 2520 N. Lakeview Ave., will celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Mass on Friday, June 11, at 4 p.m. The shrine holds weekly Mass Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. and is open for weekly private prayer on Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations required; coronavirus rules allow for up to 60% occupancy. To make a reservation call (773) 360-5115 or visit cabrininationalshrine.org.
OUR LADY OF THE HOLY FAMILY NEWS
Our Lady of the Holy Family,1334 W. Flournoy St., holds Sunday Masses at 9 a.m. in English and 11 a.m. in Spanish. Saturday evening Mass is at 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, evening Mass is at 6 p.m. Praying the Rosary begins at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. Adoration/Holy Hour and Confessions begins at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays. Tuesday through Thursday Masses are at 8 a.m. in the chapel at 1335 W. Harrison St.
Reservations required for weekend services, or go online to participate in Masses virtually.
Call (312) 243-7400, email [email protected] or log on to www.olhfchi.org.
SOCIAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
The Pilsen Social Health Initiative at 1850 S. Throop St. offers a food pantry, thrift store, and onsite social worker. See www.pilsensocialhealthinitiative.com/. Call (773) 812-3150.
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep senior Marty Boyle has signed to play college baseball next school year at the University of Tampa. Seniors Lauren McDonald, Rhema Ogele, and Leah Poorman have signed to play college basketball next school year. McDonald will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, Ogele will attend Portland State University, and Poorman will attend Middlebury College.
The school is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Log on to www.ignatius.org or call (312) 421-5900.
TUITION RELIEF DRIVE
San Miguel School is having an emergency tuition relief drive, and donations through mid-June will be doubled thanks to Cam Paulson, owner of Strive Village gyms, who is matching all gifts through Tuesday, June 15, up to $30,000. The school is located at 1954 W. 48th St. Call (773) 890-1481 or log on to sanmiguelchicago.org.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will offer Moving On with Grace: A Spiritual Journey for Men and Women Grieving the Death of a Spouse on Saturday, June 12, 9 a.m. to noon., featuring Amy Florian, a grief studies expert. Registration costs $20 and is due by Wednesday, June 9.
Monday through Friday, June 21 through 25, the Rev. Richard Fragomeni will present the course Death and Afterlife: Liturgy and the Promise of the Resurrection from 1 to 4 p.m. daily Cost is $300.
For more information, visit ourladyofpompeii.org or Our Lady of Pompeii Shrine on Facebook.
The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757.
BEST VALUE COLLEGES
SmartAsset’s Best Value Colleges study ranked Illinois’s top ten best value colleges. Illinois Institute of Technology ranked second, with the University of Illinois at Chicago ranking eighth. For more information, see https://smartasset.com.
SLCC ANALYZES ONE CENTRAL
The South Loop Concerned Coalition posted a video, A Panel of Experts on One Central, on Facebook, YouTube, and the SLCC website. The coalition assembled transportation, construction, and finance experts to analyze the revised One Central housing and retail proposal for the South Loop. See southloopconcernedcoalition.org. For more information, email [email protected].
RENTAL ASSISTANCE
The State of Illinois is offering grants of up to $25,000 for up to 15 months of rental assistance, and the grants will not need to be repaid. The program is open to renters who have lost income due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are at risk of losing their place to live. Landlords must start the application process, and then tenants can file for the program. A person must be a tenant in Illinois, have lost income due to the coronavirus, be behind in rent, and have a household income less than 80% of the area median income. Deadline is Monday, June 7. Log on to https://illinoishousinghelp.org/.
GRANTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a funding opportunity of $3.5 million for grants to community-based organizations to increase and retain the number of women in quality registered apprenticeship programs and nontraditional occupations such as those in the manufacturing, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and healthcare. Apply for the grants at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333076.
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.
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/.
CLEANUP
More than 50 volunteers participated in a recent Taylor Street cleanup, from Ashland Avenue to Morgan Street, sponsored by the West Central Association, Little Italy Chicago Neighborhood Association Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward), and Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward).
YARD SALE
The South Loop Neighbors will host its annual yard sale on Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Dearborn Park, Plymouth Court and 13th Street.
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 [email protected].