By William S. Bike
ADDICTION HOTLINES
AddictionResource.net lists drug and alcohol abuse hotlines available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and confidential. Log on to https://www.addictionresource.net/addiction-hotlines/ or call (844) 616-3400.
TUTORS NEEDED
Aquinas Literacy Center, 1751 W. 35th St., needs volunteer tutors to instruct adult learners with limited English proficiency. All instruction is one on one, and volunteers receive training. Tutoring can take place in-person, online over Zoom, or a hybrid of both. Knowledge of a second language is not required; all instruction is in English. For more information, contact Sabrina Poulin, volunteer coordinator, at (773) 927-0512 or email her at [email protected].
BASKET BRIGADE
Basket Brigade is looking for volunteers to help deliver food baskets on Saturday, Nov. 20, in time for Thanksgiving. Log on to www.basketbrigade.net.
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.
BGA NEWS
Journalist David Jackson of the Better Government Association discusses his investigation into children arrested for carjacking in Chicago on CAN-TV at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRoOmheqYPA.
BRONZEVILLE ART TOUR
The Bronzeville Art District Art Tour is the third Friday of every month, in person and virtually, from 7 to 8 p.m. Next dates are Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. Participating galleries are Blanc Gallery, Bronzeville Artists Lofts, Faie Afrikan Art, Gallery Guichard, and the South Side Community Art Center. Log on to Bit.ly/bronzevillearttour.
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].
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
CASE Art Fund will honor human rights activist, photographer, writer, and curator Shahidul Alam with its Humanitarian of the Year Award on Friday, Nov. 5, 5 to 8 p.m. at Catherine Edelman Gallery, 1637 W. Chicago Ave. Call (312) 266-2350.
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].
SAINT IGNATIUS NEWS
Saint Ignatius College Prep held a ceremony Oct. 6 to honor Rev. Arnold Damen, SJ, and his fellow Jesuit priests and brothers for providing food, blankets, and shelter to the homeless in Holy Family Church and Saint Ignatius College after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The Saint Ignatius College Prep Business Society’s tenth annual Business Society Luncheon will be held Friday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. at the Union League Club Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd.
The school is located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. Log on to www.ignatius.org or call (312) 421-5900.
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.
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.
CYSO PERFORMANCE
The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras will perform Sunday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 939-2207.
WONG HONORED
Community leaders unveiled Red Angel, a 12-foot sculpture from brothers DaHuang Zhou and ShanZuo Zhou, on Oct. 12. Occupying the corner of Princeton Avenue and Tan Court, the sculpture honors Bernarda “Bernie” Wong, who founded the Chinese American Service League and passed away in April. For more information, call (312) 721-0418.
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 based on unpaid debts, and residents who have defaulted on property tax payments or mortgage foreclosure payments. Learn more by visiting www.cookcountylegalaid.org/.
CORONAVIRUS VACCINATION
Any Chicagoan can request an in-home vaccination for coronavirus (COVID-19) by calling the City of Chicago at (312) 746-4835. Or, find out where to get vaccinated from the State of Illinois by calling (800) 889-3931 or logging on to https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/.
DE LA SALLE NEWS
De La Salle Institute will host an open house on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The school is at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 842-7355 or log on to www.dls.org.
SBIF GRANTS
The City’s Department of Planning and Development and SomerCor will roll out the Small Business Improvement Fund grant program for applications in the Central West and Near West Side TIF Districts. Applications close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30. Visit www.chicago.gov/sbif.
DEPAUL NEWS
The Theatre School at DePaul University has awarded Omer Abbas Salem the 2021 Cunningham Commission for Youth Theatre. Salem will write a play for families and young audiences that focuses on assimilation, a major theme in his work. For more information, call (773) 325-7938.
ART FUND BENEFIT
Catherine Edelman Gallery, 1637 W. Chicago Ave., will host the CASE Art Fund benefit on Friday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. The fund raises awareness about children’s human rights by supporting and exhibiting photography. Bangladeshi activist Shahidul Alam will receive the fund’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. The event also will be available for viewing on Zoom. Call (312) 266-2350.
TOPS IN VACCINATING CHILDREN
Esperanza Health Centers rank as the top providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations to children ages 12 to 17 in Chicago, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information, contact Esperanza at its main site 3059 W. 26th St., (773) 584-6200.
TAKE MY HAND
Take my Hand, Feel your Fantasy Slip Away is a group art exhibition curated by Juan Arango Palacios at the Sacristy Gallery at Epiphany Center for the Arts through Sunday, Nov. 6, 201 S. Ashland Ave. Log on to https://epiphanychi.com/ or call (312) 421-4600.
EVICTION HELP
Get free legal assistance through Eviction Help Illinois by visiting evictionhelpillinois.org or calling (855) 631-0811.
WILD COLOR
A new experiential exhibit at the Field Museum, Wild Color, includes representations of animals, plants, aquatic life, minerals, meteorites, and audiovisuals organized by color. “It’s like a walk through the rainbow,” Janet Hong, exhibition project manager, told Gazette Chicago. “We wanted to transport people out of the ordinary and create an exhibition that would appeal to children and scientists alike.” The museum is at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Log on to www.fieldmuseum.org or call (312) 922-9410.
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.
Our Lady of the Holy Family, 1334 W. Flournoy St. (enter from parking lot behind the church), Friday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., (312) 243-7400.
GOODMAN NEWS
Goodman Theatre will host performances of Fannie-The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer through Sunday, Nov. 14. The theatre is located at 170 N. Dearborn St. Call (312) 443-3800.
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 Nov. 17. To register, go to www.facebook.com/ChicagoGPAC/?modal=admin_todo_tour.
GWTP JOB TRAINING
Greater West Town Training 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 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.
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 [email protected] 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.
INTERNS SOUGHT
The Illinois CPA Society seeks applicants for the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program. The program assists racial and ethnic minority college students interested in accounting and finance careers. The deadline to apply at www.icpas.org/mtww is Monday, Nov. 8.
RENT ASSISTANCE
Rent assistance may be available through the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Log on to illinoisrentalassistance.org/providers or call (866) 454-3571.
MUSEUM EARNS GRANT
Illinois Humanities, a statewide nonprofit organization and the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has awarded a grant to the National Public Housing Museum, planned for Taylor Street. The organization gave grants to 254 organizations. Illinois Humanities is at 125 S. Clark St. Call (312) 422-5588 or log on to www.ilhumanities.org.
IACC GALA
The Italian American Chamber of Commerce will host its Gala and Award Dinner Friday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Bridgeport Art Center, Sculpture Garden Gallery, 1200 W. 35th St. Award recipients will be Franco Bianchi of Hayworth, Eugene F. Carpino of Augustus Global, Anthony Licata of Taft Law, and Carole Segal of Crate and Barrel. For information, email [email protected] or call (312) 553-9137, ext. 105.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAV), in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), has a COVID-19 testing initiative at ITAV schools around Chicago. ITAV is partnering with UIC to take on the challenge of preventing COVID-19 breakouts within schools and will be instrumental in helping UIC better understand factors associated with disparities in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, specifically in childcare centers. For more information, call Tara Shedor at (312) 868- 0588, ext. 5013, or email at [email protected].
SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Jason Foundation offers free suicide prevention training to educators, other school staff, parents, physicians, clergy, community leaders, and students. Log on to www.jasonfoundation.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.
THANKSGIVING MESSIAH
Music of the Baroque will host A Thanksgiving Messiah on Monday, Nov. 29, at the Harris Theatre, 205 E. Randolph St. Call (312) 551-1414.
DISCOUNT PHONE, INTERNET
Under the Federal Lifeline Program,low-income consumers and veterans can receive a discount off their monthly bills for phone, broadband, or bundled phone and broadband service. See http://linkupillinois.org, call (312) 914-6701, or email [email protected].
FREE RIDE
Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., offers free rides for patients to get to and from any medical appointment within the Sinai Chicago system. All residents in Sinai Chicago’s service area who need to get to any of the medical system’s hospitals, clinics, or offices for any procedure, check-up, or health appointment can now get free, door-to-door transportation services. Patients can book a ride by calling (630) 903-2949.
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.
SENIOR FAIR
Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-3rd) will host a senior fair on Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oak Lawn Senior Center, 5220 W. 105th St., Oak Lawn, IL. Call (773) 948-6223 to RSVP.
OPEN HOUSE
Francis W. Parker School,330 W. Webster Ave., will host an upper school open house on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. Call (773) 797-5107 or log on to fwparker.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.
OLHF now offers a Friday Food Pantry for area residents facing food shortage challenges. Contact the parish office to register or come to the pantry from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The food pantry is located behind the church at 1334 W. Flournoy St.
Call (312) 243-7400, email [email protected] or log on to www.olhfchi.org.
GAS BILL HELP
For Peoples Gas customers, bill payment assistance is available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Share the Warmth program. To see if you are eligible and apply, call the Community Economic Development Association at (800) 571-2332 or go to cedarorg.net.
HELP WANTED
Recovery Corps, an AmeriCorps organization that helps people achieve and maintain sobriety, recruits and trains people to help others build and maintain a life in recovery, set goals, and overcome barriers to success. Its Recovery Navigators receive training, a stipend every two weeks, free health insurance, and up to an additional $6,345 for student loans or tuition. They also complete the requirements to become a certified peer recovery specialist. For more information, log on to recoverycorps.us or call (866) 859-2825.
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.
CUBS BOOK
Gazette Chicago associate editor William S. Bike has authored a book about the 1970 Chicago Cubs season, The Forgotten 1970 Chicago Cubs: Go and Glow.
For more information, go to www.1970chicagocubs.com.
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. Call (312) 747-0327.
DRIVER SERVICES
Secretary of State Chicago Metro Driver Services facilities are taking appointments for obtaining standard and Real ID driver’s licenses, ID cards, and behind the wheel driving tests. Go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com or call (844) 817-4649.
SHRINE NEWS
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii will hold its annual Mass of Remembrance honoring the recently deceased on Sunday, Nov. 7, and a Mass of Thanksgiving for first responders on Sunday, Nov. 21, both at 11 a.m.
The Srhinewill host its Mary and Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 4, both in-person and livestreamed. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7:45 p.m. A variety of ticket prices are available.
The shrine is at 1224 W. Lexington St. Call (312) 421-3757 or log on to www.ourladyofpompeii.org.
LIBRARY FUNDING
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded $40,000 in 2022 Project Next Generation grants to the Chicago Public Library. The grants serve as a mentoring program in which project mentors work with middle and high school students as participants develop skills to use various technologies; achieve success through project-based learning; and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal setting, and conflict resolution. For more information, visit https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/grants/png.html.
MEMORY CAFÉ
The South Loop Memory Café is a monthly social gathering for persons living with dementia and their family, friends, and care partners. This month’s meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 11, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall, 1936 S. Michigan Ave. For more information or to register, go to southloopvillage.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.
STATE FUNDING
State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3rd) recently announced the State of Illinois has awarded $2 million in Rebuild Illinois capital grants to Omni Ecosystems, a green infrastructure and business incubator in Bronzeville, to be used for green infrastructure. Omni Ecosystems invents and manufactures soil-based technologies and provides landscape architecture, construction, and management services to promote green infrastructure.
Bourdeau-Griffin Interiors & Architectural Supplies, Inc. will receive nearly $2 million in state funding to create a business hub and development center, State Senator Tony Munoz (D-1st) announced recently. The State selected the project receive funding through the Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program.
More information about the RIRED program and other State grant programs is available at Illinois.gov/DCEO.
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.
The toll-free Bright Star Community Outreachtrauma counseling helpline is(833) TURN123. The helpline assists those experiencing trauma caused by exposure to violence.
GET VACCINATED
The Chicago Department of Public Health is hosting multiple coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination special events across the city. Anyone age 12 and older can get vaccinated. All COVID-19 vaccines are free, and no insurance or ID is required. See the full list of special vaccine events at www.chicago.gov/vaxcalendar.
RIGHT TO RETURN
Former Chicago Housing Authority residents who were displaced by the CHA’s Plan for Transformation and who want to return to the CHA may receive help from Antwain Miller at the Lugenia Burns Hope Center.Call (773) 291-8621 or email [email protected]. The center is located at 710 E. 47th Street.
CHICAGO A CAPPELLA
Chicago a cappellawill perform on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., for the group’s annual fundraiser—an afternoon of music and celebration. The group’s founder, Jonathan Miller, will receive the Tribute Award, and the event will acknowledge Sandy Siegel Miller as Friend of the Year. Guests will enjoy a delicious Sunday family dinner. Tickets are priced from $175 to $250 per person. For reservations and additional information, visit: https://one.bidpal.net/cacfuture.
RENTER AND LANDLORD HELP
If you are a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs, or if you are a landlord trying to stay afloat, help may be available. State and local programs are distributing dollars for such needs. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in rental assistance to help renters stay housed during the pandemic. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov to find programs. See also ChiCookilRentHelp.org or call (833) 221-9821.
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.
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.
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.