1,200 Students To Receive Backpacks and School Supplies at Final ‘Peace In The Streets’ Summer Block Party on August 24
1-800-TruckWreck and iHeart Media Chicago are partnering up for a final “Peace In The Streets” block party with St. Sabina Catholic Church to give local families one last celebration before going back to school. The event will take place Saturday, August 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at St. Sabina Catholic Church (1210 West 78th Place, Chicago, IL 60620) in Auburn Gresham. 1-800-TruckWreck will be giving away 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies like pens, pencils, notebooks, and binders. There will also be free haircuts for the kids, a DJ, family-friendly activities, free food, and more!
HOOPS IN THE HOOD, DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND BACKED BY LISC AND STATE FARM®, CELEBRATES 18 YEARS OF CROSS-COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN CHICAGO
LISC’s Hoops in the Hood program, sponsored by State Farm, continues to shine as a dynamic force for positive change in the city, celebrating its 18th season of promoting safety, community engagement, and violence prevention through the unifying power of sports.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND DCASE UNVEIL NEW ARTIST-DESIGNED TRAIN WRAPS ON CTA BLUE, GREEN, AND ORANGE LINES
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced several public art projects to be completed this summer and fall, including a neighborhood murals initiative as well as unique artwork by Chicago artists on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue, Green, and Orange lines. The artist-designed CTA train wraps will be on display starting in mid-August, as will many of the neighborhood murals being created by mainly Chicago-based artists in collaboration with community organizations — to be installed at public sites in Humboldt Park, the West Loop, and Woodlawn/Washington Park. Additional murals will debut this fall in the Bronzeville, Edgewater, Mayfair, South Chicago, and Uptown communities. These new neighborhood murals will interpret themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and inclusion and will also celebrate Chicago’s Blues and House music legacies.
Mobile Driver’s License & ID Legislation for Illinoisans Signed into Law
Legislation enabling Illinois residents to start using mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced.
MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC ANNOUNCES NEW MERIT NEAR NORTH BRANCH IN OLD TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD
Merit School of Music, a nationally accredited music school headquartered in the West Loop, proudly announces the opening of Merit Near North branch in the Old Town neighborhood at 458 W Eugenie St. Merit will begin offering private music lessons, group classes, and early childhood music classes at Merit Near North this Fall. Part of Merit’s multi-year growth-focused strategic plan, the expansion is grounded in Merit’s mission to transform the lives of Chicago-area young people by removing barriers to a high-quality music education. The bold strategic plan also encompasses a new Merit South Shore branch which launched this past summer through a partnership with Bryn Mawr Community Church.
City of Chicago Department of Family Services and Support Launches 2024 Scholarship Program
The City of Chicago Department of Family Services and Support (DFSS) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship Program in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This program will award $230,000 in scholarships to eligible full-time students enrolled in continuing education or vocational training programs for the upcoming fall term. The scholarships are intended to cover expenses such as tuition, books, and other related educational costs as confirmed by the institution.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ISSUES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. Through this RFP, the City will select one (1) organization to serve as the administrator of the $21.5M Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. The program administrator will work with the City and BACP to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits located in Chicago to assist in stabilizing their operations, supporting their workforce, and mitigating the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
U.S. Department of Education Announces Schedule and New Process to Launch 2025-26 FAFSA Form
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® form) will be launched through a new process. Starting on October 1, the Department will release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and institutions. The Department will make the application available to all students on or before December 1. This process is informed by conversations and feedback from thousands of students, institutions, and other stakeholders.
Austin Harvest Continues Its Mission With Permanent Market
Residents in Austin have a permanent place to buy fresh produce. The Austin Harvest hosted a ribbon cutting for its permanent location at 423 N. Laramie Ave.
i.c. Stars Is Training People For The Tech Industry From Diverse Backgrounds
A nonprofit technical training program is ensuring people from underserved communities receive the kind of workforce development that can change their lives and give them access to careers.
‘Some Sort of Saint’ is A Redemptive Story That Offers Hope
A locally-produced play explores the life of a young woman in Chicago during the 1980’s. While it tells the story of addiction and violence, with an intersection of a Chicago drug empire, it also has a message of hope, healing and redemption.
South Side Sanctuary Offers Safe Space For The Community
A safe space recently opened at 4702 S. Martin Luther King Drive in Bronzeville, with the intention of fostering a connection to the community. South Side Sanctuary is part of the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development Public Outdoor Plaza (POP!) program, which is an initiative to revitalize spaces and turn them into gathering places.
Illinois Governor Pritzker Signs First State-In-The-Nation Landmark Bill to Cover Alzheimer’s Treatments for State Employees
We are thrilled to announce that Governor JB Pritzker has again taken a leadership role in the fight to end Alzheimer's, signing into law a historic piece of legislation. Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law a historic piece of legislation aimed at improving access to Alzheimer’s treatment for state employees across Illinois. This groundbreaking measure mandates that the State Employees Group Insurance Program provides coverage for all medically necessary FDA-approved treatments and medications designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Hazel Crest Park District Deputy Director Talks About New Role
J’Arnay Harris has been the Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation for Hazel Crest Park District since May 2024.
South Suburban College Foundation Hosts Successful 3rd Annual Charity Golf Outing
The South Suburban College Foundation (SSCF) is delighted to announce the resounding success of its 3rd Annual Charity Golf Outing, held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the stunning Flossmoor Golf Club. The event brought together an impressive group of community leaders, donors, supporters, and longtime friends, all united by a shared commitment to advancing education in our community.
CHA Summer Youth programs are on track to reach 10 percent participation increase in 2024
Davora Buchanan was shy while growing up in Trumbull Park Homes. She kept to herself and read. Then she attended CHA’s Learn and Earn program, where teenage students explore career fields like entrepreneurship, arts and technology while earning a paycheck.
The Democratic National Convention In Chicago: Then and Now
CHICAGO (HUNS) — Agitated and disillusioned are two words to describe the national mood when the Democratic National Convention gathered in Chicago during the summer of 1968. Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 1968 after marching with striking sanitation workers in Memphis. Eight weeks later, Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was murdered moments after winning California’s primary election.
THE SALVATION ARMY WONDERLAND CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
Wonderland Camp officially opened on July 4, 1924, and has continued to transform from its humble beginnings. It began as a Salvation Army “Fresh Air Camp,” which provided a retreat for low-income mothers and their children. It allowed them to escape the stress of inner-city life and experience the outdoors.
Fighting for a different future
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter is thrilled to announce the Alzheimer’s Association Chicago Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Soldier Field’s Southeast Lawn.
