Community Focus

Advocate Health Care To Build A $300 Million New Hospital Facility

Advocate Health Care announced a $1 billion investment to expand access to primary care, wellness services and specialty care on the South side during a recent press conference at Imani Village, in the city’s Cottage Grove Heights neighborhood. Advocate Health also announced a new $300 million Advocate Trinity Hospital facility on the former U.S. South Works Steel Site.

Dream Vaults Provide Essential Fresh Produce to Communities

Dion Dawson, Founder of Dion’s Chicago Dream, recently placed his fourth Dream Vault at the Discover Shine Bright Center in Chatham. This is the fourth locker that has been placed in a community in need of fresh produce.

Student Financial Aid Form Now Available

The Department of Education recently released the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for families and students to fill out.

100 Black Men of Chicago Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit Area Women and Children in Homeless Shelters and Community Centers

The 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc., a non-profit organization, will host their 26th Annual Holiday Toy Drive on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 6:00pm to 12:00am at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom, located at 151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601. Tickets available via Ticket Falcon – [https://www.ticketfalcon.com/e/2024toydrive/].

Residents’ Feedback Requested On 95th Street Corridor Draft Plan

As plans for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line Extension get underway, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the 95th Street Community Advisory Group are seeking the public’s input on its 95th Street Corridor Plan.

Blood Donation Encouraged During Holiday Season

This year, the American Red Cross declared a national emergency due to the shortage of blood. The organization is encouraging people to donate blood and platelets this season.

Organization Keeps Mayor Harold Washington’s Legacy Alive

The Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee commemorated the life and work of the city of Chicago’s first Black Mayor with a series of events in late November.

Community comes out to Celebrate Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Chatham’s Jackie D. Lynch Building site of open house

On October 29, more than 100 celebrants, well wishers, organ donor recipients and their families attended the inaugural Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Community Open House at the Jack D. Lynch Building located at 7936 S. Cottage Grove in the historic Chatham neighborhood. The facility’s location has imprinted its history on the south side. The site was once home to Chicago’s historic Independence Bank; the last occupant was Urban Partnership Bank. It was constructed in 1981, and Gift of Hope purchased the 48,000-square-foot building in 2019. The Chatham area is filled with rich African American history and contains two inner districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Doctor’s Transformative Journey Leads to Luxury Lifestyle Brand

Dr. Jeannie Jacobs spent more than two decades as an OB/GYN, delivering babies and supporting women with reproductive care.

Roseland Community Hospital Gives Back To The Community

As Roseland Community Hospital celebrates its 100th anniversary, the Roseland Community Hospital Foundation continues to engage residents through giveaways and fundraisers.

‘The Movement’ Brings Beautiful Art To Grand Crossing

On a sunny afternoon, the sun reflects off the metal sculptures in front of New Life Covenant Church Southeast. Titled “The Movement,” the sculpture depicts different kinds of movement that was recently unveiled in the Grand Crossing neighborhood.

Play Street Museum To Open In South Loop

Crystal Allen’s opening of the Play Street Museum has been a work in progress for three years. Allen, who lives on the South side, was looking for fun and educational activities for her daughter to do and the places were mostly in the suburbs. She didn’t think she should have to drive an hour outside the city for activities.

NAFSI 1916 Uses Food To Revitalize The South Shore Community

Donnell Digby opening NAFSI 1916 inside the South Shore Cultural Center is a full circle moment for the restauranteur. When he was younger, he was a caddie there and at Jackson Park Golf Course. He has always loved the idea of recreating community ecosystems. Born and raised on the South Side, he has been a real estate professional for 20 years.

Refurbished Basketball Courts Create a Safe Space For Community to Play

Rob Castaneda founded Beyond the Ball in 2006. Growing up, sports was always a big part of life. He always loved being at the park and being outside. He wanted to be involved in sports as an adult, so he decided to become a coach. After a couple of incidents where his home was set on fire and wanting to move, girls on the basketball team that Castaneda’s wife coached encouraged them not to leave the community. Naturally, he went back to sports and founded Beyond the Ball as a way to improve the quality of life and make young people safe in the neighborhood.

CHICAGO SCHOLARS CEO NAMED OBAMA FOUNDATION LEADER

Jeffery Beckham, Jr., CEO of Chicago Scholars and Co-CEO of Reach Pathways, has been named an Obama Foundation Leader.