Community Focus

Memorial Scholarship Seeks To Support Law Enforcement Professionals

A scholarship at Loyola University Chicago School of Law seeks to remember the life and legacy of Chicago Police Officer Arèanah Preston.

Advocate Trinity continues its commitment to inform and engage the community

The Advocate Health Care and Advocate Trinity Hospital are continuing its community engagement with a set of meetings to inform the community about its recent more than $1 billion investment to the South side of Chicago over the next 10 years.

Loyola University Chicago School of Law Announces Creation of the Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship

Loyola University Chicago School of Law announces the establishment of the Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship, made possible through a generous gift from the family foundation established in her name, The Peace for Preston Foundation. The scholarship honors the legacy of Aréanah Preston and reaffirms Loyola’s commitment to fostering equity, opportunity, and excellence in legal education.

Englewood Community Wants Residents’ Input For Master Plan

Englewood Community United is one of several groups that are creating a master plan for the Englewood community.

Chef Erick Williams Opens Cantina Rosa In Hyde Park

Cantina Rosa, located at 5230 S. Harper Ave., is the latest venture by Chef Erick Williams. Williams shared some insights on the cocktail lounge with the Citizen Newspaper.

Diabetes Wellness Clinic Open At Advocate Trinity

Advocate Trinity Hospital opened a Diabetes Wellness Clinic as a way to help patients prevent and manage diabetes. The outpatient clinic is located on the fifth floor of the hospital, which is located at 2320 E. 93rd St.

Documentary Shows Impact Of School Closures

In 2013, fifty schools were closed by the Board of Education, including Overton, Woods and Emett. More than 10 years later, a documentary looks at the impact of the closures on the communities they served, as well as efforts to redevelop the shuttered school buildings.

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.