Community Focus
Performing Arts Program give young performers an on stage experience
Performer Joan Collaso founded Timeless Gifts Performing Arts Program for Youth and Young Adults in 2010 as a concept for concert that would pair young, aspiring performers with professional performers in different genres – music, acting and dancing.
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County making legal system more accessible
With the opening of a call center, as well as a program that goes into the community, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is creating pathways to make the office more accessible for people. While the office might have operated in a silo in past years, Iris Martinez, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, is looking to change that. Martinez and her team came in, did some reforms, and started to do outreach in the community to inform people about the resources that are available.
GARY COMER YOUTH CENTER PARTNERS WITH TRUTH BE TOLD
The culinary apprentices looked on attentively as Chef Anthony Bernal demonstrated how to fabricate a whole chicken. During the demonstration, he talked about what dishes could be created from which pieces.
BOOTCAMP HELPS PREPARE GIRLS FOR CAREERS AND WORKFORCE
The Ladies of Virtue are gearing up for its Power to the Professional Bootcamp from June 26th to June 30th. The event will take place at Kennicott Park, located at 4434 S. Lake Park Ave.
SINAI COMMUNITY INSTITUTE TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY AT FUNDRAISING GALA Event is Set for June 17 at CineCity Studios
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Sinai Community Institute will host a fundraising gala from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at CineCity Studios, 2429 W. 14th St. in Chicago. The theme is “Our Roots Are Firmly Planted.”
REVERSE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PILOT TO TAKE PLACE THIS SUMMER
PepsiCo has developed a reverse mentorship program pilot with the goal to build a more equitable workforce, with Black and Hispanic young people from the South and West sides.
PULLMAN PORTER MURAL UNVEILED
Just steps away from the Pullman National Historical Park is a mural highlighting the contributions of the Pullman porters. The mural was created by Joe Nelson. It shows a Pullman porter, with a Pullman sleeper car and the Pullman Clock Tower in the background, along with a group of porters.
Local chapter of national organization strives to inspire girls
Girls Inc. of Chicago was founded in 2017 as the local chapter of Girls Inc, a national organization that was founded in 1865. The mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold, which is done through direct advocacy.
ENpowered Games help students solve challenges with STEM centered exercises
Cheers and the sound of clapper toys and boom sticks filled Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, May 3rd, for the ENpowered Games, hosted by Project SYNCERE. During the Roll Call, the schools were shown on the Jumbotron and their schools were called out. As the students arrived on the floor, they were greeted with high fives and cheers from the volunteers. One of the students likened the experience to being in the NBA.
Peace, Unity & Love Tour inspires young people
Doctors, crime prevention practitioners and community organizations are coming together to implement strategies to stop gun violence and help those young people who are most at risk. To recognize Youth Violence Prevention Week; Project Outreach & Prevention, along with Positive Approach to Teen Health, Friendly Temple COGIC and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, hosted the Peace, Unity & Love Tour.
Gift of Hope dedicates building to Jack Lynch
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network hosted a ceremony to dedicate the building, located at 7936 S. Cottage Grove, to longtime civic leader Jack Lynch. The site was previously Independence Bank and Urban Partnership Bank. Lynch is retiring from Gift of Hope after 35 years of service. He led the effort to develop the Gift of Hope facility that now bears his name. The 48,000 square foot building was purchased by Gift of Hope in 2019.
Mural Unveiled at Blue Island Health Center
When Lorelei Pement set out to create the mural that greets visitors at the Blue Island Health Center, she wanted to make sure the community felt seen, as well as to tell the history of the building and its place within the community.
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHERS ON STRIKE
Chants of “Equity and Justice at CSU” sounded out on the corner of 95th and King Drive. As trucks passed, they honked their horns in solidarity with the CSU strikers, who were carrying green and white signs and wearing green and white t shirts.
Young people talk about giving back to their communities
Eighth grader Randi Thomas is really passionate about police reform. Thomas, who is a student at Village Leadership Academy, worked on a project that looked at police brutality and how it affects each country. She presented her project to other students at the school and from there will meet with people from the Chicago Torture Justice Center.
