Community Focus
Comcast awards Chicago Public Library Foundation grant money
Comcast recently awarded the Chicago Public Library Foundation $250,000 to support Digital Navigators at 26 Chicago Public Libraries. Comcast also donated 1,000 laptops to 10 Chicago nonprofit organizations.
Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club increases father’s involvement in schools
What began as Joseph Williams reading to his daughter’s class at her school, became a movement to get fathers involved in their children’s lives. Williams started Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club in 2017. It was an outlet for him. He began helping out at the school doing lunchroom duty and hallway monitoring. He built a respect level with the children at the school. He wanted to tap into his children’s lives through volunteering.
Cheer and Sports Program keeps children off the streets
Stacy Tolar founded Keeping Adolescents Off the Streets (KAOS) Bulldogs Cheer in 2010. It was a time when a lot of school-based after school programs were being shut down. Tolar thought the children in the community still needed an after school physical activity.
Comcast Announces $250,000 Grant to fund Digital Navigators at 26 Chicago Public Library branches, Plans to Donate 1,000 Laptops to 10 City Non-profits
National and local Comcast leaders joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Library (CPL) Commissioner Chris Brown today to announce a $250,000 donation to the Chicago Public Library Foundation to fund digital navigators at 26 city library branches. Digital navigators are professionals who link Chicagoans to resources that can help them build the digital skills needed to succeed in school, participate in the workforce and connect to programs that can help them access and pay for broadband Internet service at home.
LINK Unlimited Scholars Expands Program to Include 7th and 8th Graders
LINK Unlimited Scholars has been in existence for 60 years with the goal of supporting students through high school. Now, it has expanded its program to include 7th and 8th graders with its Jr LINK Program. The goal of the two-year middle school program is to help middle school students with placement to high school and college prep.
ASPIRE seeks to inspire Englewood community
At the corner of 67th and Wentworth, there is a 25-foot-tall monument with a person dressed in a cap and gown and homes on one side, on another side there is a quote: With belief, power of knowledge and strength, one can aspire to greatness.
Outdoor gardening program helps children with Autism and Down Syndrome
A nonprofit on the West side is providing a space for children with Autism and Down Syndrome to be able to play and participate in activities. Limes Smiles for Miles is a daycare center with an outdoor gardening program for children, ages 3 to 5 years old, with Autism and Down Syndrome.
RED CLAY DANCE COMPANY CELEBRATED ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH AN OUTDOOR COMMUNITY EVENT IN WOODLAWN
Named in 2021 as one of “Chicago’s Cultural Treasures,” Red Clay Dance Company launched its 15th Anniversary Season themed “15FORWARD.” Located in the Woodlawn community, Red Clay Dance Company is Chicago’s premier professional Afro-contemporary dance company which tours nationally and internationally sharing their stories and “Artivism” (art + activism). In its 15 year history, Red Clay Dance has created and produced award-winning original works that have appeared around the World and has become the home for professional and pre-professional dancers, dance-lovers and other artists to convene, create, and collaborate together.
‘THE OTHER SIDE OF CHICAGO’ SHOWS POSITIVE ASPECTS OF CHICAGO
A documentary depicting the positive aspects and resilience of the Black community has been making the rounds. “The Other Side of Chicago” is a documentary that was created by the Annie B. Jones Civic Arts Center. On Wednesday, Aug. 9th, the film was shown at Emagine Theatre, located at 210 W. 87th St.
The Englewood Back to School Parade and The South Side Neighborhood Gospel Fest Celebrate The Englewood Community
The Englewood Back To School Parade and The South Side Neighborhood Gospel Festival offers an entire day of celebration for the Englewood community on August 19th from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM at Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine, Chicago IL 60636.
BANK OF AMERICA HELPS SUSTAIN ORGANIZATION’S SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM
Because the needs of communities change from year to year, Cole has learned to adapt as things happen. He enjoys keeping his ear to the streets and learning how to help people. When the Walmart closed in Chatham, Cole and My Block My Hood My City were there to provide food for people who were now without a community grocery store.
Salaam Community Wellness Center to Host Its Annual Integrative Health and Wellness Expo Free event will offer cooking demos, chair massages, music, food, fun for children, and more
A relatively new jewel in the community, Salaam Community Wellness Center (SCWC) will host its 2nd Annual Integrative Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 613 E. 67th Street. The free event is open to the public and will offer something for the entire family. Featured activities include Zumba, deep-breathing tips, meditation, yoga, chair massages, music, free food, healthy food demonstrations, jumping jack, and other family- and kid-friendly activities.
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS THAT LOOK AT CLIMATE CHANGE LAUNCHES AT CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY
An experiment that looks at climate change has launched at Chicago State University. Community Research on Climate and Urban Science (CROCUS) scientists from the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Library and Chicago State University deployed the instruments on Tuesday, July 18th.
WRESTLING PROGRAM EMPOWERS YOUNG PEOPLE
Inside a facility with the words Grit, Integrity, Accountability and Gratitude written on the walls, children and young people ages 9 and older are going through wrestling drills. In another room, a smaller group of young people are grappling.
