Be on the right side of history, VOTE for Chicago’s Mayor April 2, 2019
Be on this side of Chicago’s history, VOTE, April 2, 2019.
Join IMAN’s Community Organizing Training
IMAN’s organizing training focuses on fundamentals in community organizing and the role that power, self-interest and relationships play in making change.
Positive Friday Message on Inclusive Employment from Brenda…
“…New Orleans Business Alliance and the Aspen Skills Academy are working together to create new pathways to prosperity for the economically insecure residents in New Orleans.”
Spanish Coalition for Housing Continues to Increase Access to CHA Services
As Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH) completes its third year as part of Community Alliance, the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Diversity Outreach Initiative, it continues to increase access to CHA programs and services for thousands of families in diverse communities through its hands-on workshops. Since Community Alliance launched in 2016, SCH has educated more than 3,800 individuals through these workshops, teaching attendees about affordable housing, senior housing, job seeking, Section 3 businesses, and more.
Furthermore, over 1,000 individuals have taken action from SCH’s outreach efforts, such as applying for senior housing, applying or updating housing assistance applications and creating Section 3 profiles in the CHA portal, which identifies low-income individuals who can benefit from HUD-financed employment and economic opportunities. To continue making a difference in Chicago’s diverse communities through this initiative, SCH plans to focus many of its marketing and outreach efforts towards increasing workshop attendance to educate and assist even more people in 2019.
“When we became a partner of the Community Alliance, we saw it as an opportunity to better connect individuals with cultural sensitivities and language barriers to CHA programs, as we offer bilingual, Spanish and English, services,” said Karla Valadez, CHA Project Coordinator, SCH. “We’ve clearly seen an increase in community participation of these programs since the program’s launch and gladly still offer these educational workshops in the communities.”
While the workshops are there for attendees to learn about available CHA programs, SCH also uses the sessions to learn about the residents within those communities. Within each session, SCH staff is able to personally meet with attendees to better learn about their specific needs and connect them to the valuable resources that they may need, such as financial education, foreclosure counseling or energy bill assistance. They understand that each individual is unique and treats every encounter with the attention it deserves.
“What I appreciate most about Spanish Coalition for Housing staff is that they really show they care. I am able to trust them,” said Israel Flores, SCH client. “I met Karla at one of the Senior Housing workshops, and since then she’s worked closely with me whenever I need help. She’s really gone the extra mile to help me understand everything when applying for disability and affordable housing. She even helped me download an app on my phone to help me keep track of my application status.”
Since the CHA opened its public housing and Project-Based Voucher waitlists this past December, SCH has consistently been assisting community members with registration. Understanding that applying for these waitlists can be a complicated process, SCH staff members invites anyone with questions or concerns to call, email or visit one of the three offices for dedicated assistance. (Main Office: 773-342-7575, 199 N. Pulaski Road; Pilsen Office: 312-850-2660, 1915 S. Blue Island; Southeast Office: 773-933-7575, 9010 S. Commercial).
ISU Redbirds Sociology Class Spend An Insightful Day in the AG!
Illinois State University’s Sociology Students Visits the Neighborhood of Auburn Gresham.
Chicago Celebrates SWAN Day
Support Women Artists Now Day (SWAN Day) is an annual international celebration of women’s arts and it was co-founded by Martha Richards of WomenArts and Jan Lisa Huttner of FF2 Media in 2008. Twelve years later, SWAN Day is celebrated throughout the world, including Chicago. You can join the movemenet too by taking parts in any of these Chicago events:
Statera Arts:
EVENT: Virtual SWAN Day Party
DATE: Saturday, March 30, 2019
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Live on FACEBOOK
EVENT: Unladylike: An Art Exhibition of Womanhood
DATE: March 31, 2019 from 1 PM – 4:30 PM
COST: $10 – $15
Come celebrate the closing of Women’s History Month with Unladylike: An Art Exhibition of Womanhood! What does unapologetic, carefree, unpoliced womanhood look like to you? This exhibition features 10+ Chicago artists answering that question with their artwork.
+ Observe women’s empowerment artwork from talented local artists
+ Enjoy live musical performances from an all-female lineup
+ Strike a pose and save your memories at our photobooth (with props!)
+ Snack on free light refreshments*
+ Enjoy (1) free wine ticket with entry (21+ ONLY)
VENUE: Firecat Projects, 2124 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
EVENT: Because I Am Your Queen (a feminist fantasia) by Mina Samuels
DATE: April 2 – 7, 2019
EVENT: SWAN Day Chicago
DATE: April 6, 2019
Doors 5:30pm / Ends 9:30pm
Early Bird – $15
General Admission – $20
This is a 21+ event.
The SIXTH annual Swan Day Chicago will celebrate the dance performance expertise of Sobenna Worrill, Kenesha ‘MurdaMommy’, Christina Mighty, Starinah Dixon and Kia Smith. Indulge in an evening that uncovers the energy, grace, sensuality, spirituality and technicality that these women contribute to their respective genres of dance.
SWAN Day is an international holiday designed to showcase the power and diversity of women’s creativity. Rachel Gadson and Charne’ Graham have been curating SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day Chicago events since 2014. We hope you can celebrate with us as we pay homage to the rich history of dance culture and how it strongly relates to powerful, black women!
Sounds will be by your favorite, DJ Gemini Jones.
Presented by Whatupwindy.com and ILA, we’re committed to curating this annual event to assist in bringing more awareness to women in the arts in Chicago. This is also a charitable event, and a percentage of ticket sales will go toward South Chicago Dance Theatre, a non-profit dance arts organization on Chicago’s south side. In a city where arts programming for the youth is scarce and barely funded, SCDT makes a huge difference in sparking the creativity of Chicago’s youth.
VENUE: 5311 South Lake Park Avenue West Chicago, IL 60615
EVENT: sMOkeyTOWN with Andrea Prestinario
DATES:
Thursday, Apr 11th: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Friday, Apr 12th: Beverly Arts Center
COST: Varies
EVENT: In Their Own Likeness and “In HER own Likeness” photos by Nancy Bechtol of Sharon Okee-Chee Skolnick
DATE: April 13, 2019 from 5:00 – 9:00pm
COST: FREE
EVENT: Manifest Cabaret
DATE: April 15, 2019 from 7 PM – 10 PM
COST: $10
A cabaret to inspire change in the Chicago store-front community.
EVENT: ‘I AM…’ Fest: A celebration of Black Women in Arts and Leadership
DATES: April 27- 29th, 2019
Posted in Arts and Culture
Spring Break Opportunity- HS Juniors and Seniors
Deadline to apply is March 22, 2019. Spring Break Opportunity for current Juniors and Seniors. $100 Stipend. Learn about Careers in Sports and Recreation while having fun and meeting other teens! See below to apply. Any questions call 312-882-4256.
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls Has Openings for High School Young Men 14 to 19 Years Old
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls Has Openings for High School Young Men 14 to 19 Years Old. Do you know a child who is struggling at home or in school? Have they faced difficult experiences, such as grief, loss, unstable living environments, or traumatic events? Mercy Home might be the solution to help these kids.
WVON1690: Medical Alert:  Watch Your Blood Pressure and Guard Your Heart!
join host Cedric McKoy and guests as they zero in on effective ways to manage blood pressure and protect your heart. WVON radio 1690AM, Community Health Focus Hour, Saturday, March 9, 2019
Better the Balance, Better the World International Women’s Day, March, 8, 2019
