The Official Newsletter of the West Ridge Community Organization
MARCH/APRIL 2020
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Greetings West Ridge Residents
During this difficult and trying time, the West Ridge Community Organization (WRCO) is sending out this newsletter with information for you, businesses and for institutions in our community. We hope you find this helpful and that you all are remaining safe and healthy.
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If your job has been affected by the coronavirus, you can get help with rent or mortgage payments through a City of Chicago grant program. Grants of $1,000 will be made in early to mid April. The $2 million allocated will come from the city's Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund, which is bankrolled by developers building market-rate housing. You can apply through the Department of Housing at chicago.gov/coronavirus (click on resources and scroll down to the Housing section). You must show evidence of job or income loss related to the virus and prove your income was at or below $53,000 for a family of four. While this is the first round of grants, the Mayor is seeking additional funds for later rounds.
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WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CITY RESOURCES?
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The City of Chicago's Coronavirus Response Center website offers a wealth of information covering mental health, food, homelessness, Chicago public schools and much more.
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SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES
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Many restaurants in our area are continuing to operate through pick-up and delivery services. Members of the West Ridge Chamber are posting the flyer below in their windows. Look for these signs to know which restaurants are up and running.
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Normally, the George Fourkas Produce Company in Skokie delivers fresh vegetables and fruits to restaurants. During this time, they are delivering boxes directly to your home. All their produce is fresh and you can be sure it's handled by only a few people. It is best to order through their website rather than call. A small box is $19.95 and George notes the best deal is a large box for $29.95
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce weekly newsletter contains information covering all the loan and grant programs currently being offered small businesses through the city, state and federal government. If you do not subscribe to their newsletter, visit their website and scroll to the bottom to sign up and get the latest information.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) launched a new online business resource center. The resource center will provide regular updates on resources and guidance for businesses, consumers and employees. In addition, BACP will be hosting six webinars on Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, about the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund. Two of the webinars will be in Spanish and Polish, so make sure to register online!
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ASSISTANCE FOR NON PROFITS
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During this time, our non-profit service agencies are facing an incredible increase in demand and their resources are being stretched. Governor Pritzker, in collaboration with the United Way of Illinois and the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, established the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund to raise funds from individual, corporate and foundation donors to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations serving individuals, families and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund has already raised over $23 million. Visit ilcovidresponsefund.org for more information
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State Senator Ram Villavalam and US Congressperson Jan Schakowsky are both seeking volunteers to reach out to those in our community who may need help. Senator Villavalam has set up a system for reaching out to seniors in our community. They could use volunteers for phone calls and delivery. If you are interested in helping out, please complete this form. You can also email his Outreach Director, Veton Hasku, directly.
Congresswoman Schakowsky is organizing a Wellness Check Program across Cook County for a call-from-home effort to check on vulnerable neighbors and put them in touch with resources - food, prescription drugs, medical care and regular check-ins. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this form.
AND if you use Nextdoor West Ridge, there is a Help Map to find neighbors who can help or offer to pitch in for those in need.
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JOIN WRCO TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
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