ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Applications for Chicago Resilient Communities Cash Assistance will be accepted until 11:59PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 13. Visit the “Apply” page for more information and a link to the online application. 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. Click here for Eligibility Criteria, Household Income Calculator & FAQs.
• Click here to take a survey on what decisions people are making about their work, home and family because of COVID-19 that will last long after the pandemic has passed (conducted by Growing Community Media and 22 other newsrooms).
• Do you work in childcare or early childhood education? Austin Childcare Providers Network (ACPN) is a progressive association that focuses on building the education and leadership skills of early care practitioners. Benefits of being part of the Network include professional development opportunities, personalized English Enrichment sessions to strengthen or refresh your writing and comprehension skills, and more. Details here.
• Are you registered to vote? Not sure? Need to change your address? Elections are coming up soon! Visit ova.elections.il.gov. As part of the Austin Forward Together quality-of-life plan’s goals to increase civic engagement in Austin and help residents get their voices heard, several local groups are collaborating on a Voter Registration Drive. 
• The Who2Be Workshop series creates a safe, engaging environment in which teens and their parents can listen to each other and TOGETHER design a new, exciting future. Who2Be is a 501(c)3, nonprofit, organization committed to causing families to succeed. The innovative, three-part Workshop Series is conducted online by facilitators experienced in delivering courses and programs that make a difference for families. Interested in learning more? Call (224) 622-9223 or visit who2be.org.
• Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (INVC) helps create safe, healthy, and equitable communities through partnerships and collaborations. Watch the video here about INVC's Victim Services, Nonviolence Training, Community Organizing, Workforce Development Program, and more. More info at nonviolencechicago.org/our-programs.
• After 90 years in Galewood, the Mars Candy Factory is closing and before the site is redeveloped, community feedback is needed. Click here to take the survey. Click here to read about the project.
• Students at Michele Clark Magnet High School are asking for the community's support to speak up in reference to CPS's plan for the property adjacent to Michele Clark Magnet HS, located between the school’s parking lot, W. Flournoy St., and Lavergne Ave. Please take a moment to sign the petition to request that the community voice be heard before any future decision-making involving this land. Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools must organize events to which students and staff of neighborhood schools, including our own, residents of South Austin, and other community organizations, will be invited and allowed to share their opinions on what should be done with the land recently purchased by CPS. 
• Austin Awarded $1.5 Million for Columbus Park Upgrades! What improvements would you like to see? Your ideas are wanted! Please take a moment to fill out this survey.
• Do you like action? Are you happier on your feet than sitting still? Warehousing and logistics may be the career for you! Greater West Town's Shipping & Receiving Training will get you up to speed on the skills you need to enter this essential and exciting field, and assist you with job placement after graduation to find the satisfying, steady, growth position that fits you best! Call 312-563-9570 to get started or learn more at gwtp.org. Classes begin soon!
• Greater West Town also offers job placement services, as well as Woodworkers Training that includes CNC programming & operation, cabinet construction, precise measuring, 10-hour OSHA Safety Card, forklift operation, and more! Call 312-563-9570, visit gwtp.org, or attend a Virtual Info Session - on Zoom to chat with instructors about the realities of working in these industries and get authentic information about the essential workers in these two fields and the skills they use on the job. First Tuesdays at 1:00 pm  Click here to register.
• Legal Aid Chicago offers complimentary legal services. Call (312) 341-1070 Monday to Friday between 8am - 4:30pm or apply online at legalaidchicago.org. Or, stop by Westside Health Authority at 5422 W. Division in Chicago for in-person intake available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10am-4pm. View the Austin flyer here, or the general flyer here. 
• New Moms’ Academic Coaching Program helps young moms to complete college degrees, while also challenging the systemic barriers that make it difficult for them to do so. Learn more here.
• A House in Austin provides Parent-Child Classes, Parent Support & Education to Austin families. Click here to learn more about their services.
• The state of Illinois is accepting applications from homeowners for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments! To find out if you’re eligible and get prepared visit IllinoisHousingHelp.org, call West Cook Homeownership Center at 773-887-5187, or connect with The Journey Forward (flyer here) at 708-730-4199, pamela.gilbert@thejourney-forward.org. Or attend an upcoming webinar (schedule here).
• Is your family in need of rental, mortgage, or utility assistance? Click here to check out current emergency funds that are available through the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and Cook County. Oak Park Regional Housing Center's West Cook Homeownership Center can help Austin residents find and apply for resources. They also assist with loan modifications, foreclosure prevention counseling, and more: (773) 887-5187, or email, info@westcookhomeownership.org, for more information. West Cook Homeownership Center also runs Credit and Debt Management classes on the fourth Saturday of each month, a Homebuyer Class, and a Homebuyers Club. Click here for more information. 
• Austin and Oak Park residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the new community Climate Plan being developed by and for the Village of Oak Park. Details here.
• Though April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the City of Chicago is committed to addressing sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence every day. As part of the Citywide Strategic Plan to Address Gender-based Violence, the City of Chicago seeks to shift cultural norms by acknowledging these harms and equipping community partners to respond to gender-based violence in trauma-informed and supportive ways. Join the City to take the Start by Believing pledge, committing to believing survivors when they disclose that they have experienced sexual violence. This can be a co-worker, a resident, a close family member, or a friend. One in four women and one in six men experience sexual assault in their lifetime. That number significantly increases for individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+. There are a plethora of resources here.
• The Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) requires employers to provide employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, or gender violence, and employees who have a family
  or household member who is a victim of such violence, with unpaid, job-guaranteed leave; reasonable accommodations; and protections from discrimination and retaliation. Learn more here.
• April is National Minority Health Month and this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) and its partners are highlighting the important role individuals and organizations can play in helping to reduce health disparities and improve the health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The theme for this year’s National Minority Health Month is Give Your Community a Boost! The theme focuses on the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as one of the strongest tools we can use to protect communities from COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected communities of color.
• Cook County Health continues to administer the COVID-19 vaccine at its community health centers, hospitals and through pop-up vaccination events. The centers are also distributing free high-quality KN95 masks for all, regardless of vaccination status. More information can be found at myshotcookcounty.com. Click here for the Spanish flyer.
• The FDA has authorized second booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for everyone 50 and older. The move comes amid worries over waning immunity in older Americans and a rise in some states in cases of BA.2, an Omicron subvariant that is highly transmissible. If you’re older than 50, talk to your health care provider immediately to determine if a second booster shot is right for you. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 15th District Police Department (Austin) Beat Meetings happen virtually on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of every month. Click here for more information or email CAPS015DISTRICT@chicagopolice.org.
• Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Chicago Public Schools hosts COVID-19 vaccination sites from 9am-1pm. View the list of schools here.
• Wednesday, April 27 is the Austin Veterans Community Organization's Opportunity Knocks event! Come out to get info on opportunities available to veterans. Details here. 
• Saturday, April 30 is the Austin Community Housing Services Summit hosted by Oak Park Regional Housing Center and is a chance to take a trolley tour with the leaders working to improve homeownership rates among residents of color throughout Chicago's west side. Details here.
• Saturday, April 30 is the start of a family cooking program through A House In Austin. Register with Becky: 773-896-3582. Details here.
• Wednesday, May 4 join the South Austin Neighborhood Association (SANA) for an event "Where do I live? What does it Matter?" to learn how the redistricting of Chicago's wards affects political power and how to wield it. Details here.
• Saturday, May 7 FREE services like legal aid, plus 50 meals (first come, first served) provided by Need 2 Feed Comunity Outreach. Details here.
• Saturday, May 14 Arbor West Neighbors, River Forest Township and Concordia School of Gerontology are having a Housing Forum "Aging in Our Communities: Housing Accessibility, Affordability and Possibilities" (open and beneficial to all). Learn more about accessibility, creative housing options and ways to stay in our communities. Details here.
• Tuesday, May 17 is a West Side Business Summit hosted by Wintrust Bank where local businesses can learn from experienced guest speakers and get personalized support. CPS and business attorneys will be in attendance. Details here.
• Saturday, May 21 is the South Austin Community Health & Resource Fair that will include blood pressure checks, addiction education, and more. Details here.
• May 21-29 will be a Restorative Justice Summit to cultivate a vibrant Westside Community with several events throughout Austin and virtually. Click here for details.
• Through May 31st Catholic Charities is holding a Spring-Cleaning Donation Drive to collect much-needed items for survivors of domestic violence in times of crisis and transition. Click here for details.
• Every Saturday & Sunday will be the Soul City Community Market, a pop-up shop on Chicago Avenue created with the purpose of promoting healthy food options and increasing access to affordable fresh foods in Austin. Come and shop for fresh produce, enjoy live entertainment, products from local vendors, and more. Interested in vending or performing at the market? Email jrand@healthauthority.org. 
• The Austin running crew facilitated by CARA, focuses on improving the health and wellness of the Austin Community via walking/running. The group meets every Thursday at 5pm at La Follette Park (1333 Laramie Ave., Chicago). Learn more at cararuns.org/arc. View the flyer here.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Austin Coming Together (ACT) is hiring for a part-time Marketing & Development Associate/Intern and several other roles!

ACT is a group of incredibly passionate community-minded folks who work hard, but also have fun together, we live and breathe our core values of unity, commitment, transparency, and action. We make space for open, honest communication to collectively plan and reflect on how to improve both individual and organizational growth through annual wellness retreats, planning sessions, and restorative justice practices including circles.

Whether it’s shooting mini-hoops, a game of strategy with giant Jenga, a spin of the wellness wheel or enjoying a meeting on the outdoor patio, we love to find ways to add more joy to our days.

Sound like a company and culture that interests you? Consider joining the ACT team.

View the list of open positions under the Now Hiring tab of AustinComingTogether.org.
 

• The Austin Community Food Co-op is hiring a Web Developer. Here is the application link.
• Open Books is looking for a Program Coordinator for their Literacy Program. View the list of openings here.
• The Renaissance Living Room in Austin is hiring for several positions, including Part-time Specialist Weekend 1st shift, Part-time Specialist Weekend 2nd shift, Part-time Specialist Weekend 3rd shift, and Recovery Support Specialist.
• IFF is seeking a Project Associate in the Real Estate Solutions Department, details here.
• Beyond Hunger is hiring a Tyson Summer Community Intern at $15 an hour for 8 weeks. Details here.
• Sistema Ravinia is looking to hire for several positions: Part-Time Site Coordinator for the Austin Nucleo (20 hours/week; hourly), Full Time Assistant Site Manager for the Austin Nucleo (40 hours/week; salaried & benefits), 
  Part-Time Site Coordinator for the Lawndale Nucleo (20 hours/week; hourly).
• Forty Acres Fresh Market in Austin is hiring an Operations Manager! Click here for details.
• New Moms nonprofit is hiring for several positions. Click here for the complete list of opportunities.
• Malcolm X College and other City Colleges are providing TUITION FREE courses under the Future Ready program! Learn more at ccc.edu/futureready. They also have a variety of certifications or certificates to start a new career such as Medical Assisting, Early Childhood Development, Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician. Plus, Malcolm X offers a Child Development Lab School for eligible families. Their Project MPACT is more than a scholarship program for eligible students and includes tuition assistance, one-time stipends, and more. Details here.
• By The Hand Club for Kids is hiring for several positions. Click here for the list.
• Territory NFP is seeking a Design Director to support the Executive Director and Program Manager in creating a design-rich environment for teens to thrive, and cultivating a design practice model that reflects Territory’s values. Click here for the description.
• Manufacturing Renaissance is hiring a part-time program assistant for their advanced manufacturing training program that serves Austin residents. Details here.
• Kids First Chicago is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator. Preferred candidates have experience on the west or south sides of Chicago and will have at least one year of experience in community organizing or education advocacy.
• PPC Community Wellness Center is seeking several positions including Clinic Manager. Click here to learn more.
• St. Joseph Services is seeking Part-time Youth Instructors, as well as a Part-time Mentoring Coordinator. Details here.
• Sarah's Inn is hiring for several positions including a Resource and Information Advocate. Click here to view all job openings.
• BUILD Chicago is hiring for several positions including Manager of Community Mental Health. Click here for the full list.
• Institute for Nonviolence Chicago has several open positions. View jobs here.
• Maryville Academy is hiring for several positions. Click here to view openings at their Chicago, Bartlett, Berwyn, or Des Plaines locations.
• Mercy Housing Lakefront is hiring for several positions like Desk Clerk, Property Management, and Janitorial positions in Chicago, including a Maintenance Technician for Washington Courts Apartments, located in the Austin neighborhood. Click here to see all Chicago job postings.
• IFF has several open positions. Click here for a complete list.
• Greater West Town offers vocational training in Shipping & Receiving and Wood Products Manufacturing. In addition, they have an Adult Placement Unit which is a direct job placement service. Any Austin residents who needs immediate employment can contact Lili Rosa or Lorena at (312) 432-1300. Click here to learn about their services. Warehouse, Maintenance/Janitorial, Administrative Assistant, Manufacturing, Retail jobs are available. Click here to view job postings.
• Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC)'s free job training courses can help you gain employment in the manufacturing sector. In order to be eligible for free careers in manufacturing programs job training, you must first attend an application session. Visit their application schedule to sign up and start a career in manufacturing! Their new West Side Training Center is just a few blocks away from the Austin neighborhood. CNC, Welding and Bridge are some of the trainings that are offered. In addition, two new programs: 3-D Printing and Mechanical Assembly, will be rolled out soon. In-person application sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 9am and 4pm. Virtual sessions are held on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Learn more about JARC's programs here.
• Interested in taking courses in History, Literature, Writing, and more? The Odyssey Project is a free, college credit-earning #humanities program for income-eligible adults in the Chicagoland area. Details here.
• Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) regularly posts job openings in the Food and Beverage Industry and other varied industries.