ANNOUNCEMENTS

• WE NEED YOUR VOTE! Austin Coming Together (ACT) was recently nominated for the Young Nonprofit Professional Network (YNPN) of Chicago’s annual Nonprofit of the Year Award! Final winners will be selected through a public vote and announced live at the celebration event on June 8. We are incredibly humbled to be recognized for our success in the nonprofit sector and hope you'll consider supporting us by voting for us here before May 25.
• One Summer Chicago: Young adults are encouraged to apply to One Summer Chicago, which offers over 15,000 paid positions this summer! One Summer Chicago The application is open until Friday, June 10. Apply here.
• May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Renaissance's Living Room Program provides mental health crisis respite in a safe, inviting, home-like atmosphere at 4835 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin. Services are confidential and free!
• Are you a justice-impacted entrepreneur? Check out the programs from Defy Ventures. Click here for the Interest Form. 
• 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.
• 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. 
• Are you an Austin resident with a personal, professional, or family history story to share? Tell the Austin Weekly News about it! Email Community Narrative Reporter Samantha Callender here.
• 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.
• 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 on May 23 and June 6!
• 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. They also offer cooking classes to learn new healthy recipes for your family with the chance to take home ingredients to try your next meal at home. Contact Becky Martin at 773-896-3582 for more.
• 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. 
• UIC Report Details Failures of Public Policy Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic in Chicago.
• 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.
• May 12-19 is Celebrating Seniors Week and all events are free. All are welcome! Click here for the event page.
• Monday, May 16 is a Small Business Support Event hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce at MacArthur's Restaurant from 5-7pm. RSVP by emailing CHICAGOAUSTINCHAMBER.COM.
• 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.
• Wednesday, May 18 is Session 1 of a Webinar Series hosted by Legal Aid Chicago. Each session is on a different topic and this one is about Cannabis Expungement. Register for free (or see the session list) here.
• Thursday, May 19 is the Know Your Rights Resource Fair at Malcolm X College's West Side Learning Center in Austin. Come to learn about voting rights, expungement, and more. Details here.
• Thursday, May 19 is "Creating a Legacy: Planning for the Intergenerational Wealth Transfer of Your Home," an event to learn about how to plan for what will happen to your home after you're gone, hosted by the Center for Disability & Elder Law. Details here.
• Friday, May 20 is Austin Opportunity Day at Michele Clark HS with a vintage streetwear fashion show and Summer Job Fair. 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.
• Sunday, May 22 is A House In Austin's first annual Gala fundraiser to support their work nurturing healthy families in the Austin community. Learn more 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.
• May 23-27 is JARC Week. Join JARC's Associate Board for a week of JARC trivia, success stories, and an event at KOVAL Distillery, benefiting their program that helps locals train for manufacturing careers, welding, assembling, etc. Details here.
• Wednesday, May 25 is a Hub 101 virtual info session "Whole Health for Yourself with Westside Health Authority (WHA)." Learn about how health can apply to more than just your physical health, and the resources WHA has to offer such as community outreach, case management, and reentry/senior/youth services. Details here, RSVP here.
• Saturday, May 28 is Chicago Architecture Center's Engineering Fest (E-Fest) for children ages 8-14 to build and learn, view two floors of exhibits, meet engineers and explore how architecture and engineering partner to create the cities we know and love. Registration is required. Details here.
• 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 in May 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. 
• SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, June 21 is ACT's Austin Community Hub's virtual info session "Hub 101 with Jane Addams Resource Corporation" to learn about free training to start a career in welding, CNC operation, and more! Join us on ACT's Facebook page.
• 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 Town Hall City Market (which starts in June) is hiring an Assistant Market Manager. Details here.
• The Austin Community Food Co-op is hiring a Web Developer. Here is the application link.
• Open Books is looking for a Literacy Program Coordinator for their Literacy Program. View the list of openings here.
• The Renaissance Living Room in Austin is hiring for several positions. Click here for the full list.
• IFF is looking to fill several positions in Chicago and other locations. 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 a 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. 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.