ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Sarah’s Inn is excited to announce their 2nd Annual Youth Voice Award and is inviting all local high school students (ages 14-18) to write, sing, dance, or create a work of art to use their voice to end the cycle of relationship violence in their community! Two projects will be awarded prizes of $2,000. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Tuesday, March 8. Additional information can be found on this flyer.
• West Side United, a group working to improve life expectancy on the West Side through the tenants of healthcare, education, economics, and physical environment, is looking for organizations and residents to share their West Side experience via this short 10-minute survey which closes on March 11.
• A few spots are still available for the next cohort of i.c.stars Business, Leadership & Tech Program that starts March 21. The program provides underserved adults with technology-based workforce development,
  community leadership training, internships and job placement. Click here for the brochure.
• The deadline is March 21 to offer feedback on the future of City-owned vacant lots by completing this 10-minute survey. DPD (City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development) is seeking public input on City-owned vacant lots to better promote opportunities for neighborhood development, community growth, and land stewardship.
• 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: Last year, Austin residents Samantha Jordan and Tina Augustus applied to the Chicago Works Community Challenge for improvements to Columbus Park. On January 18, 2022, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that their submission was the winner for the Westside. Now we need to hear your voice on how the $1.5 million should be spent. Please take a moment to fill out this survey
• The deadline is April 8 to apply for the RaD Lab+Outside the Walls Fellowship that supports ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American) artists and creatives who use radical imagination to practice a racially just society. The opportunity will support a combination of project grants at $40K per year for research, implementation and continuation. Details here.
• The Office of Inspector General Finds Race- and Ethnicity-Based Disparities Compound Across Multiple Phases of the Chicago Police Department’s Use-of-Force Incidents
• Good Morning America recently reported on violence reduction efforts in Chicago during a 2-part feature a highlighted the data and impact community organizations, like ACT member organization Nonviolence Chicago, are making to create safe, healthy, and equitable cities through partnerships and collaborations. Watch the story here. Institute for Nonviolence Chicago offers Victim Services, Nonviolence Training, Community Organizing, a Workforce Development Program, and more. Get details at nonviolencechicago.org/our-programs.
• After a few years' break, the program to purchase vacant lots for $1 is scheduled to resume this fall. The City's Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is seeking public input on City-owned vacant lots through this short survey: bit.ly/vacantlotssurvey.
• 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.
• 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 or visit gwtp.org.
• 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.
• In response to COVID-19, the Cook County Assessor’s Office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities, and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions; the Homeowner and Senior Exemptions. If a homeowner received any of the aforementioned five exemptions last year (tax year 2020), they do not need to reapply this year (tax year 2021). Learn more at cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions
• 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. 
• Interested in purchasing a home or vacant land? The City has incentives for purchasing in certain areas through its Micro-Market Recovery Program (MMRP). For questions, contact Austin Coming Together's MMRP Coordinator Natalie Goodin at ngoodin@austincomingtogether.org.
• As of February 28, City has removed mask and vaccine requirements for certain public settings in response to continued improvement in COVID-19 metrics. Click here to read the full press release.
• Cook County Health will continue 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hub 101 virtual info session: 
Promoting Love, Preventing Violence with BUILD on Tuesday, March 15th from 12:30pm-1:45pm on ACT's Facebook Live!

Join ACT's Austin Community Hub team as they talk with BUILD Inc. about their opportunities for youth such as violence intervention, education, enrichment, wellness, and more.

RSVP and even if you cannot attend, we will send you information on this valuable resource: t.ly/2Cmh

• 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 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, join By The Hand Club for their Austin Harvest Market. The youth-operated market will be open from 2pm to 6pm at 423 North Laramie Avenue.
• Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Chicago Public Schools hosts Covid-19 vaccination sites from 9am-1pm. View the list of schools here.
• March 4 - 13 is the 11th Annual One Earth Film Fest. Some films have a limited capacity, and all screenings are free (with suggested donation), so grab your spot before it’s snatched up by someone who’s equally passionate about the planet: OneEarthFilmFest.org
• Thursday, March 10 is the Community Safety Town Hall for the West Side to learn about the City's efforts to reduce violence and help make neighborhoods safer. Click here to register or here to view the list of Town Halls for other areas.
• Saturday, March 12 is the BUILD the Future Community & Youth Art Exhibition 2022 at Throop Studio. Details and tickets at BuildChicago.org
• Sunday, March 13 will be a panel discussion followed by a reception with the Austin Activists (such as Liz Abunaw, Pastor Acree, and others) who are part of the "Everyday Activists" photo story exhibit at the Austin Branch Library, which will be on display until March 31. Click here for the flyer.
• Tuesday, March 15 is ACT's next Hub 101 virtual info session "Promoting Love, Preventing Violence with BUILD" from 12:30pm-1:45pm on ACT's Facebook Live! Join our Austin Community Hub team as they talk with BUILD Inc. about their opportunities for youth such as violence intervention, education, enrichment, wellness, and more. RSVP and even if you cannot attend, we will send you information on this valuable resource: t.ly/2Cmh
• 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 LaFollette Park (1333 Laramie Ave., Chicago). Learn more at cararuns.org/arc. View the flyer here.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Betty's Day Care Academy in Austin is looking to hire three teachers and is offering a $500 hiring bonus! Details here.
• New Moms nonprofit is hiring for several positions. Click here for the complete list of opportunities.
• 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.
• The Austin Chamber of Commerce has a job posting for Executive Director. They're anticipating that a new ED will be in place by April 1, 2022. Please submit your resume via email. They have a new team for marketing their services, workshops for state grants for business owners launching in March, and new business hours at the satellite office on Madison. 
• Paid internships working with culinary businesses Cajun Cafe Chicago, Twisted Eggroll, and LusOasis Inc. at The Hatchery. Applicants must be over the age of 18, have a valid Social Security Number, and be vaccinated against Covid-19. Interns are paid $15/hr for a maximum of 150 hours. 
• 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.
• AUSTIN RESIDENTS: Christ the King Jesuit College Prep is seeking to hire for several different roles. Click here to learn more.
• 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 an Education Outreach Specialist (Bi-Lingual). Click here for the full list.
• By The Hand Club for Kids is hiring for several positions. Click here for the 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.
• The Greater Chicago Food Depository offers FREE 4-week part-time Hospitality and Supply Chain Career Path Programs for unemployed and underemployed adults living in Cook County. Click here to learn more.
• Want a career in the culinary arts? Apply to the 8-week UHCHI Culinary Apprenticeship. Click here to join the mailing list to learn more. View the flyer here.
• 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! Application sessions are hosted online every Wednesday at 9am and 4pm. 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. Click here to learn more. Learn more about JARC's programs here.
• Malcolm X College and other City Colleges are providing TUITION FREE courses under the Future Ready program! Learn more at ccc.edu/futureready