ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Enrollment is open for the Spring to Fall programming at Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, NFP that starts April 1. Attend the March 26 info session to learn about opportunities for youth and families to broaden their horizons, or watch this ABC7 video.
• 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.
• Are you registered to vote? Elections are coming up! Details here. 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. 
• Volunteers are needed from Noon-6pm to help local folks with their resumes during a Job Fair happening on April 21 at La Follette Park in Austin. To sign up for a shift and to get more information, contact ACT's Engagement Specialist Dollie Sherman at dsherman@AustinComingTogether.org or 765.600.2698.
• The Chicago Reader named Austin's own Kehrein Center for the Arts as “The Best New West-Side Arts Space” in their annual “Best of Chicago” edition. Read more here.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Meta (Facebook and Instagram) now offers Parental Supervision Tools and insights for parents with their new Family Center, which will eventually allow parents and guardians to help their teens manage social media experiences across Meta technologies, all from one central place.
• More than half of the COVID-19 booster-eligible population has not yet received a booster, including more than one-third of the 65 and older booster-eligible population. Being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines means you’ve received all recommended doses in your primary series AND a booster shot when eligible. Everyone ages 12+ should get a booster dose at least five months after the last dose in their primary series.
• 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.
• Masks may no longer be required at businesses and schools in your area, but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking measures to keep yourself safe. Monitor your community’s COVID-19 transmission and continue to use available public health measures to avoid infection.

For a comprehensive list of COVID-19 related resources, click here.






For other resources relevant to our community, including where to go for food or help with rent, ways to support your neighbors, and more, visit austincomingtogether.org/community-resources

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 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.
• Wednesday, March 23 is CEDA’s Vision to Rebuild Chicagoland Virtual Townhall about strategies to engage, support, and connect with communities-in-need. ACT's Planning & Investment Manager will be part of the community engagement panel to share his insights on coordinating strategic investments in under-served populations.
• Wednesday, March 23 is a monthly webinar about "Starting Your Business in Illinois" hosted by the Illinois SBDC at West Side Forward. For entrepreneurs in the early start-up and design stage of the business, this workshop offers a high-level view of what it takes to launch your business, develop a business plan, and the many resources available to you. 
• Wednesday, March 23 is the District Council Teach-In to learn about the District Councils in each police district and how you can run. Click here for details. Also, here’s a one-pager about the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance.
• Thursday, March 24 Oak Park Regional Housing Center will host the Heroines of Housing fundraiser luncheon benefiting its 50th Anniversary. Details and registration at bit.ly/oprhc-womens-event. 
• Saturday, March 26 at 3pm is an info session to learn about Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, a nonprofit working to help teens on the West Side expand their horizons through cultural tours, guest speakers, and travel. Register to attend here.
• Through March 31 the "Everyday Activists" photo story exhibit will be on display at the Austin Branch Library and features local leaders like ACT's Engagement Specialist Dollie Sherman, Forty Acres' Liz Abunaw, Pastor Acree, and others. Click here for the flyer.
• Wednesday, April 6 is an Intro to Homeownership & Financial Empowerment hosted by Oak Park Regional Housing Center. Details here.
• Tuesday, April 15 is ACT's next Hub 101 virtual info session "Enriching Lives Through Education” with City College’s West Side Learning Center from 12:30pm-1:45pm on ACT's Facebook Live! RSVP and even if you cannot attend, we will send you information on this valuable resource.
• Saturday, April 30 is the Austin Community Housing Summit hosted by Oak Park Regional Housing Center, and is a chance to meet the leaders working to improve homeownership rates among residents of color throughout Chicago's west side. Details here.
• 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 full-time Marketing & Development Coordinator!

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.

Click here for the job description.
 

• Forty Acres Fresh Market in Austin is hiring a Part-Time Business Operations Associate! Valid Driver’s License required. Click here for details.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 
• Manufacturing Renaissance is hiring a part-time program assistant for their advanced manufacturing training program that serves Austin residents. Details here.
• Paid internships working with culinary businesses Maison Cuisine or Twisted Eggroll 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.
• 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.