33rd Ward Newsletter – April 1, 2022

Posted on April 1, 2022April 1, 2022 by 33rd Ward Staff

It’s time for spring cleaning, and we wanted to give you a heads up that street sweeping begins TODAY, April 1st!

Stay up-to-date by checking out the interactive map on our website, as well as a pdf of the map and a full schedule.

You can pitch in too!

Join Horner Park Neighbors on Sunday, April 3rd at 10am for a Community Clean-Up day. Refreshments and basic cleaning supplies will be provided.

Join Neighborhood Clean & Greens with the 33rd Ward Office

Assist us in keeping our neighborhood clean and our natural areas thriving!

FILL OUT THE FORM TO JOIN!
Details: Our office will provide grabbers, gloves, and garbage bags.
Location: Specific locations will be sent to registrants and announced closely to the date

Update on missing neighbor Hector Manuel Franco Tello
Housing Support
Youth Opportunities
Easter Egg Hunt at Drake Gardens April 16th
City Colleges of Chicago Registration: Open April 6th
Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot: Money for Chicagoans Impacted by COVID, Apply by April
Local Job: Program Manager, Global Garden Refugee Training Farm
Chicago Restaurant Week Until April 10th!
Spring cleaning! Opportunity to Recycle: April 9th Event
Covid-19 Updates
Community Safety Updates
Tax Season
Community bulletin board – click here for more events, job postings and resources

Quick Links

Request services	33rd Ward Calendar
ChiStreetWork construction portal	Senior Services

Review Zoning Proposals	Resources for Renters

Update on missing neighbor Hector Manuel Franco Tello

A few weeks ago, family members of our neighbor Hector Manuel Franco Tello informed the 33rd Ward Office that he was missing. This week, we devastatingly learned that the body found in the river recently was Hector. We are sending all our love and solidarity to his family in this very difficult moment. Thank you so kindly to the neighbors who have shown their support to Hector’s family.

The family will need more of our support in the coming months- please donate to their fundraiser and keep them in your thoughts!

Housing Support

APRIL 12TH EVENT: Seal your eviction with Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing & DePaul Law School

Were you evicted? Has the eviction made it difficult to find housing?
You might qualify to have your eviction sealed- attend this event to get support! Register to see if you qualify. SPACE IS LIMITED!

Information and registration here. (Hay traducción al español en la página web del evento).

Date: April 12th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: DePaul University, 25 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604

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NOW OPEN! Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF)

This month, the state is now accepting applications from homeowners impacted by COVID-19 for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.

Learn More From the Illinois Housing Development Authority

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NEW: Chicago’s Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance

What is it? ADU ordinances allow residents to convert garages, attics, or basements into living spaces where families and loved ones can comfortably and affordably live as they get older.

Do I qualify? You might qualify if you are within the five zones across Chicago eligible for ADUs!

Learn more here from the AARP.

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Extension of Department of Family and Support Services Rental Program

Youth Opportunities

1. Free summer STEM program: 2022 Exelon STEM Leadership Academy

This is a week-long program (July 31- August 5, at the Illinois Institute of Technology) is for current 10^th and 11^th grade girls (class of 2023 and 2024) interested in STEM that live in Northern Illinois.

You will: learn from women working in STEM and other leaders; explore sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change; and connect with like-minded peers.

Learn more here, and apply by April 11th!

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2. PAID storytelling program for DACA/Undocumented northwest side youth: Claiming Our Space- Stories of Hope & Courage

You will: Learn how to tell and shape your own personal stories/narratives in a positive way, culminating in a performance of your work to the community, your guests, and program funders.

Qualifications:

-be between the ages of 17 – 24
-be either DACA or Undocumented
-have been enrolled in school within the last six months

APPLY IMMEDIATELY- Starts April 20th!

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3. Paid Summer Start program for 2021-2022 CPS grads going to City Colleges

From June 27^th to August 5^th, new City Colleges students across the city will earn college credit by taking a 3-credit hour college level course and a 1-credit college success course, and receive mentorship, tutoring, a campus tour, and access to social events.

Learn more here!

Easter Egg Hunt at Drake Gardens April 16th

City Colleges of Chicago Summer and Fall Registration Opens Soon: April 6th

April is Community College Month and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) invites Chicagoans to explore educational pathways offered at CCC, including scholarship offerings and open houses.

Upcoming events to learn more:

Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N Narragansett Avenue

-April 6 (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): In-Person Open House – Main Campus
-April 6 (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): Virtual Open House
-April 7 (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.): In-Person Open House – Main Campus

RSVP and learn more here.

Richard J. Daley College, 7500 South Pulaski Road in Chicago

April 7, 2022 (10:00am- 6pm)

RSVP here.

*Exciting Scholarship Opportunity: CCC’s has a “Future Ready program” where students can earn certifications in high-demand fields at no cost to new students.

NOW OPENING- Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot: Money for Chicagoans Impacted by COVID

Do you need financial support to recover from the COVID pandemic? The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot begins this April, and is offering 5,000 Chicagoans $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and a citywide lottery.

While the City opens up the registration this coming week, sign up for updates here so you don’t miss the application officially opening!

Local Job: Program Manager, Global Garden Refugee Training Farm

Global Garden Refugee Training Farm is Hiring a Program Manager to develop and implement outreach, educational, fun, and fundraising events for refugee families and our neighboring community.

Apply here by April 15th!

Global Garden Refugee Training Farm is 100 refugee families who grow vegetables at Sacramento & Lawrence in Albany Park, Chicago. Their mission is to improve access to fresh vegetables for newly arrived refugee families and their urban neighbors; feed the souls of displaced farmers through reconnection with the soil and food production; provide supplemental income for participating refugee farmers; and foster new, refugee-operated farms.

Chicago Restaurant Week Until April 10th!

Chicago Restaurant Week starts TODAY! Enjoy supporting local restaurants while staying safe- you can dine-in or do takeout/delivery!

Seven Albany Park and Irving Park restaurants are participating:

Mima’s Taste of Cuba, 2925 W Irving Park Rd
Pisco Peruvian Restaurant & Bar, 3224 W Lawrence Ave
Chim Thai Cuisine, 3254 W Montrose Ave
Beograd Cafe & Restaurant, 2937 W Irving Park Rd
Dulce de Leche Cafe, 3441 W Lawrence Ave
Kale My Name, 3300 W Montrose Ave
Sibony Cuban Cuisine @ Surge, 3241 W Montrose Ave

What’s so special about it?: During the week, diners enjoy special prix fixe menus from restaurants throughout Chicago and nearby suburbs. The multi-course meals are $25 for brunch or lunch, and $39 and/or $55 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, gratuity, and delivery fees).

Spring cleaning! Opportunity to Recycle

Check out the Facebook event for more information.

This event will provide:

On-site document shredding
Electronics recycling
Prescription drug take-back

Please make sure you remove paper clips, binder clips, and large staples from documents you want to shred before bringing them to the event.

This will be a drive-through event.

Covid-19 Updates

Free at-home COVID-19 Tests

Free test kits are now available from the federal government.

Submit your information here to receive four rapid antigen tests to your home.

CPS Vaccination Events

Find your student a COVID-19 vaccine appointment this week through CPS:

– Permanent sites

– Mobile Events

– School-Based Health Centers

– Sign up for weekly COVID testing at CPS

Other Vaccination Events

Booster doses for everyone 16 years and older are now available at all CDPH clinics and even at home! Getting boosted helps keep you and your family protected from the virus. Make a plan for your family at chi.gov/covidvax.

Some easy, nearby options for all 33rd Ward residents age 5 and up to get vaccinated include:

Theodore Roosevelt High School

3436 W Wilson Ave

Mondays-Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Anyone 5+ Pfizer

Also 18+ Johnson & Johnson

Walk-ins welcome, appointments can be made online. Click here for more information.

Swedish Hospital: Walk-In’s Welcome

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please note: The Vaccine Clinic has moved to the Professional Plaza, 2740 W. Foster Ave. Suite 108 (building directly across from our Emergency Department).www.swedishcovenant.org/covid/covid-19-vaccine

Get tested: Anyone, including people who are fully vaccinated, should consider getting tested before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household. Find testing locations here.

Community Safety Updates

RESOURCE: Legal Aid Chicago for free legal support

Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal representation to residents of Chicago and Suburban Cook County (statewide for migrant and human trafficking) who have limited income or special legal needs.

Gun Violence Prevention Grants For Organizations

Cook County Justice Advisory Council, $65 Million in Grants

The Cook County Justice Advisory Council is awarding up to $65,000,000 in multi-year grants to recognized not-for-profit organizations offering violence prevention and reduction services.

Key Dates

April 11, 2022 – Applications due for proposals over $1.5 million
May 9, 2022 – Applications due for proposals $1.5 million and under

Apply and learn more here!

Illinois Department of Human Services, $150 Million in Grants

In accordance with the Reimagine Public Safety Act, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is offering grants of over $150 million to organizations addressing the root causes of firearm violence through behavioral health services, economic opportunities, and violence interruption and prevention programs!

For more information on the IDHS Firearm Violence Prevention efforts, click here. You can also direct questions to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov.

General Violence Prevention Grants Available

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICIJIA) has opened grant opportunities for organizations of various sizes to fund violence prevention work. Select communities are eligible to apply for the grant. To read through eligibility visit this link.

*If the ICIJIA website link isn’t working for you, try their Facebook page as they are experiencing technical issues.

Violence Prevention Grants Available

17th District CAPS Meetings Now In-Person

The 17th District has resumed beat meetings in-person.

Beat meetings are a resource for neighbors to get the latest update on occurrences of crime and other related activities in the ward. Our office and neighboring ward offices attend these meetings regularly and provide additional news related to ward activities. See below for a full calendar of 17th District 2022 beat meetings and their locations:

Beat 1711 and 1712 meeting link.

Beat 1713 and 1724 meeting link

Beat 1722 and 1723 meeting link

Beat 1731 meeting link

Beat 1732 and 1733 meeting link

Please contact the 17th District Community Policing Office / CAPS, if there are any questions or concerns.

Email: caps.017district@chicagopolice.org

Telephone: 312-742-4588

Tax Season

Free Tax Prep Help

The City’s Tax Prep Chicago  free income tax preparation and assistance program is back, offering expanded in-person, drop-off, and by-appointment services at eight locations across Chicago starting as early as January 24.

Families earning up to $58,000 and individuals earning up to $32,000 are eligible to take advantage of the free and confidential Tax Prep assistance at eight sites across Chicago.

For more information about how to access the free tax assistance program, Chicagoans can visit the City’s tax assistance website at www.TaxPrepChicago.org or call (312) 588-6900 to schedule an appointment.