“Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Denver, Colorado for a national convening of progressive local elected officials. As part of the steering committee for the Public Safety Working Group, I had an opportunity to meet with the professionals who run the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program. This program is a mental health crisis response model that sends a paramedic and a social worker to mental health emergency calls. The STAR program has responded to 5,517 incidents without needing to call for police backup.

Here in Chicago, I introduced the crisis response and care ordinance also known as Treatment Not Trauma to ensure that we use the best and most appropriate tools for interventions to address issues of safety that belong to the public health & social services areas. We had a small pilot in the 2021 budget. Still, we need more resources to ensure that we expand these services through reopening our public health clinics and expanding that network of services with dedicated mobile units in our communities so that there’s always help close to where it is needed. I’m committed to winning this because it’s urgent and necessary.”

-Rossana

For more information about why Chicago crucially needs Treatment Not Trauma reform, click here. 

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

*Want more information on community opportunities and job postings? Check out our Community Bulletin!

*Block party applications are open! Read more under “Form” on the Neighborhood Services page, and apply here! 

Participatory Budgeting 2023 

How would you spend $1 million to improve our community?  

Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez invites you to participate in participatory budgeting for 2023!

Submit your ideas for how our office can use the annual infrastructure funds to make necessary improvements to the 33rd Ward.

Join the PB Committee to turn the ideas we collect into a final ballot for neighbors to vote on. You will work with your neighbors to make the best possible ballot with projects that serve our community.

For more information, visit 33rdward.org/participatory-budgeting.

Notice: Street Closure on Central Park Ave, August 4th-12th

Starting on Thursday, August 4th at 7 a.m. there will be a full street closure on Central Park Ave from Lawrence to the alley for construction materials. The street closure will last until Friday, August 12th at 2:30 p.m. Residents can expect an increase of traffic, especially as alleys will be accessible during the street closure. If you have any questions, please contact the 33rd Ward Office at 773-840-7880 or via email at info@33rdward.org.   

Miko’s Italian Ice Customer Appreciation Days, August 20th- 21st

Neighborhood Events

1. Albany Park Lot Jams Concerts, Present-Oct 8th


2. Back 2 School Fiesta, August 13th 

3. 2022 Avondale Bar Crawl Fundraiser, August 13th
Event link here

4. Summer Float Party, August 15th

5. Friends of Cleveland Back to School Bash, August 18th

Everyone is invited to join Friends of Cleveland for their Back to School Bash on August 18th from 12-4pm. During this event you can donate school supplies, meet teachers, learn about parent groups, play games, and receive free hotdogs and pizza.

6. Albany Park Walking Tour, August 31st

You are invited to join your neighbors and fellow Albany Park Chamber members on Wednesday, August 31st at 6PM for a historic neighborhood walking tour of Albany Park. This event is free for Albany Park Chamber members. Click here to become a member today! For non-members, this event is $15.

RSVP with Benji via email bcorpuz@northrivercommission.org or call/text at (312)-860-7884 to receive further information.

Youth Opportunities

1. Bateman Before and After School Care Registration is OPEN! 

Tenants Rights Workshop, August 18th

Join North River Commission & Metropolitan Tenants Organization on Thursday, August 18 via Zoom for a workshop focused on crucial information about your rights as a tenant! In this workshop the focus will be tenants rights through eviction, rent increases, and apartment repairs.

RSVP with Erika via email at erika@northrivercommission.org or (872)- 257-8773.

In-Person Presentation on Injectable PrEP, August 18th

JOn Thursday, August 18th the IHPA will be hosting a free educational seminar about injectable PrEP at Fulton Market Kitchen.

RSVP with Michelle via email michelle.x.minor@viivhealthcare.com or phone at (312)-720-8820.

CTA Virtual Career Fair, August 24th

CTA Human Resources is hosting a Virtual Career Fair for career opportunities in Law, Engineering, and Training & Workforce Development departments on August 24th at 12pm via Zoom. Follow this link to register for this event.

Friendship Center Seeking Volunteers

The Friendship Center is a food pantry located at 2711 W Lawrence Ave. In addition to providing groceries and other vital resources every month to over 2,000 folks facing hunger on Chicago’s northwest side, they serve a hot meal once a week, homebound grocery delivery on the weekends, and provide pet food assistance for our four-legged neighbors.

Now that they are fully open and operating, they are seeking additional volunteer support. Some of our volunteers work directly with our neighbors by assisting them in shopping at the pantry. Others work behind the scenes by sorting, shelving, and stocking the donations that come in daily.

To become a volunteer, please follow this link or send an email to volunteers@friendshipcenter.org.  

MonkeyPox (MPV) Resources

Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox has been reported in Europe and North America, where the virus is not usually found. 

The virus is spread through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets (kissing, coughing, sneezing, etc.). This week, there were 600 documented cases in Chicago. 

Vaccinations for  MPV are currently available in Chicago for adults 18 and up. The following clinics are offering vaccinations this weekend by appointment only:

• Saturday, August 13th
  • Kennedy King College (6301 S Halsted St)
  • Malcolm X College (1900 W Jackson Blvd)
• Sunday, August 14th
  • UIC College of Nursing (845 S Damen Ave)

Covid-19 Resources

1. Children as young as 6 months can now get a COVID-19 vaccine!

Upcoming family vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago, 9am-2pm
*Reservations recommended but walk-ins accepted
*For ages 6mos-4 years old

• Saturday, July 30 – Richard J. Daley
  College and Wilbur Wright College

2. You are now eligible for 8 MORE free at-home COVID rapid tests!

Residential households in the U.S. are now eligible for 8 free at-home tests on USPS.com.  

3. At-Home Vaccinations: Get your whole family vaccinated at home! CDPH is offering vaccination appointments at home for up to 10 family members. Click here to set up your appointment!

4. Vaccinations

CPS Students: 

– Permanent sites
– Mobile Events
– School-Based Health Centers
–  Sign up for weekly COVID testing at CPS

33rd Ward Vaccination Events

1. Theodore Roosevelt High School

2. Swedish Hospital: Walk-In’s Welcome

* More information on City testing sites here!

Community Safety Updates

1. 17th District CAPS Meetings

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

Information about Beat Meetings here.

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