Participatory budgeting for our 2022 cycle is officially underway!
In 2019, we began using participatory budgeting in the 33rd Ward to allow neighbors to propose and decide democratically how they want to spend the $1 million in infrastructure funding allocated to our ward annually. We are one of nine wards citywide that uses this process, which allows any resident of the ward 14 or older to vote.
In the past two cycles, neighbors have come up with some truly creative ideas for projects to enhance the safety, beauty, and functionality of our ward for all of us. We can’t wait to hear your ideas this year! Read on for more details about how to submit them this month.
In This Week’s Newsletter
- Participatory budgeting
- Community safety updates
- Horner Park dog park now open
- Small business highlights
- Vaccinations for CPS students at Roosevelt High School
- Summer markets & concerts in the 33rd Ward
- Rent and mortgage assistance – Tenant application period open through July 18
- July 10 – free paper shredding event
- July 10 – mutual aid diaper drive in Horner Park
- July 18 – Ravenswood Manor garden walk
- More gov announcements & resources
- Community bulletin board
Quick Links
Participatory Budgeting 2022
The Participatory Budgeting committee designs and executes a democratic process where neighbors help determine how $1 million are spent on repairs and upgrades in our Ward’s streets, alleys, parks, gardens, and more!
Our PB committee is now collecting ideas through August 8! Learn more and submit your ideas at http://33rdward.org/participatory-budgeting/.
Community Safety Updates
Update on July 4th incident at 3800 N Albany
At approximately 7:30am on Sunday, shots were fired on the 3800 block of N Albany. The video of the incident captured on a neighbor’s camera is deeply disturbing and shows an individual shooting directly at a home. Thankfully, no one was injured in this incident.
I want to give residents an update on what our team is doing to address this specific event, as well as to meet the immense challenge of curbing gun violence that we face citywide. I remain committed to working with neighbors, community, and citywide partners on bringing new solutions forward.
As is customary with these incidents, I contacted 17th District Police Commander Pontecore. Since the incident did not result in any injuries, we do not have an official report from the police that we can share at this time. We will share updates when officials details of the police investigation become available.
When a frightening incident like this occurs, we need to use all tools available to try to prevent further escalation and violence. This week, our office canvassed the area where the incident occurred, working with a violence prevention Outreach Worker from the Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO) who has been assigned to our neighborhood since last year. We were able to meet the neighbor whose home was damaged, as well as the neighbor who captured the video footage. Unfortunately, the cause of this incident is still unknown. Both neighbors were were understandably concerned for the safety of their families and community and happy to connect with our team and with ALSO.
The team of Outreach Workers from ALSO has been continuing to walk the affected block as part of their violence prevention work. Our 33rd Ward office team will continue working directly with ALSO and other community partners to improve our community’s rapid response to violent incidents like this one. My team will also continue to be in contact with the Police districts that cover our ward and collect as much information as we can on any future incidents. Finally, at the policy level, I will continue to fight for evidence-based measure to prevent violence including Treatment Not Trauma and the Peacebook, as well as real financial investments into programs like these from our city’s American Rescue Plan funding.
Horner Park Dog Park Now Open
An exciting update for 33rd Ward dog-lovers this week: The Horner Park dog-friendly area has officially re-opened! After a closure to address glass shards and debris in the soil, the parks are now safe for our four-pawed friends to use again.
Thanks as always to the neighbors who have been organizing for a number of years to make the dog park a reality – we are pleased to continue supporting your efforts!
Small Business Highlights
On Fridays, we visit some of our 33rd Ward businesses and report back to you with highlights!
Our first visit was to Naranja Dulce Chicago, where we ordered the Superman ice cream, which is sure to please any sweet appetite, and finished it off with a freshly squeezed juice.
We next made our way to La Michoacana Premium, where we were treated to a Mango ceviche topped with onions and cilantro and served with chamoy sauce.
We next made our way to Felipe Ice Cream, where there were popsicles aplenty!! Come here to purchase popsicles for those upcoming Block Parties.
If you find yourself in Avondale, make a point of stopping at Paleteria Arco Iris. Without a doubt, a neighborhood staple and a must-have for beating the summer heat
Summer Concerts & Markets in the 33rd Ward
Albany Park Urban Market
Have you checked out our area’s newest pop-up market yet? Join us again tomorrow, this time with food vendors and a DJ!
Markets will be here for the rest of the summer! Here’s when you can catch them:
July
Friday the 16 and 23 – 5pm – 9pm
Saturday the 31st – 11am-3pm
August
Friday the 6th and the 20th – 5pm – 9pm
Saturday the 14th and 28th – 11am-3pm
Night Out in the Parks
This great tradition has returned for 2021! We compiled a list of the events in the 33rd Ward–including at Brands, River, and Horner Park–here. Check out the full list of events at www.nightoutintheparks.com.
Lot Jams
Join us this summer for evenings of free, family-friendly entertainment in our community. Mark your calendars and check back for more details soon! ALL SHOWS take place between 7:00pm-9:00pm. Thanks as always to the North River Commission for coordinating this great series of events, and to our local businesses for hosting. Find more info on the line-up here.
River Park Summer Concert Series
Farmer’s Markets
The Horner Park Farmers Market has now kicked off its 7th season! The market will be at the corner of California and Montrose every Saturday, open from 9:00am-1:00pm. Come by for fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, meat, live music and more! For more information, check out the Facebook page, follow them on Twitter and on Instagram, or go to the webpage. The HPFM is every Saturday morning through October 2.
While you’re there, explore the flora and fauna of Horner Park with a great audio tour for families! From Block Club Chicago:
A new podcast episode allows families to explore Horner Park while hearing about the area’s wildlife.
Shawn Pfautsch and Jessica Ridenour — a married couple who are a part of Chicago’s theater scene — created the story so people could have fun and learn while touring the park. The audio tour, “The Night Heron,” follows the story’s namesake bird as it investigates the mystery of a strange bird spotted in the park.
The audio story is part of the Chicago Children’s Theatre’s Walkie Talkies podcast series, created to get families to explore the neighborhoods in creative ways.
CPS Vaccination Sites
Students ages 12 and up are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is a two-dose vaccine that requires shots to be administered three weeks apart. Students 18 and older are also eligible for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. To ensure our school communities have convenient access to these vaccines, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is expanding its vaccination program.
In partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and other approved healthcare providers, CPS is converting three school-based staff vaccination sites to specifically support students and families. Beginning the week of July 12, three school-based vaccination sites are available, including one in the 33rd Ward.
- Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Chicago Vocational Career Academy, located at 2100 E. 87th St. in Chicago’s Avalon Park neighborhood.
- Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Theodore Roosevelt High School, located at 3436 W. Wilson Ave. in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood.
- Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Michele Clark High School, located at 5101 W. Harrison St. in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to cps.edu/vaccinations.
July 10 – Free Paper Shredding Event
Join us for our upcoming paper shredding event on July 10th at 11AM in the Roosevelt High School parking lot. Please remember when you are bringing your documents that you will need to remove, staples, paper clips, binder clips, and anything else that may obstruct the shredding process. Trucks have limited capacity so this will be first come first served, and we will wrap up once the truck fills up. Facebook event.
July 10 – Mutual Aid Diaper Drive
July 28 – Ravenswood Manor Garden Walk
The Manor Garden walk is Sunday, July 28th from 1-4 pm. It’s the 65th anniversary of this great event!
The garden walk is uniquely “by neighbors and for neighbors”, featuring a wide variety of gardens throughout historic Ravenswood Manor. It’s always a treat to see the personal green spaces and exclusive gardens created by our neighbors who generously open their yards during this annual event.
Maps may be picked up at the pergola in Manor Park.
Garden walk sponsors include the Manor Garden Club and the Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association.
Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance
Illinois Rental Assistance Program
If you have unpaid rent and your landlord failed to apply for the state’s rental assistance program during the first period, you can still apply. An additional application period for tenants applying directly for rental assistance will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 28. Tenants have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 18 to complete their portion of the application.
Apply here. You can also learn more about how to fill out the application at this free webinar offered by North River Commission.
Mortgage Assistance Program – Applications Ongoing
The Mortgage Assistance Program, provides assistance to low-to-moderate-income homeowners who have suffered an economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are having difficulty paying their mortgage.
The maximum amount of assistance available is $3,300. Grant amounts awarded will be based on the amount needed to bring your mortgage current.
Please note: Eligible homeowners will have the assistance paid directly to their mortgage servicer. If you received assistance in 2020 you are not eligible for this round of funds.
To be eligible you must:
- Be a resident of the City of Chicago
- Live in the home (single-family up to 4 units) for which you are applying for assistance. It must be your primary place of residence.
- Demonstrate your total household income was 120% or below the Area Median Income (AMI) prior to March 1, 2020. (Click to see table)
- Have a mortgage on your home that was current as of March 1, 2020, and is now delinquent. You may be on a forbearance plan.
- Have experienced a change in your financial status after March 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 crisis
If you need assistance applying for mortgage assistance, you can also contact Neighborhood Housing Services at 800-831-7949 or email EmergencyAssistance@nhschicago.org.
Gov Announcements & Resources
Preschool enrollment open
Jumpstart your child’s education with the Chicago Early Learning program! The 2021-2022 school year preschool application is now open! There are over 600 CPS schools and community-based preschools located in the city for you to choose from. To learn more visit www.chicagoearlylearning.org or call 312.229.1690.
FEMA COVID-19 financial assistance
FEMA is now offering financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20th, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
Illinois Child Care Assistance
The Illinois Department of Human Services provides child care assistance for eligible families in need. You can find out if you qualify for assistance at bit.ly/childcareil. You can learn more about the program and how to apply online here. Assistance is available all year round, including over the summer.
Funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Illinois Department of Human Services has partnered with local behavioral health clinics to offer free crisis counseling and other mental health services for Illinois residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
All crisis counseling sessions are confidential and include a free screening and referral for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. In addition, crisis counseling sessions can offer reassurance, practical assistance, emotional support and teach behavioral techniques for coping with stress.
Community Bulletin Board
We use this section to share upcoming events, fundraisers, job openings, and other info sent to us by schools, community groups, and businesses in the ward and nearby.
If you have something you want to include, please send a flyer to newsletter@33rdward.org.
Brookfield Zoo Hiring Fair
SSA & CZS July 10th Job Fair: On Saturday, July 10 from 1:00-4:00pm, SSA and CZS will be hosting a joint job fair at Brookfield Zoo. There are open positions in admissions, membership, ride operators, catering, food & beverage, retail, grounds & maintenance, and rentals. A flyer with additional details is attached. We would appreciate any help you can offer to spread the word to job seekers in your districts. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Summer Programming at Chicago Public Libraries
August 3 – National Night Out with 19th District
CTA Second Chance Direct Hiring
Link here: https://ctasecondchanceinterest.questionpro.com/
Openings at Blu Commercial Cleaning
Chicago Sports Academy Space Rental
Northwest-Siders for Racial Equity and Justice
A new community group encompassing 33rd Ward residents! To learn more, contact consentdecree4CPD@gmail.com
Oak Street Health – Become a Patient
Woodworking Training Program
Chicago Little League Challengers in Horner Park
The Challenger Division is a division of Little League for boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4 – 18 (or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school) to enjoy the game of baseball. In a Challenger game, each player bats and plays the field each inning. No score is kept during Challenger games, but rather the focus is on player interaction and skill development – both physical and interpersonal. Games are played Sunday morning at Horner Park. The goal for the Chicago Little League is to ensure that each player has the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skill of the game while having fun and being part of the team.
After a pause last year, the new season will run June through August.
Monday: 12:00 PM – 7 PM
Tues – Thurs: 10 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM – 4PM
️E-mail info@33rdward.org anytime for service requests or general queries
️ Call us at 773-840-7880 during business hours
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter
Check out our ward website for info on services and events: https://www.33rdward.org/
Best,
Rossana Rodriguez