We are celebrating the 100th birthday of Theodore Roosevelt High School with amazing news- we fought for a new turf field and the funds were just approved in City Council!

⚽️ Alejandro, a senior at Roosevelt and member of the boys soccer team, told the Committee on Finance last week: “When I joined the soccer team, it was a bunch of boys, now they are my family. We need places to create family.”

Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Once the turf field is built, Roosevelt students won’t have to use Park District facilities across the City for their practices, which often meant going home late and carrying heavy equipment a long way. AND they can finally have a home game!

This new turf field also means Albany Park will have a new community space to be enjoyed by neighbors of all ages, which directly benefits our business ecosystem AND creates a safer community. 

If we want to keep our children safe we need to create spaces for them to build community, to be together and to create bonds- especially at school. We love you Roosevelt!

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! 

Uvalde, Texas Elementary School Shooting Statement & Resources

Please read Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez’s personal statement on the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, and see some resources for caregivers below!

🌟 Recommendations from the National Association of School Psychologists on how to best talk to children about violent acts:

• Reassure children that they are safe, and we work together to make school a safe place.
• Make time to talk. Keep your explanations calm and developmentally appropriate (see article for details).
• Avoid graphic details and exposure to media when possible. It is best to share basic information in a straightforward and direct manner. Limit social media and television viewing.
• Review safety protocols and remind children they have safe adults to turn to at home and school.
• Maintain a typical routine and be mindful of changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns, which can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort.

🌻 More resources for talking to children about school shootings:

• How to Talk to Kids about School Shootings 
• 15 Tips for Talking to Children about School Violence 
• How to Talk to Your Child About Gun Violence

Celebrating 100 Years at Roosevelt HS with Roosapalooza

Roosapalooza was an absolute hit! Thank you to all of the amazing students, teachers, and staff at Theodore Roosevelt High School for putting together such a wonderful event. Check out videos from the event here and here! 

We spent some time with partner organizations such as The Kedzie Center and Latino Union of Chicago and ALSO (Alliance of Local Service Organizations) (who brought free food and video games which the students were very excited about!)

Neighborhood Events

1. Spring in the Garden at Chief O’Neill’s with Avondale Gardening Alliance (AGA): Sunday, May 29th

2. Albany Park Safety Walk: June 1st

3. “Restock the Shelves” Food Drive with The Friendship Center: Until June 17th

The Friendship Center is re-opening on June 2nd and needs your help restocking the shelves for our food insecure neighbors!

Drop off any non-perishable foods to: 

-Davis Theater, 4614 N Lincoln Avenue
-Fresh Street Grocery, 6191 N Lincoln Avenue
-33rd Ward Office, 3001 W Irving Park Road

4. Affordable Composting in the Ward: All Summer Long 

Housing Support in the Ward 

1. FREE Roof and Porch Repair Program Registration: Mark your calendar for open registration NEXT YEAR, May 18, 2023

If you are currently experiencing a safety issue with your roof or porch, please contact Judith Smart Pernell, Program Director of the Home Repair Program at (312) 744-0102. Your property will be added to the hazardous repair list for emergency service.

2. Peoples Gas paying off overdue bills for low-income Chicagoans who applied for aid

Customers who applied and qualified for heating assistance over the winter and spring will have all remaining past-due balances cleared and they will not be subject to disconnection. *Questions? Go to peoplesgasdelivery.com OR call 866-556-6001

3. “We Will Chicago” Housing and Neighborhoods Community Meeting with the North River Commission: June 14th, virtually 

Opposing the New Citywide 10PM Curfew for Youth 17 and Under

⏰ The Curfew
On Wednesday, City Council passed an amendment to the current curfew law that would set a 10p.m. curfew for youth 17 and under, seven days a week.The measure was introduced in response to shootings in Downtown, specifically the recent murder of 16-year-old Seandell Holliday by the Bean. 

❌ Why We Oppose
This decision was made with absolutely no evidence that a curfew would prevent violence. In the discussion in the Committee on Public Safety, Deputy Mayor John O’Malley provided no research.

However, multiple studies about youth safety and gun violence point to curfews being an ineffective- and criminalizing- policy for youth, for example this testimony by Stephanie Kollmann, Director of Policy for the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern School of Law.

This curfew will specifically target youth and families struggling with housing insecurity, and will punish young people looking for public spaces for enjoyment and growth in their own city.

The conversation about this curfew should not be centered on personal responsibility of youth and blaming parents- it should focus on the lived realities of Black and Brown youth facing violence in our City everyday, and what we can do to support and protect them.

🚨 What now?
The discussion in the City Council was rushed and cut short by Mayor Lightfoot. We are hoping to reverse this decision, and are grateful for alderpeople who spoke up and are committed to policy that chooses evidence-based approaches and care over punishment of our Black and Brown youth. 

Youth Opportunities

1. PAID Civil Rights Summer Fellowship for Rising 10-12th Grade Students: Due May 30th

2. HANA Center Summer Youth Programming for Albany Park Immigrant HS Students

-Drumming Program, apply at After School Matters!

-Fighting Youth Shouting out for Humanity (FYSH)

–HANA Civic Leaders Fellowship: Apply by June 12th

Covid-19 Updates

1. 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.  
2. At-Home VaccinationsGet 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!

3. 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. Public Health Alert: Avian Flu, Remove Your Bird Feeders
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to remove their bird feeders and bird baths until May 31st to fight an outbreak of avian flu.

2. 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