In this newsletter
26th Ward Office Updates • Community Events • Public Notices • Ways to get Involved • Job Opportunities • Resources.
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Dear Neighbors,
Are you or someone you know interested in a Mental Health First Aid training? Last week, all of my staff attended an eight hour mental health first aid training facilitated by The Kedzie Center. Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. All attendees also received a manual to further develop their knowledge on mental health. For tips on how to maintain your own mental health, see the flier below in the "public notices" section. To learn more, visit The Kedzie Center's website at thekedziecenter.org.
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On Monday, I celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with BUILD and Youth Guidance Chicago. There were so many young people who despite the weather made the event. There were workshops, guest speakers and food available for all attendees. Their surprise guest was GHerbo and judging by the young peoples’ reactions, it was lit. I want to thank BUILD and Youth Guidance for continuing to support and engage young people with so many productive outlets.
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BUILD had a busy week. On Friday, they hosted a grand opening of a new office space in Humboldt Park located at 1750 N. Kimball. BUILD is an anti-violence youth agency working on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, they have embedded mentors in schools and neighborhoods to connect with young people, earn their trust, and offer them support and opportunities they deserve. At the new Humboldt Park location they will offer families help with housing, food, navigating the legal or health care systems. They will also offer support groups by gender, crisis response, and support to victims and survivors of violence. To learn more about BUILD, visit their website at buildchicago.org. I look forward to strengthening this partnership with BUILD and connecting our families with the resources they need to thrive.
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On Friday night, I attended an open mic event arranged by the Violence Prevention and Intervention team of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Witnessing close to two dozen young individuals showcase their talents on the stage, located at the former Batey Urbano, now transformed into the Urban Theater Company, brought immense joy. These engaging events offer valuable creative outlets for the youth in our community. My commendations go to the Violence Prevention and Intervention team for hosting this impactful open mic.
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I express my gratitude to a resident of the 26th Ward for her unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and accessibility of our streets, sidewalks, and viaducts. Mayra Pinal reached out to meet with me in her neighborhood, where, during our walk, she highlighted areas requiring care and attention. Notably, she pointed out a snow-covered and icy viaduct that posed challenges for her wheelchair-bound neighbors, hindering their mobility. It is through such vigilant attention and advocacy that we collectively contribute to the safety of our community. If you would like to schedule a walk in your neighborhood, please contact my office at 773.395.0143 or by email at, info@the26thward.org.
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Your 26th Ward Alderperson,
Jessie Fuentes
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My office is hiring a Director of Community Engagement and Communications. This director will lead community outreach and communication strategy for the 26th Ward office. Find a job description at bit.ly/26wardjob. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to juanita@the26thward.org. The application window will close on Friday, January 26th at 5pm
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26th Ward Snow Shoveling Program
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We are recruiting for our 26th Ward Snow Shoveling Program. We will pair seniors and neighbors with disabilities with volunteers who will help keep our Ward safe and walkable by shoveling snow. I invite you to let us know if you are in need of help OR are someone who is willing to volunteer. Our office will reach out to match volunteers with an individual in their area who is in need of support. Complete the Google Form here: bit.ly/snowprogram26.
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Valentines Day Celebration
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Join us for a Valentine Senior Celebration where we will be providing our seniors with brunch, health screenings, vaccines, music, raffles and senior resources. This will take place on February 13th from 10am to 2pm at the St. Aloysius Theile Center (1510 N. Claremont).
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Connect with the 26th Ward Office
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The 26th ward office is located at 2511 W. Division St. Starting this week, our office's new regular hours of operation are as follows:
- Monday 1 pm - 7 pm*
- Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am - 5 pm
- Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
- Friday 10 am - 5 pm.
*Ward Night: Monday's 5 pm - 7 pm
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Ward nights are an opportunity to meet with Alderperson Fuentes to talk to her about local or city issues and they take place every Monday from 5pm - 7pm. Ward night meetings are by appointment only and on a first come, first served basis.
If you would like to meet with Alderperson Fuentes during ward night, please call or email the ward office at 773-395-0143 or info@the26thward.org.
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We are excited to inspire our young people to get involved in government and organize in the community. If you are a youth (12-24 years old) that resides in the 26th Ward and wants to have a say in how we spend infrastructure money and what type of policies I champion, please sign up for our youth council by applying at bit.ly/youth26. Stay stunned for our next meeting date.
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We are excited to announce the new 26th Ward Ambassadors program to build stronger connections with neighbors & spread the word about important resources. Join a community of neighbors ready to take action, attend educational workshops, and more. If you're interested in signing up, call our Ward Office at 773-395-0143 and ask for Juanita.
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Winter Supplies Needed for Asylum Seekers
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Donations of winter clothing and supplies for asylum seekers can be dropped off at our office (2511 W Division St) or any of the other drop off locations listed on the flyer above. Winter coats, blankets, winter gear and sleeping bags are especially in need.
Click here to purchase donation items.
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The 26th Ward community-driven zoning process requires that anyone requesting a zoning change must first complete a zoning intake form. Once their intake form has been reviewed they are invited to present their zoning request to the 26th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee and must answer additional questions posed by the committee. When applicable, the person requesting a zoning change may also be required to present their zoning request to the broader public during a community input meeting. For more information, and to provide feedback on pending zoning requests, go to: the26thward.org/zoning.
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Join the Department of Housing for a presentation and resource fair to learn about Tenant and Landlord rights, responsibilities, resources, and regulations. This event will take place on January 27, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Truman College's O'Rourke Theater, 1145 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, Il 60641.
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Tickets From the Blackhawks and Bulls
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The Chicago Blackhawks is offering CPS staff and families exclusive ticket offers for the below games in February. Get your tickets here by clicking “view available games” and entering promo code CPS.
- Blackhawks vs. Wild: Wednesday, February 7 at 8:30 p.m.
- Blackhawks vs. Rangers: Friday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.
The Chicago Bulls is offering CPS staff an exclusive ticket offer for the below game in January. Get your tickets here!
- Bulls vs. Raptors: Tuesday, January 30 at 7 p.m.
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Rincon Family Services and New Life Community Church are hosting an open gym every Tuesday from 5-7pm at New Life Community Church at 1410 N Springfield Ave.
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Home Owner Seminars by Inherent
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Inherent is hosting two upcoming seminars on Home Energy Savings (1/25/24) and New Build Home Buying (1/20/24). See the flyers above to learn more about these events and how to register.
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The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is a homeless prevention program that provides financial assistance to eligible Chicago residents who are at risk of becoming homeless. The program targets households who have had a documented loss of income. Because the program assists only those currently in housing, it is not designed to relocate homeless families from shelter to housing. For more information go to chicago.gov/fss/RAP.
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NEW ROUND of Community Development Grants
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The Department of Planning and Development has announced a new round of Community Development Grants to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development. Grant eligible expenses include pre-development, construction, or renovation costs for permanent capital improvement projects. Only applications for funding levels more than $250,000 are currently being accepted. Grant requests should represent no more than 75% of anticipated total project cost.
The deadline to apply is Monday, February 9th. Apply now at: bit.ly/dpdCDBG24.
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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) has introduce a new and improved interactive calendar, which you can click here to access. One of the key features of this calendar is the inclusion of the yearly meeting calendar for both the Commission for Public Safety and your local District Councils. By simply visiting this website, you can find the dates, times, and locations of all scheduled meetings.
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14th Police District Beat Calendar
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25th Police District Beat Calendar
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Public Hearings with CPD Superintendent Snelling
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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is required by law to hold four public hearings at which the Superintendent may speak and members of the public may share comments and questions, and provide recommendations to inform the Commission's work with the Superintendent. Join the first round of public hearings with the Superintendent Snelling. Scan the QR code to register or click here.
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Apply to Chicago's Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
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Are you passionate about public safety and police oversight and accountability? Your opportunity to make a difference is here! The District Council Nominating Committee will be accepting applications to fill the seven-member Commission from January 8, 2024-February 7, 2024. The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is a seven-member body that oversees the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Police Board. The Commission works to increase public safety, transparency, and community input into CPD, COPA, and Police Board operations, policies, and procedures. For more information go to: cityofchicago.org/chicagocommunitycommission.
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Rodent Control Program Evaluation
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The Chicago Office of Inspector General is evaluating the City's Rodent Control Program. If you have information you would like to share please reach out by March 1st. Contact OIG at 833-TALK-2-IG, igchicago.org, or talk2ig@igchicago.org.
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Ballot Initiative Info: Bring Chicago Home
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The Bring Chicago Home (BCH) initiative seeks to restructure the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) to generate dedicated funds for permanent affordable housing, with voters deciding on this initiative on March 19, 2024. The proposal involves decreasing taxes for properties under $1 million and increasing them for properties exceeding $1 million. Click here to read the language on the referendum. If you have any questions, please contact our office.
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Visit our office to apply to be an election judge.
Office location: 2511 W Division Street, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours:
- Monday 1 pm - 5 pm*
- Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am - 5 p
- Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
- Friday 10 am - 5 pm
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iMentor still needs 100 adults in Chicago to become mentors to high school juniors at North-Grand High School! Fast-Track your way to joining a volunteer mentor community of 1,000 strong by attending one of our Fall Fast-Track sessions. When you sign up for a Fast-Track timeslot (1hr), it will include:
- New Mentor Orientation (to learn more)
- Complete a Mentor Application (to make the best match to a mentee)
- Meet Current Mentors (ask any questions)
- Enjoy Coffee & Pastries (yum!)
For questions contact chicago@imentor.org.
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Run for your Local School Council
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As a former educator, I recognize the pivotal role that parental and community involvement plays in shaping a child's education. Research consistently highlights the positive impact of such engagement, leading to improved academic performance, attendance, and enhanced self-esteem for students. Local School Councils (LSCs) are instrumental in this regard, overseeing crucial aspects such as evaluating school principals, approving budgets, and endorsing improvement plans. In the 26th ward, I am dedicated to ensuring that every school benefits from a robust and complete LSC. Your participation in these councils is vital to sustaining the seamless operation of daily school functions. I encourage you to consider running for the LSC, as your input can contribute significantly to the educational landscape of our community. LSC elections are scheduled for April 10 at elementary schools and April 11 at high schools. The deadline to submit your application is February 8, 2024, at 3 pm. Visit cps.edu/lsc to learn more and apply.
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Become an LSC Election Judge
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You could earn $275 a day working as a LSC Election Judge. Chicago Public Schools is looking for election judges for the Spring 2024 Local School Council Elections. Elections will be conducted in person at individual schools in April. For more information, contact the office of LSC relations at 773-553-1400 or email Iscrelations@cps.edu.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Fall Registration
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Are you intellectually curious? Or looking for engagement and social connection? OLLI invites you to join this vibrant learning community at Northwestern University, specially designed for adults age 50+. In stimulating discussions, you’ll explore a wide range of your favorite subjects, including history, literature, creative arts, contemporary issues, science, technology, and more--with no tests or grades. Registration is Feb 5 through Feb 19 for 14-week study groups that begin March 4th in Evanston, downtown Chicago, or online. To view our fall catalog of 100 study groups, email olli@northwestern.edu. And join us for “A Taste of OLLI,” our free online information session on Jan 30 at 11a Central via Zoom (Register here).
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Apply to be a Park District Lifeguard
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Apply Now to be a Chicago Park District Summer Lifeguard!
Complete three easy steps: (1) Apply (2) Take the swim test (3) Get hired. Get a $50 Amazon gift card for taking the test, and $400 for completing the training. Must be a Chicago resident age 16 or older by July 1, 2024. Enjoy a summer job in the parks! Apply now at chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
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Cook County Sheriff's Office
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Construction and Building Trades Pre- Apprenticeship
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Are you interested in a career in Construction and the Building Trades? Illinois Works has a FREE Pre-apprenticeship program starting in February. This program offers wrap-around services, stipends, industry recognized certifications and more. For more information contact Rincon Family Services at the number listed on the flyer.
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Greencorps Training Program
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Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment. They are currently recruiting potential candidates for this year’s Employment & Training Program. More information and how to apply can be found on the attached flyer and at https://greencorpschicago.org/how-to-apply/. During the ten-month program, Greencorps Chicago trainees earn a starting wage of $18.50, receive practical experience, professional development, and classroom & field training. Throughout the program, trainees are supported with wrap-around social services, a stable income, and assistance finding full time employment upon completion of the program. For more info, please see: greencorpschicago.org/how-to-apply/.
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The application for the Obama Leaders program is now open! Between now and Friday, February 9, changemakers between the ages of 24 and 45 from the United States region who want to deepen their leadership skills and connect with other emerging leaders are invited to apply. Apply today!
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School to Work Program for Young Adults
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Bridges is a program that assists young adults in Chicago with job readiness, work maturity skills, job search, interviewing skills, entry level job placement, retention, and follow‐up. For more information go to bridgestowork.org.
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Other Career Opportunities
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Public Service
- Chicago Department of Law
- 5 "Senior Supervisor-level attorneys" in the following divisions: Regulatory & Contracts, Federal Civil Rights Litigation, Labor, Constitutional & Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation. Click here to learn more and apply.
- 8 "Entry to mid-level attorneys:" in the following divisions: Torts, Federal Civil Rights Litigation, Federal Civil Rights Litigation - Reversed Conviction Section, Employment Litigation, Risk Management & Compliance, Finance, Real Estate, and more. Click here to learn more and apply.
- Student Opportunities: Year-Round Clerkship, Non-Paid Externship, Post-Graduate Fellowship, Pre-Law Volunteer Program | Summer 2024 Law Clerk Program is now accepting applications.
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Yacht 57 is a local restaurant serving fish, wings, and burgers located at 1750 North California Ave. Their hours are:
- Tuesday 11 AM–9 PM
- Wednesday 11 AM–9 PM
- Thursday 11 AM–9 PM
- Friday 11 AM–9 PM
- Saturday 11 AM–9 PM
- Sunday 9 AM–7 PM
- Monday Closed
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New Program Connects Landlords and Vacant Apartments To Folks In Need
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Chicago Rents is a program that connects landlords to tenants through multiple housing subsidy programs, allowing property partners to receive guaranteed rent, fill vacant units, and access individualized support. Chicago Rents is a program that was created in response to COVID-19 to centralize property partner relationships across multiple housing programs. Through Chicago Rents, property partners are connected with Chicagoans in need of housing, filling unit vacancies and making a real difference in Chicago's neighborhoods. For additional information, please visit: allchicago.org/chicagorents.
If you are a landlord interested in joining the Chicago Rents program, you can click here to apply.
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If you know someone looking for reproductive justice resources in Chicago, they can go to this Department of Public Health resource page to use the City’s digital community resource directory. There is also a free talkline (1-888-493-0092) where operators are available to share information on various reproductive justice options.
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