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Francia Garcia Hernandez

Austin

Experts share perspectives about health equity on Chicago’s West Side

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | December 7, 2022

Panelists at a town hall held last month stressed the importance of having honest conversations about the disparities that West Side residents experience in the healthcare system.

29th Ward

Multiple challengers file to run against Alds. Taliaferro and Mitts in February

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 29, 2022

Incumbents Chris Taliaferro and Emma Mitts could face up to three contenders on the Feb. 28th ballot, depending on whether objections are filed and how election officials rule. Several candidates also filed to run for the newly created 15th and 25th Police District Councils.

News

Austin running club wants to empower Blacks to be active

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 20, 2022

Anyone interested in running can join CARA’S Austin Running Crew, which meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. for most of the year. The last run of the season was last week, but the group will begin again in February.

Ald. Emma Mitts

Chicago Avenue’s “Soul City Corridor” construction begins

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 17, 2022

Ald. Emma Mitts, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other city officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony held this week – on the three-year anniversary of the city’s INVEST South/West plan.

News

Blues legend Larry Taylor’s quest to revive the blues on Chicago’s West Side

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 10, 2022

With a musical career spanning several decades, Taylor wants to “bring the blues back to his community.” That’s what music is all about – bringing people together, he says.

News

City seeks input from residents about permanent public art in Austin

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 3, 2022

After hearing from residents, the artist-led Public Art Reimagining Tour with You (PARTY) is sharing six proposals under consideration.

News

There’s plenty for Austin youth to do: Check out these activities

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | November 1, 2022

At this month’s 15th Police District youth meeting, community groups shared safe spaces and mentoring opportunities for youth.

News

Chicago artists want your help turning Austin’s plastic waste into public benches

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | October 14, 2022

Two Austin-based art organizations offer paid opportunities to residents who pick up trash and help transform it into functional art pieces. Stop by an event Saturday to learn how to make functional plastic objects.

News

‘Telling stories that need to be told’ part of monthly reading series in Austin

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | October 9, 2022

A group of West Side writers wants to create more spaces for the community to explore literary arts. Join the Front Porch Alliance Arts Center the third Sunday of each month to learn more.

Austin

West Side credit union likely to be a division of Great Lakes Credit Union

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | October 2, 2022

A memorandum of understanding has been signed that will allow the Leaders Network to open a branch on the West Side. The faith leaders group is still seeking donations.

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News

  • Expungement, record sealing event helps West Siders get jobs after leaving prison

    Austin resident Anthony Jefferson has been working over the past six years to expunge his criminal record. With help from the Monroe Foundation, he's moving toward the clean slate he wants to achieve to secure employment.

  • Get free groceries, other help from these Austin groups

    On a recent Thursday, volunteers from What About Us Charitable Enterprises spent the morning filling dozens of grocery bags with fresh food and staples that soon filled the arms of West Side residents in need. Dorin “Pastor Mac” McIntyre, executive director and co-founder of What About Us Charitable Enterprises and pastor of Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, is one of many helping Austin residents struggling with food insecurity.

  • 29th Ward residents invited to holiday events on Tuesday

  • 29th Ward residents invited to propose how to spend $450,000

    Austin residents are invited to participate in this year's participatory budgeting cycle. The annual process lets ward residents ages 14 and up decide how to spend a portion of the aldermanic menu money.

  • Forty Acres Fresh Market marks important moment this week in bringing store to Austin

    Austin moves one step closer this week to getting a new grocery store with the groundbreaking of Forty Acres Fresh Market in the heart of the Soul City Corridor. Another effort to expand food offerings on the West Side continues with the Austin Community Food Co-op, which held a virtual info session last week on its efforts to bring a grocery store to the area.

  • Healing in nature workshop set for Saturday

    The Westside Cultural Alliance continues its "See, Feel and Heal" nature series Saturday at Garfield Park Nature Area, 100 N. Central Park with a workshop on making memory boxes. The workshop sessions focus on art and nature as vehicles of healing through art therapy, which provides wholistic healing for the body, mind and spirit.

  • Illinois residents can apply for help with paying gas, electric bills

    Applications are now open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for qualified residential customers who are over the age of 60, have a disability or have children under the age of 6 to receive financial assistance to pay their energy bills. LIHEAP is a federally funded bill payment assistance program that helps low- and fixed-income families pay their utility during the winter heating season.

  • West Siders turn out for chili cook off in Austin’s Soul City

    Over a dozen local chefs competed in the second annual "It’s Getting Chili in Soul City" event on Saturday. A team of five who make up the Austin African American Business Networking Association board – Malcolm Crawford, Shirley Fields, Sharmine Rickett, Ronald Smith and Marshawn Felton – created the chili contest last year.

  • Chicago Marathon runner raises money for West Side girls

    Over the last 20 years, Ashley Graham has run 56 marathons - including the Chicago Marathon five times. Several of those marathons she raised money for charity - and this year was no different.

  • Stop by Austin farmers market this week

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