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John W. Fountain III

John W. Fountain, III is a licensed social worker with a graduate degree from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work and an undergraduate degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. With the ability to investigate the implications of policy on human behavior, Fountain’s writings explore poverty, mental illness and the long lasting effects of trauma and race. Fountain received the prestigious Peter Lisagor Award in 2012 and also honored for best column by the Illinois Press Association in the same year. Fountain has experience in an inpatient psychiatric institution, psychiatric units of hospitals and served as a Dementia Unit Coordinator at a nursing home. It is Fountain’s belief that policy reform is the root solution of current social issues.

Opinion

The obvious pattern of racism gets ignored

By John W. Fountain III | March 28, 2018

There need to be more good white people in the fight, writes columnist John W. Fountain III.

Opinion

Trump has put the focus on the wrong thing

By John W. Fountain III | October 2, 2017

Columnist John W. Fountain III challenges society – especially those of us who are white – to get serious about dealing with racism.

Opinion

I will keep their names on my lips

By John W. Fountain III | September 10, 2015

Columnist John W. Fountain III says he – and we – must continue to fight racial injustice.

Opinion

This isn’t the African-American dream

By John W. Fountain III | June 23, 2015

Racism persists and is a problem for everyone, not just blacks, writes columnist John W. Fountain III.

Opinion

My Selma is now

By John W. Fountain III | March 11, 2015

One man shares the journey he began last weekend.

Opinion

Either we are all equal or ain’t none of us free

By John W. Fountain III | February 18, 2015

Columnist John W. Fountain III challenges us to think about the state of black America.

Opinion

Forgiveness is key to being happy

By John W. Fountain III | November 27, 2014

Our columnist John W. Fountain III gives thanks today for his father and the lessons he still teaches.

Opinion

The fearless and the powerful

By John W. Fountain III | October 6, 2014

Columnist John W. Fountain III ponders who’s responsible for the state of African Americans in the U.S.

Opinion

Prelude to a contemporary revolution

By John W. Fountain III | August 25, 2014

Read columnist John W. Fountain III’s take on what’s happening in Ferguson.

Opinion

Chains versus policy

By John W. Fountain III | August 12, 2014

The past continues to affect African-Americans today, writes columnist John W. Fountain III.

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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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