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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

Gabby Douglas’ hairdo and fried chicken shows slow progress

By John W. Fountain III | August 8, 2012

Columnist John W. Fountain III. shares his opinion about two recent events saying, “We are so caught up in minute absurdities, we miss the big picture.”

Opinion
John W. Fountain III.

Summer cycle of death continues

By John W. Fountain III | July 20, 2012

Columnist John Fountain III writes about the deeper issues behind the violence plaguing the city.

Opinion

King James tells us glory is never the companion of the comfortable

By John W. Fountain III | July 3, 2012

Columnist John W. Fountain III writes about ignoring “haters” and those standing in the way of greatness.

Opinion
John W. Fountain III.

Final school bells mark official killing season opener

By John W. Fountain III | June 11, 2012

With the summer’s heat on the rise, columnist John W. Fountain III writes about the expected increase in violent acts across the city, and urges residents and leaders to reassess measures being taken to address the problem.

Opinion

Wearing my hoodie has a different meaning and consequence

By John W. Fountain III | March 28, 2012

In the wake of Trayvon Martin’s killing, columnist John W. Fountain III writes about the crisis faced by young black men in America.

Opinion
John W. Fountain III.

Leave the guilt and shame in last year

By John W. Fountain III | January 2, 2012

You have control over your life and what you want it to be, writes commentator John W. Fountain III.

Opinion

The holidays are a downer for some

By John W. Fountain III | December 24, 2011

Depression and seasonal affective disorder makes this time of year especially hard for more people than you may realize.

Opinion

The generation of Brenda’s babies

By John W. Fountain III | November 4, 2011

Columnist John Fountain writes about teenage pregnancy, personal accountability and the need for better parenting.

Opinion

I’ve got your back

By John W. Fountain III | October 6, 2011

John Fountain III expresses gratitude for the support he has received from his community and says a few words about the president.

Opinion

Students, you can beat the odds and graduate from college

By John W. Fountain III | September 9, 2011

Austin native shares his struggles and gains, while encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.

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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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