AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/prominence/top-story/page/58/)
If you are using the Newspaper or Carousel optional homepage layout, add this label to a post to make it the top story on the homepage
At this week’s meeting of the West Side Men’s Network, Loretto President and CEO George Miller pledged the hospital will work to rebuild trust after several instances of COVID-19 doses being improperly vaccinated. Also at this week’s meeting, Austin businessman Malcolm Crawford said new restaurants are coming to the neighborhood.
Several lawmakers held a press conference Saturday to voice support for the beleaguered hospital for the way it has distributed some of its COVID-19 vaccine supply.
Participate in a Black Economic Empowerment Rally (BEER) at Schweets Cheesecake, 5248 W. Chicago Ave., from 12 to 2 p.m. March 27. You can also take part via Zoom.
The Leaders Network hopes to raise $300,000 to open a credit union on the West Side, with the goal of giving residents more economic stability and opportunity.
The free tests are available Wednesday March 24-27 and March 30 through April 2 at 2nd Mount Olive Baptist Church, 5729 W. Chicago Ave. Vaccinations for Austin residents continue Friday and Saturday at Amundsen Park, 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave., and at Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School, 116 N. Central Ave., on Sunday.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro will be hosting community meetings via Zoom on the third Wednesday of the month. Austin residents at last week’s meeting learned about where they can get COVID-19 vaccines in the ward. Temporary clinics at Amundsen Park and Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School will be giving vaccinations to residents through the middle of April.
The Oakland, California-based Family Independence Initiative awarded 400 Black leaders across the country direct investments of $3,500. While none of the Chicago recipients are Austin residents, some do work on the West Side.
The Austin hospital is offering free screenings to uninsured or underinsured West Side residents until the end of the month. Call (833) THL-LOVE or visit Loretto’s web site to get more information.
Legislation signed into law last week by Gov. J.B. Pritzker expands already required Black history coursework to include pre-enslavement of Black people, why Black people came to be enslaved and the American Civil Rights renaissance. The new law – a key part of the Illinois Black Caucus’ legislative agenda – also increases the percentage of grant funds prioritized for Black males and incorporates consideration of financial need in awarding grants, among other improvements to higher education.
The new law, signed Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, provides $150 million in funding for hospitals like Loretto. Sitting nearby were several elected officials, including Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and state Rep. Camille Lilly. Both represent Austin residents in the Illinois General Assembly.