AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/austin-coming-together/)
A group of about a dozen youth created their own quality-of-life plan for Austin this summer, modeled after a similar plan being implemented by Austin Coming Together. The youth’s plan focuses on public safety, mental health and youth empowerment, and will be unveiled later this fall by the group Territory.
Three boxes of grains, produce and meat will be distributed per household from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 at the corner of Leamington and Kinzie. You can walk or drive up.
Austin Coming Together in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository will be distributing food from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 30, while Forty Acres Fresh Market will hold its weekly pop-up market at Austin Town Hall from 1 to 6 p.m.
The Austin Adams Block Club hosted the event last weekend. They planted rose bushes along Adams Street, ate barbecue from Smoky Zo’s and were visited by the mayor. Another community event is planned for this Saturday.
Walk-up testing is available June 23 and 24 for anyone wanting to be tested for the coronavirus. The testing site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Austin Health Center, 4814 W. Chicago Ave.
The Austin Garden Collective will be hosting community volunteer days at various gardens throughout Austin this summer. There will be some changes – like social distancing and mask wearing – due to the coronavirus.
Twenty-nine Austin community groups will receive more than $100,000 in grants from the Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities program. The Austin organizations are among 164 grops throughout the West and South sides selected to receive a total of $1 million in grants.
West Side residents can pick up free food on Thursdays starting May 14 at By The Hand Club For Kids, 415 S. Laramie. The pop-up pantry will be available on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through June 18. It’s one of several being held throughout the city.
Austin Coming Together was honored for its five-year quality-of-life plan by LISC Chicago, which each year recognizes top community development projects and architectural achievements.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Austin Coming Together invite all Austin residents to participate in a COVID-19 virtual town hall at 1 p.m. April 25. It will be streamed live through Facebook, or participants can call in.