Austin Coming Together
Austin youth doing restorative justice
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Austin Coming Together has received a grant from the Tides Foundation. It is funding a restorative justice program that teaches young people to become peace circle keepers.
Austin
Learn about Austin’s community plan
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Take part in the monthly community hub meeting of Austin Coming Together on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. The virtual meeting will be held on Facebook Live.
Austin Coming Together
Watch a new film about Austin
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A short documentary about Austin will be released Aug. 18 on Facebook. The “year in review” film documents the work more than 40 West Side leaders and dozens of partner groups have done on Austin’s quality-of-life plan throughout the pandemic.
Austin
Austin Garden Collective hosting volunteer Saturdays
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Volunteer Saturdays last two hours and are held most weekends throughout Austin. Find a gardem near you where you can weed, plant and harvest produce with a local gardener.
Austin
Bethel New Life designing urban farm, wellness hub in memory of Mildred Wiley
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The West Side organization is working with the Chicago Botanic Garden on developing the urban farm and wellness hub in the 4900 block of West Thomas and Division streets. Mildred Wiley, a longtime community leader and advocate for Austin who worked at Bethel New Life, died two years ago.
Austin
Start the new year by getting help buying or repairing your home
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There are a number of programs available to Chicago and/or Cook County residents wanting to buy a home or repair the one they already own. Some of the programs will begin accepting applications in early 2021, so housing advocates urge West Side residents to start organizing their paperwork now.
Austin
New project puts spotlight on local ‘everyday’ heroes
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The “Everyday Activists” project entails interviewing and taking photos of West Side heroes who are too often unheard and overlooked. Once the pandemic has subsided, organizers plan to hold two in-person exhibits – one in Austin and the other in Oak Park. Another project titled “Austin has the Mic” also aims to empower Austin residents to share their stories and help depict the community in a more authentic and positive light.
Austin
Racial reconciliation symposium focuses on changing the narrative
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The event, held virtually and at the Kehrein Center for the Arts and presented by the Austin Renaissance Council, highlighted the importance of storytelling with panel discussions, poetry and musical guests. It prompted uncomfortable conversations, emphasizing the importance of Austin residents taking control of their narratives.
Community
West Siders invited to racial reconciliation symposium this week
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The Kehrein Center for the Arts will be hosting the event on Thursday, Nov. 5 to discuss systemic racism and the history of disinvestment in Austin. The symmposium will be held virtually from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register now.
policing
15th District seeks input from West Side residents
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The 15th Policer District hosted a Zoom meeting last week, seeking community input on the district’s policing strategy for the upcoming year. Residents expressed a need for more transparency, and they want officers to work to build better relationships with the community.