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Westside Health Authority, Safer Foundation and Habilitative Systems Inc. are among 31 groups receiving funding through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, which received a $56 million grant from the Chicago Department of Public Health to oversee contact tracing efforts.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) will be handing out masks and hand sanitizer 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10 at two locations, George Rogers Elementary School, 1045 S. Monitor Ave., and Sayre Elementary Language Academy, 1850 N. Newland Ave. State Reps. La Shawn Ford and Camille Lilly also will be at Saturdays’ events.
Stop by the 29th Ward Veteran’s Peace Garden at 5413 W. Madison St. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to get tested.Seasonal flu shots and blood pressure checks also will be available, and fresh produce, bottled water, toilet paper, soap and face masks will be distributed.
Testing will be done from 12 to 4 p.m. at 1333 N. Laramie Ave. Free masks, hand sanitizer and youth bike helmets also will be available.
The city shut down the Columbus Park testing site in July. Residents can be tested at four other Austin locations, including Loretto Hospital and PCC Community Wellness Center.
BUILD Chicago has bee n hosting a summer camp in Austin, providing 60 young people with a much needed outlet this summer. Their activities have included peace circles, basketball, volleyball and a small farm with some very friendly chickens.
Stop by Bethel New Life, 1140 N. Lamon Ave., between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 13 to get a non-painful mouth swab. Results are expected in three to five days. You may register to reduce your wait time.
High school juniors and seniors at Austin College and Career Academy – as well as the district’s dozens of other high schools – will be learning exclusively at home. The school is still deciding whether to keep its two school resource officers. Two other Austin high schools – Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School and Frederick Douglass Academy High School – have already voted unanimously to keep their officers.
Stop by at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at Zoe Life Ministries International, 5151 W. Madison St., to get tested, pick up free face masks and also complete the census.
The Chicago Police Department’s 15th District is encouraging residents and businesses to turn on their porch lights from 7 to 10 p.m. through Memorial Day in support of “heathy awareness and social distancing.”