labor

Union, hospital reach tentative agreement

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SEIU Illinois and The Loretto Hospital reached a tentative contract agreement last week. The new contract includes wage increases, regular raises for staff and staffing protections. Workers will vote on the agreement on Wednesday. On Monday, they’ll will gather outside the hospital as part of the “Strike for Black Lives National Day of Action” to their solidarity for workers across the country “calling for the resources, wages and workplace protections needed to protect Black lives on the job and in our communities.”

Community

Free mental health help available

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Free screening and linkage to care is available at the Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center (WCTWC) at 4133 W. Madison. Walk-ins are welcome, or residents can call the 24-hour crisis line at (773) 745-2610. “If people are feeling sad, depressed or hurt I urge them to take advantage of the free mental health support,” said state Rep. La Shawn Ford.

Chicago Public Schools

Free meals available again at many West Side schools

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CPS will resume meal distribution Tuesday at more than 300 school sites – including about a dozen in Austin – after a temporary one-day suspension. No grab-and-go meal sites were open on Monday due to transportation and safety challenges that were anticipate for staff that hand out the meals. CTA buses and trains were shut down Sunday night and didn’t resume operating until Monday because of weekend looting across the city that followed peaceful protests over the police killing in Minnesota of George Floyd.

Uncategorized

Free masks available Thursday in Austin

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Austin Coming Together will be distributing the masks from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23 at three sites in Austin: the Westside Health Authority’s youth development center at 5437 W. Division St.; By The Hand Club for Kids at 415 N. Laramie Ave.; and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at 601 S. Central Ave.

recovery

Stay-at-home order poses challenge for those in recovery

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There are programs available in Austin for people who want to continue treatment or seek help for the first time. Austin native Jerome McNutt, who’s been sober for 19 months, says he’s taking things one day at a time and encourages others to do the same. “This is a good time to get your life right.”