AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/oak-park/)
Several Austin and Oak Park residents shared their stories as activists and community organizers during a panel as part of the photo exhibit “Everyday Activists.” The exhibit closes March 31 at the Austin library branch,.
A panel and reception will be held Sunday starting at 2 p.m. at the Austin library branch, 5615 W. Race Ave.
The reception and panel discussion was to be held at the Austin library branch but had to be postponed because the library is closed due to the number of staff who’ve tested positive for COVID. The exhibit, which opened in December at the library, highlights the work of 19 Austin and Oak Park residents.
Austin is the latest neighborhood to be included in Taste the Town, an Oak Park initiative designed to support restaurants struggling during the pandemic. This week’s event will be partnering with New Moms, an Austin organization that offers services to young mothers and their children.
The portrait and interview collection opens May 4th at the Oak Park Art League. The exhibit, which celebrates the work of West Side activists, ends May 26th. There will be a reception May 14th and an online panel discussion May 20th. There are plans for the exhibit to be featured in Austin this summer.
The telethon, organized by the new nonprofit group Renew 312, will feature singalongs, book readings and an appearance by Santa Claus to raise money for Austin. Tune in on Facebook Live from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
At least 1,500 people participated in a peaceful protest Thursday evening from Oak Park to Austin. It was organized by state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford.
The new Oak Park facility, which features 18 one- and two- bedroom apartments, offers permanent housing to young mothers. That differs from the New Mom’s main facility located nearby in Austin at 5317 W. Chicago Ave., where mothers can stay no more than two years.
West Side business owners, parents and social workers met last week in Oak Park to discuss the potential and challenges facing the school. The conversation was moderated by Reesheda Graham Washington, executive director of Community First Association and owner of the LIVE café, where the meeting was held.
Robert J. Urso, PCC’s president and CEO, welcomed guests at an open house earlier this week at the Oak Park facility, and state Sen. Don Harmon made remarks.