News
Depression is personal to me
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Austin native John Fountain III shares his struggles with depression and urges African Americans to not be afraid to get help. “I’m never alone in the struggle. And neither are you.”
health
Prostate screening at Loretto
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The Loretto Hospital is offering free prostate cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured men living in Austin and surrounding communities throughout the month. For more information or to schedule a screening, call (833) TLH-LOVE.
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.
Community
Austin groups to receive $100,000-plus in grants from ‘rapid response fund’
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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.
A Safe Haven
West side officials urge more funding for the homeless
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State Reps. La Shawn K. Ford, Delia Ramirez and Lindsey LaPointe will join homeless advocates Sunday morning from A Safe Haven to push for more support of the homeless and homeless prevention in the next state budget. The Illinois General Assembly is returning to Springfield after weeks of working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. A new state budget takes effect July 1.
15th Police District
New series explores the effects of gun violence on the South, West sides
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One of the experts featured in “FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence” is Jermaine Harris, a community policing sergeant in the Chicago Department’s 15th District, who talks about using social justice as a means of supporting the Austin community. The series launches Nov. 12 on WTTW.
Community
Paint Austin pink on Oct. 1
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Austin has one of the highest rates of breast cancer mortality in the city. The Loretto Hosptial and its foundation are working to reduce the number of women who die from this disease. Join others on the West Side from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 for the annual kick-off reception.
Opinion
Everyone should be on the lookout for those in trouble
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After the recent high-profile suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, state Rep. La Shawn Ford urges each of us to watch for signs of suicide in others and ourselves, and then get help.
AIDS
Today’s heroin epidemic similar to HIV/AIDS scourge in the 1980s
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West Side residents can take action to protect their friends, family and neighbors from this sweeping problem that’s more deadly than gun violence and motor accidents.
peace
West Side residents to stand once again on Austin corners
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Young and old are encouraged to unite against violence and crime by joining forces tonight, June 22nd from 6 to 7 p.m. – and on Wednesdays throughout July.