ChangeX Community Challenge
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ChangeX Chicago Community Challenge will make $100,000 total available to 15 different ideas. The money is made available to help support new community projects across the city. Each applicant who successfully completes a 30-day challenge and an impact challenge will receive funding amounts ranging from $500-$5,000 to help get their selected project off the ground.
There is a range of ideas - from community fridges to creating a Girls Who Code Club - that you can explore on Change X's website to help you get started on a project in the 49th Ward. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to get started, visit Change X's website.
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49th Ward Youth Advisory Council Food Drive
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The 49th Ward Youth Advisory Committee has launched a food drive. All donations will benefit the United Church of Rogers Park's weekly free hot meal to help feed our hungry neighbors. Drop off non-perishable items through February 28 at Rogers Park Fruit Market, Cermak Fresh Market, or Devon Market.
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Purchase an A Just Harvest Mask and Support
Your Local Food Pantry at the Same Time
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A Just Harvest, 7653 N. Paulina, has stepped up during the COVID-19 crisis and made sure that our most vulnerable neighbors always have a hot meal to eat. They work tirelessly year-round, never taking a day off for the holidays, to give back to our community.
Now you can show your support and appreciation for them by purchasing an A Just Harvest face mask for only $15. Your contribution will go to helping them continue supporting our families. They only have a limited supply, so make sure to order yours today. You can order a face mask on A Just Harvest's website.
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Help Our Elderly and Disabled Neighbors
with Snow Removal this Winter
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City ordinance requires residents and businesses to keep clear their sidewalks of snow in a timely manner after a storm. The 49th Ward has residents who might need a little extra assistance this winter in clearing their sidewalks. Our office is looking for volunteers with their own shovels to help lend a hand to our elderly and disabled neighbors by shoveling the sidewalks in front of their building. After a snowstorm, our office will email you with a list of locations that need an extra hand in snow removal. If you're interested in volunteering, please fill out this short Google Form.
Are you a neighbor that is in need of extra assistance with snow removal? Please fill out this short Google Form. Our office won't share any contact information gathered in this form; we will only include your address on the list that we send volunteers after a snow storm.
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Commissioner Gainer's Annual Women's Toiletry Drive
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Commissioner Bridget Gainer is hosting her annual women's toiletry drive. Please consider donating travel-sized products of shampoo and conditioner, soap, shower gel, deodorant, and body location to a drop off location to help women that are currently incarcerated. For more information, call Commissioner Gainer's office at 312-603-4210 or email district10@cookcountyil.gov.
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Become a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor
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January is National Mentoring Month! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Chicago is a one-to-one mentoring program that matches students with a screened mentor based on location, interests, and hobbies. Matches meet 2-4 times a month for a minimum of one year. Students in this program are more likely to graduate high school, avoid risky behaviors, and improve relationships with their peers. This is currently a 100% virtual opportunity. For more information, please feel free to contact Miesha at 312-207-4249 or ransom@bbbschgo.org. You may also visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website at bbbschgo.org/enroll to learn more.
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Community Engagement Opportunities
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Leone Beach Park Advisory Council hosts
"The Ups and Downs of Lake Michigan Water Levels: What's Going On, and What to Do"
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Want to learn more about Lake Michigan water levels? Join the Leone Beach Park Advisory Council for a virtual talk, “The Ups and Downs of Lake Michigan Water Levels: What is Going On, and What to Do” by Philip Willink, Ph.D.
When: Jan 28, 2021 7:00 – 8:00 pm Central Standard Time (US and Canada)
The event is free, but online advanced registration is required.
About the talk
Lake Michigan is part of one of the largest freshwater ecosystems on the planet. It has been consistently changing throughout its entire existence. A review of over a century of data can yield clues about the multiple processes driving water level changes, and provides insights for what the future may hold, particularly within the context of climate change. This understanding is necessary for communities, like Chicago, to develop shoreline plans that are resilient for the rest of the 21st Century and beyond. A proper perspective is required to protect both Lake Michigan's biodiversity and Chicago's infrastructure in an uncertain future.
About the speaker
Philip Willink is an aquatic scientist that received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, then worked at The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Illinois Natural History Survey. He has also served on numerous boards and committees related to aquatic conservation.
Willink has conducted research in a dozen different countries, as well as extensively throughout the Chicago Region. His primary specialty is fish, specifically how fish communities change over time and whether these changes are in response to natural or anthropogenic factors. This has resulted in projects on endangered species, invasive species, habitat restoration, and climate change. His professional focus has evolved into taking scientific research and making the leap to actionable conservation and management initiatives and policy.
About Leone Beach Park Advisory Council
We are the official Chicago Park District Park Advisory Council for Leone Beach Park (also known as Touhy Beach). We offer nature-based activities for the whole family.
Our role is to connect the community with Leone Beach Park. Our goal is to revitalize Leone Beach Park and Fieldhouse to be an active recreational and educational community asset where people enjoy, learn about, and care for Lake Michigan and its coast.
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Grow Your Own Food with the Peterson Garden Project
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Learn how to grow your own food! Do you know there is an organic edible community garden at Howard and Ashland? Join your fellow gardeners and neighbors in the community to learn how to grow food, share what you learn, and enjoy some much-anticipated sunshine with Peterson Garden Project. Membership is $85 for the gardening season of April 24th to November 7th and includes education, events, some supplies, water access, and a 4'x8' plot. Visit www.petersongarden.org today to register or for more info!
Contact registration@petersongarden.org with questions or for scholarships.
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Northside AARP Community Group Meeting February 2
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The Northside AARP Community Group will host their next monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 2. Don Bell will join the meeting to present "How We Got to Today" and lead a conversation on the events of January 6, 2021, and other issues we face today.
To register to attend the monthly meeting, email northsideaarpcommunitygroup@gmail.com.
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Edgewater Village Seeking Help for
Valentine Card Giving Program Through February 5
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Edgewater Village is partnering with the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library to collect Valentine’s Day cards -- store-bought as well as handcrafted cards -- to give to our neighbors in assisting living, long-term care communities and rehabilitation facilities.
This is a great intergenerational activity! If you need supplies, a small selection of crafting materials may be picked up from the Edgewater Branch Library to be used in making homemade Valentine's Day cards. Check the library's website for the hours it is open.
Email Librarian Katy Linehan (klinehan@chipublib.org) with the number of cards you can provide, and she'll send further details. Cards should be dropped off at the Circulation Desk of the Edgewater Library, 6000 N. Broadway, by Friday, Feb. 5. If you can't stop by during open hours, cards can be left in the outside book drop as long as they are bundled and inside a bag. Clearly label the bag: Attn: Edgewater Village Chicago.
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Check out Edgewater Village's Upcoming events
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Conversation with author Miles Harvey
Thursday, Jan. 28
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join Miles Harvey, author of "The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreams, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch." Harvey digs into the strange and largely unknown story of James Strang and the singular movement in antebellum American that allowed him -- and the new breed of "confidence men" -- to thrive.
The free program will be presented on Zoom by Edgewater Branch Library and Friends of the Edgewater Library. Register here.
In addition to the conversation with Miles Harvey, you're invited to The No Book Club (Jan. 25); exercise (Jan. 26); Chicago's Urban Wildlife (Jan. 29); Movie Chat (Jan. 30); Coffee & Conversation (Feb. 2) and It's Greek to Me (Feb. 2). Check out the website, EVChicago.org, and sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss out on some interesting programs. All activities are held via Zoom; review the "join a meeting" tutorial if you aren't familiar with using Zoom.
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Each week we've been updating this section with the rapid information coming down from all levels of government. This has resulted in a long email with the information running for several weeks. To shorten the length of the newsletter and provide the freshest content, we have archived all the COVID-19 newsletters on the 49th Ward website. You can also refer to the Rogers Park Community Response Team's website, where resources and information are abundantly available for our neighbors.
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LIHEAP For All: Financial Assistance for All,
Regardless of Legal Status
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Low-income families in the state of Illinois can still apply for financial assistance to help pay for gas or electric bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until June 30, 2021. However, the sooner you apply, the better.
CUB recommends that to avoid misinformation, the most reliable way to get details about LIHEAP benefits is to always use the State of Illinois’s website.
LIHEAP remains available up to 200% of the federal poverty level, and undocumented applicants are welcome. Currently, the LIHEAP system accepts an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in place of a Social Security number (SSN). Even if you don’t have an ITIN, you can still apply.
To apply for LIHEAP, fill out the pre-qualification application. Once you fill out your application, your local LIHEAP office will contact you.
For more information and to learn about other financial assistance programs, visit the state’s Help for Illinois Families website.
If you have any questions, please call the Citizen's Utility Board's consumer hotline at 1-800-669-5556. If you need help in Spanish, you can call 1-833-711-0374.
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Recycle Your Christmas Tree through January 23
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Chicago residents can recycle their Christmas tree at any of the city’s 25 locations through January 23.
The city has partnered with the Chicago Park District to provide residents with this free service. Trees can be dropped off anytime during normal business hours. Free mulch will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting January 6 at Warren Park, Margate Park, Margate Park, Mt. Greenwood Park, North Park Village, and the Forestry Site.
The closest recycling location for 49th Ward residents is at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western.
Only live/natural trees free of flocking will be accepted (this means no garland or wreaths). All trees must have any tinsel, ornaments, lights, and strands removed in order to be recycled. Any plastic bags used to transport the tree to a drop-off location must also be removed.
A map of all drop-off locations is available to view online.
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State Partners with Banks to Provide
Free Check Cashing for Stimulus Checks
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The Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR) announced this week that they have worked with banks to provide services for unbanked Illinoisans seeking to cash their stimulus checks without incurring check-cashing fees. During the first round of stimulus checks, the banks provided this service and worked again with IDFPR to secure the same agreement for the second round of stimulus checks.
The FDIC estimates that over 22% of Illinois households are under or unbanked. Many of these Illinois households will once again be receiving paper stimulus checks and have few check cashing options that won't incur fees. To avoid these fees, IDFPR partnered with several banking institutions that will provide non-customers services to cash their stimulus checks for free. The banks in this partnership include the Bank of America, First Midwest, Fifth Third, Huntington, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and U.S. Bank. This partnership means that Illinois residents will be able to apply their full stimulus amount toward food, housing, and other necessities during this difficult time.
To ensure proper social distancing and confirm that they have the proper identification to cash their federal stimulus check, individuals interested in these options should contact the banks listed above or email IDFPR at ILBanks@illinois.gov to set up an appointment.
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ONE Central Project Webinar January 25
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The Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) are hosting a virtual community webinar to review Landmark Development’s proposed ONE Central project on the Near South Side.
The meeting will take place on Zoom at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. Registration for the Zoom webinar is open now. The presentation will be posted on the City’s website in advance of the meeting.
The mixed-use ONE Central proposal is planned for approximately 32 acres of primarily rail yard land between McCormick Place and the Museum Campus on the Near South Side. It would be anchored by a multi-modal transit hub and include 9,050 residential units and more than 12.5 million square feet of commercial, retail, hotel, and event space, along with parking for 3,500 vehicles.
A pending Planned Development zoning application will require review by DPD and other City agencies, as well as the review and approval of the Chicago Plan Commission and City Council. Thorough details about Landmark's proposal will be provided during the meeting.
Members of the public are welcome to email questions in advance of the meeting to DPD@cityofchicago.org or ward03@cityofchicago.org by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21.
For more information, visit the City’s website. Questions and comments can always be directed to DPD@cityofchicago.org.
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Senior Citizens can Apply for Property Tax Deferral
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Senior citizens having a hard time paying their property taxes can take advantage of a loan program administered by the Cook County Treasurer’s Office.
Seniors whose annual household income is $55,000 or less can apply now for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, which issues loans to cover property tax payments.
The loans, which are issued by the State of Illinois, do not have to be repaid until the property is sold or the homeowner dies. The state charges a simple interest rate of 6 percent per year. The maximum loan is $5,000 per year. To qualify, homeowners must be at least 65 years old by June 1 of the year in which the application is made.
To apply:
- Download the application from cookcountytreasurer.com
- Submit the completed application and copies of the required documents to the Treasurer’s Office
- The deadline is March 1, 2021. Applications after that date cannot be accepted
- Homeowners must reapply every year
- The First Installment for Tax Year 2020 is due March 2, 2021, but late charges are waived through May 3, 2021
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Two Month Waiver Available for Property Tax Late Fees
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In November, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to waive late fees for two months on both property tax installments due in 2021, giving cash-strapped property owners more time to juggle their finances.
The Board unanimously waived for two months the 1.5 percent per month late fee on all Tax Year 2020 property taxes, according to a news release. Specifically:
- The First Installment of 2020 taxes is due March 2, 2021, with application of late charges moved back to May 3, 2021.
- The Second Installment of 2020 taxes is due August 2, 2021, with application of late charges moved back to October 1, 2021.
For more information, visit the Cook County Treasurer's website.
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Submit Comment on City's Demolition Regulations by Feb. 18
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Following the demolition of the smokestack in Little Village owned by Hilco Development Partners, the City Council passed measures further regulating demolitions by implosion. These new proposed rules are available for public comment until 11:59 p.m. on February 18, 2021. To review the proposed rules and provide a written comment, please visit the City’s website. You can submit a written comment using the tool found at the bottom of the webpage.
In addition to written comments, a virtual public hearing on the proposed rules will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. To participate in the hearing, please register at https://rb.gy/rwp9aq. If you wish to offer public comments at the hearing, please check the appropriate box on the registration page. Speakers will have up to 2 minutes to share their comments.
Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be available at the hearing. If you require other accommodations, please contact communityengagement@cityofchicago.org or call (312)720-5523.
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Call or email the Rogers Park Community Response Team!
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The Rogers Park Community Response Team is an action-oriented group created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. RPCRT was created by 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden in coordination with local service providers and community organizations. Partners include IL State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Protect RP, Northside Community Resources, Loyola Community Nursing Center, and hundreds of deeply committed community volunteers.
We are working together to support each other. We will do so, to the best of our combined ability care for all of our RP family, with fierce love and compassion. We want every Rogers Park resident to know that you are cared for and not alone.
Contact us at rpcrt49@gmail.com or call our Support Hotline at 773-831-7668. Volunteers are available to answer your questions and direct you to resources now.
Please also take a moment to look at the Rogers Park Community Response Team's robust website, rpcrt.org. This website acts as a centralized location where a variety of resources can live to help residents in the wake of COVID-19.
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SBA Loans & Small Business Relief Town Halls
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Commissioner Bridget Gainer will join the Small Business Administration District Director Robert Steiner to host a series of town halls for small businesses. Learn about SBA loans and other business relief opportunities. For more information, email Commissioner Gainer's office at district10@cookcountyil.gov.
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Payment Protection Program Application Now Open
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The Small Business Administration (SBA) opened another round of Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans this week. The latest PPP loans were included in the second federal relief package passed in late December 2020.
On Monday, businesses that did not receive a loan during the first round of the PPP became eligible to apply for a First Draw PPP Loan at participating Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). On Wednesday, certain businesses that have already received a PPP loan through the first round became eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan through a participating CDFI. After these first two tiers, PPP will open for applications through all participating lenders, including traditional banks.
As a reminder, businesses apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans through a bank, credit union, CDFI, or other lenders. Initially, businesses will only be able to use CDFIs to receive loans in order to promote access to capital. For a list of Illinois CDFIs, click here. Please note that some CDFIs may not be participating in the program- please contact your preferred lender to determine if they are participating. The program will then open up to all participating lenders, including traditional banks, at a later date.
To learn more about the PPP, please visit these links:
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Rogers Park Business Alliance COVID-19 Resources
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The site maintains updated information on how we can support our small business community as well as resources for businesses in how they can adapt during this unique and challenging time. From their site:
Rogers Park Business Alliance is proud of the caring, work ethic, dedication and resiliency of our community. We firmly believe that, together, we will meet the challenge that we are all faced with today and going forward.
Out of an abundance of love and concern for the health of our community we are closing our offices. Based on recommended precautionary measures and public health guidelines, team RPBA will be working remotely until given the all clear. We are available via phone and email. We appreciate your patience at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (773) 508-5885 or info@rpba.org.
You can view our growing list of Rogers Park businesses that are open and/or receiving donations. You can also checkout the Chicagoland Dining at a Distance list.
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Become a Tutor with Connecting Chicago
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Connecting Chicago was founded in March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis in order to offer free tutoring services to students across the city. They currently have 550 students and tutors enrolled and recently registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Joining their team offers a great experience from which students can earn service hours. Students interested in volunteering to tutor should sign up for their third-quarter cycle by January 30th.
You can find more information on their website, where you can sign-up to be a tutor or to receive tutoring services.
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CPS Pick-Up Meals Continue through Winter
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With the return of pre-K students to in-person learning, CPS will continue to offer free meals to the community. Any child under the age of 18 can receive a 3-day meal kit at over 450 CPS locations across the city. You do not have to be a CPS student to receive a meal. Families simply inform the cafeteria staff how many children are in their household and they will receive meals for each child.
The grab & go meal service is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 1 pm. To find a location, visit CPS's website or call (773) 553-KIDS.
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Future Founders Paid Internship and Spring Break Program
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Future Founders is offering a paid internship and a free spring break program this spring.
Be Your Own Boss After School Internship
Join Future Founders for a two-and-a-half week PAID virtual internship where you'll get a crash course in entrepreneurship, work with awesome teens from across the city, and build a business of your very own! Applications are due by Friday, February 5th: https://future-founders.lpages.co/byob-winter-2021/
Startup Spring Break Camp run in partnership with Google
Join girls from across Chicago for a FREE virtual camp - run in partnership with Google - to learn about entrepreneurship, meet female founders making an impact, and collaborate to create business ideas. Applications are due by Monday, March 1st: https://future-founders.lpages.co/startup-spring-break-2021/
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Aramark Job Fair January 27
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Aramark is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, January 27, from 9 am to 12 pm and again from 1 pm to 3 pm. They are hiring full-time and part-time custodian positions for Chicago Public Schools. The positions have a starting pay of $15.55/hour plus healthcare benefits. To pre-register for the job fair and to learn more, visit bit.ly/CPS127.
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Howard Area Community Center Seeking a
Family Support Worker/Family Engagement Liaison
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Howard Area Community Center is seeking a Family Support Worker/Family Engagement Liaision.
Title: Family Support Worker/Family Engagement Liaison
Program/Department: Early Childhood
Full Time or Part Time/Hours per week: Full Time
Salary: available upon request
Last Date to Apply: Until Filled!
Brief Description:
This position will develop and maintain relationships with families and provide case management to ensure that they receive comprehensive services through their participation in our Head Start/ Early Head Start Program. Responsibilities also include developing and implementing a comprehensive program of parent involvement.
Mandatory Requirements & Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bachelor's degree in social work or related field preferred, experience in social service field, and bi-lingual (Spanish/English) recommended.
How to apply:
Send your resume and transcripts to Maria Elena Roman, M.A. (mroman@howardarea.org) or view our website for other job opportunities https://howardarea.org/
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Spinning Wheels in Uptown is Hiring
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Spinning Wheel Brands is currently looking for temporary assistance at our Uptown Chicago warehouse with "pick and pack" creation of customized food kits of our snack items for Amazon and getting them palletized for shipping.
Daily tasks include:
- Setting up the workspace with inventory, boxes, and labels
- Create new items with multiple items from existing inventory
- Double-check each package to confirm it complies with Amazon requirements
- Close and label packages
- Palletize items for shipment via truck
- Some reorganizing of warehouse and simple cleaning may be needed
Must be able to:
- Stand for a few hours at a time
- Lift 50 lbs for brief periods
- Be highly detail-oriented
- Follow directions exactly
- Be very observant of current tasks to avoid mistakes
COVID-19 Precautions:
- Everyone on the team must wear their masks throughout the day
- Working area will be kept separate to ensure at least 6 feet social distancing
- Everyone will need to be very aware of health - watch their own temperature, sense of taste and smell, headache, etc.
The current project build is over the next two weeks for two days a week at about 7-8 hours a day. The exact days are still being planned. There is potential for future jobs.
Please contact Tony Boring at tony@spinningwheelbrands.com with your resume and contact information.
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Raise Your Hand is Hiring a Parent Organizer
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Raise Your Hand (RYH) is hiring a Parent Organizer.
As a growing organization of 2 FTE and 3 PTE, Raise Your Hand is looking for an experienced partner to design the future of organizing at Raise Your Hand. This position requires someone who will be tactical and strategic, experienced at organizing leaders, and effective at training the next generation of parent leaders. The ideal candidate is someone who has experience intentionally developing members, leading campaigns and has a desire to eventually lead and manage other staff. Reports directly to the Executive Director.
The full job description and more information are available on Raise Your Hand's website. The application closes on January 31, 2021.
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Trilogy Behavioral Health Hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse
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Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare is seeking a Chief Medical Officer.
The Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct patient care and coordination of care services to assigned clients as delegated by a Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Nurse to work alongside our outreach teams. Their primary responsibilities will be medication monitoring, training, and reconciliation for outreach clients to assist the team with ensuring medication is packed correctly and to reduce medication errors. The Licensed Practical Nurse will provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to clients with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse/addiction disorders utilizing a harm reduction approach.
For more information on qualifications and how to apply, visit Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare's website.
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Trilogy Behavioral Health Hiring a Chief Medical Officer
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Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare is seeking a Chief Medical Officer.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is responsible for all medical and psychiatric matters at Trilogy. The CMO will report to and work closely with the President and CEO; and will have partnerships with senior leadership to develop and implement strategies across the organization. They must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in an autonomous and deadline-oriented workplace.
For more information on qualifications and how to apply, visit Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare's website.
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Doctors Test Centers (DTC) Job Opportunities
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The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has long been an economic engine for the City and region at large. They recently announced that they will begin offering the most comprehensive COVID-19 testing of any airport in the country at O’Hare and Midway International Airports.
The program will require a workforce to fill the more than 100 available positions. Doctors Test Centers (DTC) has been selected as the vendor to assist the CDA with the endeavor. They have a variety of employment opportunities open and are seeking applicants. For more information, visit DTC's website here.
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