gca newsletter

8/9/2019 GCA Newsletter

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Dear Greater Chatham Alliance membersand Chatham neighbors:As we begin to make the transition to the new 2010 interim ExecutiveBoard, we have temporarily suspended our formal newsletter that

contains graphics.However, we still want to pass along information that our familiesand friends can all benefit from. Please scroll down past City &Community Services, For Adults and For Kids and Teens to seeevents and programs available.In addition, if you have any events, job alerts or other information to share, please try to get it to us two (2) weeks in advance of thedates. We thank you.Leslie HonoreGCA Corresponding Secretary773.483.5962

CITY & COMMUNITY SERVICESFree Amplified Telephones forthe Hearing Impaired

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities is offering free amplifiedtelephones through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation.There are many types of hearing loss, which means that a phone that worksfor one person may not work for another. There are differences in tone andquality that need to be matched to your needs and the best way to do thisis to try the phones on a real call.MOPD has two selection centers where they can help you find the rightphone for your needs. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday and can be reached at (312) 744-7050 (voice) or(312) 744-4964 (TTY).The selection centers are located at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 104 and 2102 W. Ogden. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd.html


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Changes to Street Sweeping ScheduleStreet Sweeping season began on April 1st. It is important that residents move their cars on the day of their scheduled sweep to help keep the community clean. You may have read about the Mayor's proposed changes to the street sweeping schedule, which would have reduced the number of sweepers from 50 to 33 and would operate on a grid system rather than ward by ward.Mayor Daley offered a revised street sweeping plan that would maintain 40 sweepers and abandon the grid system. Streets and Sanitation will continue to post newinformation, so please visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/streets.htmlto be up to date.You can contact 3-1-1 for additional information.

ComEd Smart Meter ProgramThis advanced metering technology is part of a national effort to modernize the country's power infrastructure and is on its way to 131,000 Chicagoresidents and eventually will be available to all ComEd customers.The costs of implementing this program are shared by all ComEd customers and will be on average, less than $5 per year for each individual.For more information, please visit http://www.comed.com/pages/smartmeter.aspx

Public Buildings CommissionProcurement OpportunitiesThe Chicago Public Buildings Commission has a new way to keep you informed of new bid opportunities. You can sign up for a free e-mail service that will notify you each time a new construction contract is offered for a bid orprofessional service qualifications are being sought.These notices help businesses pre-qualify for bidding opportunities as wellsas find sub-contracting opportunities. For more information about the Public

Buildings Commission or to register for the e-mail alerts, please visit their web-site at www.pbcchicago.org

2010 U.S. Census - Chicago is currently at


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the bottom with response rates. Minoritiesare not participating. It makes Obama lookbad when his home town doesn't participate!Tell your friends and family to get busy!

Chicago Sign Permit Amnestyfor Ward BusinessesGenerally, there are two types of permits required for signage outside of a business. One permit is needed for the installation and another for the use of a public way.The Amnesty program is for existing businesses with existing signs, canopies,awnings, marquees, and banners that advertise the business at the business

location and are currently not permitted. New businesses and businesses withpermitted signs are not eligible.If you apply for all the right permits during the amnesty period, you will have all of your fees waived for the first year and will avoid being fined in the futurefor not having the right permits.The Amnesty Period is from April 15th to October 15th, 2010. Apply in person at the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 800. For more information, please call 312-744--6249 or visit

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp.html

FOR ADULTSRenaissance Collaborative Health& Employment Resource FairThis event will have employers from various fields, colleges and universities as well as

resources for health, finance, training programs, and jobs in the emerging green sector.

Health screenings will also be available on sight.For more information, please contact Walter Bush at the Renaissance Collaborativeat (773) 924-9270, Ext. 29, e-mail him at [email protected] or:visit www.trcwabash.org.Where: Wabash YMCA Gym (3763 S. Wabash)When: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.


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The Third Annual ChicagolandGreen Collar Jobs Summit

This is a premier Midwestern event on the emerging field of green collar jobs, which will take place on Friday April 30, 2010 at the Illinois Institute of Technology. One of the Summit's speakers is Sarah White from the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) who has recently co-authored a report: Greener Skills: How CredentialsCreate Value in the Clean Energy Economy. Take a minute and register today at

http://greencollarchicago.eventbrite.com/. Last year's event sold out, so be sureto register early! Also, please visit http://greencollarchicago.org/?page_id=16 tosee the latest draft agenda and speaker list.

Where: Illinois Institute of Technology (35 W. 33rd Street)

When: Friday, April 30, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Employment Opportunities@ Norfolk SouthernNorfolk has just posted on its web site the opportunity for Conductor and Intermodal Yard Clerk Jobs in Chicago. NS is also looking for Electriciansand due to the projected railroad construction work anticipated in the Chicagoand Midwest Area in the next few years, Norfolk Southern has posted on its web site the opportunity for Track Laborer jobs in Chicago.Anyone interested should go to the NS web site at www.nscorp.comSelect "Job Seekers" in the upper right corner and choose "Hourly Positions" from the drop down box. This page gives an over view of various entry levelpositions.Choose "Search & Apply for Positions" This link takes the person to a pagewhere they can search by job type or geographical area for open positions.Choose "Illinois" in the location box and a number of jobs will come on the screen. Choose the Track Laborer position in the Chicago Area and it allows the person to review the Job Description as well as go to a link to apply forthe position. Do the same for Conductor, Electrician, or Intermodal Clerk.


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Dawson Technical Institute HighwayConstruction CareersDawson has been awarded a grant under the Highway Construction CareersTraining Programs (HCCTP) to train people in the community.

The proposed date to start the training is May 1, 2010 and anyone interestedin the program must have Illinois residency, have an Interest in highwayconstruction industry trades, be at least 18 years of age, be a female, minority, or disadvantaged individual (as referenced under Title 23,Part 230), havedependable child care arrangements if necessary.Plus possess a high school diploma or GED, have appropriate assessment scores, hold a valid Illinois driver's license, and consent to and pass aninitial drug screening test and potential random tests.For more information, call (773) 451-2030.

Africa International HouseWhere the history, art and culture of theAfrican Diaspora are celebrated 365 days of the yearYou're invited to join us on April 10 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Africainternational House for a photographic presentation and discussionof the book:"African American Slavery, Indenture and Resistance in Illinois - 1720 to 1864".

GCA member and Author Toni Costonie will discuss the little known historyof slavery, maroon colonies, and free black towns in Illinois beginning in 1720.

Costonie is a historian, writer, curator / archivist who traveled extensivelythrough Illinois and Missouri taking photographs and doing research for the book.Stanley Young, a contributor to Costonie's book, will present a lecture anddiscussion entitled Slave Trade Economics: Following the Money.

Young is a community college administrator, Certified Pubic Accountant, andhistory buff.

The program is free and open to the public. Africa International House islocated at 6200 South Drexel Avenue.


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For more information please call 773-955-2787.

IDOT Training ProgramGet paid while you train

Criteria to be accepted into the program are:o Illinois residency

o Interest in highway construction industry trades

o Be at least 18 years of age

o Male/female, minority, or disadvantaged individual

o Possess a high school diploma or GED

o Hold a valid Illinois driver's license

o Consent to and pass an initial drug screening test and potentialrandom tests

For more information contact:Dawson Technical Institute3901 S. State Street

Chicago IL 60609Jacquelyn R. Johnson (773) 451-2035Selom Assignon, Dean (773) 451-2030

PROPOSED START DAY: May 1, 2010: MAY

Creative Chicago Expo

This event is designed to connect artists and other creative people to over 100 vendors and services. There will be 25 free workshops covering a variety of topics including forming a non-profit, self promotion, and more.There will also be consultants on hand to give you expert advice.To find out more, visit http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/Where: Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington)When: Saturday, April 10, 2010

VanderCook College of MusicNight at the PopsThis will be a night of fellowship and entertainment in support of the Great Teachers Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund helps students of all


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financial backgrounds benefit from a VanderCook education.Event patron tickets are $50, which include a reserved seat, two drinks, and entry into the raffle to conduct the band.General admission is $25 and children under 12 are $5. This event will

feature a silent auction, performances by VanderCook students andfaculty, hors d'oeuvres and sweets with a cash bar. For more information, please contact Clarmarie Keenan, director of institutional

advancement, at (312) 225-6288 Ext. 255 or [email protected]: Saturday, April 17, 2010, 6:30 p.m.Where: The De La Salle Institute Hilton Commons (3455 S Wabash Ave)

Hyde Park Alliance for Arts and CultureLocated at 5100 S. Hyde Park Boulevard is an organization committed to making Hyde Park a choice cultural destination. In addition to their Passport to Jazz Program that features great music at local Hyde Park venues, they also feature the works of visual and literary artists.In April, they will be showcasing the artwork of Nicole Mitchell, the music of theChicago Jazz Orchestra, and the multi-media works of D. Denenge Akpem.For more information and a complete calendar of events, please call (773) 324-8614or visit www.hypachicago.org

FOR KIDS & TEENS

Children's Health InsuranceThrough ALL KIDSIf your children do not have health insurance, there is a good chance theycan get it.If you have kids who are 18 and younger, Beacon's CHIP Program will helpyou get ALL KIDS! Formerly known as Kid Care, All Kids is Illinois's no cost or low-cost health insurance program for kids. ALL KIDS insures every child regardless of medical conditions, immigration status, or income.


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With ALL KIDS the parents or caretakers of insured children may be eligible for coverage too! A few examples of the covered benefits for ALL KIDS are dental Services, regular checkups and shots, emergency room services,maternity care, prescription care, transportation for emergency medical care, eye glasses, mental health treatment, and substance abuse/ early interventionservice.

For more information, please contact Mrs. Dunne or Ms. Ward at (773) 233-3821.

Scholarships for Students with ADHDStudents with ADHD often have a difficult time in school. Symptoms cancreate problems with not only paying attention in class but in retaining the information.Because of this, students with ADHD may not have the grades to receive academic scholarships and search for scholarships specifically designedto help students with ADHD. Scholarships for students with ADHD may bedifficult to find, but there are some out there. In addition, because up to one fourth of people with ADHD may also have a learning disability, scholarships directed to learning disabilities should also be explored by students and their parents.Visit http://www.friendsofquinn.com/share/c/39623/1377/college-disabilities

to see a list of over ten different scholarship opportunities.

Mayor Daley's Kids & KitesFestival 2010 @ Montrose HarborThe entire family is invited to Montrose Harbor in Lincoln Park for Mayor Daley's Kids and kites Festival. If the kids don't have a kite let alone know how to fly one, don't worry.The Mayor's Office of Special Events will provide free kits for children to design and create their own kite, while supplies last. Kite flying professionalswill be coming out to demonstrate exactly how it is done, and help you master your kite flying skills.Where: Lincoln Park at Montrose and Lake Shore DriveWhen: Saturday, May 1, 2010


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Transitions School of MusicLocated at 4920 S. King Dr. opened it doors last month to offer quality music lesson with an educational philosophy of creating "high ability" and beautiful character throughmusic. Classes are offered in 8 week sessions for music education, music therapy,

composition, woodwinds, percussion, keyboards, strings, and vocal performance. Theyare currently enrolling new students.For more information, please call (312) 794-5033 or visit:www.transitionsmusicschool.com

Lighthouse Youth CenterLocated at 4338 South Prairie is dedicated to providing after school tutoring, ACT/SAT

preparation, life skills education, counseling service referrals, artistic activities, adultmentors, nutritious meals, and GED classes. They are still in the process of renovatingtheir location, which will include an audio/visual studio, inspirational lounge, a

leadership development office, classrooms, a kitchen, and a multi-purpose room. For more information, please call (773) 344-2462 or visit:www.lighthouseyouthcenter.org

VanderCook College of MusicCommunity Drum CirclesCommunity drum circles help kids express themselves and experience the joy ofmaking music. Its a time to share family love, build community, foster self-confidenceand have fun! Parents are encouraged to participate and must stay with children. For more information or to receive a list of upcoming drum circle moderators and

cancellation dates, visit www.vandercook.edu. To inquire about private lessons, birthday parties, and corporate events at VanderCook, call (312) 225-6288 Ext. 235.Where: VanderCook College of Music (3125 S. Federal St.)When: Free family drum circles happen on Saturdays, from 11:00-11:45 a.m.

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