Week of August 9, 2017 Vol 53 • No 18 • www.thechicagocitizen.com
Governmental Affairs
Weekly
STRATTON HIGHLIGHTS FREE SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM +P3
Chatham Southeast Feature
PARENTS ARE BUYING BLACK AS KIDS HEAD BACK-TO-SCHOOL P9
Audit Bureau of Circulation ABC AUDITED
Member
GROUP HOSTS TROLLEY TOUR
Church
WEEKLY INSPIRATIONS FROM REV. DR. DERRICK B. WELLS, SENIOR MINISTER OF CHRIST UNIVERSAL TEMPLE P10
Carlos Nelson, who is the executive director for Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation hosted the Auburn Gresham Housing Trolley Tour on Aug. 5, 2017. Photo Credit: Christopher Shuttlesworth By Christopher Shuttlesworth
Auburn-Gresham Housing Trolley Tour gathered local residents Aug. 5, 2017, to visit historic buildings, view 2-flat apartments or houses, and educate residents on credit repair, grant funding and city investment strategies. Carlos Nelson, who is the executive director for Greater AuburnGresham Development Corporation, explained that most of the available historic houses are “exquisite” vacant houses designated in the 21st Ward,
which is the 8th median income in Chicago. Nelson said he understands the houses are vacant, but says they only need love along with some needed repairs. “We realized that selling a house isn’t just about the location of where a house is on a block,” Nelson said. “But it’s how the block is a part of the neighborhood and how the neighborhood is a part of the community.” Alderman Howard Brookins Jr., of the 21st Ward, said the historic
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Calendar
MARTINEZ TO HOLD FAMILY WELLNESS AND BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR P8
COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISCUSSES GUN VIOLENCE WITH RESIDENTS By Christopher Shuttlesworth
According to statistics released by Cook County Commissioner Richard R. Boykin’s office, more than 2,000 people have been shot in the city of Chicago and 400 people were killed in Chicago in 2017. In Englewood, one of the top five violent crime areas in Chicago, more than 150 individuals were shot in 2017. In the heart of Englewood at Antioch Baptist Church located on 6248 S. Stewart Ave., officials came together to
address Chicago’s gun violence epidemic as they sought to offer solutions. Boykin, Chicago Police Commander Kenneth Johnson (7th District) and other local leaders held a State of Emergency Tour at the church and were joined by residents in the community. During the meeting, Boykin said gun violence knows “no boundaries” but the solution to gun violence is rooted in the principles learned in church and in the home, Boykin said. He voiced key survival tips which included families making sure their
children are home before the street lights come on; participating in activities outside of the home including enjoying things like the forest preserves. It’s also important for parents to let children know they love them, he added. “Someone told me ‘people are being shot in the morning in broad daylight and it’s not even curfew hours.’ But I said there are a lot of young people being shot after curfew, he
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