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Vol. 35 No. 34 ■ August 25, 2021

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Westt Siders W Sid enjoy j Davis’ back to school parade, page 5

Austin Coming Together debuts documentary The short film, available for viewing on YouTube, highlights Austin Coming Together’s Quality of Life Plan By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Austin Coming Together (ACT) coalition released a 15-minute documentary about its work on the Austin Quality of Life Plan and its ongoing efforts to make the plan a reality. The Austin Quality of Life Plan, also known as the Austin Forward Together plan, which was developed in 2018, is a compilation of strategies designed to improve the community. ACT planned to host regular community summits every year to update the community on its progress, but the pandemic made those kinds of large-scale gatherings impossible. The documentary was created to bring a summitlike experience by creating something residents can watch together and share throughout the community. The Austin Forward Together documentary debuted at a private screening held on July 29 at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W. Washington Blvd. It was released to the public on Aug. 18 on Facebook Live. ACT is encouraging residents to share the documentary through virtual or in-person watch parties, as well as by sharing the link. ACT is a coalition that includes a number of businesses, nonprofits and other entities that work in Austin, including Austin Weekly News. The coalition hired Digifé, a Black-owned, Streeterville-based video production company, to create a documentary. According to the documentary page, the company mentored teens from Austin at the Mic, a youth media partnership between ACT and coalition members Westside Health Authority (WHA) and Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development (BUILD) Chicago, a youth development organization. The documentary features several teens from the program, noting that the partnership was created to See DOCUMENTARY on page 2

WEST SIDE HEROIN AND OPIOID TASK FORCE/FACEBOOK

Members of the West Side Heroin and Opioid Task Force, who have been working on the ground during the opioid crisis on the West Side.

On the front lines of the opioid crisis

Community groups like the West Side Opioid and Heroin Task Force are saving lives, but officials say policy changes needed to prevent more deaths By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

Gail Richardson is saving lives at the corner of Cicero and Madison. It’s a hot August morning on the West Side, and Richardson is armed with a hefty supply of Narcan, medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdose. As people walk by, sometimes on the phone or with groceries in their arms,

she tries to get their attention. “Do you want Narcan?” she asks. She’s met with some interest. People also approach her asking if she has water, masks or if she can help them get an ID. Richardson works with the West Side Opioid and Heroin Task Force, a project started by Rep. LaShawn Ford in 2016 to prevent and respond to overdoses. The task force trains people to use Narcan

S W E N LASH! F

and connects them with health care providers and other essential services, like getting an ID. The task force’s work — often carried out by locals like Richardson — is focused on the West Side, the epicenter of Chicago’s opioid crisis. The area, like all of Chicago, saw a surge in people dying from opioid use last year. In all, 573 See OPIOID CRISIS on page 14

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Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

Screenshot

Digifé, a Black-owned, Streeterville-based video production company, collaborated with teens from Austin Has the Mic, a media partnership between ACT and BUILD Chicago.

DOCUMENTARY from page 1 empower Austin youth by giving them a chance to tell their story. The documentary chronicled the disinvestment throughout Austin since the 1970s, especially when it came to available jobs, public safety and access to grocery stores. It spotlighted the fact that, while Austin residents spend $775 million annually in shopping and dining, almost $160 million of that is spent outside the community. The documentary touched on several initiatives ACT has been working on since the Quality of Life Plan was released, including providing grants to area daycares, using restorative justice to reduce crime and violence, and launching the Austin Eats initiative to distribute healthy food, launch more farmers markets and build more community gardens. The documentary spotlights the Pop Courts outdoor event space at the intersection of Chicago and Lockwood avenues,

which opened on June 17. The short film also touched on the future development of the shuttered Emmet Elementary School, 5500 W Madison St, which WHA purchased in 2018. In his introductory remarks, Darnell Shields, ACT’s executive director, said that he hopes that the documentary will challenge misconceptions about Austin and move viewers to get involved in making the Quality of Life Plan a reality. “People outside the area may think our community is just full of crime and violence, and I can admit we have our challenges like any other community, but we also have beauty and our culture, architecture, history and respect for our neighbors,” he said. “We want and deserve our community to have the same opportunity as other parts of Chicago.” Find out more about the documentary and how to screen it at https://austincomingtogether.org/aft/ or watch the documentary on ACT’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M6gMqdjd5Y.

CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

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Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

Could the West Side’s own 606 be taking shape? City planners will work with neighbors to brainstorm how to ensure the West Side trail has positive economic outcomes similar the 606 By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

A trail similar to The 606’s Bloomingdale Trail could be coming to the West Side — and residents eager for the project say it could bring a restaurant, public art and other amenities to the area. City planners organized the first of several community meetings late last week about what is tentatively called the Altenheim Line, an elevated trail along a 2-mile section of the railway one block north of Roosevelt Road between Kostner and California avenues. Resident input on the trail’s name, features, design and economic impact is informing a feasibility study for the project. The Altenheim railroad corridor is owned by CSX Transportation, and the trail would be built in unused sections where the train tracks have been removed. At a meeting Thursday, several neighbors said they long have wanted something like this in Lawndale to boost the neighborhood’s commerce, make the area more walkable and create more beauty and park space for people to enjoy. “I visualized this a long time ago … because I had been on The 606, and I walked those trails when I had my own dog. The potential of what could be up there, I had visions,” said Karen Castleberry, a resident and member of the North Lawndale Homeowners Association. The widest part of the railway in the Homan Square neighborhood of North Lawndale has enough space that a small business could be there, Castleberry said. “I see a restaurant overseeing Homan Avenue. … We don’t have a sit-down restaurant, and the view is fabulous from the tracks,” Castleberry said. “The view at night when the amber lights are on is simply beautiful, a really picturesque view. That’s an attraction that we need.”

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The Altenheim Line would be built along a railway that runs through North Lawndale. The trail could also have public art and cultural activities that represents the neighborhood’s identity, its history and the challenges residents have overcome, Castleberry said. The trail could include a brick pathway engraved with the names of neighborhood elders and children who represent the future, Castleberry said. “What we do want to see is a trail that reflects the history of the people who have been here in our path and people who are present where we going in a future, like to see the trail represent us our struggles as a neighborhood, how like the phoenix we rose up,” Castleberry said. The city should hold an art competition for local youth and students to decide what kinds of public art gets installed on the trail, said Elizabeth Triplett. “Have them decorate and draw things, their art, all throughout the trail. That will bring up their self-esteem and respect,” Triplett said. “All the kids, everybody should have a part.” Older people should also be kept in mind when developing the trail, Triplett said. The trail could have a light trolley system so activities on the path could still be accessible to older people and people with disabilities,” she said. The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council’s transportation committee has discussed for years how the railroad could be transformed to improve transit and connectivity in the area, committee chair Rochelle Jackson said. “Park space would be nice because it would be in addition to the parks we already have in Lawndale,” Jackson said. “It definitely would connect to Franklin Park, because Franklin Park is not that far from it. And, it’ll connect to Douglass Park.” Since the railroad track passes through an industrial corridor, the development of the trail or surrounding area should include workforce training programs related to freight and transportation industry, Jackson suggested. “It would be great to have a mobility hub there with all kinds of transportation programs to get people involved in trainings, like truck driving, buses,” Jackson said. The trail could also make it easier for resi-

dents to access those job training programs since they could walk or bike along the greenway to get to work, Jackson said. “It’s just a bike ride away,” she said. City planners said the study will help them brainstorm how to ensure the West Side trail has positive economic outcomes similar to that of The 606’s Bloomingdale Trail while preventing widespread displacement. The study gives residents a voice in the design of the elevated trail and development in the area that may be sparked by the trail, city planner Brian Hacker said. “We’ve seen from The 606, it spawned a lot of real estate speculation. I think a lot of lessons were learned from that,” Hacker said. “Spurring development is a good thing, but we want to make sure we’re driving equitable development and that we’re preserving affordability.” Many of the vacant lots surrounding the railroad are owned by the city, so planners can incorporate the community’s recommendations for the types of commercial and residential development that could happen there, Hacker said. “When new development comes in, the city is going to have a strong say in what actually gets built there. It will allow us the opportunity to implement some of the recommendations from this plan,” Hacker said. Triplett suggested the city implement rent control and tax breaks to stop property taxes from skyrocketing and prevent legacy residents from being displaced. Despite fears of gentrification, many residents are hopeful that the trail could benefit the community. “If the community continues to be a part of the engagement, we can control what happens in our community,” Jackson said. “You don’t want to see gentrification? Come out and be part of the process.” You can email questions and comments to the city’s Department of Planning and Development at dpd@cityofchicago.org. Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.

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Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

Illinois schools can no longer ban cornrows, locs, braids Thanks to a West Side mom who fought hair discrimination By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

It started when Jett Hawkins’ West Side school ordered him to take out his braids. His mother fought back to defend traditionally Black hairstyles. Five months later, the state has outlawed hair discrimination, protecting the freedom of Illinois students to wear braids, locs and similar looks in school. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Jett Hawkins’ Law on Friday. It goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022. The law will call on the Illinois State Board of Education to complete a review of school handbooks and policies to ensure they don’t single out and ban Black hairstyles like cornrows, locs and braids. Schools that don’t comply will face funding cuts and may lose their recognition with ISBE. The law also directs the state board to produce educational resources for schools about hair discrimination, and the histories behind protective hairstyles Black people often use. School handbooks and policies that restrict certain hairstyles are often rooted in white supremacy, advocates said, and often singleout traditionally Black hairstyles. “For so many people, how you dress and how you look is an expression of who you are. .. That should be the beginning and the end of the conversation. But for decades, Black people have had their natural and protective hairstyles weaponized against them,” Pritz-

ker said. Ida Nelson spoke out about the issue in March after fighting similar rules at Jett’s school, Providence St. Mel School in Garfield Park. “Our hair is an extension of who we are as a race, and is deeply connected with our cultural identity. This is a huge step toward improving a mental health outcomes for our children,” Nelson said. Although nearly the entire student body at Providence St. Mel is Black, the school’s handbook enforced a ban that stopped students from having several Black hairstyles, including locs, braids and cornrows on boys. When Jett asked his mom to braid his hair in March, Nelson was proud her son was exploring his Black heritage and “developing his own positive and happy self-image,” she said. She was heartbroken when Jett thought he did something wrong by wearing braids and when he feared he would get in trouble for his hair. The experience made it clear how “policing Black children’s hair” can impact their mental health, self-esteem and confidence, she said. Those kinds of policies also encourage Black people “to assimilate to fit in with white culture and discard their history and their Black culture.” “It definitely has an impact on the mental health outcomes for kids. There’s a lot of interconnected issues that come from the stripping of the identity,” Nelson said. State Senator Mike Simmons — who keeps his hair in long, freeform locs — drafted the bill with the State Board of Education after Nelson shared her son’s story. “It’s important for me to act on my lived experiences. I know from my childhood what

Pascal Sabino / Block Club

Jett Hawkins poses for a portrait in his family’s Douglas home on March 17, 2021.

Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Jett Hawkins poses for a portrait, donning his hair in braids, in his family’s Douglas

Pascal Sabino / Block Club

Jett Hawkins and his mother Ida Nelson stand with Governor JB Pritzker at the signing for the ban on hair discrimination. it’s like to be regularly belittled, humiliated, isolated and shamed by adults in the school setting,” Simmons said. “Black youth should be able to learn and become who they are without being traumatized and constantly targeted for who they are.” Braids, locs and cornrows aren’t just a fashion statement: such styles have been worn by people of the African diaspora since precolonial times as a way to keep kinky hair neat, clean and protected from the elements. Black people have historically used intricate braid patterns as symbols to represent cultural identities, including tribal affiliation, marital status, social status and religion. But they also are the target of educational and workplace policies that say such styles are not professional, neat, groomed or respectable. Black children frequently face discipline because of their hair: A high school senior in Texas was told he couldn’t walk in graduation or go to prom last year until he cut his dreadlocks, twin girls at a charter school outside Boston were given detention and faced suspension because of their box braids and an elementary school in suburban Atlanta used pictures of Black

children’s hair to demonstrate “inappropriate” styles for school, among other incidents. Legislation protecting Black people’s freedom to wear their hair however they choose at school and in the workplace has been gaining momentum in recent years. California was the first state to ban hair discrimination in 2019 with the passage of the CROWN Act. Several other states followed suit, including New York, New Jersey, Washington and Virginia. A similar bill banning hair discrimination in the workplace is moving through the Illinois legislature, Simmons said. “The work must continue to proactively create safe spaces in schools where children of color are accepted completely, and also in the workplace… it is time to change this nationwide,” Nelson said. The new law is a major victory, Nelson said, but it illustrates how Black people still have to fight just to be themselves at school and at work. “Please don’t take that for granted,” Nelson said. “I hope they understand that the fight we had to go through, that we literally had to make laws that say you can wear your hair the way you want to.”

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

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Nonprofit to build family housing in East Garfield Park

Breakthrough Urban Ministries wants to build at 3346-48 W. Carroll Ave.

ing to the needs expressed by the community, which includes access to affordable housing,” she said. “Breakthrough currently partners with individuals experiencing homelessness, so we are excited about the possibility of expanding our services to provide affordable housing for families.” By IGOR STUDENKOV According to the presentation, the facilContributing Reporter ity will include an on-site childcare facility, Breakthrough Urban Ministries, a social a laundry room and an exercise room. Site service organization, is trying to buy city- plans show a community garden and a playowned land at 3346-48 W. Carroll Ave. to build ground in the back of the building. John Smith, the organization’s chief ada 14-unit, three-story affordable family housministrative officer, told the commission that ing development. tenants will sign a yearly lease, with the rent After moving to East Garfield Park in 2000, the nonprofit opened several facilities in the based on 30 percent of their income at the community, including transitional and sup- time. If the tenants don’t have a job, they will pay nothing unportive houstil they find one. ing, along with “We update 44 scattered-site the annual rent affordable houscalculation as ing units. they obtain emThe new faployment, or on cility would be an annual basis, geared toward whichever is families that more frequent,” need affordable Smith said. housing, with “Each resident rent set at 30% Google Earth will be working of each housealongside a case hold’s income. An aerial view of 3346-48 W. Carroll Ave., where manager, we’ll Breakthrough Breakthrough wants to build affordable housing. provide access plans to build it to our employon the four lots it already owns, at 3344-3338 W. Carroll Ave., ment team and other members of [our] adult and the two vacant city-owned lots it’s in the support network team. He added that the goal is to get families to process of buying for $52,000. Because of the environmental contamination on the site, the the point where they can afford and keep their payment will be held in escrow and used to re- own house or an apartment. Breakthrough estimates the project would imburse Breakthrough for the clean-up costs. cost $7.5 million, which it plans to raise The development commission recommended the sale during its Aug. 10 meeting, and the through private donations. Smith said that city’s plan commission is scheduled to vote on the costs may rise due to pandemic-related it during its Aug. 26 meeting. The sale would material shortages. “We’re still working to identify our final then need to clear the Chicago City Council. Breakthrough hopes to acquire the property general contractor and identify the final pricing,” he said. “We do have, at this point, and begin construction in 2022. As noted during the presentation at the Aug. at least $5.5 million committed to the project 10 meeting, the new facility would be located from individual donors.” Once the project clears the Plan Commisdirectly west of Breakthrough’s Women’s Center, 3330 W. Carroll Ave., which includes sion, the land sale ordinance will need to be transitional housing, as well as employment introduced to the council, clear the council’s services and other support services. It’s also Committee on Housing and Real Estate and a few blocks west of Breakthrough’s Fami- get a final vote by the full council. With the lyPlex facility, 3219 W. Carroll Ave., which nearest city council meeting scheduled for includes a preschool, a fitness center and a Sept. 14, the final vote won’t happen until October 2021 at the earliest. primary care clinic. For more information about Breakthrough Breakthrough spokesperson Lindsey Tollefton said that the facility will be open to fami- Urban Ministries’ programs, visit https://breakthrough.org/.\ lies that need affordable housing. “Throughout our time in East Garfield Park, Breakthrough has prioritized respond- CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

My never-ending garage saga

n the midst of all the insanity occurring in Chicago today, some of us still have to seek moments that bring about some semblance of normalcy. For me, my constant battle to maintain my garage is one of those moments. I have a garage that was probably built in the 1950s. It originally had the swing-out barn doors, but I replaced them about 30 years ago with an overhead door. I have been avoiding having to get a new garage built by constantly doing things to keep this garage going. About five years ago, as I spotted the rotting roof, I took on the task to sisterboard the roof beams, replace the roof ’s rotting wood with plywood and install shingles. Yes, I did the work myself, ignoring the laughter of several guys who passed by and snickered. When my garage withstood all the snow that landed on it this past winter, it was a further affirmation of the great job I did. By the way, the garage also does not leak! One of the weird things about my garage is that the concrete floor did not meet up to the wood 2 x 4s that were the foundation for the garage walls. After the city visited and told me that rats were living in my garage, I quickly went about adding cement in between the studs to keep the rats from building nests and tunnels. They were not welcome in my garage and I was prepared to do all I could to keep them out. I also put steel mesh in the concrete as an extra deterrent. If the rats began to nibble away at the concrete, they were soon going to be met with an impenetrable barrier that they could not get through. However, the rats really seem to like my garage. Once I evicted them from the interior, they started digging holes on the exterior. My response was to obtain more

of the steel mesh and place it next to the garage so that they could not dig holes. Mr. Rat, I am sure, was pissed. So he showed me. He found a way to dig a hole in the front from the alley side. But I was not to be deterred. I got more of the steel mesh, and I filled up the hole with it. I even lined along the wood fence with the mesh where Mr. Rat had been nibbling. More than anything, I hope Mr. Rat was in the hole when I sealed it off. It’s an everyday battle to see who is winning between him and me, and I have every intention of being that winner! Along with dealing with the rat problem, my garage overhead door has jumped the track several times. I am so grateful that my late handyman often used me as his helper. I have been able to fix the problem every time. I replaced the majority of rollers with those that have longer stems. I bought mine from a garage door company, but I suggest people go to Menard’s to find them. I overpaid because Menard’s was out of stock and I just couldn’t afford to wait. This past Sunday, my son managed to have the top roller come out of the track. Between the weight of the door and falling backwards, it took a moment and a lot of thought processes, but we were able to get the roller back in the track and everything working. I got some heavy duty axle grease from the auto parts store to place in those tracks to give it lubrication. I highly recommend that if you haven’t done it, it’s something you should do to your garage as part of the maintenance procedures. Every time after doing repairs, I ask that my garage gives me five more years. I know the day is going to come when I will have to replace it. But until that day comes, I’m doing my best to keep what I have functioning.

ARLENE JONES

“Along with ealing with the rat problem, my garage overhead door has jumped the track several times.”

AUSTIN WEEKLY NEWS Mail your letter to the editor to: Austin Weekly News, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 or email michael@austinweeklynews.com

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28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

Ald. Jason C. Ervin

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C 28th Wa

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

n K.Ford

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

Ald. Jason C. Ervin International Overdose Awareness 28thDay Ward is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford behind. Time to Remember. Time to Act. Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

Con

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

The West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, convened in 2016 by State Representative Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford La Shawn K. Ford, IL-8, brings together community- based agencies, faith-based organizations, governmental entities, recovery groups, health care providers and persons with lived experience to confront opioid overdoses Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford and resultant deaths in Chicago’s West Side communities. Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Goals of the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force: • Increase overdose response • Stronger mental and physical health • Raise awareness of the impact of drug use on individuals and the community • Increase supportive services for persons who use drugs • Integrate mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery • Implement a coordinated collaborative for better outcomes

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

To learn more, contact the Task Force at westsidetaskforce@yahoo.com. Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

Ald. Jason C. Ervin Ald. Jason C. Ervin

28th11th, Ward 15th, 28th Ward 10th, 25th districts

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

For mor

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

10th

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

son C. Ervin th Ward

10th, 1

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

For more informati

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n c a l l ( 7 7 3 ) 4 5 0 - 1 5 6 7

For more information call (773) 450-1567 or em

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

d. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

1 10th, 11th, 15th Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021 9 10th, 11th, 15th

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

International Overdose Awareness Day Tuesday, August 31 11am - 1pm

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

10th, 11th, 15t

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts 10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Convener, State Rep. La Shawn K.Ford

10th, 10th,11th, 11th, 11

25th11th, districts 10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts 10th, 11th, 15th, 10th, 15th, 25th districts 10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Resource & Recognition Event • Jackson & Pulaski

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

Learn how to reverse an overdose • NARCAN distribution • Substance Use Treatment Referral Hand Sanitizer and Masks • Hygiene kits • Haircuts • Snacks • First Aid Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts 10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts Ald. Jason C. Ervin 28th Ward

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

ore information call (773) 450-1567 or email westsidetas 10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

districts

10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

For more information call (773) 450-1567 or email westsid 10th, 11th, 15th, 25th districts

COIP

COIP ation call (773) 450-1567 or email westsidetaskforce@yah or email westsidetaskforce@yahoo.com

mail westsidetaskforce@yahoo.com COIP

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

West Side Lives

Jeff Sanders, West Side native, pivots from making vehicles to selling fruit

Farragut High School. Sanders said he’s been selling watermelons from his pickup truck for about a decade, but his passion for the fruit is much older — so old that the autoworker doesn’t need a sales pitch, because he relies on his wisdom. “How do you know when a watermelon is ripe?” I ask him, beBy MICHAEL ROMAIN fore he cuts a side eye and a large, Editor knowing grin. Sanders said his technique isn’t Corporations aren’t the only to tap the outside or look for the ones that pivoted during the pancolor. Despite what you may have demic. Jeff Sanders, 75, found been told, there’s not much to that, himself unemployed when the he insists. General Motors auto manufactur“How do you know how deep the ing plant he works for shut down. sea is before you go in it?” Since then, the 30-year Bellwood JEFF SANDERS Meaning, it’s almost impossible resident said he’s been living on to really tell a watermelon’s ripesavings he accumulated and on ness without cracking it open, he said. And sheer entrepreneurialism. “You don’t go out of work when you work for that’s what he does in Mississippi. He finds a batch he has his eye on, picks out several in yourself,” Sanders said on Aug. 14. He was sitting in his Chevy pickup that was the group and cracks them open. The sign is in parked in the lot of Club 717, 717 Bellwood the flesh, not the skin. Sanders said he sells each watermelon for $8 Ave., as his helper, Lloyd Lewis Boyd, stood outside by a mound of watermelons piled in each. He’ll typically sell the fruit all the way until around September, parking his pickup the truck’s bed. Sanders regularly drives to his native Mis- not just in Bellwood, but at other locations in sissippi, where the watermelons are grown, Chicago and the suburbs. In the cabin of his truck, there was a large and brings them back to sell. His family migrated from Yazoo County, mound of greens. How much for those? “Those aren’t for sale,” he said, laughing. Mississippi when he was just a teenager. He grew up on the West Side and graduated from “I’m bringing those home to my wife.”

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Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

On the secular importance of churchgoing

hen the Pew Research Center conducted its most recent Religious Landscape Study back in 2014, it found that while 76% of adults in the Chicago metro area considered religion at least somewhat important in their lives, only 29% reported attending a religious service at least once a week. Pew discovered that while the percentages of adults who say they believe in God, pray daily, and attend religious services regularly declined only modestly in recent years, this modest decline was driven significantly by “the nones.” The “nones” are “the growing minority of Americans, particularly in the Millennial generation, who say they do not belong to any organized faith.” The “nones” accounted for 23% of the adult population in the U.S. in 2014, up from 16% in 2007, according to Pew. “And, as the ‘nones’ have grown in size, they also have become even less observant than they were when the original Religious Landscape Study was conducted in 2007,” Pew officials wrote. “The growth of the ‘nones’ as a share of the population, coupled with their declining levels of religious observance, is tugging down the nation’s overall rates of religious belief and practice.” That decline in religious observance has meant a shift in the Catholic landscape in Oak Park, with all four of the village’s parishes undergoing readjustments meant to confront declining church attendance and the many challenges that decline brings. I approach this social reality from the standpoint of the narrator in Philip Larkin’s 1954 poem “Church Going,” who can never resist the impulse to stop inside of an empty house of worship and wonder “when churches will fall completely out of use, what we shall turn them into.” When churches become obsolete, we should all worry — regardless of what, or whether, we believe. That’s because religious spaces (and I’ll reference the Christian church, in particular, since that’s the one I’m most familiar with) are actually important binding agents in the civic glue that holds together our secular society. At their best, churches, the Black church in particular, helped build American democracy. As the political scientist Robert D. Putnam wrote 20 years ago in his famous book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, churches are one of those places that help build social capital, which Putnam defines as the “connections among individuals’ social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them.” In Change: How to Make Big Things Happen, the communications scholar Damon Centola disputes some of the received opinions we’ve come to have about social networks in the age of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. While social networking is dominant, actual social networks are fraying. As Centola writes, social networks are basically the totality of people’s relationships, which may and may not be (more likely not) the same as Facebook friendships. Networks “include everyone we talk to, collaborate with, live near, and seek out,” Centola writes. “Our personal network makes up our social world.” If we want to do more than make a dance go viral on TikTok, if we want to create a movement to protect voting rights, for instance, we need to rely on what Centola calls strong-tie networks, as opposed to weak-tie networks. “The geometry of weak-tie networks looks a lot like a

fireworks display,” the author writes. “Each person is at the epicenter of their own ‘explosion,’ and their weak ties reach out randomly in every direction. Each tie jumps to a different, sometimes faraway place. There is very little social redundancy in weak ties. These people tend not to be connected to one another’s friends. “The geometry of strong-tie networks looks more like a fishing net,” he adds. “These networks have the appearance of an interlocking sequence of triangles and rectangles. This pattern, often referred to as network clustering, is distinctive for its abundance of social redundancy. People are connected to one another’s friends.” The Black church, working in tandem with other civic binding agents like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) are what created the strong-tie networks responsible for the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks “was effective because she was not alone,” Centola writes, echoing Putnam. “She was part of a massive social network of citizens who coordinated their efforts to protest segregation in the American South.” For instance, before she became famous for sitting on a bus (an act that ultimately paved the way for the massive misconception of Parks as a mere domestic servant with tired feet who was passively foisted into history), she was one of the NAACP’s best sexual assault investigators. Twelve years before the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, Parks worked to investigate instances of Black men falsely accused of rape — a common pretext for lynching — and Black people sexually assaulted by whites. The historian Danielle L. McGuire documents this overlooked aspect of Parks’ biography in At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance — A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power. Too often, when we learn about historical figures and successful people, their social networks get obscured. We tend to see them as if they sprang fully formed into the world. But this isn’t how change works in reality, Centola argues. “Social networks are the coordinating sinews that allow large numbers of regular people from many different walks of life to act together,” he writes. “When people act as a coordinated whole, then any one person’s action — that of Rosa Parks, for example — carries with it a mass of anonymous people. That is how revolutions are sparked.” So, as Centola explains, if we want to see how change really works, the first step is “to stop looking for the special people in the network and instead start looking for the special places.” Places like Holt Street Baptist Church, where King and other local leaders at the time met to strategize and stage the Montgomery bus boycott. Today the historic church, sadly, sits abandoned. When I think of our present crisis of churchgoing, I think of my own church, a Baptist congregation in Maywood going

MICHAEL ROMAIN

through its own challenges. Like the Catholic parishes in Oak Park, membership is down. Our pastor of some five decades died a few years ago. Next weekend, we’ll be tasked with selecting his permanent successor. I don’t attend services very regularly, so I’ve decided to recuse myself from the voting (we’ll pick one candidate among five finalists). I still, however, consider myself a member. This church, after all, was where I grew up, was nurtured, and where I developed. Sundays were a production, from morning until late in the evening, when I’d often fall asleep on the pews, often under the sound of relatives preaching (my grandfather, stepfather, grandmother and a great-aunt were all ministers, assigned based on a rotating schedule, to deliver a sermonette on any given evening). Before those late-night Vespers services, as they were called, a small group of us would gather for what was called Baptist Training Union or BTU, for short. This was roughly an hour in a room picking through Bible scriptures before convening to sing hymns and share testimonies. The experience, much like Sunday school some 10 hours earlier, has stayed with me. I realize now that it helped build character, provided reading and comprehension lessons, and wove around me a strong-tie network that I don’t think I could have gotten anywhere else. One of my Sunday school teachers was Don Williams, who was also a minister at my church. Williams, the father of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, was the second Black mayor of Maywood (Maywood’s first Black mayor, Joe Freelon, was the longtime chairman of our church’s deacon board). Williams was also once the leader of the Maywood branch of the NAACP, where he discovered a bright, charming and enthusiastic young student-leader and decided to appoint the teenage boy to be the civil rights organization’s local youth leader. That boy was Fred Hampton. Various institutional nodes, whether churches or civic organizations like the NAACP, often interconnect, creating amplifying effects. Don Williams, Joe Freelon, Fred Hampton. I feel their cumulative influence intimately within me and that sense of history and tradition feeds my own sense of purpose. It’s a powerful thing knowing that you aren’t alone in the world, that you’re part of a community of people who have been before you; who live, struggle and have their being beside you; and who will come after you. What happens, as Larkin asked many years ago, when these binding institutions wither and die (“a shape less recognizable each week, a purpose more obscure”)? I trust Larkin’s answer. Humans will be compelled to recreate them, “since someone will forever be surprising a hunger in himself to be more serious.” Whether or not it’s possible, in our lonely TikTok and Twitter age, to create alternative institutions that are as effective at weaving social networks strong enough to spark the moral revolutions the world desperately needs right now is another question.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

HELP WANTED

Hephzibah Children’s Association Hephzibah Children’s Association is a social service agency in Oak Park, IL with a variety of programs including Residential Group Homes. Our mission is “To help children thrive and families flourish through innovative community-based programs”. Join our team now and you will be eligible for a signing bonus paid in installments (must be active at time of payout).

Residential Counselor - full time and part time positions - Signing Bonus

Residential Supervisor - full time and part time - Signing Bonus

We are currently seeking candidates to work in our residential Group Homes program. You will provide physically and emotionally nurturing care to children who have trauma histories in a structured therapeutic environment that provides consistency and predictability in a community-based setting. We have a several part time and full time shifts available including, overnight, mornings, afternoons/evenings and weekend shifts. Shifts include: • Full time weekdays -4-10 hours shifts: Noon-10:00 pm and every third weekend • Full time overnights - Saturday-Tuesday 9:00pm-7:00 am • Part time weekends - flexible, but includes morning & evening shifts on Saturdays & Sundays • Part time: Friday and Saturday, noon-10pm and Sunday, 7:00am-noon Flexibility to work additional shifts if needed, is desired. Requirements include: • Bachelor’s degree • Must be at least 21 years old • Experience working with special needs children • Experience writing Medicaid notes a plus • Valid IL drivers license • Sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural differences in the staff and client populations

We are currently seeking supervisor candidates to work in our residential Group Homes program. You will provide supervision to the staff and physically and emotionally nurturing care to children with trauma history in a structured therapeutic environment that provides consistency and predictability in a community-based setting. We have a several part time and full time shifts available including, overnight, mornings, afternoons/ evenings and weekend shifts. Shifts include: • Full time overnight – Wed-Saturday 9:00pm-7:00am • Part time – weekends Friday, Saturday, Sunday days • Part time – various days/times Flexibility to work additional shifts if needed, is desired. Requirements include: • Bachelor’s degree • Must be at least 21 years old • Supervisory experience • Experience working with special needs children • Experience writing Medicaid notes a plus • Valid IL driver’s license • Sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural differences in the staff and client populations

Equal Opportunity Employer Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We value, advocate for and support an inclusive, respectful, multicultural, environment for employees and the clients we serve.

HIRING BONUS!

Part Time Positions Available for 2021-22 school year After-School Recreation / Day Care Worker Youth Development Specialist

On site at Oak Park public schools The Day Care Program of Hephzibah Children’s Association is accepting applications for nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children in the After School Day Care program on site at Oak Park public schools. The days and hours are Mon – Fri from 2:30-6:00 PM and 2:00-6:00 PM on Wednesdays. Plan and supervise arts and crafts, indoor & outdoor play, games, sports, homework help and more. Requirements include: -previous experience working with children -6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work or related college courses desired Program starts mid-August and runs through the 2021-22 school year. Contact MJ Joyce at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply

HIRING BONUS!

HEPHZIBAH DAY CARE PROGRAM SITE SUPERVISOR Hephzibah Children’s Association offers after school day care on site at each of the Oak Park elementary schools. The Day Care Program is accepting applications for a Site Supervisor for the 2021-2022 school year to provide supervision to childcare staff as well as care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children. Regular days and hours are Monday through Friday from 2:30 - 6:00 PM, Wednesday 1:30 – 6:00 PM. Additional hours on school closing days, in coordination with the school district calendar. May work other hours during school holidays and for staff meetings. Associate degree in child development or early childhood education, or the equivalent in child development or education desired. Previous experience working with children required.

BUDGET & REVENUE ANALYST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Finance Department. This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; grants, and conducting budget-related research and analysis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications August 27, 2021.

Program starts mid-August and runs through the school year. Contact MJ Joyce at: mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply

AustinWeeklyNews.com

HELP WANTED PARKING ENFORCMENT OFFICER The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. PART TIME HELP WANTED SPOTLESS CARWASH at 7343 Roosevelt and 7802 Madison St in Forest Park is in need of an attendant. We are looking for someone who likes to be outside and is friendly and likes people. The duties are to meet and greet customers, make change, sell tokens, automatic and self serve wash instructions, keep the lot, equipment room, and perimeter clean, and empty garbage cans. Pay is $11.00 per hour. The hours an attendant is on duty are 9 – 11 and 12 – 5 on weekdays, 9 – 11 and 12 – 4 on Saturday and Sunday. If you can fit any of these hours on a part time basis we can work with you. Please come to 7343 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park to pick up anapplication. 708-771-2945.

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A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

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Thank you BUDGET AND REVENUE ANALYST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Development Customer Service Department. This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; and conducting budget-related research and analysis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications August 16, 2021.. PART TIME DRIVER ASAP Local company looking for part time driver/warehouse. Must be drug free & have valid IL DL. Must be able to lift 75lb. $13/hr Email resume to HR@sievertelectric.com

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Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-6699777. Austin Weekly News

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Hire Local. Place an ad on AWN’s Local Online Job Board Visit AustinWeeklyNews.com/classified today! Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (773) 626-6332 • maryellen@austinweeklynews.com

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

OPIOID CRISES from page 1 Chicagoans died from opioid-related causes during the first half of 2020. Throughout Cook County, opioid fatalities reached record levels. The surge has largely continued this year, with at least 467 people dying from opioidrelated causes in Chicago through June. The city’s struggle with opioids was detailed in a report released last week by the Chicago Department of Public Health. The report found opioid-related deaths in Chicago were down 18 percent in the first six months of 2021 compared to last year. But the data is preliminary, as the morgue is still determining the cause of death for 788 people in Cook County — and officials estimate 70-80 percent of those cases will be ruled opioid-related. That means 550-630 cases are expected to be added to Cook County’s opioid death roll for the first half of this year. That could push the number of deaths in Chicago to be on par with or past last year’s levels. Much of the 2020 surge and high death toll this year is linked to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on people’s social and economic livelihoods, officials said. Chicagoans have struggled with job and food insecurity during the pandemic, as well as the mental and emotional toll of living around COVID-19 and heightened levels of gun violence. And many support groups and care providers were unable to meet with patients in person, disrupting people’s treatment. “In 2020, COVID-19 wiped out a lot of people’s social support networks,” said Dr. Wilnise Jasmin, medical director of Behavioral Health at the city’s health department. “People often turn to drugs as a coping mechanism. “It was stressful to be anyone, no matter where you lived, during 2020.” Fatal overdoses continue to hit Black Chicagoans on the West Side particularly hard, according to a Block Club analysis of county medical examiner data. The Austin community area had the most overdose deaths in the first six months of 2021, followed by West Garfield Park and Humboldt Park, according to the city’s report. Black people made up more than 60 percent of those dying from opioid-related causes in Chicago. Ford said many of the issues driving drug use and overdoses on the West Side have existed for years — but the pandemic exacerbated them. “If you have all of the trauma that people are going through in that community, and you don’t have enough mental health support to deal with it, you’re going to see people fall prey to substances,” Ford said. “People need help dealing with underlying problems. You can’t just tell them to stop using; you have to figure out why they even started. “We have to open up more behavioral health centers and safe spots for people to feel comfortable coming to for help.”

Francesca Mathewes/Block Club Chicago

Narcan being handed out by the West Side Opioid and Heroin Task Force at an overdose hotspot at Cicero and Madison.

Reaching out to save lives Community groups responded to the surge of opioid-related deaths in 2020 by heightening their outreach efforts, Jasmin said. “I think that after what we saw in 2020, overdoses were really at the forefront of people’s minds,” she said. “Our community partners have flooded communities with Narcan, and I think that people are more likely now to stop and engage with outreach workers.” The West Side Opioid and Heroin Task Force approaches substance use disorder by trying to reduce harm. This means trained members of community outreach teams — many of them West Siders or people who once used drugs themselves — show up in the community and equip people with lifesaving medications such as Narcan and Naloxone. Richardson is a lifelong West Sider and has been recovering from opioid use disorder for 18 years. She works with the Task Force doing outreach, which often entails setting up a table in “hot spots” for opioid use, handing out care kits and training people how to use Narcan and Naloxone. “What I see out in these streets is sad,” Richardson said. About 18 months ago, Richardson used Narcan and Naloxone to save someone who was having an overdose near Cicero and Madison — the same spot where the Task Force often sets up their outreach station. “When you’re dealing with heroin, you really are fighting a demon,” she said. “And we need to help these people.” Richardson said the problem in 2020 and, now, 2021, is “much different” from when she used drugs 20 years ago, primarily due to fentanyl. This is reflected in the report from the city’s health department, which found almost 90 percent of overdoses in Chicago involved fentanyl. Educating people who use drugs about testing their supply is part of the work that harm reduction groups such as the Task Force do as well, and it is something that can contribute to a decline in overdoses, Jasmin said.

Jasmin said the Chicago Recovery Alliance has vans in which people who use drugs can access on-the-spot treatment, educational materials, clean injection supplies, fentanyl test strips and other harm reduction services, no questions asked.

Stopping deaths in the future Preventing opioid deaths can’t just be the work of community groups, officials said. Ford, a Democrat who represents the West Side, said tackling the opioid crisis requires a multi-step approach: There needs to be more accessible treatment for substance abuse disorder, and officials must address the systemic issues that perpetuate opioidrelated issues on the West Side. “I would love to see the state getting out there and enrolling more people in Medicaid so that we can make sure everyone is covered” for health care, he said. Ford also advocates for creating spaces where people can test their drugs, get clean needles, work with health providers and be provided with Narcan and Naloxone, as that can decrease the number of people dying from opioid use. These spaces are called “safe consumption sites,” and legalizing them in Illinois is a focus of Ford’s policy in the coming months, he said. “The studies show that if you can get safe consumption sites in communities where overdoses are high, you have a great chance of reducing the nuisance of drug use on the streets, reducing the number of people dying of overdoses and reducing the number of people using drugs,” he said. “They not only provide a safe place to use, but a place to access support if people are looking for help.” Jasmin said safe consumption sites can often provide a space for positive social interaction and community building, creating a healthy support network that is needed by people struggling with substance use disorder. “They can be places where people have a sense of camaraderie, of belonging,” she said. “It’s much more nuanced than a place to use drugs.”

Jasmin and Ford said it’s difficult gaining political and community support for programs like this, as there is still heavy stigma around drug use. “The concept is sticky: You are allowing people to come into a place and use illegal drugs,” Ford said. “But we know it’s safer if they’re not shooting up in an alley on the West Side of Chicago. And we know that we’re going to eliminate the dangers to kids by removing the amount of needles in places like sidewalks and parks. “… Law enforcement has to recognize that this is the best harm reduction we can provide. But they’re not happy with it.” On July 27, the state also announced it was investing $13 million in making Narcan more available to hospitals and community health organizations. “Community health sites can and should sign up for that program,” Jasmin said. Another policy that Jasmin said could make a difference for treating substance use disorder is doing away with the patient limit that exists for providers of medication-assisted treatment in their first year. Medication-assisted treatment is a way of treating opioid use disorder by providing people with medications, like methadone, along with counseling and behavioral health therapy. The Biden administration recently expanded the program, so providers can offer medication-assisted treatment to 100 patients for a year and then expand to apply the treatment to up to 275 patients per year. “It’s important to make sure providers know about this,” Jasmin said. “But doing away with the limit entirely would help more people get care.” Ford said the state needs to “get everyone covered” under health insurance while continuing to increase investment in community health initiatives — like the task force — to save lives and help people get treatment for substance use disorder. “The more we get street outreach teams on the West Side, the more that people know there is a way to get health, the better,” Ford said.

CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org

Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

N E W S

B R I E F S

Pivot Gang’s Squeak killed in West Side shooting

[By Pascal Sabino/ Block Club Chicago] Beloved producer and DJ SqueakPIVOT was fatally shot Aug. 16 in Austin. Squeak, 26, was the in-house producer and DJ for the West Side hip hop collective, Pivot Gang, fronted by the rapper Saba. The shooting happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. Monday on the 5000 block of West St. Paul Avenue, police said. Squeak’s uncle, Darion Hood, 27, was also killed in the shooting, which happened near Hood’s home, the TRiiBE reported. Both victims were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they died, Chicago Police said. No other details about the shooting were immediately available. Born Javunte Wheeler, Squeak most recently released an EP in June, En Route, in collaboration with fellow Pivot Gang artist MFnMelo. Fans of Squeak and Pivot Gang took to social media to share their condolences, offer support to the family and reflect on the young artist’s legacy. Southside hip hop artist J Bambii said she appreciated how Squeak always represented the West Side, and she cherished the deep conversations they shared together. “It felt so good to share heart space with my g. Cause vulnerability is my bag, and to

Boys and Girls Club opening in Austin

PROVIDED

Squeak (right) with the Pivot Gang. The rapper was fatally shot last week in Austin. have the space where my friend can be open as a Black Man touched me so deeply,” Bambii posted on Twitter. Pivot Gang suffered another painful loss in 2017 when one of their founding members, John Walt, was stabbed to death at the age of 24. Walt was the cousin of Pivot Gang

cofounder Saba. The 2018 album Care For Me was Saba’s tribute to Walt’s memory. “For them to have to go through this again is heartbreaking. … It’s clear Squeak made a beautiful connection with so many people in Chicago and beyond,” said Patrick Welby on Twitter.

[By AustinTalks] Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago will open a new club at Austin College and Career Academy High School next month. Made possible by a grant from the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the new facility will provide academic, character development and lifestyle programs to about 40 to 50 youth. The new Austin club, at 231 N. Pine Ave., is accepting registration for programming launching in September when students head back to school. In addition to Austin College and Career Academy High School, there are also clubs at Austin High School, Brunson Math and Science Specialty Elementary School and John Hay Community Academy. The out-of-school programming will be held over 30 to 40 weeks of the year, and focus on academic enrichment, character development, pro-social behavior, mentoring, recreation, physical activity and art. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to extend the reach of our programs and services,” said Mimi LeClair, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, which has helped more than 20,000 youth ages 5 to 18 for more than 115 years.

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Austin Weekly News, August 25, 2021

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