AustinWeelyNews_041625 by Wednesday Journal

CEO Adam Alonso speaks at BUILD Chicago’s 2025 Gala at e Geraghty on April 11.

ground in Austin, page 8

Austin spring cleaning e ort organized by Wecycle

David ‘Malik’ Fleming is organizing the community e ort on April 19

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

By DAN HALEY Interim Editor

At a major fundraising gala, April 11, Adam Alonso, CEO of BUILD, a nonprofit working with children and teens on the West Side, opened his remarks saying it would be “tone deaf” not to talk about the

At fundraiser, CEO says millions in funding at risk due to administration’s ‘chaos and fucker y’

BUILD pledges resilience and resistance vs. Trump

impact of Trump administration initiatives on organizations such as his.

Alonso said $4.5 million in annual federal funding is now at risk and that amount represents some 20% of BUILD’s annual budget. But in strong language he pledged that BUILD, 5100 W. Harrison St., would continue all of

TODD BANNOR

its programs to assist young people in Austin and across the West Side. He said the nonprofit will not step back from its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. BUILD has long focused on a message of growing resilience among its young

See BUILD GALA on pa ge 9

Six years ago, David “Malik” Fleming was driving for Uber on Chicago’s North Shore. He opened a piece of gum and thought about throwing the wrapper out the window but didn’t because of how clean the neighborhood was. But when he found himself in the same situation a week later while driving near Douglass Park, Fleming tossed the gum wrapper on the street.

“I was more apt to do it in my own neighborhood because it was already dirty,” Fleming previously told Austin Weekly News

So, in 2019, Fleming started Wecycle, an organization that offers environmental restoration services, snow removal and hosts an annual street cleaning event.

This is the fifth year Wecycle is organizing community cleanup ef forts. On April 19 at 11 a.m., community members will meet at 5922 W. Division St. to start picking up trash and sweeping debris. The cleanup will traverse through the Soul City

See WECYCLE on pa ge 7

CHORAL

SPECTACULAR

Fresh veggies turned diabetes around for one Austinite

ChaJuana

Calhoun, now on PCC’s sta and working to bring down Austin’s A1C levels

By ANANYA CHANDHOK Contributing Reporter

ChaJuana Calhoun, Austin local, looked forward to every week she picked up her personal rainbow: a box of fresh produce with her name on it.

Inside was a promise of the “very best,” with bundles of kale, sprigs of spinach, an assortment of apples, oranges and more.

“I would get so excited every time I would see that ve ggie box because I knew that ve ggie box was going to go a long way, and was great for my health,” Calhoun said.

For the 55-year-old, access to healthy food ran much deeper. It eventually became the solution in her fight against diabetes and dangerously high A1C, or blood sugar, levels

With diabetes affecting the Austin community at a higher rate than the Chicagoland area, Calhoun’s ability to reverse her diabetes became a beacon of hope for others facing the same struggles.

Attributing her success to PCC Wellness’s Ve ggieRX Program, an initiative providing diabetes patients with a fresh box of produce and one-on-one support, the patient-turned-PCC-employee now hopes to provide the same tools and support to the rest of the Austin community through the program’s weekly drives, running from Feb. 19 to Nov. 20, 2025.

“Diabetes and metabolic disorders are a huge problem in Austin,” said Dr. Moshini Sivasubramaniam, MD, PCC South Family Health Center physician.

Sivasubramaniam realized adult diabetes disproportionately affects Austin — with 13.7% of the population impacted, as compared to Chicago’s 12.7% — after completing her community medicine fellowship at PCC Community Wellness West Suburban Family Medicine Program.

“And a lot of this [disproportionate

COURTESY OF PC C COMMUNIT Y WELLNESS CENTER

ChaJuana Calhoun Jay Friedman music director and conductor

Krout

oprano

Gangoso tenor

tribution] has to do with food scarcity and access to healthy foods,” she said. Ultimately, this lack of equitable healthcare and food access eroded Austin’s need for a solution. This led to PCC Wellness’s creation: the VeggieRX Program and eventually a virtual telehealth group, the LOV Program. Ve ggieRX invites patients every Thursday to pick up a produce box, sourced from Windy City Harvest — an Austin-based garden, at no cost to the patient.

Participants can then also join the program’s support group with a social worker at PCC Austin or Salud and participate in cooking classes to understand how to use the produce provided.

Grant funding from the Builder’s Initiative and the United States Department of Agriculture helps make increased access to fresh food possible, according to Jessica Reuteler, director of care management at PCC Wellness Community Center.

PCC reports that 671 people picked up 4,513 boxes of fresh ve getable in 2024.

Nancy Rodriguez, RN, a PCC diabetes nurse educator, helped Calhoun make the lifestyle changes necessary after she joined the program.

“I was shocked,” Calhoun said. “I couldn’t believe it when the doctor came in [during my three-month visit]. I knew it had to be something good because she walked in smiling.”

Just as surprised, the doctor said Calhoun’s A1C levels dropped 4.6%, which brought her down from being at high risk for complications.

Calhoun saw her life changed in what felt like a blink of an eye, so when the chance to extend the same helping hands to her

community approached her, the answer was obvious.

“The fact that I was once a patient, and now I’m an employee of PCC gives me an opportunity to help others,” Calhoun said. “This gives me an opportunity to live my truth…to help every single [diabetic] patient become pre-diabetic.”

Calhoun felt the change through lifestyle interventions, such as insight on implementing exercise and getting routine doctors’ check-ups.

The average provider visits only end up lasting an average of 10 to 15 minutes, Sivasubramaniam said, so supplemental diabetes programming, like social work and telehealth checkups

through the LOV Program, are essential to helping patients with the education and tools they need.

“What we want patients to do is learn how to help themselves when it comes to diabetes,” Sivasubramaniam said.

Learning is exactly what Calhoun did.

“Nancy held my hand through this process, and I really, truly needed her,” Calhoun said. “We all need someone like Nancy when we’re struggling and fighting through diabetes.”

Rodriguez’s groundwork empowered Calhoun to lead the charge in communitybased diabetes prevention.

“I know the struggles,” Calhoun said. “I know what it’s like to be on 50, 60 units of insulin every night. I know what it’s like to be on 1,000 milligrams of metformin morning and night.”

Moved to become part of the change, Calhoun’s advocacy and PCC’s support created equally sweeping change through their neighbors and their community leadership’s lives.

“When Alderman Emma Mitts…came up to me [at a PCC ribbon cutting ceremony] and said ‘I really like your story. Thank you for sharing. I need a Nancy in my life the same way you had a Nancy in your life.’”

“This is a chance to help everyone in the community and let them know that this is not the end for you,” Calhoun said. “This is just the beginning, where you have the opportunity to turn your life around.”

Ananya Chankhok is a contributing reporter to Austin Weekly News and a Medill fellow.

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Front Porch Arts Center launches wellness and healthy eating campaign

Goal to strengthen and nourish West Side communities

By HECTOR CERVANTES

Contributing Reporter

Front Porch Art Center in Chicago’s West Side this summer will launch a storytelling and healthy eating campaign in Austin.

With a grant from Austin Fresh, the goal is to improve access to nutritious food in the community, reshape how residents engage with and discuss healthy food options and improve mental health.

“Food significantly impacts our daily quality of life,” said Keli Stewart, the founder of Front Porch. “Over the past year, two staple restaurants in our neighborhood have closed along this corridor. To address this, we are working with storytellers and artists to launch a campaign this summer.”

She added: “As part of the initiative, we will host long table meals and storytelling events that explore collective memories of food and community.”

Stewart emphasized that the lack of sitdown dining options in the neighborhood limits opportunities for community gath-

ering and connection. She said she hopes the upcoming storytelling and healthy eating campaign will help restore these shared experiences by encouraging residents to engage in meals and conversations in a more meaningful way.

The new initiative will address not only access to healthy food but also mental health support in the neighborhood. These initiatives are in the early stages of planning, with more activities expected to launch this summer, a crucial time for promoting positive recreation and well-being in the community.

“In addition, we’ll be working with youth through writing and mental health-focused workshops. We’re really excited about this initiative,” Stewart said. “As you know, mental health is crucial, and it’s especially impacted in this neighborhood due to the limited options for quality therapists who are trained to understand the community and its historical and cultural challenges.”

About Front Porch

Front Porch Arts Center, founded in 2019 draws its name from the cultural significance of the front porch in Black communities, especially on the West Side, where it is seen as a space for multi-generational gatherings, learning and bearing witness to one another.

The organization aims to amplify this tradition by creating arts and cultural experiences, particularly in the Austin neighborhood. Front Porch’s mission is to provide a space that fosters connection and showcases local talent while serving as a cultural stage for the community.

A grant from We Rise Together helped the center transitioning into its space at 5851 W. Madison St., which they’ve occupied for nearly a year.

Stewart said.

“The We Rise Together grant helped us not only with carpentry and construction projects but also with paying rent. It allows us to cover overhead costs, which can be challenging for a newly launched nonprofit or business space. We’re grateful to have received the grant, as it played a crucial role in our transition into a new year in this space. Being on Madison Street, a prime business corridor in the Austin neighborhood, is a great opportunity for us,” Stewart said.

Despite facing setbacks, including a contractor r unning of f with funds just before their grand opening, the grant allowed the organization to establish a stable foundation.

“I think there are often a lot of assumptions people make about the West Side, but it’s not until you really come to our Front Porch that you’re able to bear witness to who we truly are as a people – our history, our culture, and our visions for the future,”

In addition to their community-focused initiatives, the Front Porch Arts Center has developed a key revenue stream through its on-site vintage store, which Stewart believes is the only one of its kind on the West Side. The vintage booth has also expanded to the Jackson Square Mall, known for its handpicked vintage and antique home décor. These ef for ts have helped Front Porch broaden its impact while supporting its ongoing operations.

“We’re also in what feels like an arts desert, with fewer arts opportunities than other neighborhoods. Front Porch wanted to step in to showcase the talent from the West Side and serve as a meeting space not only for the West Side but for the larger city as well,” Stewart said.

Alongside other ef forts, West Side Stories, a digital archive of stories collected over the past five years, is moving forward, along with the launch of Motherwit, a monthly storytelling platform hosted by the Front Porch Arts Center. Motherwit invites local women to share their stories in the spirit of sisterhood and testimony, offering a roadmap for others to navigate survival.

Stewart stresses that community members can support the Front Porch Arts Center this year by visiting in person, following their social media, volunteering, seeking partnerships and making donations to help further their mission.

ADOBE STOCK

Dancing the dream as Ashley J opens dance center

The new center is the only freestanding dance studio in Austin

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Ashley Johnson, a 25-year-old Austin resident, grew up dancing in what scribes as a creative household. Her dad was a Jesse White Tumbler, and she started ballet classes at age 3 at Le’gere Dance Center in River Forest.

“I like to say it was my mom’s intuition. She knew I was going to be a dancer,” Johnson said.

Now, Johnson has opened her own dance studio, a longtime dream of hers, to ensure that children living in Austin have tion to take classes in their neighborhood.

“One thing that inspired me to be here is the fact that I kind of got taken out of my community to learn,” Johnson said. Though she took extracurricular dance her elementary school, the Northwest Institute for Contemporary Learning, Johnson’s studio training was in Rive

“I really want kids to be able the best of both worlds,” she said. “I want them to be able to get out of school and walk down to their dance studio right in their community and know that I understand you.”

Johnson held the grand opening of ley J’s Dance Center on April 13 at 1059 Laramie Ave. To celebrate, she taught two classes: A $5 intro to acrobatics dance class for ages 5 to 15, and a $10 adult line dance class for those ages 16 and older.

rary have stuck.

Ashley J’s Dance Center will offer weeklong classes so Johnson can build on techniques with the same dancers, who can build community with each other

“They’re not looking around like, ‘Wait, I didn’t lear n that last week, so I don’t know what’s going on,’” she said of what a weeklong class can offer.

These classes consist of the same group of students who learn a different kind of dance every day, allowing participants to get a taste of everything and helping Johnson gauge her audience.

“What do we want in this community? What are we interested in?” Johnson said. “I want to see what class is going to enroll the

“This is truly who I am, my pride and my joy,” she said of dance. “I’m grateful that I have so muc h education in so man y different styles that I can overlap into these different classes that I feel prepared to teach.”

Ashley J’s ascent

Johnson attended the Chicago High School for the Arts to study dance, then got her bachelor’s de gree in dance at Webster University near St. Louis, Missouri. There, she discovered a community within dance.

“I was doing things for my dance ensemble, creating spaces for them, being a part of the dance club and being a treasurer, and g etting us to travel places,” Johnson said.

month study rip to Ghana, she learned traditional West African dance.

When Johnson returned, she started a job through South Chicago Dance Theatre and was placed at the University of Chicago charter elementary school’s North Kenwood Oakland campus as a teaching artist.

For nearly three years, she’s taught about six 45-minute classes a day to children ages kindergarten through fifth grade.

“I fell in love with teaching elementary,” Johnson said. “You have to adapt to what’s going on in their world.” She added that her motto is “teaching life skills through dance” – providing young students with lessons on how to follow instruction and communicate with others.

Johnson said she’s wanted to open her own dance studio since high school but decided to make the leap after teaching dance to elementary school students.

“I think I was ready to create a le gacy in at least 70% of my kids are not going to be dancers,” Johnson said. e interested in other things, as opposed to bringing your child [to Ashley J’s Dance Center] because you see they have a thing, a passion. You see it at home, just

Johnson also teaches at South Chicago Dance Theatre and is a performing artist The Rooted Space Company on Chinorth side. Over the summer, JohnDance in the Parks, a company where professional dancers perin parks across the city.

Johnson is also Dance in the Parks’ youth coordinator partner. As such, she looks for studios that teach young people to dance in the hopes that their students can participate in Dance in the Parks’ performances in their neighborhood.

“In the last two years, we haven’t had a youth partner [in Austin],” she said. “There’s nothing in the community.” there is a dance center in Aus1,100-square-foot studio. The rental space was previously occupied a commercial construction company. unded the building’s renovation with financial assistance from her savings, ant from the City of Chiommunity support from mma Mitts, and she hired her father, ontractor, to help install loors underneath a vinyl overlay, absorbing shock and lessening the impact on hey also painted the walls, put up mirrors, and plan to hang a gallery wall of art to inspire dancers.

“This is just like a steppingstone for the bigger picture,” Johnson said, adding that she hopes to open up Ashley J’s Dance Centers around the country. “As soon as this gets going, I’m already looking for another space. I have adult classes, and I love my adults, but this is really for the kids.”

“I want kids in this community to be able to soar,” she added, “and I want them to be able to fly and have the tools that they can do anything with. That’s what I like to tell my elementary school kids.”

Ashley J’s Dance Center is located at 1059 N. Laramie Av e. and open Monday through Friday, mostly after 4 p.m. Come fall, the dance center will also have weekend hours. You can re gister for classes by emailing ashleyjsdancecenter@gmail.com or visiting https://www.ashleyjsdancecenter.com/

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Ashley Johnson, ow ner of Ashley J’s Dance Center.

Teach for America honors Catalyst Circle Rock principal

Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn is recipient of the Outstanding School Leadership Award

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Back in Februar told you about Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn. She’s the principal of Catalyst Circle Rock charter school in Austin. At that time, she had been nominated school leadership award Teach for America.

Now comes news that Jamison-Dunn took the top prize for Outstanding School Leadership earlier this month.

the hard work and dedication of our incredible students, teachers and families. Together, we are shaping a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.”

Teach for America – a national nonprofit that places colle ge graduates to teach in schools that are underserved – reco gnized Jamison-Dunn for her commitment to educational excellence, student success, plus exceptional leadership and commitment to equity.

“I am deeply honored to receive Teach for America’s Outstanding School Leadership Award,” Jamison-Dunn said in a statement. “This reco gnition is a testament to

“Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn exemplifies the kind of transformative leadership that changes lives,” said Catalyst Schools CEO Gordon Hannon in a statement. “Her dedication to her students, faculty and the broader school community is truly inspirare proud that gnizes her with JamisonDunn was announced as a fifor America Chicago-Northwest Indiana’s annual Alumni of Jamison-Dunn has Catalyst Circle since 2007, when the charter school opened, and became principal in 2015. The school serves over 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, most of whom live on the West Side of Chicago.

“I have worked really hard to try to do right by my school community,” JamisonDunn previously told Austin Weekly News. “My favorite part about my job is knowing that what I do matters, and it matters every day.”

ELIZABETH JAMISON-DUNN

Members of Wecycle’s Austin Spring Cleaning Rally, including founder David “Malik” Fleming (in purple shirt), state Representative Camille Lilly (in yellow vest), and Pastor Timothy Williams (second from right), which takes place April 19.

WEC YCLE

Spring cleaning rally

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Corridor and end at 5840 W. Chicago Ave. with free food and drinks, a bounce house and an Easter egg hunt.

At last year’s Wecycle cleaning rally, a few dozen participants filled over thirty 50-pound trash bags and used nearly a gallon of Windex to wash storefront windows.

While F leming said We cyc le has pic ke d up about the same amount of trash eve ry y ear, he expects to c ollec t a bit more this time because the r oute is longer, encompassing b oth the 29th Wa rd and 37th Wa rd

“I’m expecting to have more hands on deck,” Fleming said. In addition to Fleming’s lifelong partner Doris Freeman, the cleanup will be attended by public officials, volunteers, “a host of churches, community leaders and municipalities trying to bring more energy and more life.”

This year, there’s also a new pickup point, where a bus that someone sponsored will drive over 30 older volunteers to the end rally location.

“A crew of elderly women wanted to come out and give some energy,” Fleming told Austin Weekly News.

At the end rally location this year, there will be the new additions of two barbers, each of whom will be giving an hour of their time for free haircuts. There will also

be other free community resources and networking opportunities, plus food from Uncle Gene’s BBQ and Coleman’s BBQ.

This year’s rally is in memory of Mrs. Carol, who Fleming said was a staple in the community.

“She was part of one of the churches in the area, and she was hands-on with kids who didn’t have a lot of family or who ditched school,” Fleming said.

At the pickup point for senior volunteers, there will also be a prayer in honor of Lemuel Lee, Fleming’s cousin who died in his arms at that spot after he was mistakenly taken for someone else.

“He died on that block, which is the reason why I start of f the route in that area,” Fleming said.

After honoring his cousin, the cleanup route will continue south to Chicago Avenue.

The Chicago Park District is donating rakes, push brooms, garbage bags, gloves and hand pickers to help with ef forts.

“The donations and sponsorships are great. We need that,” Fleming said. “But [we need] participation, trying to get those numbers up and let people know that we’re making a conscious effort to keep our community clean.”

While Wecycle is reusing some materials from last year, they purchased additional supplies to increase their impact.

“We’re hoping to pick up more trash,” Fleming said of this year. But he also hopes the amount of trash in Austin decreases.

“People are being more respectful about their community because of what we’re pioneering here. And hopefully we can be a catalyst for change.”

TODD BANNOR

Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on 1 Austin homes

BMO Bank, Austin Coming Together, By the Hand Club for Kids and public o cials partner on the project

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Habitat for Humanity has broken ground on its first project in Austin.

On April 7, the national housing nonprofit, Austin-based partner organizations and public officials gathered at 5320 W. Ferdinand St to celebrate the start of construction on four affordable homes there, plus three in the 400 block of North Lockwood Avenue

All homes will be 1,800-square-foot, twostory structures. Each will have four bedrooms, a two-car garage and energy-efficient appliances.

The homes will be sold at an appraised market value, and Habitat Chicago will help homebuyers with down payment assistance and further subsidize the sale. Habitat Chicago will sell the houses through its Af fordable Homeownership Prog ram and provide financial and homeownership education.

The Lockwood Avenue homes’ foundations will be poured in late spring or early summer and are expected to be completed next spring. Then, construction will begin on Ferdinand Street, estimated to finish in spring 2027, according to Block Club Chicago.

The houses will be constructed on property that came from the Cook County Land Bank Authority, which acquires vacant and abandoned properties and makes them available for organizations to purchase. In 2020, the county government entity entered into an ag reement with By the Hand Club for Kids, which bought the property from the county.

“There’s nothing more important for an abundant life than to have a healthy family What better way to provide or promote a healthy family life than to have that family reside in a quality, stable home,” said Fe-

licia Bullock, chief financial officer of the Austin-based, Christ-centered, after program for children in kinder through high school.

The construction is just the start of Habitat for Humanity’s ef fort able homes in Austin

“When we make a commitment to a neigh borhood, it’s not just the start, it we’re going to go for the distanc nifer Parks, executive director of Humanity Chicago. “It’s a marathon, and we’re going to be here for y come to layer those investments.”

One of Habitat Chicago’ zations, BMO, is investing $1 million over the next five years to help advance Habitat for Humanity’s work in Austin. Community partners hope that building more affordable homes will allow Austin residents to stay in their neighborhood.

homes since 2012, and has also constructed residences in Greater Grand Crossing.

“I’m looking to do, not only these lots. I’ve got my eyes on more than that because I want the residents to stay in the 37th Ward,” said Ald. Emma Mitts. “I don’t want to see people displaced.”

Mitts said she’s helped Habitat for Humanity host community meetings to inform locals about the new residences and encourage first-time home buyers to purchase these homes or future ones. Officials said they plan to advertise the new homes to le gacy residents in Austin.

“If we don’t get housing right, we don’t get anything else right,” said Tara Stamps, Cook County board commissioner for the 1st District. “If we don’t house our people and make it af fordable, then the job fairs, the recovery programs, the recidivism rate, our children in crises – none of that ends if our people are not housed. This is the most essential, most incredible work that we can be doing.”

Habitat in Chicago

Though Habitat for Humanity has been in Chicago for decades, its home-building efforts have been concentrated on the South Side. The organization started construction in West Pullman, where it has built 40

Though this groundbreaking marks the first Habitat for Humanity homes built in Austin, the organization has had a presence on the West Side through its neighborhood grants.

According to Parks, Habitat Chicago hopes its role in Austin will strengthen the local buying market, connect the community, elevate the neighborhood’s appeal, and enhance the physical environment –characteristics that haven’t always existed on the West Side.

Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together, said that ACT started as lead agency in the Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Prog ram in 2012. At that time, he said that deciding what to do with the Ferdinand Street and Lockwood Avenue properties was difficult because of public safety and housing issues. But the lots’ location near the El, Austin Town Hall Park and Levin Park is prime for families

“Over the years, we’ve really seen some things change,” he said. “We’ve seen people mobilize and come together to be able to move something forward.”

Much of that can be attributed to growing development on Chicago’s West Side. Since ACT established its Quality of Life Plan in 2018, the nonprofit has helped attract $250 million in investments into Austin – of which this Habitat for Humanity

project is one.

“I believe these achievements underscore the power of our collective action – working together [with the] city, county, state, community organizations, residents, leaders, and all of our partners,” Shields said. “Building on this momentum, our current joint ef for ts focus on high-quality and af fordable housing options through this project.”

Shields is a member of the board of directors of Growing Community Media, the publisher of Austin Weekly News.

Such development ef for ts are also top-ofmind for city and county officials.

“Infill development is among the city’s top priorities for the South and West Sides. It’s projects like this that make a difference, lot by lot and block by block,” said Ciere Boatright, commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development. “DPD is supporting local projects with about $40 million in development assistance to strengthen synergies between Austin’s residential blocks and its commercial corridors.”

“When folks have access to af fordable, quality housing options, they have more flexibility to support local businesses that make our neighborhoods truly unique,” said Lisette Castañeda, Chicago’s Department of Housing commissioner.

Those interested in buying a Habitat Chicago home can complete a self-assessment at habitatchicago.org/self-assessment

TODD BANNOR

(From le ) Jessica Ca rey, Daniel Marszalek, Jennifer Parks, Lisette Castañeda, Ciere Boatright, Alderman Emma Mitts, Darnell Shields, Tara Stamps, Chris Martinez, and Felicia Bullock at Habitat for Humanity’s groundbreaking ceremony in Austin on April 7.

BUILD GALA

Benefitting West Side youth

from page 1

clients, but on Friday he added resistance to the mantra of the organization going forward.

In his boldest comments on an evening filled with inspiration and courageous speeches by young BUILD clients, Alonso described the federal administration’s actions as “chaos and fuckery” to a very approving audience.

How does BUILD respond to all this uncertainty, Alonso asked the crowd. “By becoming structurally indispensable to Chicago. Through our resilience and resistance,” he said.

The resistance, he said, takes the form of “inspiring hope and offering opportunities so youth facing systemic obstacles can achieve positive futures.”

He went on to define BUILD’s resistance as its Donna Dudley Peace League, a summer softball program that brings together different gang factions, police and community members to play softball through the summer. It also takes shape in the group’s ongoing marches to end gun violence. “We do not accept that gun violence is normal. We resist it every day through our work with young people, through community events and through our marches,” he said.

The organization was founded in 1969 but its presence has been notably elevated under Alonso’s leadership and with the expansion and construction two years ago of its headquarters at Harrison and Laramie in Austin. The expansive campus includes a 62,000-square-foot building and urban garden. Its mentoring program served 2,752 young people in 2024 and nearly 4,800 youth and their families were involved in other BUILD programs last year.

Two young people who have benefited from BUILD mentorships spoke at the event. Andrea Weathersby, 21, talked about her focus on criminal justice training in a colle ge that the organization guided her admission to. She also gave credit to a 15th District Chicago police official who has mentored her over several years. Tyshawn Weisinger, 19, talked about the impact of BUILD’s outreach in helping him steady his life after an encounter with the criminal justice system. With BUILD’s help, he has had his record expunged and is now a student at Harold Washington College

Roderick Hudson has been on the BUILD staff for 8 months. Alonso introduced him saying, “He may be newer to BUILD, but he’s doing our oldest work with our longest-running team: street violence intervention with street-involved youth. You need a unique combination of experience, courage, skill and personality to do this work well.”

Hudson described his affinity for working with children but also acknowledged his criminal record, his two gunshot wounds

ending his dream of playing football, and his strong desire to work at BUILD in a neighborhood where he lived.

The evening also honored one corporation and one couple for their partnerships and investments in BUILD. McDonald’s Corporation was recognized for its ongoing support through employment and education opportunities.

Paul and Leah Beckwith received the Lifetime BUILDer Award for their active support

of the organization over many years. They were described as lead investors in BUILD’s capital campaign which resulted in its new building. In his remarks, Beckwith talked about BUILD’s focus on creating purpose for young people. And through his involvement in BUILD, he said, the organization had also given him purpose

More than 550 people attended the event which was held at The Geraghty, an event venue on the city’s near southwest side.

TODD BANNOR dur ing dinner.

TODD BANNOR

Lifetime BUILDer Award winners Leah & Paul Beckwith at BUILD Chicago’s 2025 Gala at e Geraghty on April 11.

TODD BANNOR

Dinner for more than 500.

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U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSORIN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES

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CHICAGO, IL 60612

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 13, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 14, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2535 WEST WARREN BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, IL 60612 Property Index No. 16-12-427-0140000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $178,398.11.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The

unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 23-099520. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2801 LAKESIDE DRIVE, SUITE 207 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 23-099520 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 23 CH 7537

TJSC#: 45-544

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 23 CH 7537 I3263693

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF LORETHA WILLIAMS A/K/A LOURETHA WILLIAMS, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, STATE OF ILLINOIS, WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LORETHA WILLIAMS A/K/A LOURETHA WILLIAMS, DECEASED, TRACY A. WILLIAMS, ETHEL WILLIAMS, MINNIE FOUNTAIN, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2019 CH 13445

1007 N. LARAMIE AVENUE

CHICAGO, IL 60651

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 29, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 16, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R,

Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1007 N. LARAMIE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60651

Property Index No. 16-04-407-0160000 (Vol. 545)

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $117,997.79.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 19 7607. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

Attorney File No. 19 7607

Attorney Code. 40342

Case Number: 2019 CH 13445

TJSC#: 45-608

Case # 2019 CH 13445 I3263910

U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Igloo Series III Trust Plaintiff vs. Michael Genovese; Plaza Bank; CR-FMV Investors, LLC; Illinois Department of Revenue; 1148 West Monroe Condominium Association; CR-FMV Investors, LLC as assignee to North Community Bank, successor by merger with Plaza Banks; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants; Defendant 21 CH 2048 CALENDAR 63 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on May 21, 2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 17-17-202-025-1006. Commonly known as 1148 W. Monroe Street, #3NW, Chicago, IL 60607. The real estate is: condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act.. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. (440) 5721511. ILF2103016

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3264221

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST

Plaintiff, -v.A & S HOME VENTURES, LLC, A NEW YORK LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, KATHERINE TAVAREZ, AN INDIVIDUAL, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2023 CH 07167 405 N LAWLER AVE CHICAGO, IL 60644

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 20, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 12, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 405 N LAWLER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60644

Property Index No. 16-09-227-0150000

The real estate is improved with a commercial property.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-24-07236 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2023 CH 07167 TJSC#: 45-879