Friday, April 9, 2010

EYES ON AUSTIN REGISTERING RESIDENTS FOR LIHEAP

Funding is still available for people who have not yet applied for LIHEAP assistance since September 2009. Eyes On Austin is registering people for the heating assistance program at 5519 West North Avenue.
    Applicants must bring Social Security cards for all household members, award letters from SSA or SSI, current gas and light bills, and pay stubs for the past 30 days. For information, call 773/479-1569

CLARK PARK STARTING NEW SESSION OF STEP AEROBICS CLASSES

Step Aerobics classes are now forming at Clark Park, 4615 West Jackson Boulevard, for people 18 years and older. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 PM. Cost is $15.
    Remember, summer is right around the corner and you want to fit into those warm weather fashions! Shape up and slim down. Call 773/287-7794 for information.

GARFIELD PARK/HOMAN SQUARE LITTLE LEAGUE FORMING

Registration is open for the Garfield Park/Homan Square Little League Baseball 2010 season. Boys and girls ages 5-16 are eligible to play. Opening Day is Saturday, May 1. Volunteers and coaches are needed. To register a child and for information, call Coach Shawn Walker at 312/719-4441 or visit www.teamz.com/garfieldparkbaseball, or e-mail garfieldparkbaseball@yahoo.com. In-person registration is being held every Saturday through April 17. Call for details.
    First Round Baseball Academy is conducting free training and workouts every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Homan Square Park, 3559 West Arthington Street. Contact Coach Frank Brim.

LEAP OF FAITH MINISTRIES REGISTERING FOR FREE COMPUTER LITERACY CLASSES

Pastor John W. White, Jr., of Leap of Faith Ministries, 5213 West Potomac Street, announces that registration is being conducted April 5-9, 5:00-9:00 PM, at the church for free Computer Literacy classes starting April 12. Classes are conducted Monday through Friday in two sessions: 6:00-7:15 PM and 7:30-8:45 PM. Classes run through June 30. For information, call 773/378-3824.

HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH HOSTING HEALTH FAIR FOR MEN APRIL 10

The Parish Nursing Team Ministry in collaboration with the Men’s Ministry of Heritage International Christian Church, 5312 West North Avenue, is holding a Health Fair especially for men on Saturday, April 10, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM, at the church. A variety of tests and screenings will be available. This event is free and all men are invited to attend. Overseer Dwight Gunn is Pastor.

AMUNDSEN PARK HOSTING OPEN HOUSE APRIL 17

    Amundsen Park, 6200 West Bloomingdale Avenue, is holding an Open House on Saturday, April 17, 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The purpose is to inform senior citizens, parents, and families of the programs and facilities at the park. Admission is free and the public is invited. The staff is asking people attending to fill out a questionnaire giving ideas for park programming.
    From 1:00-3:00 PM, teenagers 13-18 are featured, with rappers, and Hip-Hop artists, plus a special guest performer.
    For information, call 312/746-5003.

SISTERHOUSE: KEEPING THE VISION ALIVE SINCE 1982 FOR WOMEN IN NEED

By Glenance Green

    SISTERHOUSE began as a vision. In 1982, School Sister of Notre Dame Anne Mayer cultivated that vision on her mission to proclaim the good news. Sister Anne, along with Margaret Traxler and Gladys Schmitt, had spent years volunteering at Cook County Jail and Dwight Correctional Center, and from their experience were able to identify the community necessity for a safe haven for women being released from prison.
    These resilient women knew how important it is to enable people to reach the fullness of their potential. Their experiences with the recently released inmates made them aware that in order to really have a monumental impact on women’s lives, they needed to provide a positive and nurturing environment. The slogan of SISTERHOUSE is: Recovery is Possible!
    Committed to this goal, they responded to the varying needs of the West Side community of Austin as the parish convent at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church became available. Recognizing that there was more work to be done in the community, SISTERHOUSE developed a mission to provide focused, long-term services to women seeking recovery from substance abuse. In 1983, SISTERHOUSE celebrated its first anniversary with an open house, which became an annual celebration of recovery.
    Today, SISTERHOUSE is a faith-oriented recovery home for women located on the West Side of Chicago in the community of Austin. SISTERHOUSE provides housing and support services for women seeking to restore their lives from the perils of substance abuse.

For information on SISTERHOUSE services for women, to contribute or volunteer, call 773/626-0525.

REP. LASHAWN K. FORD & THE VOICE PRESENTING FREE EDUCATION & JOB TRAINING EXPO APRIL 24

THE VOICE Newspapers and State Representative LaShawn K. Ford (D-8) are sponsoring a unique Education & Job Training EXPO on Saturday, April 24, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, at Christ The King College Prep High School, 5088 West Jackson Boulevard. Admission is free.
    The purpose of the EXPO is to showcase the resources available on Chicago’s West Side to help propel people of all ages into rewarding careers. This EXPO is designed to assist people from high school students and out-of-school youth to adults and seniors seeking education to advance their careers or help them return to the workplace.
    THIS IS NOT A JOB FAIR! This EXPO is concentrating on available educational and job preparation opportunities leading to employment.
Participating in the EXPO are Malcolm X College and West Side Learning Center, including Credit & Noncredit Divisions, Adult Education courses, and Continuing Education Division. The college’s unique Career Training Division staff will also be present to explain the free employment development courses available. Malcolm X College admissions counselors will advise people of all ages on course offerings and requirements.
The Paul Simon Job Corps Center will have representatives and students to discuss the nine career disciplines they prepare students ages 16-24 to enter, including Carpentry, Painting, Bricklaying, Manufacturing, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Graphic Design, Office Administration, and Computer Service Technician.
The Job Corps campus at 3318 South Kedzie Avenue has 350 students attending classes all year. New students are admitted weekly. All training courses are free and taught by professionals in the career field. Students can live free in campus housing and free childcare is available for commuting students. The Job Corps provides free GED and high school diploma classes, plus a partnership with the Chicago City Colleges. Job placement services are provided.
Representative LaShawn K. Ford will introduce his Hot Jobs Listings on his website. Public and private sector jobs are updated continually and can be accessed 24 hours a day/7 days a week without charge.
U.S. Army recruiters will be present to explain their educational and career training opportunities for men and women 18-41 years of age.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will provide information on financial aid available to Illinois citizens of all ages interested in pursuing college and certified job training courses. They can assist people in applying for state and federal student aid.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will explain its free computerized job search services and free assistance with resume preparation and interviewing techniques.
Introspect Youth Services counselors will be present to advise high school students on choosing a college and will help students and their families apply for financial aid.
Brian Moore of THE VOICE staff will help young people ages 14-24 apply online for Mayor Daley’s Youth Ready Chicago summer jobs program. Applicants should bring their school ID numbers.
For information on the Education & Job Training EXPO, call THE VOICE Newspapers at 773/889-0880 or Rep. LaShawn K. Ford’s Service Office at 708/445-3673.

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2010-2011

St. Paul Lutheran School, 846 North Menard Avenue, is currently accepting applications for the 2010-1011 school year. St. Paul offers instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 8. In addition to a Christ-centered curriculum, St. Paul offers band instruction, a hot lunch program, an extended care program, and bus service.
    For more information, parents can call the school office any morning at 773/378-6644, or they can go to the school’s website at www.stpaulaustin.com.