The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

APPLICATIONS TO OPEN THIS WEEK FOR 2ND ROUND OF NEIGHBORHOOD OPPORTUNITY FUND INVESTMENT GRANTS
Funding Round to Invest $2.5 Million Generated by Large Downtown Developments to Grow and Strengthen West, South, and Southwest Side Businesses
Calling local west side nonprofits and entrepreneurs with a strong track record of success. Looking for project funding? I am pleased to report that earlier this week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced applications for $2.5 million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants, will be available starting on Oct. 4, 2017.
You’ll recall that this initiative, launched earlier this year, generates funding from downtown development projects to support innovative neighborhood commercial corridor growth in key neighborhoods on Chicago’s south, southwest and west sides.
According to Mayor Emanuel, the goal of this newest round of investments will support additional neighborhood entrepreneurs on Chicago’s south, southwest and west sides, by coordinating linked growth between downtown directly to neighborhood revitalization. The result? Improved communities for today’s residents and future generations of Chicagoans.
As your 37th Ward Alderman, I have long championed programs and initiatives to stimulate increased economic development opportunities for small-and mid-sized businesses. I further encourage local entrepreneurs to apply.
Interested? Here’s how to get started. The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant applications will be available at www.neighborhoodopportunityfund.com . An important date to remember: Grant applications are due on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017.
In June, the Mayor awarded $3.2 million in 1st round program funding grants to 32 businesses across the city. A plant nursery in North Lawndale, a Chatham-based vegan restaurant, and an art gallery in West Humboldt Park were among the businesses chosen from over 700 applications to the program, established b the Mayor’s office by modifying the City’s Zoning Code in the spring of 2016. Approved grantees had to positively impact community or commercial business corridors, while also proving their proposal’s feasibility. Your project could be next!
Funding for the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, administered by the city’s Department of Planning and Development comes from voluntary payments made by downtown development projects, in exchange for density bonuses allowing developers to exceed zoning limits for a specific development site. 80% of the payments are applied to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund for distribution to eligible projects within the West and South sides. The remainder supports infrastructure improvements downtown and landmark buildings citywide.
Eligible costs for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants: property acquisition and rehabilitation, small business training, and local hiring subsidies. Up to 65% of total project costs are eligible for funding through the program. Grants exceeding $250,000 require City Council approval. Project eligibility is limited to low-to-moderate income areas, thereby creating more jobs, goods and services as well as increased public and private investments in areas that need it most.
Got a question or concern? For more information, contact the 37th Ward Alderman’s Office at 773-379-0960.

Need assistance or have a question? The 37th Ward Service Office is OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOU during regular business hours, so feel free to call 773-379-0960 or stop by 4924 W. Chicago Ave. Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon (except holidays). Thank you! You can also send an email: emitts@cityofchicago.org.

PCC WELLNESS CENTER By Alexandra T. Chavez, Development Coordinator

PCC Offers Care Centered Around You
Pregnant and struggling with addiction?

With growing heroin use on the west side of Chicago, PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) has started a chemical dependency program that offers combined prenatal care and substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. In this program, the treatment of heroin, alcohol, and prescription drug abuse is offered right in the doctor’s office.
PCC’s goal is to meet patients where they are in their recovery and help them to set goals without judgment. PCC can help improve the patients’ health and the health of their babies. Patients in this program receive safe, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine and counseling. They visit weekly, are given ultrasounds, and deliver their babies at West Suburban Medical Center with a PCC doctor.
Services are available at our Chemical Dependency Clinic, located inside PCC Walk-In Wellness Center at West Suburban Medical Center at 1 Erie Court, Suite 1300, Oak Park, IL 60302. Pregnant women and their families in this program may continue to receive primary care, pediatric care, and behavioral health care at a nearby PCC location.
PCC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and many health plans and also offers a sliding fee program for patients without insurance. They do not deny services because of inability to pay.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

In It Together

Our nation is once again coming to grips with the tragedy of a mass shooting, this time by a lone gunman in Las Vegas who at the time of this writing left 58 people dead and another 500 people wounded from gunshots to stampede injuries during 10 minutes of almost continuous gunfire in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.
But the truth is that it has become an almost routine occurrence for America to experience mass shootings, defined as an incident where 4 or more people are shot in a single incident. In just the last four years in the United States, there have been 1,516 mass shootings in 1,735 days – almost one a day. No other developed nation comes close to the rate of gun violence in America.
And on the streets of Chicago, the carnage continues, with 57 deaths that were ruled homicides last month (September 2017), with 488 shooting deaths this year ruled homicides, according to data kept by the Chicago Sun-Times.
What is the cause of this violence? Contemplative Richard Rohr believes that, “The root of violence is the illusion of separation—from God, from Being itself, from being one with everyone and everything. When you don’t know you are connected and one, you will invariably resort to some form of violence to get the dignity and power you lack.”
Thomas Merton writes, “Non-violence implies a kind of bravery far different from violence.” Rohr goes on to write, “Our dualistic minds see evil as black and white and that the only solution is to eliminate evil. Nonviolence, on the other hand, comes from an awareness that I am also the enemy and my response is part of the whole moral equation. I cannot destroy the other without destroying myself. I must embrace my enemy just as much as I must welcome my own shadow. Both acts take real and lasting courage.”
But, just as we must look in the mirror at ourselves to combat violence, we also have to work on practical solutions to make it easier for people to do the right thing and not resort to the violence of killing another person. And it makes sense that we need to advocate for certain policies to end gun violence in America.
However, the reality is that privilege is standing in the way of ending gun violence in America. In every city and in black communities across the country, gun violence occurs every day. The ongoing gun violence is a constant cry for help every time an inner city child is gunned down. I hope that the tragedy in Las Vegas will bring all communities together because gun violence is an American problem, not just an urban problem. If there is one issue for which America should come together in unity, it is a plan to end gun violence in America. Next week we will examine some of our options for what such a plan would look like.

For more information, contact one of Ford’s Constituent Service Offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS By Reverend Dr. T.C. Thomas, Sr. Pastor

Late

Recently, I had an appointment scheduled where the doctor stated that you must be on time for your appointment. The person being I am was there early to insure my on time appointment. I know you all know what happened next. The doctor was late thus made my on time scheduled appointment run behind schedule. Now the doctors note had an addendum on it. If you are late you as the patient would need to reschedule your appointment and pay a $25 late fee. My issue here is where is my fee for you running late? I’ll answer this. It was non existent. This brought my mind to a great thought. How often have we prayed and asked God for something to feel like He is late with our response? Human nature has us wanting things in a fast society, right now. However God’s timing is not our timing, He is truly right on time! The next time you begin to question if God hears your earnest plea or is coming to your rescue, stop and take a moment to recognize He is never late like we are. He is an on time God, yes He is!

Dr. T.C. Thomas is the Pastor of Walls Memorial C.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sacramento Blvd., on Chicago’s west Side. He is a strong advocate for children, education, healthcare and most of all the people of God “being better and not bitter.” Rev. Thomas may be contacted at 773/533/2721.

A Call To Action: By Reverend Charles C. Brown, Ph.D. - Pastor, New Heaven Christian Church

Help is Available Part 2: Coping with Mental Illness in the Home

“When a person is living with a serious mental illness, the whole family may be affected” (American Psychological Association). When an immediate or close family member is struggling with a serious mental issue, it is not uncommon for others within the home to experience a wide range of unpleasant emotions including shame, shock, fear, hurt, embarrassment, anger, frustration, and even guilt. Although this may seem illogical to some, those of us who have first-hand experience in dealing with the situation can attest to succumbing at one time or another to these overwhelming feelings of distress. The greatest struggle that we endure is attempting to understand why someone in our family must suffer with a mental illness, while secretly wondering if we too will someday share the same fate.
Adding to the stress, is the disheartening tendency for the family environment to become unstable, unpredictable, and even violent at times. In turn, the family roles may become disorganized or confused, and children may be forced to take on adult responsibilities. Despite the other issues within the home, someone must care for the younger siblings, make sure the household duties are maintained, and as much as possible ensure that some sense of sanity or order is maintained within the home. This breakdown within the family structure tends to make it difficult for family members to communicate or articulate their individual emotional or physical needs, due to the perceived fear of being viewed as being selfish, self-centered, uncaring, or unconcerned for the welfare of the family member who is struggling with the mental disorder.
Unfortunately, when a child suffers from a mental illness, parents tend to blame themselves. They may begin to feel as though somehow it was something that they did, or did not do that caused the issue. In turn, this can affect their relationship with their spouse or significant other, as well as the relationship they have with their other children. When it is the parent that is suffering with a mental illness, the child may develop attachment issues, behavioral problems, anxiety, confusion, and role reversal. Siblings tend to feel robbed of the time or years that they could have spent bonding with their brother or sister, and they also tend to fell overlooked by their parents, who are forced to spend more time with the child who is suffering with the mental illness. Overtime, they may begin to experience feelings of resentment, which may be expressed in their behavior.
The unstable atmosphere that is created within this type of home environment can be compared to living on an emotional roller coaster, where dealing with extreme emotional highs and lows becomes a normal routine. The unpredictable behavior, the unprovoked outburst, and the unintentional acts of isolation can become emotional draining, and the caregivers tend to be the ones that suffers the most. Dealing with mental illness within the home can be stressful for everyone, but help is only a phone call away. For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

By: Charles C. Brown, PhD
drccbrown@gmail.com
Pastor, Professor, Advisee to State Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Illinois 8th District Chair of Higher Education, and the Co-Chair for the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance

What Does God Have To Do With It? Who’s Running It? By Angie Mims

CHURCH TERRORISTS

No one had ever heard of 64 year old Stephen Paddock until he chose to make history. When Paddock decided to shoot and kill over 50 innocent people and wound over 500 in a Las Vegas, Nevada hotel, he clearly had a lot more on his mind than visiting Caesar’s Palace to play a few slot machines. In fact, he took gambling to an entirely different level. People are scouring to find out about Paddock’s personal and financial history in hopes to get this one question answered, “WHY?”
According to the FBI, terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or any segment of political or social objective.
How often have you been involved in ministry at church and after doing several of your own self assessments, you finally came to the sound resolve that a person or a group of people in the church are successfully trying to sabotage you by using unjust legalism, strategic and well thought out ploys to undermine your work along with intimidation? Before long, your emotions become untamed and while no one has held a physical gun to your head, the heat and pressure of it all forces you to conclude that you are under attack. To make matters worse, after both prayer and counsel, nothing changes. It gets worse and not much is done about it.
To some, a church terrorist or a group of church terrorists may sound extreme. However, did we think that only one man could cause so many deaths and injuries at one time in only ten minutes? No, we didn’t think it and church terrorists have the potential to pollute and spread toxins within the church and sometimes it doesn’t take long to do. When it happens, a host of emotions fill our minds and why? We hold the people of the church at a higher standard. When we’re blindsided by the actions and words of our fellow church goers, we are left in surprise.
By no means whatsoever am I glorifying the Baptist denomination, but I had never heard of witchcraft being used in the church until my COGIC and Apostolic friends told me the details of their experiences. The news of it all was unbelievable and left me quite stumped! Needless to say, while some Baptists may not speak in tongues and involve themselves in sorcery, EVERY denomination of people has the potential to be church terrorists. From intentional church division, ploys to undermine the work of others, to incapacitate, impair and damage persons or ministries, it is nothing short of spiritual terrorism.
So what does God have to do with it? I typically abhor putting the church down and people who do so regularly are rebels without a cause or rogues who simply don’t like to submit themselves to anyone’s authority. These types of people thrive off of the attention they gain for ‘going against the grain.’ They call it being controversial these days but it’s really an undying need to have the attention on themselves; if people don’t admire their controversial approaches, they are quickly dismissive of peaceful solutions within the Kingdom of God. Needless to say, I still wanted to address the terrorists who lurk within churches.
A.W. Tozer, a famous American Christian pastor and spiritual mentor stated, “The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still.” So does Satan go to church? Absolutely and there’s a good chance he knows the Bible better than you and I. So whether it is Satan himself or a person being used by him, his number one goal is to terrorize us and destroy us. And what can we do about it? Our goal should be to NEVER leave the church because of the terrorists within. You must be equipped with the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shodded with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:14). With a pure heart and a steady prayerful life, rest assured, your life will turn around when you’re in God’s Hands.....and God’s wrath is no match for any church terrorist.

Angie Mims is a radio personality for the Promoting Precision Radio Show. She has interviewed many greats on her show such as NBC 5’s Art Norman, CLTV News Dr. Garrard McClendon, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Ebony Magazine’s Senior Editor, Lynn Norment, the former president of Nigeria, General Olesugun Obasanjo, NBA players and many others. Visit her online at www.promotingprecision.com. Angie loves to meet new people and is in a constant attempt to unite people from all over the world. If you have a great story, don’t hesitate! Email her at AngieMims@PromotingPrecision.com today! You may also call (708)-612-4864. Support The Austin Voice Newspaper and let them know your thoughts about her column.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

THE BIBLE (THE WORD) IS YOUR STRENGTH!

(In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John1:1)

For they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
Greetings my dear brethren (everyone). Has thou not known? Has thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth fainted not, neither is weary….. Isaiah 40:28-31. Jehovah God had promised in the word saying, “when thou pass through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee……… For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy one of Israel, thy Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). Sing this song with me. “Leaning on Jesus, Leaning on Jesus, Leaning on the everlasting arm….. “
Absolutely no one but Jesus. He (Jesus) opened the eyes of the blinds, healed the sick even raised up Lazarus from death. Surely the stone that the bricklayer rejected becomes the chief corner stone. T’is time to stop wandering about and seek the Living Father (God) through His begotten son (Jesus) only. Do not be deceived – God is not mocked for no want (lack) to them that love Jesus – the Lion cubs do lack and they will be hungry, but they that lean on the Lord shall lack nothing good.
Comrades the day of doubt and uncertainty is passed and night must be overcast in your life; for Jesus is the only way – no other. Seek Him in faith sincerely, and you shall find him; seek Him while He maybe found; call upon Him while He is near. Jesus is the bread of heaven and he shall feed you till you want no more; and he shall supply you with the springing spiritual water and you shall thirst no more. The woman at the well was a strong testimony; the woman of 12 years of issue of blood who was healed by Jesus, another testimony. Faith in Jesus is all that it’s needed and if you have faith even as small as a mustard see you can move mountain; your mountain of bills, problems in your life will be solved and you have access to everlasting and happiness - becoming a new creature in Christ for old things are passing away behold all things are becoming new. New Jerusalem of heaven is getting ready to descend. Jesus descent to rapture his elect is near – repent of your sins now, change and declare your allegiance to Jesus. Prepare for that great day to be raptured up with Jesus into heaven; don’t be left behind to face regret and damnation, pain and torture by the unmerciful (wicked dragon) and his evil demons forever.
Yield to Jesus today before it’s too late; for He is the only one who can take you to heaven; the only divine power given by the Living God to open the gate of heaven to you for your eternal joy – happiness forever. Assuredly only the righteous shall see God. Don’t regret sadly forever don’t risk your salvation for which Jesus had suffered. The clock is ticking - time is running out. Turn to Jesus today and serve Him. No repentance in hell; it’s too late. For prayer support, please call me at (630) 965-0256. In the Vineyard for Christ, Apostle/Prophet E. Dada. God bless.

MONEY RUN By Kevin Pearson

Plan to Plan

Have you ever wondered why do I need a business plan? One may say to ones self “ I know what I want to sale. Can I just open my doors and start making money.” This is a thought that has crossed many entrepreneur minds, but having or not having a business plan can be the beginning or the end of ones business.
In early 2001, you all may know I published a hip-hop magazine that circulated in Chicago and two other major cities. The idea to start the magazine came over night. I can remember sitting on the floor in my brother’s room flipping through some old magazines. I looked him right in the eye and said, “ I want to start a hip-hop magazine.” Neither of us had writing experience and definitely no publishing experience, yet he was all in. Our entire business plan was fluttering in our imaginations.
Finally in 2003, after hundreds of hit or miss (only by the grace of God) we put out a full color glossy magazine. The hip-hop community loved the publication. We were on the media list of major music labels; we got passes to just about every hip-hop event. So what was wrong with that you ask? NO MONEY. We had zero revenue coming in, and no strategy in place to get any. We were the new guys on the block, and no ad agency would touch us. Also, big hip-hop publications where adding online versions of them selves, called e-zines, yet we still owed the printer. We hung on for a few years but closed shop in 2006.
In the end, we had a great product and tenacity, but no plan to execute anything. Today I plan everything, ever phone call, email, I even wrote a plan to write this column. “Remember no business has ever been totally successful with out a plan in place to make it successful.”

Want to increase your customers and profit, but don’t know where to start? Let us help, contact the Voice Newspapers at Ph: 773-889-0880 or email: austinvoiceads@gmail.com

CANCER SOCIETY WARNS WOMEN OF THREAT FROM RADON EXPOSURE

A new report finds a statistically significant positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. This study is the first prospective population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication and whether it truly differs by sex.
Radon is a naturally-occurring byproduct of the decay of radium and is a known human lung carcinogen, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Modeling studies show that radon delivers a non-negligible dose of alpha radiation to the bone marrow and therefore could be related to risk of hematologic cancers. More than 171,000 new cases of hematologic cancer and more than 58,000 deaths are expected in the United States in 2016. Hematologic cancers are the most expensive cancers to treat per quality-adjusted life year gained.
For the current study, researchers led by Lauren Teras, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society used data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort established in 1992, to examine the association between county-level residential radon exposure and risk of Hematologic cancer. The analysis included 140,652 participants among whom there were 3,019 hematologic cancers during 19 years of follow-up. They found women living in counties with the highest mean radon concentration had a statistically significant 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer compared to those living in counties with the lowest radon levels. They also found evidence of a dose-response relationship.
The authors say men may have a higher baseline risk, possibly because of more exposure to occupational or other risk factors for hematologic cancer, reducing the impact of any additional risk from residential radon. In women, who have a smaller baseline risk, residential radon exposure might be a larger contributor to overall risk. Another reason may be that the women of this generation spent more time in their homes, so had more residential exposure than men.
According to Dr. Teras, “Radon is already associated with lung cancer and if other studies confirm the link to blood cancers, we think it would warrant strengthened public health efforts to mitigate residential radon risks.”

ST. MALACHY + PRECIOUS BLOOD REQUESTS HELP FOR MOBILE PANTRY

Father Matthew Eyerman, Pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2248 West Washington Boulevard, reminds everyone that his congregation hosts deliveries by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Mobile Pantry on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers unload the truck, bag the food, and distribute non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables to West Side residents. This food is available to anyone free of charge and without income verification. Each month, St. Malachy + Precious Blood serves more than 250 households representing well over 750 people, regardless of weather conditions.

In past years, the public has donated a pallet mover, tables, and bins. This year, Father Eyerman is requesting help in obtaining items to keep staff and clients dry and warm:

• $500 will install a retractable canopy

• $100 will purchase a pop-up canopy to keep food and volunteers dry

• $75 provides hand warmers for volunteers

• $50 provides single-use rain ponchos for clients & volunteers

For information about the monthly Mobile Pantry at St. Malachy + Precious Blood or making contributions to the program, call Father Eyerman at 312/733-1068 or 312/919-1610.

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD AND NEAR WEST YOUTH

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is providing assessment, support, and referral services as part of its Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) Re-Entry Program for East Garfield and Near West youth and young adults being released from Department of Correction facilities.

Any East Garfield Park and Near West juvenile between the ages of 13-28 currently on parole from any Department of Correction facility, or returning to CVPP communities from Department of Correction facilities are eligible to participate in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church CVPP Re-entry Program. Interested persons should call Denise Harris at 773/826-3295.

Friday, February 25, 2011

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