October 6th Ward Newsletter 2009

Your monthly message from Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle

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Volume XI, Issue 9

October 2009

OCTOBER OCCURANCES ALDERMANIC MESSAGE Just as September returned the children to school chores, it gave us additional time to work on the programs we need to obtain and the services we are committed to giving. We continue meeting with experts, looking at various Urban Agriculture projects and searching for funding. Some of you may have heard that we will be doing Urban Farming in the 6th Ward. We’ve identified some lots and are waiting for the environmental studies to be completed. A companion project to one being undertaken by Ald. Helen Shiller of the 46th Ward, we’ve been joining forces and sharing resources to get her indoor Aquaponics/hyrdoponics operation underway and my farm in Englewood planted. It’s my plan to also do Aquaponics (farming fish) but we are proceeding methodically and the first step is to get something growing. Let me add that early on we met with Chicago State University and the City Colleges of Chicago about the creation of a curriculum for youth Pre-K thru College. Chicago State has stepped up to the challenge and last Friday (while they were flushing our plans for the Olympics) I was walking through the proposed site of the Aquaponics program at CSU. It’s going to be really impressive.

The barbers at L & M Barber and Beauty Shop gave more than 50 free ‘Back to School’ hair cuts to young men last month. Several other barber shops in the Ward participated in this program.

Aldermanic Message continued on Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS Pg. 1 Aldermanic Message FREE Haircuts Gov. Patrick Quinn Pg. 2 Aldermanic Message Continued 2011 Chicago Vehicle Sticker Art Contest Community Treasures Pg. 3 FYI and Save the Date Pg. 4 Employment Services for Ex-Offenders Senior Community Service Employment Program

Gov. Patrick Quinn poses with Alderman Lyle in front of the Ward office when he stopped by the office in September. Newsletter 1

Aldermanic Message continued from page 1

Producing more fresh vegetables is only one part of the solution to the problem of lack of access in communities of color. Distribution is another part. In that regard we plan to (and are working on) creating a year round Market where we can sell our produce, farmers can sell their products and other small local business persons can sell theirs. I want to be clear that we will never grow enough on our farm to fill the needs of those communities. That is not the goal. Our goal is to increase the quantity and quality of produce to those within our reach. It is our goal to educate all who hear our voices about healthy choices. Our goal is to encourage and prod Churches to teach home economic skills so young mothers can properly prepare the produce we are providing. It’s our goal to teach children how to value the earth, plant a seed, watch something grow and then eat it for dinner. It’s our goal to reduce the rates of childhood obesity, childhood diabetes, and childhood hypertension. More on our plans and how it ties into homeland security next month….. As I was returning from the Congressional Black Caucus in DC (where I met with ‘green’ people and studied the DC Eastern Market) everyone was talking about how substantive the program was this year. We were all energized and ready to do battle in our respective communities. While sitting in the airport I jumped on the internet to read the papers and learned about the 3 Black teens who were murdered. Both Judge Michael Stuttley and I were at a loss for words. Judge Stuttley handles troubled youth in Markham and has worked diligently to help them turn their lives around. But even he was surprised at the savagery occurring in our neighborhoods. No one has the silver bullet that will make young men stop shooting, or young men realize that there are consequences to their actions and when you beat someone with a 2 x 4 they do really, really die. What we did agree on however was, we can not stop working to save those we can and protect those we do not even know. We must work in our homes, in our Churches and in our neighborhoods to instill values and respect into the young people we touch. We must mobilize and collectively say enough is enough to those young predators who walk among us and those in charge of protecting all of us. The same energies that propelled a Black Chicagoan to the White House must now be channeled into creating a society that nurtures and protects its youth. I know that's a tall order but I know that together we can, once again.

Freddrenna Lyle

2011 Chicago Vehicle Sticker Art Contest Clerk Miguel del Valle invites all Chicago high school students, grades 9-12, to participate in the 15th Annual Vehicle Sticker Art Contest! The theme for the 2010-2011 vehicle sticker will feature “Burham’s Chicago”. All entries must be submitted through the student’s school to room 107 in City Hall by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2009. The student with the winning design will receive a $1,000 savings bond and the artwork will appear on the 2010vehicle sticker. The second place winner will receive a $500 savings bond, the third place winner will receive a $250 savings bond and each of the seven remaining finalists receive a $100 savings bond. Go to www.chicityclerk.com or call 312.744.2507 to download entry forms and contest rules.

COMMUNITY TREASURES St. Columbanus I was talking to a woman while standing in a line in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 24th who now lives in St. Louis but was raised in Chicago, and attended St. Columbanus. I began to tell her how beautiful the Church looks and she told me she visits whenever she is here because her sister still lives in the area and is an active volunteer. Founded in 1909, St. Columbanus Church and School served the needs of Irish immigrants who moved into the prosperous Park Manor neighborhood. By 1954, the Parish membership became predominately AfricanAmerican, making St. Columbanus Church one of the oldest Black Catholic parishes in Chicago. 100 years later, as other Parishes lost their schools and congregations, St. Columbanus remains a vibrant community Church with a quality school. For more info go to http://www.stcolumbanuschicago.org Service is Its Middle Name Illinois Service Federal Savings & Loan is celebrating its 75th year of operation. Opened in 1934 in a 1 room office on 47th & State, with $7000.00 in deposits, the bank now has 2 branches ( 46th & King and our branch at 87th & King) with a total of more than $133 million dollars in deposits. The legacy of the 13 African American businessmen who wanted to create a Savings & Loan where Blacks could obtain mortgages is all around you as you drive through Chicago's South Side. When Blacks were denied mortgages to buy property in Chatham, South Shore, Park Manor, Englewood, etc., they could and did turn to ISF. 75 years later and still supporting our community, ISF welcomes your patronage. For more information go to http://www.isfbank.com/ P.s. ISF was never in danger during the most recent banking meltdowns because it didn't engage in predatory/risky loans.

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Watch the 6th Ward Scene

F. Y. I. F. Y. I.

CAN-TV Channel 19 Every 1st and 3rd Thursday, 6:00 p.m. & Every 1st and 3rd Friday, 1:00 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE!!! 2010 CSBG-ARRA Scholarship…If you have a student who will be enrolled in an Illinois college, university or vocational training school by January 15, 2010, he or she may qualify for a 2010 Community Services Block Grant - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (CSBG-ARRA) Scholarship. To be eligible for the scholarship the student must have a home residence in the City of Chicago; must meet new CSBG-ARRA income guidelines; and must be enrolled fulltime in an Illinois Institution. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000. For more information and an application packet, visit www.cityofchicago.org/fss (click on 2010 CSBG-ARRA Scholarship) or call 312.746.8610. The application deadline is October 15, 2009. Preparing Real Fathers for the World of Work…Are you a father between the ages of 18 and 35? Are you looking for a better paying job? Do you want a stronger relationship with your kids and family? Metropolitan Family Services (Southeast Chicago Center) 3062 E. 91st St., is offering a oneweek job and family skills success series starting Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. Get help preparing for and finding a job; learn new and effective parenting skills; receive access to legal assistance, health care, and counseling services; examine what’s holding you back and how to overcome it and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and there will be attendance and educational progress incentives. For more information call Quincy Roseborough at 773.371.2920.

2010 CSBG-ARRA Scholarships Application Deadline October 15, 2009 For Eligibility Information, contact the Chicago Dept. of Family & Support Services www.cityofchicago.org/fss or call 312.746.8610 (see the FYI column) Property Assessment Appeal Seminar for the Hyde Park Township Sponsored by Chicago Tax Assistance Center Thursday, October 15th 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the 6th Ward Office, 406 E. 75th St.

Reassessment notices contain proposed values that will be reflected on 2nd installment tax bills due in the Fall of 2010. The deadline to file appeals for properties in the Hyde Park Township is Oct. 30, 2009.

"Old Kennedy-King College" Demolition and TIF Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 6:00 p.m. Alden Wentworth Nursing Home 201 E. 69th St.

Halloween Parties Oct. 22-24, 29 & 30 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 63rd St. Beach House-63rd & Lake Shore Dr. All Ages $7.00 Friday, October 30th 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cole Park-361 E. 85th St. Ages 6-12 $2.00

Whitney Young Library…Plans to build a new library at 79th & King Dr. are moving forward. Only 1 property remains to be purchased and new drawings are underway as the plan shifts from a 1 story to a 2 story library which will replace the old building. 75th Street Sewer Repairs...There are 111 small businesses located between State St. and Cottage Grove Ave. on 75th St. Each struggles to survive to provide goods and services to our community. With the exception of two blocks, 75th St. is now open to vehicular traffic. So please take a walk down 75th St. and patronize the businesses. “PASS THE WORD”

Friday, October 30th 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Abbott Park-49 E. 95th St. All Ages $2.00 Friday, October 30th 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Grand Crossing Park-7655 S. Ingleside All Ages FREE Jazz City: Orbert Davis Quartet & Tre Dumas Friday, November 6th 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. South Shore Cultural Center 7059 S. South Shore Dr. Call 773.256.0149 for more information (FREE)

71st Street Streetscape Project Completed… The redevelopment of 71st Street’s infrastructure began at a community center in 1998. Years later we obtained the money for the 1st phase and still later the 2nd phase. We have now reached completion of the project at a cost exceeding $900,000.00.

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6th Ward Monthly Meetings Thursday, November 12, 6:30 p.m. Mt. Nebo Church Baptist 354 W. 71st St. Thursday, December 10, 6:30 p.m. Carter Temple C.M.E. Church 7841 S. Wabash Ave. (Enter thru parking lot on 79th St.)

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR EX-OFFENDERS Mayor Daley's WorkNet Chicago is committed to helping ex-offenders re-enter the workforce. The selected WorkNet partners listed below have experience working with ex-offenders in programs that offer job readiness training and skill development alongside support services that help individuals achieve self-sufficiency. To find other WorkNet agencies or receive additional information on our programs for ex-offenders, contact the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development at 312-746-7777 (Illinois Relay 711 for Deaf or speech impaired communications). Chicago land Youth and Adult Training Center 6301 S. Halsted 773-783-0441 Community Assistance Program 435 W. 119th 773-468-1993 Goodwill Industries 2435-37 W. 63rd 773-863-6030 Heartland Alliance 1525 E. Hyde Park Blvd. 773-624-6148, ext. 1914 St. Sabina/Catholic Bishop of Chicago 7909 S. Racine 773-783-3760

SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM The Senior Community Service Employment Program, sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging, is a training program designed to assist the mature worker (at least 55 years old) in re-entering the job market. It operates under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Title V of the Older Americans Act. The training program places eligible individuals, usually for 20 hours a week at minimum wages, in nonprofit agencies or community service agencies community assignments. Mature workers will also be assisted in skill enhancement opportunities and assistance in the transition to unsubsidized employment. There are two types of community service assignments available: Program Trainee I -Provide assistance to the Department by performing direct service duties; Provide information to seniors regarding services and programs offered by the Department; Assists at nutrition sites to reserve meals tickets, set-up, serve food, keep kitchen and dining areas clean-up. Program Trainee II - Develops relationships with nursing home residents by conducting regular visits; Performs support services such as listening, talking and reading to residents; keep residents aware of various advocacy services available to them; Alerts City Department to actual and potential abuse situations. To become a Senior Community Service Employment Program trainee, you must: Be at least 55 years of age Resident of the City of Chicago Meet the Federal income requirements Be unemployed Be able to work (train) 83 hrs/month, week-end availability may be required.

Woodlawn Preservation 6101 S. Evans 773-324-0619 Programs for Women The Enterprising Kitchen 4426 N. Ravenswood 773-506-3880

Training Benefits: Training wage - $7.50 an hour Annual physical Assistance in the transition to unsubsidized employment

Support Advantage for Women/Leslie's Place 1014 N. Hamlin 773-342-88384

WORLD SPORT CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIPS High School juniors who live in Chicago, attend school in Chicago, have played an Olympic or Paralympics sport for 2 seasons in the last 3 years and maintain a “C” average or better are eligible for apply for the World Sport Chicago Scholarship. 56 Chicago high school juniors will become WSC Scholars and receive Kaplan ACT tutoring and Chicago Scholars mentoring. WSC scholars will also be eligible for one of 16 renewable college scholarships worth up to $10,000 annually ($40,000 total). The deadline for applications is Nov. 30, 2009. For more information, visit www.wscscholars.org or call 312.784.3313.

To apply for the Senior Community Service Employment Program or for more information, contact the Chicago Department of Senior Services at (312)744-4407.

See you next month! Your monthly message from

Freddrenna M. Lyle, 6th Ward Alderman and Committeeman Service Office 406 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 846-7006 (773) 846-9104 fax Email Address: [email protected]

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Website Address: www.6thwardalderman.com