HOOD HOPES & URBAN DREAMS

Free Tax Assistance

The National Association of Black Accountants, Chicago Chapter is offering free tax assistance including electronic filing now through April 10th. Locations are South Shore Library 2505 E. 73rd St. Chicago, IL 60649 (312) 747-5281 from February 6 and 27, March 13 and 27 and April 10.  At the 4th Ward Alderman’s Office 4659 S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60653(773) 536-8103 from February 6 and 2, March 6 and 20 and April 10. Also at the First Christian Church located on 3600 W. 79th St. Chicago, IL 60652(773) 581-1115 from February 6 and 20, March 6 and 20 and April 3 and 10.

FREE Financial Education series

 

Woodlawn Community Service Corporation, AKArama Foundation, Inc., & South Side Community Federal Credit Union:

 

 

 

are presenting a FREE Financial Education series.  Starting Tuesday, October 13, 2009 this seven week series takes place on consecutive Tuesdays thru Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. located at the AKArama Foundation, Inc. Community Service Center 6220-28 South Ingleside Avenue.  For more information/registration call: (773) 548-8859.

26th Annual UNCF Walk for Education

It’s the 26th Annual UNCF Walk for Education on Saturday, September 19th at our new location Burnham Park located at South Lake Shore Drive at 31st Street.  There’s free food, fun, live entertainment and activities for the entire family!  Registration starts at 7:00AM, program festivities begin at 8:00AM, followed by the Walk.  Register at http://give.uncf.org/ChicagoWalk or call (312) 845-2200.  Support UNCF—the United Negro College Fund, because "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

The 5th Annual Silas Purnell College Expo

The Chesterfield Community Council will host “The 5th Annual Silas Purnell College Expo” on Saturday, September 19th from 10AM to 2PM at Tuley Park Fieldhouse on 90th & King Drive.  This free event will consist of admissions and financial aid representatives from various colleges and universities throughout Illinois and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  This event will also include a seminar on student loan assistance (consolidation, forbearance and more) presented by Sallie Mae.  In addition, State Reps. Constance Howard and Marlow Colvin will discuss State (Member) Scholarships and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Scholarship Program.  There will also be an opportunity to register to vote at this event.  For more information, call (773-651-3958) or visit www.chesterfieldcommunitycouncil.org. 

Urban Health Program - 30th Anniversary of helping minority students

On September 19th, the Urban Health Program of the University of Illinois will celebrate its 30th Anniversary of helping minority students become doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and all other types of healthcare professionals.  As part of that celebration, the Urban Health Program wants to reconnect with all its Black, Latino and Native American alumni who graduated from one of the health professions colleges at the University of Illinois.  If you are minority alumnus of any of UIC’s degree programs that prepared you for a healthcare career, please contact the Urban Health Program’s Alumni Coordinator, Ms. Tara Alcazar, at (312) 996-7727.  For more information about the Urban Health Program and its 30th Anniversary celebration, visit them online at www.uic.edu, keyword: Urban Health.

Back to School Extravaganza - September 5th

Resurrection House presents the Back to School Extravaganza on Saturday, September 5th from noon to 6PM.  There will be free back to school supplies, entertainment, food, immunizations, haircuts and much more.  School supplies will be given away between 4PM and 6PM only.  Resurrection House Baptist Church is located at 244 E. 138th Street in Chicago.  For more information, call (773) 995-REAL.

Back to School Block Party

Summer is almost over and school will be in before you know it.  Are you ready to go back to school? In this tough economy, school supplies may be more difficult to come by.  The Youth Department of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is committed to serve the Englewood community where it sits and will host a Back to School Block Party on Saturday, August 1st from noon to 3PM.  1000 book bags filled with school supplies will be distributed to Englewood students (500 elementary school and 500 high school students).  There will be music, food, fun, games, city college representatives, health screenings and more!  Everything is FREE!!!!  Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is located at 6248 S. Stewart Avenue in Chicago.

NATIONAL ABLE NETWORK

Helping people get back to work and life is the mission behind National Able Network.  Serving jobseekers and businesses in Illinois and Northwest Indiana, our non-profit employment and training agency brings together qualified job seekers of all ages, income and employment levels.  If you’re looking for a job or seeking qualified applicants, National Able Network can help.  Call National Able Network at (312) 782-3335 or visit http://www.nationalable.org/.

GEORGE S. MAY FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS

Music inspires so many of our children to reach their highest potential.  However, budget cuts in inner-city schools often prevent this.  Are you read to help a child discover and develop his or her talent?   Do you have an old musical instrument stored in the back of your closet just collecting dust?  Help the George S. May Foundation for the Arts give children access to music as an inspiration towards positive action by supporting its music education program called P.A.U.S.E.  Instruments and other donations are being collected at George S. May International, 303 S. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge, IL.  To arrange for a donation pick-up, visit www.pause.gsmfoundation.org or call (800) 999-3020.

GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY OFFERS FREE FAMILY COUNSELING

Today’s families face economic and social pressures as well communication difficulties that frequently disrupt family unity and the ability to cope.  Frequently, one of the most important tools needed to understand and cope with these issues is family counseling. Unfortunately, families often do not know how to access counseling, believe they cannot afford it, or are embarrassed to seek it out.    The free, confidential family counseling services at GSU are offered by the Division of Psychology and Counseling as part of its training program for advanced graduate counseling students. Students who are studying for their Master of Arts in Counseling learn about family, couples, individual, and vocational counseling. As part of their training and as a community service, they provide free counseling services.