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UPCOMING
EVENTS
---Year
Round--- The
Chicago Historical Society host’s neighborhood walking tours
on Mondays (1:00pm) and Saturdays (10:00am). Walkers can
explore the city’s beautiful and historic North Side – Lincoln
Park, the Gold Coast and Old Town. Advance registration
is recommended. For a schedule of tours, call visitor services
at (312) 642-4600. Tours are $10 per person, $5 for historical
society members.
---
Year
Round--- If you have a little Picasso running around
your house, do we have the contest for you! The Illinois
Department of Transportation through the Illinois State
Board of Education is holding its first ever Work Zone Safety
Calendar Contest. Finalists will win savings bonds, trophies
and the opportunity to be featured in the 2006-2007 Illinois
Work Zone Safety Calendar. For more information on this
contest, please visit IDOT’s website at www.dot.il.gov.
You may also call (217) 782-6953.
--- Year
Round--- Shoppers and travelers can go to www.ChicagoParkingMap.com
for directions to parking garages downtown, at O’Hare and
Midway Airports, and at the Museum of Science and Industry.
The website provides a convenient, free, and easy way for
motorists to identify parking garages in Chicago and get
directions before they even begin their trip.
---Year
Round--- The Home Care Services program at Casa Central
offers personal care, shopping, cleaning and other important
services to seniors throughout Chicago. This program enables
homebound seniors to remain independent, while they receive
valuable companionship. Casa Central is located at 1343
N. California Avenue, Chicago, IL. For more information,
call Casa Central (773) 645-2300, and ask for a free service
assessment and payment options.
FEBRUARY
February
23-24--- Come help benefit the Special Olympics as a
Joliet Police Officer will jump into Lake Michigan at North
Beach near Northwestern University in Evanston 24 times
in 24 hours, plunging once an hour. The fundraising website
is www.firstgiving.com/dwayneandwendyenglish.
February
24-March 4--- The Special Olympics of Illinois
hosts the Torch Run Polar Plunges in Evanston, Fox Lake,
Lake Bluff, Manteno, Palatine, and Yorkville. More then
20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities
benefit from Special Olympics sports training and competition
and social interaction with their peers and thousands of
volunteers. For more information or to register visit www.soill.org.
February
24--- The Cove School is celebrating the school’s
60th Anniversary. The Cove School is a non-profit
K-12 school for children with learning disabilities working
in partnership with Chicagoland public schools to provide
the best possible education for students with learning disabilities.
The event will feature dinner, dancing, silent and live
auctions as well as music by internationally acclaimed Beatles
tribute band, American English. For more information please
contact (847) 562-2100 or aargentar@coveschool.org.
February
24--- Join the 16th annual Hopefest
concert to benefit the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Headlined by the North Mississippi Allstars, with Catfish
Haven and Funkadesi. Located at the Part West, 322 W. Armitage
Ave. from 7:00PM. Tickets are $40 advanced and $45 at the
door. $100 tickets include VIP reception. For tickets visit
www.hopefestchicago.com
or call (312) 435-4548 or via Ticketmaster.
February
25--- An Evening with the Stars a red carpet spectacular
for Cure Autism Now. The event will include an elegant
Pre-show dinner at Catch 35 restaurant, a champagne trolley
ride through Chicago, a walk down the red carpet at studio
A inside NBC tower. Tickets range between $100- $1,800 a
table. Tickets are available by visiting www.eveningwiththestars.org
or calling (773) 935-6100.
February
26--- Donate a car to benefit Children’s Memorial
Hospital at Zipcar "Drive-In," at Music Box
Theatre (3733 N. Southport) in Chicago starting at 7:00PM.
Help kids, take more care off the street, help prevent global
warming. Register to donate a car (don’t bring cars to donate)
and receive free car sharing membership. Can’t donate a
car? Everyone, car donations not required, everyone is invited
to a free showing, at 7:30PM of Al Gore’s Oscar-nominated
documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. For more information,
call (312) 264-2714.
MARCH
Throughout
March---The Illinois Eye-Bank urges everyone to consider
giving the gift of sight by joing the Secretary of State’s
Donor Registry. For more information call (800) 548-4703
or visit www.illinoiseyebank.org.
March
1--- Leading area chefs and restaurants are partnering
with DuPage PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) to offer
a late winter’s feast. The event is a fundraiser to benefit
DuPage PADS. The event will be held Thursday, March 1 from
6-9:30PM at Esplanade Lakes, Downers Grove. THe cost per
person is $75. For more information call (630) 682-3846.
March
2-3--- The 7th Annual Self-Employment in the
Arts Conference held at the Hilton in Lisle, IL. The
conference is geared towards emerging artists and is focused
on the business arts. It is for artists, by artists. Activities
include artist sessions, panel discussions, one-on-one sessions,
a keynote speaker, performances, art gallery, late night
activity rooms such as a jam session, and much more. Registration
before February 2nd is only $45 for students
and $80 for artists and educators. Prices after February
2nd rise to $75 and $100. SEA is funded through
a grant from The Coleman Foundation and private donors.
For more information please visit the website, www.seaconference.com
or call (630) 637-5468.
March
3--- The Chinese New Year Spectacular takes place
at the Auditorium Theatre from 2-7pm. The event, entitled
Myths and Legends, is inspired by ancient Chinese
culture from Tang style drums to heavenly maidens, from
traditional symphony to elaborate pageantry. Tickets range
from $28 to $128. A 30% discount is applied if tickets are
ordered by October 31. For more details, please visit www.gala.ntdtv.com.
March
4--- The 16th Annual LifeStart "Wacky
5K Run" is benefiting Chicago’s Blind Service Association
on Sunday, starting at 10:00AM at Plumber’s Hall (1340 W.
Washington) in the West Loop. Pre-registration cost for
the run is $23 per person; on-site is $27. Discounts are
also available for teams of 5 or more. For more information
call (773) 868-3010.
March
4--- SouthStar Services is planning its third Texas
Hold’em Poker Tournament at CDs and Me (23320 South LaGrange
Rd., Frankfort). The doors will open at 11:30AM. Tickets
are $100 before the event and $125 the day of the event.
The tournament will include the Chicago Bulls game on large
screen TVS, a raffle of a plasma TV, a delicious buffet,
beverages and great prizes. All proceeds go to SouthStar
Services to help men and women with developmental disabilities.
To register contact (708) 755-8030 ext.271 or visit www.southstarservices.org.
March
5--- The Munster-Highland Epsilon Omicron Chapter
of Tri Kappa will hold their 15th Annual
Dinner Fashion Show at the Halls of St George in Schereville,
Indiana (905 E. Joliet St.). Doors open at 5:30PM. This
year’s theme is "Springtime in Paris." The evening
will include champagne, dinner, entertainment and fashions
for men, women, and children culminating with several valuable
prizes provided by our generous sponsors. The proceeds benefit
many local charities that Tri Kappa supports throughout
the year. For more information or to purchase tickets for
this event, please contact (219) 865-6760.
March
6--- Catholic Charities of Lake County will be conducting
foster parent informational sessions on the first Tuesday
of every month beginning March 6, 2007. The sessions will
be held from 7 pm to 9 pm at Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center
in Waukegan, Illinois (671 S. Lewis Ave.). For more
information call (847) 782-4249.
March
9--- Silent Auction and Multi-Cultural Bake Sale
for Plainfield Elementary School starting at 6:00PM
until 8:30PM. The school is organizing this event to raise
as much money as they can to help out the students. The
school is hoping people will donate something from your
place of business that will help out the silent auction
or bake sale. Deadline for this donation is February 28th
and can be sent to Plainfield Elementary School (1850 Plainfield
Dr.) in Des Plaines.
March
9--- Join the WDSRA Foundation for their largest
fundraiser ‘Portraits of Paris’ which offers more than 1,000
programs, trips, and special events to more than 8,000 individuals
with special needs each year and has been providing recreation
services for people of all ages with disabilities since
1976. The event is at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn starting
at 6:00PM. Tickets are $70 that includes 2 drink tickets.
For more information call (630) 681-0962 ext. 132 or visit
www.wdsra.com.
March
10--- MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is featuring
Surviving the Peace a photographic exhibit exploring
life in post-conflict zones. The exhibit will be displayed
March 10 through April 29th at the Chicago Cultural
Center in the Michigan Avenue galleries. The traveling exhibition
will expose a wide American audience to the realities of
life in post-conflict societies and to the solutions providing
by MAG’s life-saving work. For more information call (202)
250-3920.
March
10--- The Les Turner ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Foundation
will host the 20th Annual Hope Through
Caring Award Dinner Dance. The dance will be held
at the Chicago Hilton (720 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago). The
reception and silent auction starts at 6:30PM and the dinner
and dancing begins at 8:00PM. Guests will be treated to
an elegant evening filled with cocktails, dinner, live music,
auction, and a raffle. To purchase tickets or for more information,
call the Les Turner ALS Foundation at (847) 679-3311 or
visit www.lesturnerals.org.
March
10--- Lights, Camera, Auction! The 20th
Annual Benefit Auction of the Community Crisis Center will
be held at the Q Center (1405 5th Ave./Rt. 25)
in St. Charles. Tickets are $100 each for dinner, silent
auction and live auction. The event begins at 5:30PM. Founded
as one of the first domestic violence shelters in the country
in 1975, the Crisis Center houses 40 women and children
and serves thousands of people in the northwest suburbs
and Fox Valley. For more information, contact (847) 697-2380.
March
10--- The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Town and Country Homes,
and the City of Elgin, present the "Downtown Elgin
Sampler" on Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The event will take place at Providence, on of Elgin’s premier
new home developments. Entrance to the event will begin
at the sales office and will continue through the model
homes where each organization will be featured. Admission
is free. For more information contact m.pastreich@elginsymphony.org
or call (847) 888-0404.
March
11--- Join Sarah’s Circle for the 15th
Annual Walk, a two-mile walk through uptown, on what
women who are homeless call The Trail. The trail is the
path that goes past the agencies the women have to use to
get services; soup kitchens, overnight shelters, public
health services, etc. The walk allows people to experience
one aspect of what it is like to be a person who is homeless.
Learn about homelessness and get the chance to win a prize.
Take an active part in helping those in need while you learn
a little about a different side of life. We need your feet!
Raise $100 or more and get a Sarah’s Circle Totebag. Funds
raised will aid women who need help. For more information
call (773) 728-1014.
March
12--- YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is currently accepting
nominations for its 35th annual Leader Luncheon
Awards. It’s the largest annual fundraiser recognizing
five outstanding women in the Chicago Community. The event
honors women for their exceptional professional and community
achievements. Nominations are accepted in the following
categories: business, communications, professions, promise
award, and racial justice award. To nominate visit the YWCA
at www.leaderluncheon.ywca.org
to download nomination forms. Forms must be in by March
12, 2007. Winners will receive their awards at the luncheon
held on October 18, 2007. For more information call (312)
762-2757 or visit evernts@ywcachicago.org.
March
13---St. Fabian’s church will be hosting their 7th
Annual Irish Mass with Irish preludes beginning at 7PM.
Mass follows at 7:30PM with refreshments at 8:45PM. All
profits will go to benefit the Franciscan Outreach, an inner-city
ministry providing food and shelter for the homeless. For
more information call (708) 599-1110.
March
16--- Holy Trinity High School hosts the 14th
Annual Guardians of Hope Dinner & Silent Auction
benefiting the financial assistance program at Holy Trinity
High School. The event begins at 6:00PM at the Chicago Marriott
Downtown Magnificent Mile (540 N. Michigan Ave.) The evening
features a cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auctions,
raffle and live music by the Steve Biossat "Shaken
Not Stirred" a tribute to the Great American Crooners.
Sponsors include AEG Partners, Bank of America, Mayer Brown
Rowe & Maw, Merrill Lynch, and Harris Associates L.P./Oakmark
Family of Funds. For tickets and information please call
(773) 278-4212 ext: 3023 or visit mstratman@holytrinity-hs.org.
March
16-18--- Join the Irish American Heritage Center for
3 days of fun at its St. Patrick’s Festival. For tickets,
call (773) 282-7035.
March
17--- The 51st Annual Young Artist Auditions
for High School Musicians. The 1st place
winner will receive $500 and the opportunity to appear as
a soloist with the Dupage Symphony Orchestra in con concert
at 8:00PM. The 2nd place winner will receive
$300, as well as the opportunity to perform as soloist and
claim the first place prize money if the first place winner
is unable to appear. Auditions are open to any musician
who attends a high school or the equivalent in DuPage County.
For complete details contact the DuPage Symphony Orchestra
by calling (630) 778-1003 or email at info@dupagesymphony.org.
Applications must be sent in no later then January 26th.
Auditions will be held on February 10th at Hendrick’s
Piano Service Center, 421 Maple Street, Downers Grove, IL.
Download applications forms from www.dupagesymphony.org.
March
17--- The 6th Annual St. Paddy’s 5K Run &
Walk & Leprechaun Leap will start at 9:00AM March 17th
at Diversey Harbor. The Leprechaun Leap (a free kids dash)
will start at 10:15AM. Registration for the event is $25.00
in advance or $30.00 on-site. For more information call
(773) 868-3010.
March
18--- The Junior League of Kane & DuPage Counties,
Inc hosts a Spring Fling. The event will be held at
Abbington Distinctive Banquets (3 S002/ Rt. 53) in Glen
Ellyn from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. The fling includes a luncheon,
silent auction, raffle and guest speaker, HGTV designer
Julea Joseph. Tickets are $45.00 and should be purchased
in advance by calling the Junior Offices at (630) 653-5989.
For more information please visit www.jlkd.org.
March
18--- Corvettes Unlimited car club will be holding
its 31st Annual Corvette Car Show and Parts Swap.
The event will take place at Bill Jacobs Chevrolet (2001
W. Jefferson, Rt. 52) in Joliet, IL 60435. A portion of
the proceeds will be donated to a charitable organization.
For more information call (815) 436-2980.
March
22--- St. Baldricks is having a head-shaving
event to raise money for Childhood Cancer Research. The
event is at Ballydoyle Pub in Downers Grove. The event starts
at 5:00PM and goes until about 10:00PM. For more information
please go to www.stbaldricks.org
and locate our event under Bloomingdale Local 3272 or an
event near you.
March
24--- The Evanston Children’s Choir presents its
3rd Annual Fundraiser Feast on Saturday,
March 24 from 12:00 to 2:00 at MacLeish Hall of Lake Street
Church (607 Lake Street) in Evanston. Bring the entire family
for an all-you-can-eat potluck lunch complete with live
music by the ECC Main and Junior Choirs, a silent auction,
a raffle, and more. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10.00
for students/seniors, $5.00 for kids 12-17, under 12 free.
A portion of all proceeds will be sent to New Orleans to
benefit child victims of Hurricane Katrina. For more information
call (847) 733-0814 or e-mail gary@evanstonchildrenschoir.org.
March
25---Oak Forest High School (15201 S. Central Ave.)
is hosting a Spring Serenade Craft Fair and Bunny Breakfast.
The craft fair is from 8:30AM to 4:00PM. Admission is free.
The craft fair is sponsored by the Music Boosters and will
benefit the music students. The breakfast is from 8:30AM
to 11:30aM. Together We Cope, a homeless prevention agency,
sponsors the Bunny Breakfast. The donation for the breakfast
is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 10. For
more information call (708) 633-5040.
March
29--- Shake off the cold and warm up with the Friends
of ChildServ for an evening of unlimited Wine & Chocolate
From Around the World from 6:00 to 9:00PM on March 29 at
Kakfa Wine Company (3325 N. Halsted). Tickets are $45.00
and include wine and chocolate and an entry into a drawing
for a wine basket with White Sox tickets. The event will
raise funds for ChildServ, a family-oriented nonprofit that
run programs to help keep children and families out of risky
situations. For more information call (773) 867-7360 or
e-mail klockhart@childserv.org.
March
31--- The Southwest Sertoma Club will hold their
Annual Charity Dinner Dance and Raffle. The annual fundraiser
will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Double Tree Hotel
(5000 W. 127th St.) in Alsip. Each $150 donation
allows two people to enjoy a fun evening starting at 6:30PM
with an open bar, dinner, music, dancing, a silent auction,
Arizona condo vacation raffle, and two split-the-pot raffles.
The main event of the evening will be drawing of six cash
prizes from a maximum of 200 tickets. The first prize is
$5,000. This event benefits several local charities including:
Together We Cope, Sertoma Career Centre, Sertoma Speech
and Hearing Center, Save the Children, to name a few. For
information and tickets, please see our website at www.myswsertoma.org
or contact Brian at (630) 598-8419.
March
31--- Northern Illinois Food Bank is having its 8th
Annual Donor Appreciation Dinner, The Faces of hunger Will
Surprise You at Bobak’s Signature Events at Seven Bridges
in Woodridge. The event includes a 3-course meal, awards
presentation, dancing, entertainment, a silent auction,
and a live auction. Seats are $175 each or $1,750 for a
table of 10. Proceeds benefit NIFB and its efforts to fight
hunger in 13 northern Illinois counties. Contact (630) 443-6910
or visit www.northernilfoodbank.org.
March
31--- St. Beatrice School is hosting their 24th
Annual Bunny Boutique Craft and Vendor Fair from 9am
to 4pm. St. Beatrice is located at 4141 N. Atlantic in Schiller
Park, Illinois. For more information call (847) 678-1752
or email stbeatricecraftshow@yahoo.com.
APRIL
April
14--- Chicago Abused Women Coalition (CAWC) will showcase
children’s artwork at their 21st annual signature
fundraiser, Visions of Chocolate. The gala is located at
the Chicago Marriot (540 N. Michigan Ave.) Guests will enjoy
gourmet dining, a silent and live auction, dancing and the
famous dessert buffet. Proceeds will allow CAWC to continue
providing life-saving services to thousands of domestic
violence victims and their children each year. Tickets are
$175 per person by calling (773) 489-9081.
April
14--- One Plus One Mothers of Multiples hold its semi-annual
Children’s Clothing and Equipment sale. The sale begins
at 8:30AM to 12:30PM at Mead Jr. High School (1765 Biesterfield
Rd.) Elk Grove Village. Any questions about the posting
can be directed to adamitis@comcast.net.
April
21--- I.A.M.A.B.L.E. Center for Family Development
is hosting a fundraiser to provide affordable counseling
to community residents. THe event will be hosted at New
Zion Baptist Church (1940 West 13t Street) in Chicago on
Saturday, April 21, from 4:00 to 8:00PM. The evening includes
music, raffle drawing, silent auction, and refreshments.
Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. For
more information call (773) 826-2929.
April
28--- SouthStar Services is hosting a raffle to support
men and women with developmental disabilities. The raffle
tickets are $100 each, with only 500 tickets to be sold.
Tickets are now available at the SouthStar Services (1005
West End Ave., Chicago Heights). The drawing will take place
at the Annual Benefit at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley
Park. Proceeds is going to SouthStar Services, a non-profit
organization that provides job training, employment, community
living, and support services to over 300 adults with developmental
disabilities.
April
29--- St. Alphonsus Scouts Annual Spaghetti Dinner
will be held Sunday, April 29 from 3:00 to 7:00PM in
the St. Alphonsus School Basement (1429 W. Wellington).
The event raises funds needed to help send inner-city Boy
Scouts and Venturing Scouts to Summer Camp at Camp Owasippe,
and Cub Scouts to Summer Camp. Cost per person is $6.00.
For more information e-mail jim_g563@yahoo.com
or steve_budde@yahoo.com .
April
30--- The Junior League of Kane and DuPage
Counties, Inc. announces its Grants for Innovative Teaching
Program. The Program will award up to four $500 grants to
teachers who present outstanding student programming. More
information and application materials are available online
at www.jlkd.org
and are being accepted through April 30. The Junior League
is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism,
developing the potential of women and improving communities
through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
For more information visit www.jlkd.org
or call the League offices at (630) 653-5989.
MAY
May
4--- Project Exploration’s presents dinner with a Dinosaur
VII from 6:00PM-9:00PM at the Chicago Cultural Center
at 78 East Washington, Chicago. Proceeds from this event
support Project Exploration youth programs, services for
schools and teachers, public exhibits, and online initiatives.
Project Exploration is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization
dedicated to making science accessible to the public, especially
minority youth and girls. Individual tickets are $300 and
table tickets range from $3,000-$25,00. For more information
visit the website www.projectexploration.org
or contact (773) 834-7624.
May
5--- Save-A-Pet, a non-porfit, non-kill animal
shelter to finding home for cats and dogs is holding their
21st Annual "Tuxedos for Tails"
Auction and Dinner held at The Stonegate in Hoffman
Estates. Tickets are $100 each and tables are assigned on
a first paid basis. Doors will open at 5:30PM. At 7:30PM
we will be offering a sit-down dinner prepared by The Stonegate’s
Executive Chef, Charles Baptist. Following dinner will be
a live auction. After the auction you can dance or just
enjoy the sounds of DJ, Charles Rapin. If you would like
to purchase tickets, please call (847) 740-7788, ext. 146,
or e-mail information@save-a-pet-il.org.
May
11---The Juvenile Protective Association’s (JPA) 2007
Black Tie Gala, Light the Way…Brightening the Hopes of
Children, is held at the Four Seasons Hotel. The event
includes a live and silent auction, delicious mean and dancing
to the Ken Arlen Orchestra. Proceeds benefit the JPA’s crucial
programs for children who have experienced or are at risk
of experiencing abuse/neglect in their lives. For more information
visit www.juvenile.org
of call (312) 698-6938.
May
19--- The 2nd Annual Focus on a Cure Walk-a-thon
benefits Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research & the Michael
J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The event runs
from 11:00AM to 3:00PM at Armstrong Park North (391 Illini
Drive) in Carol Stream, IL. The cost is $5.00 per ticket
of 5 tickets for $20.00. Create a team of walkers and obtain
donations, no minimum donation required. For more information
visit www.focusonacure.com
or email focusonacure@aol.com.
May
20--- InterContinental Hotels & Resorts hosts the
fourth annual Designs of Hope Chicago. The event
includes cocktails, a live and silent auction, a wide range
of entertainment, and an international gourmet dinner. The
proceeds go to benefit UNICEF’s Accelerated Child Survival
Program in Africa. The even is at the InterContinental Hotel
Chicago (505 N. Michigan Ave.) from 5:30PM to 9:30 PM. Cost
is $350.00 per ticket, tables of 10 $3,500.00 and up. For
more information call (312) 255-0400 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com
JUNE
June
1--- The Embrace Race, HUGATHON will start at
12:00PM Friday and finish on Saturday, June 2nd
at 12:00PM. People will be going around multiple spots in
the downtown area trying to get as many hugs from different
people while raising money and awareness for Dreams for
Kids Charity and its underprivileged kids. Later that night
there will be an after party charity fundraiser at Joe’s
Sports Bar (940 W. Weed St.). For more information contact
trichey@dreamsforkids.org.
June
8--- The 7th Annual Bethesda Golf Tournament
at Broken Arrow Golf Club in Lockport, IL tee time is
Friday at noon. The $125 registration fee includes greens
fees and cart, driving range, complimentary gift, lunch,
dinner, and numerous prizes. If you have any questions call
1-800-383-8743 or email development@blhs.org.
June
15--- The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life
of Wood Grove is from 6:00PM to June 16 at 8:00AM at Downers
Grove North High School (4436 Main St.) For more information
contact DuPage American Cancer Society Office at (630) 932-1141
or visit the website www.acsevents.org/relay/il/woodgrove.
June
21--- The 13th Annual ABC7 Jim Gibbons
5K Run, 3K Walk & Survivors’ Strut benefiting the
Leukemia Research Foundation starts at the Upper Hutchinson
Field (Grant Park) on Saturday, June 21. On-site registration
starts at 4:30PM. The race begins at 6:25PM live on ABC7.
Pre-registration cost is $30.00; on-site registration $35.00.
June
27---The 21st Annual House and Garden Walk
benefiting children who are blind or visually impaired runs
from 10:00AM to 2:45PM. The Associate Board of The Chicago
Lighthouse For People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
hosts the event, which takes place in Highland Park. Tickets
are $60.00. Please call (312) 997-3679 for more information.
ONGOING:
Neighborhood
---
Students looking for homework help? Contact Homework
Helpers at (847) 459-4100. Its open Monday and Tuesday from
6:00PM to 8:30PM at the Indian Trials Library (355 S. Schoenbeck
Rd.) Wheeling. It is a free service and there is no need
to make an appointment just drop by. For more information
call (847) 459-4100 ext.224.
---
The Off Campus Writers Workshop (OCWW) is an established
ongoing writers group with weekly lectures and networking,
adding resources to any writer’s toolbox through information
and support. Meetings are held every Thursday at 9:30AM
at the Winnetka Community House (620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka).
For more information, call (847) 446-0537.
--- Support
the Munster High School Band Program by buying a
raffle ticket for your chance to win up to $40,000. Prizewinners
may take their prize as a lump sum cash payment to them,
or as a non-taxable college scholarship payable directly
to an educational institution. The final drawings will be
held April 10, 2007 at the Munster high School Auditorium.
For more information call (219) 836-8226 or visit www.munsterbandbackers,org.
---
Sarah’s Inn celebrates the opening of its new program
office (5846 W. Madison St.) on February 20, from 5:00PM-8:00PM.
It’s the first office to offer comprehensive domestic violence
services to the Austin community. Admission is free of charge.
For more information contact (708) 386-3305.
---
The Lansing Historical Society presents The Tri Motors
In Plane View Auction held on January 26th at
6:30PM located at Lansing Knights of Columbus Hall (One
block west of 178th on Burnham). Tickets are
available at Lansing Village Hall, $20 in advance and $25
after January 22nd. All proceeds to the Lansing
Historical Society for the preservation of the Ford Hangar
and artifacts in the Museum collections.
--- Clearbrook’s
Wonderland of Lights is held November 23, 2006-January
1, 2007 at the Arlington Park Racecourse (2200 W. Euclid,
Arlington Heights). The 1.6-mile course features millions
of lights and animated holiday scenes in a convenient drive-thru
setting. Proceeds help illuminate the lives of children
and adults with disabilities, supported by Clearbrook. Hours
are 5-9pm, Monday through Thursday, and 5-10pm, Friday through
Sunday. Admission is $10 per car Monday through Thursday
and $12 per car Friday through Sunday. For more information,
please visit www.arlingtonpark.com.
--- The
Chicago Botanic Garden presents their Wonderland
Express through January 7, 2007. The Garden has been
transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring twinkling
lights and beautiful horticulture displays. In a 10,000-square-foot
magical horticulture exhibit, garden-scale trains wind their
way over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through
more than 75 miniature versions of Chicago’s favorite landmarks.
Buildings, tunnels, and bridges are intricately hand crafted
with natural materials, including twigs, bark, leaves, acorns,
and pebbles. From December 2nd through December
20th, Wonderland Express hours are from 11am
until 5pm on Mondays through Wednesdays, and 11am until
9pm on Thursdays through Sundays. On December 21st
through January 7th, the exhibit is open daily
from 11am until 9pm (closed at 3pm on December 24th
and all day on December 25th). Admission is $10
for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12. Members pay $8
for adults and $6 for children ages 2-12. Parking is $12,
free for members. For more information, visit www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.
--- The
Anti-Cruelty Society’s 2006 Holiday card is now available.
The Holiday card features a few of the animals that found
new homes through The Anti-Cruelty Society with an inside
message, "With You a Wonderful Holiday Season." The cards,
sold in boxes of 12, are $16 and include 14 envelopes. They
can be purchased in person at The Society (510 N. LaSalle),
online at www.anticruelty.org,
or by calling (312) 644-8338, ext. 307. All proceeds from
the sale of the cards benefit the life-saving programs of
The Anti-Cruelty Society.
---The
Parking Industry Labor Management Council has launched
a free website, www.ChicagoParkingMap.com,
that helps commuters and holiday travelers easily map out
their directions to parking lots at both Chicago airports,
the Museum of Science & Industry, and throughout the
traditional downtown Chicago shopping areas. Travelers can
now find detailed information on 240 parking facilities
in Chicago and easier identify how to park closer to their
ultimate shopping or travel destination. Detailed driving
directions are also provided.
---
The Beverly Arts Center (BAC) is hosting a Celebrate
the Arts Card Competition, open to children ages 5-13.
Students should submit original works that reflect some
aspect of the arts, such as dance, theater, music, or visual
arts, executed in any 2-D media on standard 9" by 12" drawing
paper. Five winners will be selected to have their original
images printed on note cards that will be available in the
BAC’s A la Arte gift shop. The winners will also receive
a scholarship for one winter session class at the BAC and
the school classroom of each winner will be invited to attend
a free Bravo Junior performance at the BAC. Each submitted
work should be labeled with student’s name, age, address,
phone number, school, and name of the classroom teacher
on the back. Submitted works will be exhibited in the BAC’s
Atrium Gallery December 2, 2006-January 7, 2007. The competition
is judged by the Beverly Arts Center Gallery Committee.
To submit works, send or hand-deliver to: Beverly Arts Center
of Chicago, Attn: Jennifer O’Connor, "Celebrate the Arts,"
2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60655. For more
information, please call (773) 445-3838.
---Once
a month Journeys of the Heart Adoption Services holds free
seminars for people interested in adopting a child.
The seminars last two hours and are designed to answer all
questions families have about process and fees. Journeys
is a certified, non-profit agency licensed by the State
of Illinois to provide adoption and relief services. Please
visit http://journeysoftheheart.net
or call (630) 469-4367 for more information.
---
Catholic Charities of Lake County are conducting monthly
foster parent informational sessions on the first
Tuesday of the month, beginning October 3, 2006. The sessions
are held at Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center (671 S. Lewis
Ave., Waukegan) from 7pm until 9pm. For meeting registration
or more information about foster parenting, please call
(847) 782-4249.
---Aunt
Martha’s Youth Service Center, Inc. is looking for short-term
foster parents willing to open their hearts and homes
for children ages 10-17. If you live in Kankakee, South
Suburban Cook, or Will Country please call (708) 535-2934.
---
Casa Central presents the Adolescent Parenting Program
for recent mothers and fathers 19-years of age or younger.
Through home visits and parenting classes, teen-age parents
can get help they need. For more information, please call
(773) 782-8818.
--- Host families
are needed to provide home stay for international students
from over 40 countries. For more information please contact
P.I.E. at 1-800-828-9001.
---
The city of Evanston’s Department of Health and Human
Services offers a Family Planning Clinic for all
eligible women. Services are free to those who qualify,
and fees are on a sliding scale based on income. Services
include doctor examinations, laboratory work, referral services
and birth control. To make an appointment, call (847) 866-2949
or (847) 866-2948.
--- Evanston
Fire and Life Safety Services will give away 30 special
smoke alarms to seniors with hearing disabilities. Residents
of Evanston ages 60 and older who are hearing impaired are
encouraged to apply for these special safety devices. Seniors
must also meet CDBG income qualification. Applications and
information are available online at www.cityofevanston.org
and by calling the Fire Prevention Bureau at (847) 866-5936,
Human Services at (847) 866-2954, or Levy Senior Center
at (847) 448-8251. Applications are due into the Fire Prevention
Bureau by Monday, November 27th.
---
If you are interested in helping a 7th or 8th
grade student or Junior or Senior high school student learn
strategies for taking tests, excel in reading/math skills,
improve standardized test scores, and become a better learner,
enrollment is now in available for academic classes
offered by T.E.S.T.S. Experienced, highly qualified teachers
teach classes every Tuesday, beginning October 3, 2006,
from 3:30-5:30pm. Classes take place at First Wesley Academy
UM Church (15446 Lexington Ave., Harvey). Registration is
free and seating is limited. For more information, please
call (708) 342-2141.
---
Hull House is providing free one-on-one tutoring for
adults in need of basic reading, writing, and math skills.
For more information, please call 773-493-1306.
---The
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian introduces a new
exhibit entitled "Miigwetch II" which means "thank
you." The exhibit will run from September 24, 2006 until
January 28, 2007 to extend a thank you to those who donated
artwork and to those whose financial contributions allowed
the museum to purchase others. Featured art includes southwest
pottery, Plains and Eastern Woodlands culture beadwork,
Zuni Pueblo fetish carvings, and Inuit carvings. The Mitchell
Museum is located at 2600 Central Park Ave, Evanston. Please
visit www.mitchellmuseum.org
for more information.
---
The Wheeling SeniorNet Learning Center is holding computer
classes Monday through Friday from 9am until 4pm, beginning
October 2, 2006 and running through December 2, 2006. Classes
include Fundamentals/Works, Essentials (Intro), Internet
and E-mail, Database, Spreadsheet, and Seminars. The class
fee is $35 and includes all class materials. Final Registration
is Friday, September 22nd. For more information,
please call (847) 459-2666, ext. 4131.
---
The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center presents
its new exhibit, Road to Rembetika from June 30th
until January 19th, 2007. Rembetika was the music
of the Greek underworld in the early 20th century.
The lyrics reflected poverty, pain, oppression, love, and
betrayal. At specially designed listening stations, visitors
will be able to trace the history of Rembetika through and
audio timeline. The HMCC is located at 801 W. Adams St,
4th Floor in Chicago’s Greektown neighborhood.
Please call (312) 655-1234 for more information.
--- South
Side Parents is hosting an Early Childhood and Elementary
School Fair Planning Meeting at Blackstone Library at 4904
S. Lake Park Ave at 6pm on the second Tuesday of each month.
For more information please visit www.southsideparents.org
---
Arlington Park presents the family-friendly KidKarnival
on weekends and holidays from January 13th through
January 28th of 2007. This exciting, indoor event
for families in the Northwest Suburbs has entertainment
ideal for children between the ages of 2 and 10. A wide
variety of rides, games, activities, and crafts are included
for an admission price of $15 (seniors-$10; children two
and under are admitted free). Live entertainment, miniature
golf courses, "old west" train rides, magic shows, and a
food court are featured. Hours are from 10am until 7pm on
Saturday, and from 10am until 5pm on Sundays and Monday,
January 15th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day). For
further information, please visit www.arlingtonpark.com.
---
Calumet City Public Library is offering the public
free e-mail access to send e-mails to men and women serving
in the United States Armed Forces. For more information
call (708) 862-6220 ext. 2.
---
The Calumet City Public Library will be offering
math and reading tutoring sessions for the students
of the local school districts. These sessions will consist
of either small groups or one-on-one tutoring. To register
for a tutoring session, or for more information, call (708)
862-6220 ext. 5.
--- The
Lake Villa District Library hosts The Adult Book Discussion
the second Saturday of each month. The discussion takes
place in the library’s Wilton Room. Refreshments are served
and new members or visitors are welcome. For more information,
please visit www.lvdl.org.
---
The Autism Society of Illinois is lobbying
legislators for fairer insurance coverage, better training
and funding for families to keep children at home instead
of institutionalizing them. Please contact your congressman
today. Help give these kids a voice.
---
Junior Achievement Worldwide is in the process of
offering a new after-school program for teens in the community.
This free program teaches teens about running a business
and how to responsibly manage money. By participating in
the program, teens can also qualify for scholarships. If
you know a teen or are a teen yourself and are interested,
please visit afterschool.org (note: no www.).
Volunteer
--- Join
Fairygodmother Foundation, November 23, 2006 through
December 23, 2006, by volunteering for their annual holiday
gift wrapping drive. Sites are located throughout the downtown
Chicago area and at Gurnee Mills Mall. This is a great way
for friends, family, and groups to spread holiday cheer
and help grant wishes to adults facing terminal illness.
For more information, please visit www.fairygodmother.org.
---
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Hospice (ENH Hospice)
is looking for compassionate people who want to make a difference
in someone’s life. Daytime hospice volunteers are needed
to provide companionship, respite, emotional, support, transportation
and more to patients and caregivers dealing with a terminal
illness. Please call ENH Hospice at (847) 982-4365. Hurry,
our 8-week training course begins Wednesday April 4 from
9:30AM to 12:30 PM in Skokie.
---
Metropolitan Family Services need volunteers for
the Treasure House, a non-profit resale shop in Glen Ellyn
whose proceeds support MFS service programs in DuPage County.
For more information, please call (630) 682-3276.
---Sign
up to become an adult mentor at Passages Alternative
Living Program and make a difference in a child’s life
today. Through mentoring a child once a week for only one
hour, you can show your support, encourage a child, and
help to empower. For more information, call (312) 225-3800,
ext 19.
---Volunteer
Center for McHenry County seeks volunteers to share
their time and talents to help others in the community.
The Volunteer Center helps match individuals and groups
of all ages to local non-profits based on skills, interest,
and time availability. For more information or to search
for a volunteer opportunity, please visit www.volunteermchenrycounty.org.
---Give
the gift of learning! The VITA program of Oakton Community
College in Skokie needs tutors. A three-part training
will be held on January 6th, 9th,
and 27th of 2006. For more information, please
call (847) 635-1426.
--- Housing
Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.)
is looking for volunteers to help with their 2006 weatherization
program. You can help make this a warmer and less expensive
winter for Chicago’s low-income senior citizens by donation
3 or 4 hours of your time. Start time for the project is
October 21st and will continue throughout the
winter. Times are generally between 9am-2pm. For more information,
please call (773) 921-3200, ext. 16 or email homevolunteers@yahoo.com.
---
Casa Central is seeking bilingual participants for
its Over 55 Senior Work Assignment program, sponsored
by the Chicago Department on Aging. Applicants must have
a Chicago address and meet income criteria, among other
guidelines. If you’re an active senior, 55 or older, visit
Casa Central at 1335 North California Ave. or call (773)
645-2431.
--- The
Center for Economic Progress is seeking volunteer tax
preparers to assist taxpayers with their federal and
state income tax returns. No experience is needed and professionals
will train volunteers at a time and place of their choosing.
After training, volunteers can choose to prepare tax returns
at more than 35 tax centers throughout Illinois. Free services
from The Center for Economic Progress helps to put money
into the pockets of hard-working families in the community.
If you would like to volunteer, please visit www.centerforprogress.org
to register or call (312) 630-0288.
--- There
are hundred of children in northern Illinois in need of
a stable, loving family. Many of these children are victims
of abuse and neglect, but they have the potential for a
brighter future with a little support. Kids Hope United
is seeking individuals from all walks of life to learn about
foster care. Do you have what it takes to change a life?
For more information please call (312) 949-5500 or visit
www.kidshopeunited.org.
--- November
is National Runaway Prevention Month. If you are interested
in helping to prevent youths in your community from running
away, please call 1-800-RUNAWAY or visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
---
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Hospice is looking
for compassionate people who want to make a difference in
someone’s life. Hospice volunteers are needed to
provide companionship, respite, emotional support, and more
to patients and caregivers dealing with a terminal illness.
Please call ENH Hospice at (847) 475-2012.
---
Enrich the life of a boy or girl, age 8 through 16 whose
parent is incarcerated. Passages Alternative Learning
provides supportive services in the form of training, group
excursions, free tickets to entertainment, cultural, and
sporting events. You have no contact with the incarcerated
parents. Please call (312) 225-3800 ext 27 for more information.
---Best
Buddies is currently in need of adults, eighteen and
older, from communities throughout the Chicago area, who
might enjoy a friendship with a peer who has an intellectual
disability. Friendships have an invaluable affect on the
lives of both people involved. Best Buddies is a non-profit
organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people
with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities
for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. More
information is available at www.bestbuddiesillinois.org
or by calling Murphy at (312) 828-9313.
---
Casa Central is actively seeking to recruit individuals
interested in opening their hearts and homes for children
in its foster care program. Casa Central provides monthly
orientations for those individuals interested in providing
care for children. For more information, contact Casa Central’s
recruitment licensing specialist at (773) 645-2371 or visit
www.casacentral.org.
---The
South Suburban Family Shelter needs volunteers to
assist in several capacities including clerical work, childcare,
24-hour hotline, and at our resale shop. For more information
call 708-798-7737.
---
Help make a difference in your community by volunteering
your time to the Hospice Partners. Hospice Partners
is dedicated to excellence. We meet the needs of patients,
and their families, throughout the Chicago Metropolitan.
For more information call Wendy Olver or George Watson at
1-800-994-9400.
---
Donate your car to the Northwest Suburban Detachment
of The Marine Corps League. The league participates in Toys-For-Tots,
assist marines in veteran hospitals and other worthy charities.
For more information call Holly at 847-392-6400.
---
Alliance Human Services a non-profit organization
is currently recruiting foster homes in the northern area
to provide care for children and youth between the ages
of 0-18 who have a variety of behavioral and/ or medical
problems. We provide competitive compensation, customized
training, and 24-hour support. You must be at least 21 years
old and have a private bedroom for the child. If you are
ready to make a difference in a child's life, please contact
the recruiter, Felisia Gladney at 847-755-0596.
---
Lawrence Hall Youth Services is recruiting new members
for their Junior Board, a group of young professionals
who spend time with boys and girls from our residential
treatment program. They take kids on monthly outings - batting
cages, bowling, museums, picnics, and sporting events -
and sponsor a scholarship once a year. For more information,
please call (312) 346-3383. Make a difference in the life
of a child!
---
Hadassah needs volunteer facilitators for Training Wheels,
a Jewish family education and outreach program that teach
young families about Jewish holiday rituals and traditions.
Small groups meet 9 times a year for about 2 hours for crafts,
songs and stories, discussion and food in a family-friendly
way to celebrate at home. Training, a wonderful curriculum
and all administrative and support services provided. For
information, please call Sylvia Telser toll-free at 1-866-394-1800
or email trainingwheels.Chicago@hadassah.org.
---
The Wheeling SeniorNet Learning Center is looking
for volunteers for dynamic seniors. The SeniorNet program
is for adults (50 years of age or older) introducing each
to the world of technology – computers and the Internet.
For more information, please call (847) 459-2666 ext. 4131
or visit www.vi.wheeling.il.us.
---
Make a difference in someone’s life! Hull House
Association, South Region, needs volunteer tutors
for its adult reading program. Training is required, flexible
hours. For more information, please contact Joanne Jones
at (773) 493-1306 or jjones@hullhouse.org.
---
InTouch is a statewide network established to equip
communities with the knowledge and assistance needed to
be effective in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and
other drugs. They are looking for students to assist police
departments in conducting compliance checks at establishments
that sell tobacco products in west suburban Cook County.
InTouch staff will recruit and train these students, and
additional students if more are needed. If you have individuals
or a group of teens that may be interested in participating
in conducting compliance checks please call Dan Canavan
at (708) 865-2900.
---
SouthStar Services is looking for bingo helpers and
players at the Dorchester Center, Fridays at 9am. Approximately
150 players from around the area come every Friday. SouthStar
Services provides job-training, employment, community living
and support services to over 300 adults with development
disabilities. For more information about volunteering or
playing bingo, call Kristen Guthrie at (708) 755-8030, ext.
271, or email kguthrie@southstarservices.org.
---
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Northern Cook and
Northern DuPage Counties has volunteer assignments available
for people of all ages. Long-term and one-time assignments
are available at a number of locations, including food pantries,
libraries, and senior centers. Tutoring opportunities are
also available. No experience needed, and training is provided.
To volunteer call (847) 228-1320 or visit www.volunteerinfo.net.
---
Make a difference in the life of a child. The kids of
Boys & Girls Clubs need caring and responsible volunteers
to serve as mentors, tutors, coaches and advisers for only
two hours each week. For more information and to sign up,
call Angela at (312) 235-8000 or visit www.bgcc.org.
---
AFS has been leading international high school exchange
as a non-profit for more than 57 years, including the
Chicago and Northern Illinois area. Each year, we place
more than 2,700 exchange students with U.S. host families
to live in their community and attend the local high school.
If you are interested in hosting an AFS exchange student,
please call (708) 424-4429 or email barbkellyafs@comcast.net.
---
The Wheeling SeniorNet Learning Center is searching
for volunteers to teach computer classes. No more than six
students per class and two peer teachers instructing the
class at a pace carefully designed for seniors. We also
need volunteers as Board members, scheduling the activities.
Visit or website at www.seniornet.org/usa/wheeling
and see the faces of WSNLC or photo album or for more information
call the SeniorNet Hotline at (847) 459-2666, ext. 4131.
---
The Calumet City Public Library, in partnership with
the schools of Calumet City, is looking for adults, preferably
men who want to read to children in the schools. Men are
especially wanted because seeing a man read can encourage
boys to read. This program is funded by a grant that was
secured for the Calumet City Public Library by State Senator
Donne E. Trotter. If you are interested in reading to children
in the schools please contact Library Director William Pixley
at (708) 862-6220, ext. 244.
---
Hull House Association South Region needs students who
want to improve their reading skills and volunteer tutors
who teach them. For more information, contact Joanne Jones
at (773) 493-1306.
---
Always wanted to volunteer but not sure how to start?
Visit www.chicagovolunteer.net.
It’s easy. It’s free. And you can start helping people in
your own community right now.
---
Join out team and become a volunteer tutor. Our program
provides free reading and math instruction to individuals
16 and older who read below the 9th grade level.
With your help we can combat illiteracy. For details or
to register for training, please call Joyce Ruffin, Program
Coordinator at (773) 962-1001. Program sponsored by B.E.S.T.
---
Ever picture yourself a philanthropist? Like Ford, Rockefeller
or event Bill Gates? You don’t need millions. When you make
a gift of cash, appreciated stock, or other assets to The
DuPage Community Foundation-fully tax deductible-you, too,
can leave a lasting stamp on the things you care about.
Whether it’s AIDS, homelessness, cancer research, your local
library or Neighborhood Park, The DuPage Community Foundation
can help you realize your charitable goals. Want to learn
more? Contact The DuPage Community Foundation at (630) 655-5556
or visit their website at www.dcfdn.org.
---
Learn firsthand about another culture without leaving the
United States and establish a friendship that will last
a lifetime. P.I.E. has international students from
more than 40 countries arriving into the area for homestay
programs. They need your help. The non-profit organization
is looking for a few more caring host families to share
the American way of life. If you think you may be interested
in hosting a foreign teen—or would like more information
about the program. Please call P.I.E. at (866) 546-1403.
---
Community Resource Network is a nonprofit organization
that works to strengthen communities and nonprofit agencies
throughout metropolitan Chicago by providing volunteer services
to individuals who want to help and information and referral
services to people in need of help. CRN also offers a menu
of workplace volunteer services that are designed to help
companies meet their corporate social responsibility goals.
For more information, please call us at (312) 491-7800,
email info@communityresourcenetwork.org
or visit www.communityresourcenetwork.org.
Support
& Group
---
Center for Economic Progress will help families and
individuals claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and receive
all of the federal and state tax benefits, credits, and
deductions to which they are entitled. Working families
with household incomes of less than $40,00 and individuals
with income less than $15,00 are eligible for the Center’s
free service. The center is also prepared to provide families
with the assistance they need to take advantage of recent
changes in tax laws. For the first time, the IRS will allow
taxpayers to split their refunds and directly deposit the
money they are owed into as many as three back accounts.
Tax sites will be located in 15 Chicago neighborhoods and
throughout the suburbs and downstate. For more information,
please call (312) 630-0273 or TTY (312) 701-1326, or visit
www.centerforprogress.org.
All tax sites are ADA accessible.
---
Carpenter’s Place is putting a plea out to members of
the community for winter coats and boots for men and women.
We also need large boots for men. Nearly a hundred homeless
people come to Carpenter’s Place each day to seek daytime
shelter, meals, case management, and a variety of other
services to rebuild the lives of the homeless. The not-for-profit
agency also operates transitional homes and housing programs.
Coats and boots may be brought to Carpenter’s Place (1149
Railroad Ave., Rockford) from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Monday through
Friday. For additional information, call 964-4105 (ext.
203/ext. 211).
---
Abstinence for Singles, Inc. a newly formed nonprofit
organization has received a federal grant through the Department
of Health and Human Service’s Administration for Children
and Families to launch a Community Based Abstinence Education
Program. The program has numerous components offered to
primarily urban school districts of Gary, East Chicago,
Hammond, Lake Ridge and Merrillville. The program brings
classroom presentations incorporated into classroom health
curricula to 6th graders (5 sessions), 8th
and 10th graders (8 sessions), annual assembly
speakers, after school abstinence clubs, a parent education
program for high school students that uses positive hip-hop
music to inspire youth to make healthy choices. For more
information on other programming call the Abstinence for
Singles, Inc. program office at (219) 886-8642 or visit
the website at www.urbanabstinencecoalition.org.
---
Near North Health Service Corporation is offering a
support group for women to discuss topics that directly
impact their family as well as their personal and professional
lives. The topics covered are domestic violence, handling
and coping with stress and relationships. The sessions are
free to all women and are being offered at two NNHSC health
centers. Every Monday from 2:00-3:30pm at Komed Holman Health
Center, 4259 S. Berkeley, (773) 268-7600 ext. 156 and every
Tuesday from 2:00-3:30pm at Winfield Moody Health Center,
1276 N. Clybourn, (312) 337-1073 ext. 240. (Posted 3/8/04)
--- The
American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago recommends
those in high-risk groups get an immunization between October
and December. High-risk groups include Health Care Provides,
children between 6 months and 5 years of age, people with
diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, those 50 years old
and older, and women who are or will become pregnant during
the flu season. To find a flu shot site near you, call 311
or visit www.lungchicago.org.
---
Ex-offenders, their families, and the community are welcome
to join a circle of support and networking. Every Thursday
night from 7-9pm, the Overcomer’s Meeting is held
at 5437 West Division Street. A free dinner is served and
professional guidance in finding jobs and housing is provided.
For any questions, call (773) 786-0226.
---
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center sponsors
a six-week support group for female survivors of incest
and sexual abuse on Thursday evenings. Emphasis is on coping,
healing, and continuing to grow beyond what might have been
thought possible. For more information please call (773)
296-3130.
---
The Near North Health Service Corporation Women
to Women Support Group is hosted every Tuesday at
the NNHSC Winfield Mood Health Center (1276 North Clybourn
Avenue) from 2-3:30pm. This service is free and open to
anyone in need of assistance and support. Participants are
assessed for safety and encouraged to develop an individualized
safety plan, provided with contact numbers for emergency
shelter and counseled on abusive relationships. For more
information call (312) 337-1073.
---Loyola
University Health System is holding four free cancer
networking, support groups for cancers of the lung,
breast, mouth/head/neck and brain. The groups are open to
the public and registration is not required. Meetings take
place at the Coleman Foundation Image Renewal Center in
the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center on the Loyola Medical
Center campus (2160 S. First Ave., Maywood). All meeting
are from 6-7pm and are scheduled as follows: Breast Cancer
Networking Group, third Thursday of each month; Brain Tumor
Networking Group, fourth Wednesday of each month; Lung Cancer
Networking Group, first Tuesday of each month; Oral/Head/Neck
Cancer Networking Group, November 15th. For more
information on the lung and breast cancer support groups,
please call (888) LUHS-888, ext. 72042. For more information
on the oral/head/neck cancer and brain tumor support groups,
please call (888) LUHS-888, ext. 72061.
---
South Suburban Family Shelter (SSFS) has established
support groups for lesbian and bisexual women victims of
domestic violence. Groups for English speaking women meet
on the first and third Wednesday of each month, and Spanish-speaking
women meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
All groups meet from 7:30-9:00pm and services are free of
charge. For more information, please contact Dayi at (708)
293-7714 ext. 1. (Posted 3/27/04)
--- The
Chicago Divorce Association offers child custody
assistance and honest, competent attorneys to help their
members before, during and after divorce. For additional
information, visit them on the web at www.chicagodivorce.com.
For more information, call 630-860-2100. (Posted 1/19/04)
--- Improve
communication with deaf relatives, friends and colleagues.
Enroll in Chicago Hearing Society's sign language classes.
Courses are offered at several locations and time for all
skill levels. Contact Norma at 773-248-9121 to register
or sign up online at www.chicagohearingsociety.org.
---
If you are a vet or the loved one of a vet suffering through
the hardships created by serving in the global war on terror
and don’t know who to turn to, counseling/help is available
for both veteran and loved ones. Call toll free at (800)
931-8387 for more information.
---If
you want to drink, that is your business. If you want to
stop, that's ours. Call Alcoholics Anonymous in the
Chicago area at 312-346-1475 or visit the website at www.aa.org.
---
Hospice of Northeastern Illinois is offering a variety
of age-appropriate support groups in Barrington, Crystal
Lake and Palatine. All groups and workshops are open to
community and hospice families who are grieving the death
of a loved one, either through illness or sudden death.
Each group meets for eight weeks and there is a $25 registration
fee for non-hospice families. To register for any of the
grief support groups, call bereavement support services
at 847-381-5599.
---
South Suburban Family Shelter provides a 24-hour hotline
for victims of domestic violence. Trained domestic violence
bi-lingual staff staffs the hotline. Calls to the hotline
are confidential and free of charge. The hotline number
is (708) 335-3028 or toll free at (877) 335-3020.
---
A gathering of women for Sharing, Support and Networking
Breast Cancer Support Group will be held every
month on Mondays. There will be an informational presentation,
followed by open group discussion on the topic or other
topics of concern. All sessions are free and will be held
at the Center for Women’s Health. Registration is required
by calling (847) 535-8500.
---
The Bereavement and Grief support group addresses
the common symptoms of grief. For more information and to
register, call Hospice Partners at (800) 994-9400.
---
The Fibromyalgia Support Group wants to help you.
For more information, please call (847) 535-6132.
---
The Lymphedema Support Group wants to help you. For
specific dates and more information, call Ellen Olefsky
at (847) 535-6520.
---
The National Stuttering Association Support Group provides
emotional support and encouragement to people who stutter.
For more information, call Brad Madsen at (847) 394-9044.
---
The Resolve Through Sharing Bereavement Services for
parents who have lost babies want to help. For more information,
call Jennifer Forsman at (847) 535-6336.
---
The Surviving Motherhood Support Group for new (or
not-so-new) moms. You can participate regardless of where
you deliver. For more information, call (847) 535-6182.
--- Grief
is painful. You don’t have to go through it alone. If you
or someone you know has experienced the death of a loved
one, fall grief groups are now forming. For more information,
call Hospice of Northeastern Illinois at (847) 381-5599
or visit www.hospiceanswers.org.
---
Are you a Hurricane survivor? You are out of harm’s way,
but United Way can help you rebuild your life. If you are
in the city of Chicago, please call 311. If you are in the
suburbs, please call (312) 744-5000. We can offer you job
assistance, affordable daycare, and housing.
Donations
& Sponsors
---
Donations are currently being accepted to fund a memorial
for the victims of Our Lady of Angels Fire. On December
1, 1958 a fire at Our Lady of the Angels school on the west
side took the lives of 92 children and 3 nuns. There is
no permanent, outdoor memorial in their honor and a campaign
has been started to collect funds for such a memorial. 2008
marks the 50th anniversary of this horrible event,
and Father Robert Lombardo of the Mission of Our Lady of
the Angles hopes to make this memorial a reality by then.
Please send donations to: OLA Memorial, 5485 N. Milwaukee
Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chicago, 60630.
---
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its signature
direct-service program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids
is now active in Illinois making adoptive, loving families
a reality for thousands of children waiting in foster care
in our communities. To learn more, visit Dave Thomas foundation
for adoption.org or childserv.org.
--- Can
you spare a penny, nickel, dime or quarter? They’re all
valuable to students in area schools who are now collecting
spare change for Olive Garden’s 13th Annual
Pasta for Pennies Campaign benefiting the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society. Proceeds fund cancer research and services
for patients and their families. The class that raises the
most money in each school receives a pasta party from Olive
Garden. For more information, call your local society at
(312) 651-7350 or visit www.lls.org.
--- Help
donate to Carpenter’s Place by bringing or mailing
donations to 1149 Railroad Avenue in Rockford or visit www.carpentersplace.org.
Carpenter’s Place provides food, clothing, daytime shelter
and case management to the homeless.
---
Make a difference to one child and give the gift of a shiny,
new toy to a needy child. The Niles Fire Departments is
holding their 3rd Annual U.S. Marine Corps/Niles
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