House Passes more than $4 million in funding to support Newman community projects

New funding to support Southwest Side small businesses, infrastructure, educational programs, health services, safety improvements and more

As part of the Omnibus Appropriations, the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 10, 2022) passed more than $4 million in new federal funding to support Congresswoman Marie Newman’s (IL-03) community projects for Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs.

The nine community projects that were approved for funding by the House today are designed to help grow small businesses, support youth and senior programming, expand health services and improve safety and infrastructure across the district.

“By investing in local small businesses, health services, treatment supports, and programming for our youth and seniors, we are not only enriching the lives of hundreds of Southwest residents but also strengthening the fabric of our entire district,” said Congresswoman Newman.

“I am so proud to have secured more than $4 million in critical federal funding for nine community-based projects that will truly make a positive impact across Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs by bolstering the community services that our residents need to thrive. I am grateful to have partnered with each and every one of these community organizations, who are using this funding to build a better tomorrow for the residents of our district.”

Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois

All community project submissions must designate federal funding for specific projects that demonstrate a positive benefit to the community and are a good use of taxpayer funds. Find a full list of Congresswoman Newman’s Community Project Funding Requests here. The following community project funding requests were approved today for federal funding by the House of Representatives

SUPPORTING YOUTH AND SENIOR SERVICES

Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn – $50,000
Expansion of programming to support early learners and children with disabilities

Upon passage in the Senate, the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn would receive $50,000 to support their Access for All initiative during the 2022 fiscal year. Under the program, the funding would be used to expand the entity’s “Wee Ones” programming for children ages 0-2 and programming for children with disabilities, with a focus on social and emotional deficits they have experienced through this pandemic.

“We thank Congresswoman Newman and her staff for their recognition of how the pandemic impacted our very youngest citizens and what these young children have missed during this formative time of their lives,” said Adam Woodworth, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn. “This funding will help us support children up to age three who had little to no socialization with peers during the pandemic and it will help support their parents as we work to assist them with the tools they need for their child’s development.”

Catholic Charities’ Summit Community Center – $500,000
Creation of a new community center in Summit, Illinois to support children, adults and seniors

A total of $500,000 in federal funding would go towards a new community center located at 7437-7439 W. Archer Avenue in Summit, Illinois. The new Catholic Charities’ Summit Community Center will serve as a welcoming community hub for Summit residents children, youth, adults, and seniors and will expand access to critical resources and services including food and clothing, case management and counseling, and housing support services.

“Catholic Charities builds and strengthens communities. Recently, we completed a needs assessment to better understand any gaps in Summit and the surrounding area. Residents expressed the need for key resources and programs including food; dental care; utilities assistance; behavioral health services to address stress, depression, and anxiety; and housing. We are grateful to Congresswoman Newman for her leadership in advocating for these critical services,” said Stephanie Johnson, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs. “Covid-19 has dramatically increased the call for services, and we are humbled to be able to expand with this new investment.”

CPS Arts Revitalization and STEM Education – $500,000
Capital improvements and equipment purchases to revitalize schools and arts programming

Upon passage in the Senate, a total of $500,000 would be used for capital improvements and equipment purchases to revitalize the physical environments and programmatic offerings at five Chicago Public Schools located in Illinois’ 3rd District. This funding would support CPS’s Arts Revitalization initiative and STEM Education, which is designed to re-engage local communities around these school’s Fine and Performing Arts and Personalized Learning focuses. The five schools that would receive funding include:
Cassell Elementary – 11314 S Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60655
Daley Elementary – 5024 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60609
Healy Elementary – 3010 S Parnell Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Hedges Elementary – 4747 S Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60609
Holden Elementary – 1104 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60608
Hurley Elementary – 3849 W 69th Pl, Chicago, IL 60629

GROWING SMALL BUSINESS

36Squared Business Incubator – $80,000
Funding would support services from Chicago’s 36Squared Business Incubator to ensure that they can continue to aid local small businesses

A total of $80,000 in federal funding would support 36Squared, a local business incubator to ensure that they can continue to offer aid and support to Chicago’s small businesses, especially those severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Located in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood, 36Squared offers onsite training, classes, and one-to-one counseling to help Chicagoland entrepreneurs of all abilities grow their businesses. Additionally, the business incubator actively works to invite, include, and recruit people with disabilities in all their programs and services to ensure their business community is inclusive and reflective of the city.

“We were thrilled when Congressman Newman called to inform us that our Community Project Funding request had been approved,” said Andrew Fogaty, Executive Director of 36Squared Business Incubator. “These funds will allow us to expand and continue our services to entrepreneurs of all abilities in Illinois. Thank you so much, Congresswoman Newman!”

EXPANDING HEALTH AND TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES

Thresholds Bridge South Renovation – $1 Million
Expansion of access to substance use treatment, behavioral health services and primary care for communities

Upon passage in the Senate, Thresholds, one of the largest providers of recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois, would utilize the funding for site preparation, initial construction and architecture for facility renovations and upgrades to make it fully accessible for people with disabilities. This will help to significantly expand access to substance use treatment, behavioral health services, and primary care for community members residing in the district.

“We are thrilled that Rep. Newman is helping secure funding for an expansion of Thresholds’ Bridge South property on Chicago’s South Side that will bring accessibility and expanded services to more than 1,000 residents living with serious mental illnesses and substance use conditions,” said Mark Ishaug, CEO of Thresholds. “This transformative project brings together mental health, physical health, pharmacy, homeless outreach, employment, and other social services in a single site that eliminates barriers to care.”

Latino Organization of the Southwest – $500,000
Programming to help teens develop analytical skills to address domestic violence, depression, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, gang membership, bullying, racism, sexism and alcohol and drug abuse

A total of $500,000 would be directed towards the Latino Organization of the Southwest to extend their A-STRRONG-U program (Always Stick Together, Resist, Reach Out and Never Give Up), which is designed to help teens develop analytical skills to address domestic violence, depression, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, gang membership, bullying, racism, sexism and alcohol and drug abuse. This funding will allow the Latino Organization of the Southwest to improve their program and facilities to better serve at-risk teens in the community.

“We are feeling extremely blessed with this funding opportunity, said Sandra Mosqueda, Program Director at the Latino Organization of the Southwest. “We will be able to expand the A-STRRONG-U program and continue serving the youth in the Southwest side of Chicago with youth leadership programming that addresses mental health and healthy self-development as well as academic, career and college exploration.”

Advocate Christ Medical Center Trauma Recovery Center – $150,000
Providing holistic, inclusive and trauma-informed programs and evidence-based services to victims, survivors and families of intentional violence

Upon passage in the Senate, a total of $150,000 would be used to provide holistic, inclusive and trauma-informed programs and evidence-based services to victims, survivors and families of intentional violence. Specifically, the funding will be used for the purchase of two lowered floor minivan paratransit vehicles to transport patients who need a handicap-accessible vehicle to get to and from their healthcare appointments, including their appointments at the Trauma Recovery Center. Additionally, the funding would be used to purchase Chromebooks for patients to allow patients to access their telehealth appointments to receive the appropriate mental health services.

“We thank Congresswoman Newman for her efforts to support the Trauma Recovery Center – TRC – at a time when violence in our Chicago neighborhoods has impacted far too many people. The TRC provides comprehensive, evidence-based services to victims, survivors, and families of intentional violence, regardless of their ability to pay. For many of our clients, rideshare and public transportation are not always possible options, as they are cost prohibitive and may not be disability friendly,” said Richard Heim, President, Advocate Christ Medical Center. “Transportation access and the digital divide are critical social determinants of health that we hope to address with this funding. The minivans will provide a safe mode of transportation to and from care, and will also be used for wraparound support such as transporting clothing and food. The Chromebooks will provide clients with vital access to telehealth services and education opportunities. As a result of COVID-19, over 50 percent of the TRC’s sessions now occur virtually, which has unexpectedly both increased client participation and reduced cancelations. We are truly grateful to Congresswoman Newman for spearheading this request for funding for this impactful program.”

SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

Lewis University Airport Safety Enhancements – $680,000
Creation of new fencing surrounding the Lewis University Airport to increase safety

A total of $680,000 in federal funding would go towards the Joliet Regional Port District to build necessary airport safety fencing at the Lewis University Airport. The project will enhance safety and security to persons and property operating at the Airport and will enclose active aircraft operations areas that currently are open to uncontrolled access from undesired animals, persons and vehicles not authorized to be within the controlled Airport operations area.

“By providing security fencing and gate control in the aircraft parking and storage area, this funding will provide a valuable service not only to our airport patrons, visitors and staff but also the entire local community,” said Chris Lawson, Director of Aviation at the Joliet Regional Port District.

City of Hickory Hills Infrastructure Improvements – $640,000
Funding would update 20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers in a low-income portion of the city, reducing basement backups and sanitary sewer overflows

Upon passage in the Senate, the City of Hickory Hills would receive $640,000 in federal funding to update 20,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers in a low-income portion of the city, reducing basement backups and sanitary sewer overflows. The funding under the legislation will provide a valuable service to the community of Hickory Hills by reducing the inflow and infiltration of their sewer system, especially in areas of the city with a low-income population. This project will not only improve the health and safety of these Hickory Hills residents but also the property values and environment of the entire city.

“We could not be more pleased that Congresswoman Newman worked diligently to secure federal funding to improve our city’s aging sanitary sewer infrastructure,” said Hickory Hills Mayor Mike Howley. “Congresswoman Newman and her staff took the time to understand our city’s needs and recognized the vital importance of keeping our sanitary sewer system structurally sound while reducing the amount of stormwater that infiltrates our sewers. We are most appreciative of Congresswoman Newman’s efforts to support this project and improve public health in our community!”

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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