As students return, so to do the Safe Passage workers who are tasked with making sure students make it and from school safely.
Stories by joanna hernandez
As Chicago Public Schools Students Return to School, Safe Passage Workers Prepare to Keep Kids Safe
Aug 21, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Taqueria Las Flores Owner Hoping to Rebuild After Fire Destroys North Park Restaurant
Aug 19, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Jazmin Flores, the young entrepreneur and owner of Taqueria Las Flores, used her savings to open the restaurant four years ago. She stayed open through the pandemic and navigated financial struggles. Now she’s forced to start over.
At Humboldt Park Hub, Cook County Sheriff’s Office Helps People Released From Jail
Jul 20, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
“We’re doing all this work with people and mental illness and working with their individual issues, but then when they would leave us, they would go out to the community with minimal services,” Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said. “And I said, OK, we will set up our own services office.”
Following Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Calls to Move Migrants Out of Chicago Police Stations Grow Louder
Jul 12, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Local organizations are demanding answers from the Chicago Police Department amid allegations that officers at the Ogden (10th) Police District headquarters had sexual relations with migrants.
Chicago Violence Prevention Program Targets Those Who Are Most At Risk: ‘I’m Doing the Healing’
Jul 10, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Chicago CRED aims to approach violence reduction by engaging with those most at risk of being shot. The nonprofit organization, which has nine locations, provides young men in the city with opportunities to change their lives through services like life coaching and education.
Local Entrepreneurs Receive $150K Google Grants for Tech Startups
Jul 1, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Starting a business from scratch takes a lot of work — not to mention capital. A startup initiative from Google is helping Black and Latino entrepreneurs reach their goals.
Brighton Park Family Showcases Local Talent with No Sé Discos Record Label
Jun 16, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Breaking into the music industry is not an easy task, but a local family is working to help guide artists. Brighton Park residents Jorge Ledezma and Lupe Martinez created the record label No Sé Discos in 2021. From the vocals to the instrumental, each artist has a niche.
Physicians Work to Expand Trust, Understanding of Organ Donation Process
Jun 14, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Historically, the medical mistreatment of people of color has resulted in the mistrust of a system that saves lives. With health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease on the rise within Black and Brown communities, physicians are working to restore trust.
City Plans to Use Wright College as Respite Center as Migrants Continue to Arrive in Chicago
May 23, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) hosted a community meeting Tuesday to discuss the city’s plan to use parts of Wright College as a respite center — a temporary location where 400 asylum seekers will have a place to rest, take a shower and receive a hot meal as the city works to find shelter for them.
South Shore Residents Take Legal Action to Prevent High School From Being Used as Migrant Shelter
May 12, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
The residents say they have filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order against the city of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools to prevent a migrant respite center from opening in the former South Shore High School building.
South Shore Residents Push Back on City’s Plan to Convert Former High School Into Migrant Respite Center
May 5, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Dozens of residents from the area and neighboring communities attended the capacity event. According to the city, the plan is to use the first floor of the former high school, giving 500 asylum seekers a space to stay temporarily as local efforts continue to find shelter for them.
As Migrants Continue to Arrive, Chicago Officials and Community Groups Say They’re Out of Money and Space
May 1, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Chicago officials say they are having a hard time finding places for migrants to stay, with dozens now sleeping at police facilities.
As Changes Come to the National Organ Donor System, Those Waiting for Donations Hope for the Best
Apr 25, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Despite more people receiving organs, it’s still not enough to meet high demand. Recently, the U.S. government announced a plan to revamp the way organ recipients are chosen and organs distributed.
Sam the Barber Creates Hope, Boosts Confidence With Free Haircuts Across Chicago
Apr 15, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Public libraries can be a safe haven for those struggling with homelessness. That’s the story of a local barber who benefited from the library’s resources to turn his life around. From living in the streets to becoming a licensed barber, Samuel Brown is now on a mission to pay it forward.
Chicagoans Come Together to Celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility
Mar 31, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
On Friday, people around the world came together for the annual Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate the resilience of transgender and nonbinary people.
How a West Side Congregation is Helping Migrants Bused to Chicago From the Border
Mar 28, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
It’s been more than six months since hundreds of migrants arrived in buses from the Texas border. At Grace and Peace Church in North Austin, a congregation is helping asylum seekers through their journeys.
On Match Day, Loyola Medical Students One Step Closer to Achieving Their Dreams
Mar 21, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Every year on Match Day, medical students across the U.S. anxiously open envelopes to learn the name of the institution where they will start the next chapter of their careers.
Mourners Gather at Funeral of Slain Chicago Police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso
Mar 9, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Chicago police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso, 32, was shot and killed last week while responding to a domestic violence call on the city’s Southwest Side. Hundreds gathered Thursday to pay their final respects, describing the officer as selfless and brave.
United Center Concession Workers Prepare for Strike During Big Ten Tournament as Negotiations Continue
Mar 6, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
United Center concession workers are in the middle of contract negotiations with the hospitality company that operates the service. On Sunday, dozens of workers walked out on a one-day strike during the Chicago Bulls game.
Half of Discount Mall Vendors to Close Shop in Little Village: ‘We Don’t Have Any Choice’
Mar 2, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
For the last two years, Discount Mall has been in the middle of a battle between its vendors and property owner Novak Development. Now, half of the mall’s vendors have until the end of this month to pack up and leave.
Back of the Yards Residents Push Back Against Plan to Merge New Library with Public Housing Project
Feb 15, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
The only library in Back of the Yards shares a space with a local high school. Some residents have advocated for a new freestanding library, securing $15 million in state funding to build it. But a new proposal would incorporate the library into a public housing project.
Discount Mall in Little Village to Continue Operations as Long-Term Deal Signed
Feb 13, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Improvements to the mall are planned, including new roofs and facades, parking lot resurfacing, new landscaping, new lighting and an underground storm water detention system.
Chicago-Area Nonprofit Mobilizes Response to Earthquakes in Turkey
Feb 6, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Aid organizations say the next few days are crucial when it comes to rescue operations. One local organization is leading its own emergency response team in Turkey.
Little Village Discount Mall Vendors Given Another Short-Term Extension as Future Remains Unclear
Feb 4, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) recently hosted a meeting Tuesday with vendors to reassure them he will be fighting to keep the retail hub open. Novak Construction, the mall’s owner, extended vendors’ leases until the end of March.
Chinatown Readies for Lunar New Year Parade Amid Security Concerns
Jan 26, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
The Lunar New Year Parade is returning to Chinatown this weekend. As hundreds are expected to gather, the Chicago Police Department will be on alert following the recent mass shooting in Monterey Park, Calif.
Volunteers Work to Protect Little Village Street Vendors Amid Uptick in Robberies
Jan 21, 2023 | Joanna Hernandez
Vendors have rallied in front of the Chicago Police Department headquarters, asking for more police presence in the morning, when many vendors are out as early as 4 a.m.