At the age of 51, Vicki Strawn suffered a heart attack. Living with cardiac problems came with limitations that made it difficult to walk or cook. Strawn finally got the call she’d been waiting for on May 16, 2021.
Stories by joanna hernandez
Little Village Vendors Push for More Police Protection After Wave of Armed Robberies
Dec 21, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
One by one, street vendors recently walked into Chicago Police Department headquarters. They were on a mission to get help following recent robberies of street vendors along 26th Street.
From Carnitas to Barbecue, TikTok Creator Chris Dolo Harnesses Power of Social Media to Showcase Chicago Food Scene
Dec 19, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
In Chicago, a digital creater who goes by the name Chris Dolo has been able to make a name for himself by reviewing food. He joined “Latino Voices” to talk about his road to TikTok fame and the ways he uses it to showcase local offerings.
New Community Campus Hopes to Bring Gathering Space, Activity Hub to Austin
Dec 14, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development is close to completing a large community campus that will bring services and gathering spaces.
Boxing Gym Tucked Inside a Little Village Church Basement Aims to Provide Support and Encouragement
Dec 7, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
A boxing gym in the basement of a Little Village church is on a mission to provide new opportunities for neighborhood kids. Chicago Youth Boxing Club started in 2006 as a refuge for young people seeking a positive outlet.
Acclaimed Writer Sandra Cisneros on New Poetry, Chicago Roots
Nov 29, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Sandra Cisneros visited her hometown for a reading of her new book at the Field Museum. “Woman Without Shame” is her first published collection of poems in 28 years.
Migrants in Chicago Say They Are in Search of Work, Better Opportunities
Nov 19, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Migrants arriving to Chicago from the Texas border say they are looking to build a better lives for themselves and want to provide support to their families back home.
After 15 Years of Waiting, DACA Recipient Casts Her First Ballot
Nov 8, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
“It was really exciting and I’m really grateful that I have the opportunity to use my voice this time around,” said Karen Villagomez, who cast her first ballot Tuesday.
Brookfield Zoo Marks 100 Years Since Groundbreaking With Eye Toward the Future
Nov 7, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Brookfield Zoo is celebrating a big milestone. It was a century ago when construction on the grounds began.
Pilsen Resident Creates Elaborate Dia De Los Muertos Backyard Altar
Nov 1, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
In Pilsen, one Chicago resident transformed her backyard into an altar that provides a transportive experience. You’ll find skulls, flowers and all kinds of objects offered to those who once lived.
Chicagoans Have Been Engaging in Protest of Iranian Regime
Oct 19, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Human rights groups say more than 100 people have been killed in Iran since the death of a 22-year-old woman who was in the custody of police. Iranian Americans in Chicago have a message they want everyone to hear: “Stand with Iranian women.”
Owners of La Michoacána Shop Sharing Mexico’s Ice Cream Culture With Chicagoans
Oct 15, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
The history of La Michoacána goes back decades to a small town named Tocumbo in Michoacán. The brand name has given people like the Garcias opportunities to open their own independent businesses.
Columbus Day Parade Held, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Recognized
Oct 10, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Some organizations and governments are changing how they observe the holiday, if at all, while many still gather for the annual parade.
Family-Run Dress Boutique in Little Village Part of Quinceañera Tradition
Oct 8, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
A quinceañera is all about the details. A family-run business in Little Village has been playing a part in the quinceañeras of area girls for years.
Transplant Recipient Advocates for Kidney Disease Awareness
Sep 29, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Last year, the National Kidney Foundation launched Kidney Health for Life, a campaign focused on educating and targeting the high rate of kidney disease among the Black, Asian and Latino populations.
As Puerto Rico Still Struggles With Hurricane Recovery, Chicago Organizations Mobilize
Sep 24, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Hurricane Fiona swept through Puerto Rico last weekend leaving millions without power. Now, residents are left to recover and rebuild once again. In Chicago, local organizations and officials are coming together to support people on the island.
Government Officials, Local Organizations Work to Respond to Hundreds of Arriving Migrants
Sep 17, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to bus hundreds of migrants to cities across the country. That includes Chicago, which has welcomed more than 500 people seeking asylum since Aug. 31. Another bus arrived Thursday night at Union Station.
Community Groups Work to Provide Support to Migrants Arriving From Texas
Sep 12, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
As buses of migrants arrive from Texas, the city of Chicago and local community organizations are working to get the newly arrived people settled.
Vendors at Little Village Discount Mall Told Leases Will Be Extended Until January 2023
Aug 29, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
After worrying for months that they would be kicked out under a new owner, vendors at the shopping center have been given a short extension on their leases.
Pilsen Pantry in Former Church Faces Challenges
Aug 27, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
A food pantry in Pilsen has been operating out of a former church for the last two years. The founder is hoping to buy the building but says she is running into obstacles with the Chicago Archdiocese.
As Contract Set to Expire, Fate of Little Village Discount Mall Still a Mystery
Aug 15, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
For now, it’s business as usual inside the Discount Mall in Little Village as customers navigate through the aisles and vendors work to land a sale. But these merchants don’t know how long they have left to run their businesses.
Husband and Wife Evolve Waukegan Grocery Store into Community Hub
Aug 4, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
A husband and wife in Waukegan have transformed their grocery store to include a coffee shop, boutique and a gathering place for fellow entrepreneurs.
Hoops in the Hood Takes Basketball to Chicago Neighborhoods
Jul 24, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Hoops in the Hood is taking over the streets of Chicago this summer by bringing kids and teens together to play basketball in their neighborhood backyards. Chicago Tonight’s Joanna Hernandez hears more about the mission behind the program and the leaders who are driven to make a change.
Highland Park, Highwood Communities Come Together to Heal
Jul 9, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
The fourth of July shooting shook the north shore and beyond, including the area’s Spanish-speaking community. Two of the seven victims who died were Latino. Neighboring Highwood has a large Latino population and held a vigil earlier this week to remember those who were lost, and those who begin the healing process.
Family Still Searching For Answers in Death of 19-Year-Old National Guardsman
Jul 3, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Chrys Carvajal, 19, had graduated from National Guard training and was set to be stationed at a military base in Riverside. Last summer, he was shot dead over the Fourth of July weekend.
West Side Produce Farm Works to Provide People With Autism Life Skills
Jun 28, 2022 | Joanna Hernandez
Urban Autism Solutions, an organization on the West Side, is working to empower young adults on the autism spectrum to learn life skills. The 1.2- acre produce farm is a hands-on program teaching young adults the basics of farming with a goal of enhancing their social and vocational skills.