$2.8 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Chicago

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $2.897 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Chicago, including $1.2 million to the Homan Square Community Center Foundation to construct a family and health pavilion as a part of its community center campus.

The pavilion will provide the community with primary health care services, health education programs, fitness and recreational opportunities, a preschool, a daycare, and job readiness programs. The center is contributing $3,724,260.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Arthur L. Turner, D-Chicago.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $480,000 to Tobacco Road, Inc., a not-for profit corporation, to complete construction of the Lou Rawls "47th Street" Theater and Cultural Center. The corporation is contributing $2,962,888.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Lovana "Lou" Jones, D-Chicago.

• $300,000 to the Maternal Child Health Care Coalition, a nonprofit organization established to promote and improve the health and well-being of infants, children, mothers and families.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Miguel del Valle, D-Chicago.

• $117,000 to the Haymarket Center to foster family bonding, support parenting skills, increase communication and problem solving skills and improve teamwork.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Margaret Smith, D-Chicago.

• $100,000 to El Hogar Del Nino, a nonprofit organization providing bilingual and bicultural daycare to the children of poor Hispanic families. This grant will be used to help the center gain national accreditation.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Antonio "Tony" Munoz, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to the American Spanish Institute to train individuals as attendants for seniors and people with disabilities. The Chicago Tribune is contributing $15,000.
  This project was initiated by del Valle.

• $75,000 to the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center/ C.A.L.O.R. to expand the current prevention and education efforts relating to domestic violence in the community.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. William Delgado, D-Chicago.

• $65,000 to the Center for New Horizons to renovate Elam House to provide supportive housing for young families, to provide health and wellness programs for women and to preserve a structure that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The center is contributing $15,425.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $60,000 to Blocks Together, a nonprofit organization, to organize a variety of informational and educational programs using community organizers.
  This project was initiated by del Valle.

• $50,000 to the General Woods Boys and Girls Club to develop a swimming program, to provide fifteen computers with access to the Internet, and to renovate an air conditioning unit for their Head Start Program.
  This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $50,000 to the Lakeside Community Committee to fund its Youth Ambassador™ program and to enhance the speech, oratorical and expression skills of 60 inner city youth.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $40,000 to Christian Building Urban Communities to renovate three apartments while providing training in a skilled trade to fifteen individuals. After the project is completed, the renovated apartments will house three families.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-Chicago.

• $35,000 to Marlon's Way to fund programming that will educate, motivate, and inspire youth and teach them to value different cultures.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $30,000 to Veltcor, a community-based organization that teaches positive life skills, reading, writing, computer and math skills. This grant will provide youth programming.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $30,000 to Malcolm X College to provide the Discovery Day, Freshman P.R.E.P., Health Career Fair and Senior Day college and career exploration programs for high school students.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $30,000 to Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. to fund its Teen REACH program, providing children and youth with academic instruction and tutoring, and team-building recreational activities; mentoring services and life skills instruction.
  This project was initiated by L. Jones.

• $30,000 to the 18th Street Business Association to provide technical assistance to area businesses, membership meetings, and a toy drive to benefit children in homeless and battered women's shelters. This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $30,000 to the Alternative Recreation and Learning Center, a newly established organization that enhances and promotes self-esteem in young men through tutoring, field trips, computer training and martial arts. The center also provides a safe environment promoting alternatives to gang and drug influences.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $25,000 to the Beasley Academic Center for the purchase of instructional materials and school supplies, such as a computerized math system.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $20,000 to Northeastern Illinois University for the Harold Washington Institute for research and policy studies.
  This project was initiated by Smith.

• $20,000 to the Greater Austin Child Care Providers Association, a community-based association providing subsidized childcare services for low-income parents.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $15,000 to the Mexican American Youth Athletic Association to purchase equipment for the amateur boxing program. This program helps youth to learn coordination, self-discipline, concentration, conditioning, sportsmanship and self esteem while providing an alternative to drug use and gang involvement.
  This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $10,000 to the Roosevelt University Learning for Earning Program to create promotional materials and a newsletter to raise awareness of this program. The Learning for Earning program focuses on encouraging work through vocational and occupational training, mentoring and job placement.
  This project was initiated by Jones.

• $10,000 to the Amer-I-Can Illinois program for work with at-risk youth and gang members in the Hyde Park, Washington Park, Kenwood-Oakland and Lawndale areas, as well as in the Chicago Housing Authority Building at 4120 South Prairie.
  These projects were initiated by Jones.