Year: 2020

AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits (AMPT) está aceptando solicitudes de organizaciones no lucrativas elegibles en los sectores oeste y sur de Chicago para la Fase 2 de sus Servicios de Consultoría de Gestión de Crisis COVID-19 hasta el 19 de octubre de 2020. Este esfuerzo ocurre como respuesta a la amenaza sin precedentes que el COVID-19 supone al sector no lucrativo, particularmente a organizaciones conducidas por negros y latinos y la red de seguridad de servicio social de Chicago. Esta primavera, AMPT ofreció servicios a 30 organizaciones no lucrativas de los sectores oeste y sur de Chicago, que incluyen sesiones de coaching con consultores sin fines de lucro, altamente experimentados y recursos y conexiones para cubrir los problemas más presionantes y relevantes que enfrentan las organizaciones no lucrativas durante la pandemia. AMPT hará prioridad organizaciones que: tienen un presupuesto anual de $2M o menos; que atienden principalmente a comunidades negras y latinas de los sectores oeste y sur de Chicago; que son conducidas por negros y/o latinos. Para hacer una solicitud para horas de consulta, complete esta corta solicitud para el lunes, 19 de octubre del 2020 en: https://forms.gle/dmmfAbhH6aZsuTgq9

Para más detalles, visite AMPTChicago.org o envíe un email a programs@amptchicago.org

Chicago Region Food System Fund extendió sus fondos de respuesta a la pandemia otorgando una nueva ronda de subsidios a organizaciones 501(c)(3) capaces de apoyar el trabajo de otras organizaciones comprometidas en respuestas de emergencias relacionadas con el sistema alimenticio en respuesta a la pandemia del COVID-19. Los recipientes del subsidio colaborarán con organizaciones comunitarias no lucrativas, comunidades religiosas, despensas de comida y otras organizaciones al frente, para garantizar que el apoyo abarca la pandemia de la manera más eficiente y eficaz posible. Los cuatro recipientes del subsidio son:

• Chicago Food Policy Action Council, $150,000

• Faith in Place, $150,000

• HEAL Food Alliance, $150,000

• Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, $150,000

Hasta la fecha, Chicago Region Food System Fund ha otorgado $3,973.750 en subsidios a 81 organizaciones. Con una inversión de más de $7.3M, Chicago Region Food System Fund está enfocado en el hambre y la ruptura de los negocios en el sistema alimenticio local – desde la producción al procesamiento la distribución y el consumo – en un área de aproximadamente 200 millas de Chicago (aproximadamente un día conduciendo a/desde la ciudad).

One of the pillars of McDonald’s Hispanic Owner-Operators Assocation (MHOA), is education and that is why MHOA has a strong commitment of supporting the local HACER® Scholarship Program. Since 2013, more than $300,000 dollars have been awarded to Hispanic students who face financial needs, but have demonstrated their academic and leadership abilities as well as their sincere wish to serve their communities.

Juan Mendez, who was one of MHOA’s founders, sadly passed away this year. Mendez was a tireless promoter of education. In honor of his commitment, his family generously donated the entire proceeds of the Juan M. Mendez Memorial Fund to the local HACER Scholarships. MHOA is infinitely grateful to the Mendez family for their generosity and their wish to continue Mendez’s legacy. For young students attending elementary school, some basic needs are obstacles and the members of MHOA have responded, donating appropriate footwear and school supplies. Additionally, they have supported an initiative that gives backpacks to thousands of students with the necessary school materials to succeed.

This commitment to education also extends to helping McDonald’s employees further their education and achieve their dreams. The “Archways to Opportunity” program and the “English Under the Arches” course were created to help employees improve English skills, earn a High School diploma or work towards a college degree, as they progress on the path to success. The owner-operators of MHOA have celebrated graduation ceremonies to acknowledge their employees that have completed these programs.

Another way that MHOA contributes to the community is through direct donations to worthy service organizations. Annually thousands are being invested in organizations such as Back of the Yards Community Council, Casa Central, Erie House, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Mariachi Heritage Foundation and the National Museum of Mexican Art.

Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) voted to advance H.R 925, the revised HEROES Act, which passed the House of Representatives 214-207. The legislation would provide more than $2 trillion dollars in comprehensive relief to families, small businesses, and state, local, and tribal governments. “Frontline workers, working parents, and the small businesses and families I represent cannot wait another day for relief. House Democrats passed the HEROES relief package more than 4 months ago, and since then Republicans have done nothing while thousands are laid off, evicted, and left without health insurance. Yet again we voted to give American families the relief they need and offered common ground and compromise–still not a single Republican would meet us halfway. Congressman García introduced or advocated for many of the measures included in this new package, including:
 
• New PPE requirements for owners and operators of passenger and freight transportation facilities to keep workers safe;

• U.S. support for a large issuance of Special Drawing Rights by the International Monetary Fund to help developing countries recover from the COVID-19 crisis at no cost to the U.S.;

• $50 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance to help keep tenants in their homes;

• A moratorium on evictions and foreclosures through March of 2021.

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and COUNTRY Financial® is reminding homeowners of the mistakes that can lead to devastating home fires, especially during the colder months. Are you guilty of these home fire hazards?

Putting a space heater next to your bed

Space heaters make for a nice addition to a chilly room, but they can be dangerous. In fact, they account for nearly half of home heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. “As the weather cools, people turn on heaters, fireplaces and furnaces, usually without a second thought,” said Hieu Tran, an insurance and financial representative with COUNTRY Financial.  “Fire experts say it can only take 3 and a half minutes for a space heater fire to engulf an entire room.” If using an electric portable space heater, plug it directly into an outlet and not an extension cord. Remember to always double check space heaters to make sure they’re approved for indoor use.

Skipping chimney sweeps

Annual chimney sweeps ensure a chimney is free of dangerous creosote residue, as well as soot and other debris; the buildup in the flue system is flammable and has the potential to catch fire. When lighting fires, be careful of ashes. “Let them cool for at least 48 hours and put them in a metal bucket with a tight fitting lid,” said Tran. “Don’t keep them in a garage or near buildings where they can ignite on flammable objects.” Don’t vacuum ashes for at least 48 hours after putting out the fire.

Forgetting about wiring

Homeowners should check to see that they are not overloading electrical outlets by checking the wattage rating and following the manufacturer instructions of how many strands can be plugged in per outlet. If you blow a fuse, consider it a warning and decrease wattage by plugging that strand of lights into a different area. For more information on preventing home fires, visit www.countryfinancial.com.