Free Prom Attire for Chicagoland Juniors and Seniors

Living off a limited income can be a really hard. It becomes harder when special occasions come and members of your family wants to be a part of them.  These days you can find seniors in high school searching online or looking through the prom catalog for their favorite prom dress.  Prom is a great time, but there are many young ladies and men who may not be able to participate in prom due to not having the money to purchase their favorite prom attire. 

To help with ensuring that many of Chicago's youth get a chance to experience prom, there are a few different events that will help them get a free dress and accessories.Check out this list that has free prom dress and accessories available for the teens of Chicago.

 

Prom Girls Rock Presents 5th Annual Prom Dress Giveaway 
Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Heaven Salon and Spa 

1505 S Michigan 

Chicago, IL 60605

Need a new dress for your senior or junior prom, we are able to assist you in that. Come join our event to receive your free dress. Dresses are donated from bridal/prom stores. Why pay full price when you can get it for free with us. Prom Girls Rock! is a not-for-profit organization that gives away free prom dresses and accessories to high school students in the Chicago-land and surrounding areas. The students receive individual assistance at each event from volunteers and a personal consultant as they obtain the dress of their dreams.  Go here to register  

2016 Once Upon A Prom Boutique Events

Saturday,  April 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th at 8:00 a.m.

New Vision Community Church 

2552 West 21st Street

Chicago, IL 60608

Going to prom?  Looking for that perfect dress? Princess Closet will be distributing FREE dresses and accessories, register for one of the events and say YES to the Prom Dress. Only girls receiving a dress need to register for only 1 day. Go here to register.

Glass Slipper Project Prom Dress Giveaway

April 2nd 7 April 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Price Elementary School

4351 S. Drexel Chicago, IL

  

Glass Slipper Project ® was founded in 1999 and has helped more than 20,000 young women attend their proms in style! The dresses, jewelry and accessories are distributed at “boutiques” each prom season, where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer “personal shopper” as she shops for the dress of her dreams. The boutiques are open to high school juniors and seniors in Chicagoland and other surrounding areas. Go here to find out more information about the Glass Slipper Project Prom Dress Giveaway.  FYI: No need to register, just show up and prepare to shop! 

Prom with a Purpose

April 23, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

April 30, 2016 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

007^th District Englewood Community Room
1437 W. 63^rd Street

Chicago, IL 60636

Prom with a Purpose is open to both young ladies and men from Chicago that is in need of prom attire and accessories.  There will be opportunities for the youth to win raffle prizes that will offer free haircuts, hairstyle, makeup, and other services.
 Contact Mia G. Outten at mia.Outten@chicagopolice.org  to register

{Please note that this isn't the full list, if you have an event that you would like added, please email Antoinette at sistersavealot@gmail.com} 

Save Money and Earn College Credits by Enrolling in Dual Enrollment Programs

News Flash  . . .  the reaming of the 2015 - 2016 school year starts today.  While I know coming back to school off of a vacation is pretty hard, the school year must go on.  To get back in the groove of things, I wanted to share with you a great opportunity. If you know or have a high school junior or senior, please share this information with them.

High school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to enroll in college level courses before their high school graduation. Students from local high schools may elect to enroll in one college course per semester at City College of Chicago and other local colleges.  If your student enrolls in a CCC Dual Enrollment, they will be able to take their course at one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago campuses. Look at the Spring 2016 Dual Enrollment classes here and check out the qualifications below.  

Recycle Your Christmas Tree Chicago

Christmas is over and it is time to get the house back to normal.  I have always been taught that your tree should be down and out of the house at the end of the first full week of the new year.  To help you with getting things back together, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District is offering locations where you can recycle  your Christmas tree.

Drop off your tree at any of the 24 locations listed below from Saturday,
January 2 to Saturday, January 16 to be recycled to be chipped and turned into mulch. Free mulch will be available to residents for pick up beginning Monday , January 11th to all sites that are italicized.  For additional information, please call 311 or visit Chicago Recycles.  

Tree Recycling Sites 

• Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.
• Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.
• Forestry Site, 900 E. 103rd St.
• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central ParkAve.
• Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.
• Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1369 N. Sacramento Ave.
• Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.
• Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113th St.
• Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.
• Lincoln Park Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave. (Parking lot east of Cannon Dr.)
• Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Dr.
• Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.
• McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
• Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St.
• North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
• Norwood Park, 5801 N. Natoma Ave.
• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.
• Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L
• Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.
• Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.
• Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave

Chicago - 2016 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Opens January 1, 2016

These day's you would think that the side walks would be covered with snow, but that isn't the case.  Take a moment before the snow hits and check out and see if you sidewalk needs any repairs.  If so, this blog post of for you.  Each year, the City of Chicago take applications for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. 

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular program in which residents share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City.  The program has been a successful service for many years, offering a great value to property owners.  All property owners pay the same square-foot cost for new sidewalk below what a private contractor would charge.   

Funding for the Shared Cost program is very limited.  The City will begin taking applications at 12:00am on Friday, January 1, 2016 through 3-1-1.  To ensure you meet the deadline, please contact Dan Manoli in my office 773.525.6034 or Dionisios.Manoli@cityofchicago.org prior to January 1, 2016.    In 2015, the Shared Cost Program sold out four hours after it was available to the public.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Applications can be sumitted in your local Alderman office.  Check out this site to find your local Aldernan. 

Good Luck and be sure to apply for the City Of Chicago-Shared Cost Sidewalk Program.  If you are 65 or older, or a disabled person, you are eligible for a special discounted rate. For more information about the discounted rate, please call CDOT at (312) 744-1746 or e-mail cdotnews@cityofchicago.org

Request Toys from the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation this Holiday Season

The holiday season is here and while many are thinking about shopping on Black Friday, some families are trying to figure out where the toys under the tree may come from.  In years past, Toys for Tots has been a helping hand with many families to provide toys.  However, this year you can't request single toys.

One new resource that I have found have been available to Chicagoland families for quite some tine is the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation's Holiday Giving Program.  The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation's largest program is their Holiday Giving Program.  During the Holiday Giving Program, the foundation provide gifts  for veterans, toys for single family toy request, and toys for non for profit agencies. 

If you are going to request, you must email completed forms to Nancy@Payton34.com no later than December 1, 2015. 

Important Tips: 

• IF YOU ARE APPROVED WCPF WILL CONTACT YOU with a date/time for pick up!  
• WCPF does not deliver or mail donations, you must have a way to pick them up. 
• The WCPF only accept donation requests that are submitted using this form

For more information about the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, please check out their website. 

Jumping Jack Application Available for City of Chicago Block Parties

When I was a child, I love when my neighborhood would have our annual black party. One staple that was always at our black party was the City of Chicago Jumping Jack. All kids no matter the age loves getting in the Jumping Jack. If you are planing to have a block party this summer,  I recommend that you complete the application to receive a jumping jack for your block party from the City of Chicago. 

 

The application for the popular Jumping Jack program is now available. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events began accepting completed applications on Wednesday, April 1. Jumping Jack inflatables are available on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY, beginning May 23 through August 30, 2015. You can print the application from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events website or pick them  up at your local Alderman office.

Please note that rules and regulations have changed significantly for the season:

• Inflatables will only be provided to residential block parties within the city limits of Chicago. Events on private property, in parks, in forest preserves, private parties, birthday parties, schools and festivals are not eligible to apply.
• Inflatables are for outdoor use only and can only be set up on pavement, asphalt or concrete.
• Applicants will receive notification by email or phone on the status of their request. The contracted provider will call to set up deliveries.
• Approved block parties will receive an inflatable for (4) hours between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm on the scheduled day. Actual hours will be determined by availability. Only one inflatable will be delivered to a requesting block party.
• Generators are not provided. It is the responsibility of the requesting party to supply electrical power (120 watts) to operate the inflatable within 100 ft of the inflatable.
• All parked vehicles must be removed from the location of the inflatable. Applicants are responsible for securing all necessary street closure permits from the 7^th Ward Public Service Office.

Take the time now to plan a block party and reserve the Jumping Jack from the City of Chicago.

City of Chicago ~ 2015 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program

As a property owner you want to make sure you have the best looking property on the block. While many may not think of their side walk is important to the property . . . it really is. If you are a landlord, it is a must to have leveled and non cracked sidewalks for your residents. One way to get the cost down of repairs to your side walk is applying for the City of Chicago - Shared Sidewalk Program. By participating in the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program, you will increase your property appeal and make a significant contribution towards improving the  neighborhood.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular program in which residents share the cost of sidewalk repair with the the Chicago Department of Transportation. Property owners pay the same square-foot cost for new sidewalk: $4 per square foot, which is well below what a private contractor would charge. Traditionally, the program is available to Chicago property owners on New Year’s Day, January 1, 12:01 a.m. Due to numerous requests CDOT will open the 2015 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 12:01 a.m.

If you are interested in applying for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Progra, applicants can begin calling the City's 311 System or access the City's service request website  at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.

Keep in mind that this is a popular program and funding for the program is limited. If you are 65 or older, or a disabled person, you are eligible for a special discounted rate. For more information about the discounted rate, please call CDOT at (312) 744-1746 or e-mail cdotnews@cityofchicago.org.