WSU Event Calendar

Calendario de Eventos de WSU

For more information, please contact the person listed in the invite or email info@westsideunited.org.

Para más información, por favor comuníquese con la persona indicada en la invitación o escriba a info@westsideunited.org.

Garfield Park Garden Network Community Gardens Tour
Aug
23

Garfield Park Garden Network Community Gardens Tour

Register now for the Garfield Park Garden Network Community Gardens Tour on Aug. 23 from 9am - 2pm!

Board the bus at the Garfield Park Field House (100 N Central Park Ave) and visit 6 community gardens and an urban farm. Then we’ll head over to The Hatchery (135 N Kedzie Ave) for lunch and an opportunity to purchase some of the produce that was grown in the gardens, an amazing selection of vendors at the Market, and a tour of The Hatchery's.

The tour bus can then take you back to the Gold Dome, or you can depart from the Hatchery. The Kedzie Green Line station is right at the corner.

The garden tour is FREE! Boxed lunches are $15 and include a sandwich, salad, drink and dessert. Space is limited on the bus, so reserve your seat and register ASAP!

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Congressman Danny K. Davis' Back to School Picnic and Parade
Aug
16

Congressman Danny K. Davis' Back to School Picnic and Parade

Join Congressman Danny K. Davis for the annual Back to School Picnic and Parade! Celebrate the start of the school year with a fun parade through the neighborhood, followed by a community picnic at Columbus Park. Enjoy activities including Technology in the Park and a Health Fair, all designed to support and uplift our community. Bring your family, friends, and festive spirit! Vehicle participants are welcome to join the parade.

Please register to secure your spot.

Location

Parade: Central (5600 West) and Bloomingdale (1500 North)

Technology in the Park & Health Fair: Columbus Park, 5701 W. Jackson, Chicago

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Summit of Hope Women’s Expo
Jul
10

Summit of Hope Women’s Expo

Join West Side United, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Cook County Sheriff for the Women Connections Summit of Hope. The Summit is a community expo, bringing together local service providers to create a "one-stop" environment for invited parolees and probationers to obtain necessary assistance to move past barriers, which may prevent an individual from leading a successful life.

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Garfield Park Health Expo
Apr
26

Garfield Park Health Expo

Join us for the Health, Sports, and Fitness Expo at The Hatchery on April 26th from 10 AM to 2 PM. This event will bring together various health and fitness resources and is a great opportunity to network and learn about wellness and fitness. We hope to see you there!

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HCEZ March Flex Fridays Fitness Class
Apr
4

HCEZ March Flex Fridays Fitness Class

Join us for free, fun, and energizing community exercise classes designed to get you moving and grooving! These adult fitness classes are open to all levels, so everyone is welcome. Please wear athletic clothing and gym shoes, and don’t forget to bring water and a towel!

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Our Moments, Our Story.

“Community is what’s going to move and catapult stability forward,” says Wendy Daniels, Director of Food Services at @brkthru The COLLAB Network gathered for its 6th session on Monday, August 18th, hosted by Breakthrough FamilyPlex—a multifaceted nonprofit in East Garfield Park committed to helping neighbors not just survive, but thrive. A huge thank you to the Breakthrough team for welcoming us and to all the participating organizations for contributing to a day filled with connection, collaboration, and learning. #WestSideUnited #WestSideChicago #EastGarfieldPark #FoodInsecurity #FoodPantry
Universidad Popular is another organization working hard to feed the West Side as a member of the COLLAB  Network.  With the COLLAB Network, Universidad Popular collaborates with other organizations to connect people in need of healthy food with groups who can provide them with the food they need.  We look forward to the collaboration between organizations to ensure West Side residents receive the food and care they need for a healthier life. 💙 #COLLABNetwork #WestSideUnited #CommunityPowered #WestSideStrong #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity
Building healthier diets one pantry at a time. Pilsen Food Pantry is one of the 20 organizations working to combat food shortages and insecurity on the West Side through the COLLAB network. Through the COLLAB network, the Pilsen Food Pantry can analyze and utilize data to strategize and push a more effective approach to combating food insecurity in the community. There’s still more to come from the many organizations taking part in this initiative. Let’s work together to combat food insecurity for a healthier West Side! 💙 #COLLABNetwork #WestSideUnited #CommunityPowered #WestSideStrong #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity
Meet the Pentecostal Church of Holiness, another community-based organization participating in the COLLAB Network and working towards a healthier West Side. From planning to implementation to replication. By joining the COLLAB Network, the Pentecostal Church of Holiness has laid the groundwork to address food shortages and inaccessibility affecting West Side residents. Stay tuned for more COLLAB Network stories from the organization leaders themselves. Let’s build a healthier West Side together 💙🌱 #COLLABNetwork #WestSideUnited #CommunityPowered #WestSideStrong #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity
At @thebeelovecafe, people are seen, felt, heard, and valued.  We sat with Dezaray Gallegos, an employee of The Beelove Cafe, whose career goals were ignited by the community support. With the community behind her, she hopes to make an impact on others in her future career. We’re dedicated to creating bright futures by building careers that foster a stronger West Side community. 💙 #VociesOfTheWestSide #WestSideStrong #WestSideChicago
Austin Coming Together is one of the 20 community-based organizations in the COLLAB Network working towards the health of West Side residents. As a part of the COLLAB Network, Austin Coming Together evaluates and develops new strategies to support the organization’s efforts in accessible, healthy food for everyone. Stay tuned to meet and learn more about the other organizations coming together with the COLLAB Network to ensure a healthy West Side 💙 #COLLABNetwork #WestSideUnited #CommunityPowered #WestSideStrong #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity
“This building is our love letter to the community.” In this edition of Voices of the West Side, we sit down with Khelan Todd, Chief Impact and Innovation Officer at @nlen_jobs. Hear his thoughts on increasing employment on the West Side by breaking down barriers and leveraging enterprises like @thebeelovecafe to create transitional job opportunities. Together, we can build a thriving West Side! 💙 #VoicesOfTheWestSide #WestSideStrong #WestSideChicago
📣 Come out to the Health & Community Resource Fair TODAY at the Tim McCormick Community Center (1133 W. 13th St.)! 🕚 11 AM – 4 PM This free event will include: ✅ Health Screenings ✅ Immunizations ✅ Eye, Dental & Physical Exams ✅ Com
📣 Come out to the Health & Community Resource Fair TODAY at the Tim McCormick Community Center (1133 W. 13th St.)! 🕚 11 AM – 4 PM This free event will include: ✅ Health Screenings ✅ Immunizations ✅ Eye, Dental & Physical Exams ✅ Community Resources ✅ Food, Fun & Activities for Kids #WestSideUnited #HealthEquity #CommunityCare #WestSideChicago #OneFamilyIllinois
West Side United is proud to serve the Chicago community—and this past year, we’ve made some powerful strides!
 The theme of this year’s Annual Community Convening was Catalytic Investments on the West Side—highlighting the spark that bold, intentional investments can ignite. 💥
 ⚡ Since 2017, we’ve invested over $19 million into West Side communities through social impact investing
⚡ Fillmore Linen Service created 73 new jobs—77% of which went to West Side residents
⚡ We’ve directed $237 million in procurement to local businesses
 We also hosted an incredible panel on the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team, reflecting on the city’s COVID-19 response and hearing insights from Chicago’s leading health equity experts. 🎤
 Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Community Convening! Let’s keep the momentum going—West Side United is committed to building health and wellness equity across Chicago’s historic West Side. 💙
On Tuesday, West Side United’s CEO Ayesha Jaco joined community leaders for the beam-raising ceremony at the future home of the Sankofa Wellness Village in West Garfield Park. This moment marked more than just a construction milestone—i
On Tuesday, West Side United’s CEO Ayesha Jaco joined community leaders for the beam-raising ceremony at the future home of the Sankofa Wellness Village in West Garfield Park. This moment marked more than just a construction milestone—it was a celebration of what’s to come. The Sankofa Wellness Center will soon offer neighborhood residents access to a café, fitness and wellness facilities, a full gymnasium, and on-site childcare for visiting families. But it’s more than a building. It will also be a hub for workforce development, financial education, job training, and career pathways—plus the launch of a new, community-owned credit union. And it will be the future headquarters of West Side United, bringing our mission even closer to the people we serve. Together, we’re building a healthier, more equitable West Side. #WestSideUnited #SankofaWellness #CommunityDriven #EquityInAction
We are still feeling the energy from yesterday’s Annual Community Convening! 💥 What a powerful day of reflection, learning, advocacy, and unity, on the same campus where the idea for West Side United was born seven years ago. We were honored
We are still feeling the energy from yesterday’s Annual Community Convening! 💥 What a powerful day of reflection, learning, advocacy, and unity, on the same campus where the idea for West Side United was born seven years ago. We were honored to gather with the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team to mark five years since the onset of COVID-19—reflecting on how far we’ve come, where we are now, and where we must go to create a more just and equitable future. Not just for Chicago, but everywhere. 🌍✊🏾 🙏🏽 Special thanks to: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot Dr. David Ansell, Senior VP for Community Health Equity at @rushmedical Debra Wesley, CEO of @sinaichicago Community Institute & Chair of the WSU Executive Leadership Council
 👏🏽 And big congratulations to our awardees: Polk Bros. Foundation (@polkbrosfdn) Angela Taylor, @gpccouncil @mxcollege Executive Leadership Team
 Your leadership and commitment inspire us all. 💛 #WestSideChicago #WestSideStrong #HealthEquity #CommunityPower #RacialJustice #WSU2025
🚨 The 2025 Annual Convening is just 3 days away! 🚨 West Side United’s 2025 Annual Convening is almost here—happening Thursday, June 5 at Malcolm X College. Be part of the conversation around catalytic investments in healthcare, educat
🚨 The 2025 Annual Convening is just 3 days away! 🚨 West Side United’s 2025 Annual Convening is almost here—happening Thursday, June 5 at Malcolm X College. Be part of the conversation around catalytic investments in healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and neighborhood development on the West Side. 💙 🎤 Don’t miss the panel commemorating 5 years of the City of Chicago’s Racial Equity Rapid Response Team, featuring the community leaders driving equity forward. ⏰ Thursday, June 5 | 4:30–7:30 PM 📍 Malcolm X College 🎟️ Register FREE before it’s too late! Link in bio.
What is the RERRT and why does it matter? Swipe through to learn how the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team helped reshape the way Chicago responds to health crises — with equity at the center. 💙💚 From life-saving COVID-19 outreach to long-t
What is the RERRT and why does it matter? Swipe through to learn how the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team helped reshape the way Chicago responds to health crises — with equity at the center. 💙💚 From life-saving COVID-19 outreach to long-term investments in community wellness, RERRT laid the foundation for what comes next. Join us at the 2025 Annual Convening as we reflect on 5 years of impact with some of the city’s leading voices in health equity. 📍 Thursday, June 5 | 4:30–7:30 PM 📍 Malcolm X College 🔗 Register with the link in out bio! #RERRT #HealthEquity #WestSideUnited #WSUConvening #ChicagoEquity #COVID19Response #CommunityPower
#ThrowbackThursday to our 2024 Annual Community Convening! 💬 We were proud to gather with local elected officials and community leaders to discuss advancing equity in healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and community investment across Chic
#ThrowbackThursday to our 2024 Annual Community Convening! 💬 We were proud to gather with local elected officials and community leaders to discuss advancing equity in healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and community investment across Chicago’s West Side. It was a powerful day of collaboration, vision, and commitment to community health. We’re grateful for the support of leaders and  dedicated legislative staffers who helped make the conversation meaningful. 💙 And we’re keeping the momentum going! 📅 Join us for our 2025 Annual Convening on Thursday, June 5. Only 7 days away! 🎟️ Reserve your free ticket today with the link in our bio!
📣 You’re invited! Join us for West Side United’s 2025 Annual Convening on Thursday, June 5 from 4:30–7:30 PM at Malcolm X College! This year’s theme: Catalytic Investments on the West Side. We’ll highlight impactful
📣 You’re invited! Join us for West Side United’s 2025 Annual Convening on Thursday, June 5 from 4:30–7:30 PM at Malcolm X College! This year’s theme: Catalytic Investments on the West Side. We’ll highlight impactful work across healthcare, education, economic vitality, and the neighborhood and physical environment, and hear from leaders on what’s next. Plus, a powerful panel commemorating the City of Chicago’s Racial Equity Rapid Response Team, moderated by Ayesha Jaco, Executive Director of West Side United. 🎤 Panelists include: – Dr. Carol Adams, Urban Prescriptives – Darnell Shields, @act.chicago – Katya Nuques, @mccormick_fdn – James Rudyk, @depaulu – Carlos Nelson, Greater Auburn Gresham Dev. Corp. 🗓️ Thursday, June 5 | 4:30–7:30 PM 📍 Malcolm X College Conference Center 🎟️ Register for FREE with the link in our bio!
West Side United was proud to participate in 2Flo’s Health Equity Pitch Competition Fireside Chat also featuring Naomi Sugar, Course Director at Northwestern University Program in Public Health, and Moderator, Ibraheem Alinur, Vice Preside
West Side United was proud to participate in 2Flo’s Health Equity Pitch Competition Fireside Chat also featuring Naomi Sugar, Course Director at Northwestern University Program in Public Health, and Moderator, Ibraheem Alinur, Vice President at 2Flo Ventures. The pitch competition featured visionary leaders who shared innovative ways to advance health equity & brought together investors, founders, academics, nonprofits, and corporate partners — all committed to building a healthier, more equitable future. 💡🤝🏥 #HealthEquity #InnovationInAction #WestSideUnited #2FloPitch
We’re honored to partner with @Collab4Kids, Oak Park Community Wellness Center, @rushmedical, @loveoflearninginst, and the Chamber of Mothers for Bump 2 Baby — a holistic series focused on supporting Black maternal health. 🖤 Join us on
We’re honored to partner with @Collab4Kids, Oak Park Community Wellness Center, @rushmedical, @loveoflearninginst, and the Chamber of Mothers for Bump 2 Baby — a holistic series focused on supporting Black maternal health. 🖤 Join us on Wednesday, May 21, to learn about the high-quality care you deserve — and how to access it. ✅ Free dinner and childcare provided 📍 Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and feel supported 🔗 Register with the link in our bio! #MaternalHealth #BlackMaternalHealth
🚨 Last-Minute Alert! 🗣️💧 Chicago is hosting public hearings THIS WEEK on how to spend federal funds for flood recovery—and your voice matters! If you were impacted by the 2023 or 2024 floods, this is your chance to speak up about the City&
🚨 Last-Minute Alert! 🗣️💧 Chicago is hosting public hearings THIS WEEK on how to spend federal funds for flood recovery—and your voice matters! If you were impacted by the 2023 or 2024 floods, this is your chance to speak up about the City’s Draft Flood Recovery Action Plan: 📍 TODAY – Tuesday, May 14 | 6–8PM Zoe Life Ministries, 5151 W. Madison St. 📍 Friday, May 16 | 6–8PM Intentional Sports Center, 1841 N. Laramie Ave. 📣 Share your experience, give your feedback, and help make sure our West Side neighborhoods are prioritized. Can’t attend? Review the plan & submit your feedback online: 👉 Chicago.gov/CDBGDR ✅ Spanish + ASL interpreters available upon request. 📞 Questions? Email Grantsupport@cityofchicago.org or call 312-744-9745 #WestSideUnited #FloodRecovery #CommunityVoice #ChicagoStrong
We’ve been busy on the ground, and here’s a look at two powerful community events from Saturday, April 26. We started the day at @brkthru’s annual Walk for Hunger, standing in solidarity with neighbors and partners working to end f
We’ve been busy on the ground, and here’s a look at two powerful community events from Saturday, April 26. We started the day at @brkthru’s annual Walk for Hunger, standing in solidarity with neighbors and partners working to end food insecurity on the West Side.
 Later, we joined the @gpccouncil’s Health & Fitness Expo, where Jason Ferguson spoke on the life expectancy gap between the Loop and the West Side, and Jenny Wu from Good Food is Good Medicine led a cooking demo on healthy chicken salad. 
 We were proud to stand alongside partners who continue to push for health, wellness, and equity in our communities! 💚
 #WestSideUnited #HealthEquity #WalkForHunger #GarfieldPark #CommunityWellness
We’re just one week away from the WSU & Malcolm X College Community Action Council Vendor Resource and Opportunity Fair! 🎉   This year, we’re teaming up with Malcolm X College’s Community Action Council to bring even more
We’re just one week away from the WSU & Malcolm X College Community Action Council Vendor Resource and Opportunity Fair! 🎉   This year, we’re teaming up with Malcolm X College’s Community Action Council to bring even more value to attendees — including workshops, local business organizations, and procurement leads from a variety of institutions. The event will kick off with a panel discussion, where representatives from participating organizations will answer questions about how small businesses can access procurement opportunities.   🕙 Programming starts at 10 AM 🤝 Networking & tabling: 11 AM–2 PM 🍽️ Breakfast and lunch will be served 📍 Location: Malcolm X College, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612   🎟️ Haven’t RSVP’d yet? Register now on Eventbrite. Link in bio!   #WestSideUnited #MalcolmXCollege #VendorFair #SmallBusinessSupport #ChicagoEvents #ProcurementOpportunities #CommunityResources
“Community is what’s going to move and catapult stability forward,” says Wendy Daniels, Director of Food Services at @brkthru The COLLAB Network gathered for its 6th session on Monday, August 18th, hosted by Breakthrough FamilyPle
Universidad Popular is another organization working hard to feed the West Side as a member of the COLLAB  Network.  With the COLLAB Network, Universidad Popular collaborates with other organizations to connect people in need of healthy foo
Building healthier diets one pantry at a time. Pilsen Food Pantry is one of the 20 organizations working to combat food shortages and insecurity on the West Side through the COLLAB network. Through the COLLAB network, the Pilsen Food Pantry can anal
Meet the Pentecostal Church of Holiness, another community-based organization participating in the COLLAB Network and working towards a healthier West Side. From planning to implementation to replication. By joining the COLLAB Network, the Pentecos
At @thebeelovecafe, people are seen, felt, heard, and valued.  We sat with Dezaray Gallegos, an employee of The Beelove Cafe, whose career goals were ignited by the community support. With the community behind her, she hopes to make an impact o
Austin Coming Together is one of the 20 community-based organizations in the COLLAB Network working towards the health of West Side residents. As a part of the COLLAB Network, Austin Coming Together evaluates and develops new strategies to support t
“This building is our love letter to the community.” In this edition of Voices of the West Side, we sit down with Khelan Todd, Chief Impact and Innovation Officer at @nlen_jobs. Hear his thoughts on increasing employment on the West Si
📣 Come out to the Health & Community Resource Fair TODAY at the Tim McCormick Community Center (1133 W. 13th St.)! 🕚 11 AM – 4 PM This free event will include: ✅ Health Screenings ✅ Immunizations ✅ Eye, Dental & Physical Exams ✅ Com
West Side United is proud to serve the Chicago community—and this past year, we’ve made some powerful strides!
 The theme of this year’s Annual Community Convening was Catalytic Investments on the West Side—highlighting t
On Tuesday, West Side United’s CEO Ayesha Jaco joined community leaders for the beam-raising ceremony at the future home of the Sankofa Wellness Village in West Garfield Park. This moment marked more than just a construction milestone—i We are still feeling the energy from yesterday’s Annual Community Convening! 💥 What a powerful day of reflection, learning, advocacy, and unity, on the same campus where the idea for West Side United was born seven years ago. We were honored 🚨 The 2025 Annual Convening is just 3 days away! 🚨 West Side United’s 2025 Annual Convening is almost here—happening Thursday, June 5 at Malcolm X College. Be part of the conversation around catalytic investments in healthcare, educat What is the RERRT and why does it matter? Swipe through to learn how the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team helped reshape the way Chicago responds to health crises — with equity at the center. 💙💚 From life-saving COVID-19 outreach to long-t #ThrowbackThursday to our 2024 Annual Community Convening! 💬 We were proud to gather with local elected officials and community leaders to discuss advancing equity in healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and community investment across Chic 📣 You’re invited! Join us for West Side United’s 2025 Annual Convening on Thursday, June 5 from 4:30–7:30 PM at Malcolm X College! This year’s theme: Catalytic Investments on the West Side. We’ll highlight impactful West Side United was proud to participate in 2Flo’s Health Equity Pitch Competition Fireside Chat also featuring Naomi Sugar, Course Director at Northwestern University Program in Public Health, and Moderator, Ibraheem Alinur, Vice Preside We’re honored to partner with @Collab4Kids, Oak Park Community Wellness Center, @rushmedical, @loveoflearninginst, and the Chamber of Mothers for Bump 2 Baby — a holistic series focused on supporting Black maternal health. 🖤 Join us on 🚨 Last-Minute Alert! 🗣️💧 Chicago is hosting public hearings THIS WEEK on how to spend federal funds for flood recovery—and your voice matters! If you were impacted by the 2023 or 2024 floods, this is your chance to speak up about the City& We’ve been busy on the ground, and here’s a look at two powerful community events from Saturday, April 26. We started the day at @brkthru’s annual Walk for Hunger, standing in solidarity with neighbors and partners working to end f We’re just one week away from the WSU & Malcolm X College Community Action Council Vendor Resource and Opportunity Fair! 🎉   This year, we’re teaming up with Malcolm X College’s Community Action Council to bring even more