Southland Voice

08/17/2024

TODAY TODAY
Thanks to Illinois Partners In Hope and Southland Voice for donating items to this event.

08/17/2024

Back 2 School Giveaway 12:30 pm August 18, 2024
Kids clothes and other items
Mt.Olive Church, 13619 S. Claire Robbins, IL sponsored by Affordable Transportation and Southland Voice

08/16/2024

Please share this information with anyone who works with Veterans, is a Veteran, or may know a Veteran.

We are thrilled to share that due to the success of the Veteran Internship Program, a vital initiative dedicated to supporting our nation’s veterans, this year Cantigny will be facilitating a second cohort for the Fall Season. Additionally, I want to share with you that in 2025, we plan on hosting two cohorts and extending the program from 12 to 16 weeks.

Established in 2023, the Veteran Internship Program was founded to assist veterans in their transition from the military to the civilian workforce and is designed to offer invaluable career experience and guidance through a comprehensive 12-week paid internship. Participants will benefit from a structured curriculum that includes:

• Weekly Cohorts: These sessions focus on essential workplace skills, such as resume writing, interview techniques, and networking strategies.
• Shadow Sessions: Interns will have the opportunity to learn about the roles and responsibilities of various departments, gaining insight into diverse career paths.
• Networking: Interns have the opportunity to connect with counterparts, build community, and engage with other colleagues across the organization.

The upcoming Fall Cohort, running from September 30th to December 22nd, will offer positions in the following departments:

• Security
• Forestry and Grounds
• Facilities
• Guest Services/AV
• Volunteer Department

Interns will receive an hourly wage of $18.38, plus an additional $100 weekly stipend to assist with travel expenses.

This program not only provides meaningful work experience but also helps veterans build a professional network and gain exposure to diverse career opportunities. By sharing this information with your network, you will contribute to the success of this impactful program and support the career development of our veterans.

Additionally, we are also excited to announce that starting next year in 2025, we will be expanding the program to include two cohorts, Summer and Fall, each lasting 16 weeks. Please share this information with your network in case anyone might be interested in participating in future cohorts. We will provide more information as soon as the details and timelines are finalized.

Please share with your network.
Have anyone interested contact Erum Baig at [email protected]. Also, if you have any information or connections with surrounding bases in the Chicago area, we would appreciate an introduction to build partnerships for current programs and initiatives with Veterans.

Your time and effort assisting with this is greatly appreciated.

08/14/2024

Free Food Pop Up
730 to 830am August 15 WE WILL BE DONE by 9am
at Lain-Sullivan, 50 Westwood Drive in Park Forest.
We will also be passing out oak saplings. no limit. to plant in your yard or field.
PLEASE take for as many families as you can each time. PLEASE COME AND SHARE THE ABUNDANCE! Everyone is welcome!
Roll down all windows. Have trunk clean. Please don't be on the phone for our volunteers ' safety. Please do not bring a mean, growling, barking dog for the safety of our volunteers.
If you have a service dog it MUST be wearing a vest.
Many of our volunteers do not like dogs and I will not force them to put food in a vehicle that has a dog.
Yes, you can get a set up for friends and family just ask. There are no residency requirements and no limit on how many families you want to get food for

08/13/2024

08/13/2024

Looking for vendors for our October 12 Veterans Appreciation Day event outdoors at UAW in Chicago Heights.
There will be a CHPD K9 demo and an Archery demo with Alex Wifler.
If you are selling items...vendor fee is $25. If you are only passing out info for a business fee is $25.
If you will be giving multiple items (letter openers, mugs, cuzzies, pens, handmade items, etc....) away to veterans... there will be no fee. (it can't just be a keychain).
If you pass out info for veterans programs and items for vets fee is free.
Contact me with any questions.
I am hoping to get between 250-300 people to attend.

08/13/2024

OPEN TO ALL FREE FOOD
10:30am August 14 at Speedmart, 14303 S. Wood Street in Dixmoor.
Yes you can get a set up for friends and family just ask. There are no residency requirements and no limit on how many families you want to get food for.

08/13/2024

FREE FOOD
Passing out food between 730-830 AM August 14 at Crete Township Fire Protection District, 26730 Stoney Island sponsored by Illinois Partners In Hope and Southland Voice
Roll down ALL windows so volunteers can talk to you and put small items in your back seat.
If you are getting extra setups we need more space than just your trunk sometimes. I promise we will not steal from you. It is easier for some of us to put the items in the back seat instead of the trunk.
Have your trunk cleaned out before you get there.
Do not be on the phone while food is being put in your vehicle for safety reasons. And also for safety reasons, NO mean pets are allowed. If you have a service dog it MUST be wearing a vest.
Many of our volunteers do not like dogs and I will not force them to put food in a vehicle who has a dog.
Stay in your vehicle. Of course, be nice. Please be respectful of others.
Yes, you can get extra setups for friends and family...just ask. LINE UP EARLY. Food has been going fast

08/13/2024

In Loving MemoryJames I. Wagner
Age 94, of Crete, Illinois, formerly of Apache Junction, AZ, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Loving father of Robert (Renee) Wagner, Michael Wagner, Pamela (Gary) Hjerpe, Susan (late Jeff) Huisman, Jean (Gregg) Spathis and Mary (Steve) Knobloch.
Cherished grandfather of 12 grandchildren and great-grandfather of 14 great-grandchildren.
Dear brother of Barbara (late Charles) Strickler and the late Margaret (late Edgar) Schaal.
Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. James will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation to be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Smits – Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Road, Steger, Illinois, 60475.
Funeral Mass to be held Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Liborius Catholic Church, 71 W 35th St, Steger, Illinois 60475.
Entombment to follow at Skyline Memorial Park, Monee, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation.
For further information, please contact 708-755-6100 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com

08/12/2024

Friday August 30

08/12/2024

FREE FOOD 9 am August 13
we may start earlier if the line is real long.
ONLY PARK 13 VEHICLES on ROAD
THEN MAKE NEW PARKING LINE ON ALLEY TO GO TO SOUTHLAND CENTER. MAKE ONE LONG LINE PLEASE AROUND PARKINGLOT.
If there are more than 13 vehicles in line when I get there you will have to go to the end of the line.
Glenwood/Lynwood Public Library District
19901 Stony Island Ave
Lynwood, IL 60411
Please make sure that your trunk is cleaned out and roll down ALL your windows so volunteers can talk to you. Please stay off your cell phone & NO dogs are allowed in cars due to previous issues.
Do NOT cut in line in front of others. You will be asked to go to the end of the line when you get to me.
As we continue to grow with an average of 275 families each week; our partners & organizers have had to adapt how we distribute items. Due to supply limitations, people picking up for multiple families may see a lesser amount of items instead of receiving multiple cases/items. This is to ensure the vehicles driving through the giveaway get as many of the items that day instead of running out early. For example, if you're picking up for 2 families, you may only receive 1 case of an item instead of 2 cases and need to split it up between the families

08/10/2024

To add to the 20 oz or larger clean and clear bottles with caps.... and detergent bottles with caps, please donate some small funnels. not perfume small just regular small for a project. Please deliver between 9-1130am WEDNESDAYS at Parkview, 100 W Richton Road in Steger. SOUTH entrance. OR if you come thru the food line during the week... bring them there to me. This is ONGOING.... so no time limit.

08/09/2024

off the wall but...I need clean CLEAR 16 oz and one-litre soda and water bottles with caps for a project. preferably rinsed out. Drop off between 9-1130 WEDNESDAYS at Parkview, 100 W Richton Road SOUTH entrance in Steger. OR if you come thru my food distribution line you can give them to me there. Thank you!!!

08/09/2024

Good day, beautiful people!
Reminder: Lynwood Festival is tomorrow at the Southland Center, 10 Southland Drive, Lynwood, IL 60411. The event kicks off at 3pm, with the grand finale fireworks at 9:45pm. Please join us for another year’s celebration.

08/09/2024

Beecher Historical Preservation Commission
by J. K. Miller
When T. L. Miller founded the Village of Beecher in 1870, it was already a thriving settlement.
English and Irish from the East bought land for $1.25 an acre.
They were attracted to the wild prairie and abundant wildlife in the area.
By 1856, German settlers owned more than half of the land in Beecher.
Miller arrived in 1856 and began purchasing land.
His goal was to raise Hereford cattle.
When he learned that the railroad would be coming through the area, he bought 340 additional acres. He then owned a total of 1,020 acres.
In 1870, Miller asked George Dolton to lay out plans for a village.
A business district would be located on either side of the railroad.
The business district would be surrounded by housing. Miller named the new village after the famous orator, Henry Ward Beecher.
By the end of the century, Beecher was thriving.
The train depot on Reed Street became the center of activity in the village.
When it was closed in 1960, it was sold and moved to Monee to become a winery.
In 2000, it was repurchased and returned to its original site at 620 Reed Street and restored.
It is currently owned by the Beecher Historic Preservation Commission.
The Commission was established in 2015 to preserve the history of the Village.
It is responsible for the Depot/Museum and its artifacts.
Because the museum is run by dedicated volunteers, it is only open from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays.
The Commission meets every third Wednesday at the museum.
Commission meetings are open to the public who are invited to attend.
The Commission consists of seven members.
The current Village liaison is Eric Gardner.
Other members of the Commission are Don Sala, Arnie Cooper, Janet McCawley Donna Rooney and Sandy Lohman.
McCawley, who is also the Village Clerk, said the Commission needs volunteers.
Exhibits featuring local history include a retired handpumper, a wedding dress and Beecher Herald newspaper dating back to 1907.
There is a recreation of a ticket office, a history of the Village and baseball.
Two famous baseball pitchers, Rube Ehrhardt and Milt Pappas, hail from Beecher.
“We’re looking for volunteers to examine and sort artifacts,” McCawley said.
The depot is a rarity.
It is the only one of its style still located in Will County.
Beside the depot is a Missouri Pacific caboose.
When the Commission meets, it discusses events.
Another Commission event is the Plaque Program. “The Commission places a plaque in front of homes that are more than 100 years old.” said McCawley.
“The plaque gives information about the history of the house and its owners.”
There is a lot of work to do to preserve Beecher’s history.
If you would like to become a part of it, contact the Village Hall at 708-946-2261.
Ask to speak to McCawley or Rooney.
They can answer your questions and help you decide how to become involved.
Or, stop by the Depot/Museum on the third Wednesday of the month.
After the meeting, you can speak with Commission members and see for yourself what needs to be done.
By joining the Commission, you will become part of the recorded history of Beecher and help keep Beecher’s history alive for future generations to enjoy.

Send a message to learn more

08/09/2024

Volunteer of the Month of August 2024
Lori Barberi, an employee of School District 170 since 1991, is a teacher at Chicago Heights Middle School.
She volunteers with the Northeast Illinois Free Food Pop-Up on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
She discovered the opportunity from a co-worker and on Facebook.
Before she decided to participate, last summer she drove through the line at Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library, and she has been a volunteer ever since:
“Right away I knew I wanted to be a part of this awesome project. I asked who I could contact to help, and I was pointed to Barb; she told me to come the next day, and that’s how it began. This is my second summer of volunteering at the pop-ups, and I will be back during school breaks and next summer. It’s a ‘volunteer’ job, but I get way more out of it than they get of my time. I usually head home sweaty and tired but LOVE every minute of it!”
Barberi and her husband of 28 years, Scott, live in Tinley Park, but she grew up in Chicago Heights.
They have two adult sons, Nick, age 22, and Mike, age 20.
She loves spending time with family and friends and running into former students:
“they were all ’my kids’ at one point. I have met SO many wonderful people, both in the volunteers and the customers. Barb runs a tight ship but has a heart of gold.”
“I look forward to each day I get to help with the pop-ups; each day is different, and Barb usually has some sort of quirky gift for us, such as fun sunglasses or hats. We always take a group photo which really makes me feel like part of the group. My only wish is that more people take advantage of the pop-ups. No judgements are being made and we all like to see the familiar faces.”

08/09/2024

Someone You Should Know
by Mitsi S. Hearn
Charles T. Rule, one of six children, was born to the late Emmitt Rule Sr. and Nannie Doris Rule in 1965.
He grew up with music always around, as his father was a singer and preacher.
This early influence piqued his interest and one day after church, his father caught him playing the piano and continued to encourage young Rule.
Sometime around the age of ten years old, his father placed him on the program at a state church meeting, and he sang in front of a large audience, “Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down’, by Shirley Caesar. After this introduction, God opened doors and allowed Rule to lead the state choir, consisting of over 100 churches.
Rule’s next break came when the late Elder Lonnie Harrison assembled him, along with his brother Mike Rule and two cousins, Vonzell and Vernon Rule, and started a group called “The Gospel Four.”
In 1992, he began serving as the Minister of Music at his family church, “Temple of Grace Church of God in Christ (COGIC)” in Crete, where he continues to serve.
Other positions he has held include Praise and Worship Leader at “Word of Knowledge Church,” “Love Community Church,” “Mount Zion Church,” “Faith Healing Center Church” and with many other churches in Chicagoland.
Rule honed his skills by taking piano music classes in High School and college music courses.
He also took music lessons at Music Net in Park Forest and from musical genius Cynthia Nunn, who taught him how to prepare for concerts and musicals.
He served as her assistant director over the Robert I. Doris District Choir for 10 years.
In 2010, he became the District Minister of Music and still holds this position.
His instruments of choice are the organ, keyboard, bass and drum.
Rule is also a writer and producer.
In 2002, along with his cousin Vonzell Rule, they began a new singing group, “The Rule Brothers.”
They produced a musical CD, “Long Hard Journey”: “We were blessed to have our music play on radio station 1390 AM and 1570 AM. It was a journey of songs our fathers had sung and produced, and organ songs God had blessed me to write.”
He has written over 100 songs and produced them as well. “To God be the Glory.”
During his spare time, Rule likes to play the card game “Bid Wiz” and spend time with family.
His education includes a degree in Business Management and an associate degree in Paralegal Studies.
He is a licensed Elder in COGIC and holds certificates in music, legal and bible training.
Rule was employed by Sidney & Austin Law Firm from 1992 to 2000 and has been an employee of the Chicago Transit Authority Law department since 2000.

08/08/2024

LQQK LQQK
More and more baby food of all kinds is available now! Stop by. Load up as much as you want! drive away! Please share and tell all your friends! thanks Illinois Partners In Hope Southland Voice and Glenwood-Lynwood Library

08/07/2024

Free Food Pop Up
8 to 9am August 8 WE WILL BE DONE by 9am
at Lain-Sullivan, 50 Westwood Drive in Park Forest.
We will also be passing out oak saplings. no limit. to plant in your yard or field.
PLEASE take for as many families as you can each time. PLEASE COME AND SHARE THE ABUNDANCE! Everyone is welcome!
Roll down all windows. Have trunk clean. Please don't be on the phone for our volunteers ' safety. Please do not bring a mean, growling, barking dog for the safety of our volunteers.
If you have a service dog it MUST be wearing a vest.
Many of our volunteers do not like dogs and I will not force them to put food in a vehicle that has a dog.
Yes, you can get a set up for friends and family just ask. There are no residency requirements and no limit on how many families you want to get food for

08/06/2024

Another baby food giveaway. Please line up or park your vehicle and get as much as you want!

08/06/2024

FREE FOOD
Passing out food between 730-830 AM August 7 at Crete Township Fire Protection District, 26730 Stoney Island sponsored by Illinois Partners In Hope and Southland Voice
Roll down ALL windows so volunteers can talk to you and put small items in your back seat.
If you are getting extra setups we need more space than just your trunk sometimes. I promise we will not steal from you. It is easier for some of us to put the items in the back seat instead of the trunk.
Have your trunk cleaned out before you get there.
Do not be on the phone while food is being put in your vehicle for safety reasons. And also for safety reasons, NO mean pets are allowed. If you have a service dog it MUST be wearing a vest.
Many of our volunteers do not like dogs and I will not force them to put food in a vehicle who has a dog.
Stay in your vehicle. Of course, be nice. Please be respectful of others.
Yes, you can get extra setups for friends and family...just ask. LINE UP EARLY. Food has been going fast

08/05/2024

FREE FOOD 9 am August 6
we may start earlier if the line is real long.
ONLY PARK 13 VEHICLES on ROAD
THEN MAKE NEW PARKING LINE ON ALLEY TO GO TO SOUTHLAND CENTER. MAKE ONE LONG LINE PLEASE AROUND PARKINGLOT.
If there are more than 13 vehicles in line when I get there you will have to go to the end of the line.
Glenwood/Lynwood Public Library District
19901 Stony Island Ave
Lynwood, IL 60411
Please make sure that your trunk is cleaned out and roll down ALL your windows so volunteers can talk to you. Please stay off your cell phone & NO dogs are allowed in cars due to previous issues.
Do NOT cut in line in front of others. You will be asked to go to the end of the line when you get to me.
As we continue to grow with an average of 275 families each week; our partners & organizers have had to adapt how we distribute items. Due to supply limitations, people picking up for multiple families may see a lesser amount of items instead of receiving multiple cases/items. This is to ensure the vehicles driving through the giveaway get as many of the items that day instead of running out early. For example, if you're picking up for 2 families, you may only receive 1 case of an item instead of 2 cases and need to split it up between the families.

08/03/2024

Don't forget after the garage sales this weekend, Free Food Pop Up will accept all leftovers as donations to be given to the homeless, immigrants, families who have had a house fire, Hopkins Park, Illinois and Marion, Indiana for families in need. Deliveries can be made between 9-1130am Wednesdays at Parkview, 100 W Richton Road in Steger, EAST entrance across from the park. I appreciate your consideration in helping families less fortunate. NOTHING is EVER sold.

08/03/2024

One week from tomorrow, August 10th, Crete Township will host a BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION in the Township Hall parking lot! We will be giving away SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!! We’ll be there from 10:00am till 2:00! We’ll have free popcorn & other things.
Parents & Grandparents please sign up to sell your kids clothes, toys & other items! Call 708-672-8279 and sign up M-F 8:30-4:00.