■ Grants help West Side businesses preserve buildings PAGE 4
FREE Vol. 38 No. 29
July 17, 2024 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
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Mayor Brandon Johnson launches program to disrupt youth violence
Popcorn shop h comes to Austin, page 7
Jousef Shkoukani visits Salina Intermediate School in Dearborn, Michigan with United Under Hope for a reading month event in March, 2023.
‘Cycle Breakers’ focuses on providing resources for those on the West and South Sides By MICHAEL BANIEWICZ Contributing Reporter
Mayor Brandon Johnson debuted a new public safety initiative last week that aims to address the cycle of violence on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Hosted at the Chicago Cultural Center, the launch event for the program included city officials, community leaders and stakeholders. The program, titled “Cycle Breakers,” focuses on supplying resources to the city’s youth, their parents and caretakers. City officials described the initiative as a collaborative effort. Among the program’s objectives listed by the mayor’s office include building the conflict resolution skills of youth, assisting parents and caregivers in See ‘CYCLE BREAKERS’on page 8
Jousef Shkoukani throws hat in ring for 5th District school board
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The law attorney runs an education equality nonprofit By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
More than 40 candidates have submitted paperwork to run for Chicago’s
first elected school board in November. In the months leading up to the election, Austin Weekly News will highlight those from the school board’s 5th District — which covers Austin,
WS ! NEF H S A L
Galewood, Garfield Park and Lawndale — to discuss their goals for Chicago Public Schools. See SHKOUKANI on page 9
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