■ Laundry and a day care? PAGE 7 Summer/Fall 2026
SENIOR
FREE
living
Vol. 40 No. 32
August 19, 2026 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
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Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church
HOC church has potential nonprofit buyer Realtor says sale could close as early as Thursday
TODD BANNOR
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
The former Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church at 832 N. Leclaire, previously occupied by St. Mark International Christian Church until more than a decade ago, may have a buyer. Commercial real estate agent Fermin Perez of Century 21 Circle said Monday
that the church, which has been vacant for years and is pocked by graffiti and broken windows, along with structural problems, is for sale for $90,000 and could be purchased by an unnamed nonprofit as early as Thursday. He said that while St. Mark is technically the owner of the property, Brea, Calif.-based Ministry Partners Investments Company LLC is the mortgagee
and will be meeting with Perez and the nonprofit that morning to discuss a deal and plans for the property, which could include a church, community center and possibly apartments. “It’s going to be considered a short sale, which is when the financial institution is willing to accept less than what is owed,” Perez said. “The only one that can accept See CHURCH on page 12
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Senior Living Page 8
West Side back-to-school event offers free supplies, haircuts and food At the Fred Hampton Mural, West Side youth also receive a message of support By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter
As Chicago students prepare to return to school, A Boy and His Dream and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. brought free school supplies, haircuts, food and other resources to families on Sunday at the Fred Hampton Mural. A Boy and His Dream is a local nonprofit organization that supports underserved youth in Chicago communities and in Nigeria. Fred Hampton Jr. is a Chicago community organizer and activist. The Fred Hampton Mural at the corner of Madison Street and California Avenue honors his father, Fred Hampton Sr., a See BACK-TO-SCHOOL on page 11