■ Chance the Rapper buys lunch for West Side students PAGE 3
FREE Vol. 38 No. 39
September 25, 2024 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
@AustinWeeklyNews
@austinweeklynews
@AustinWeeklyChi
BUILD brings ‘country’ to the city, page 6
Sankofa Wellness Village holds groundbreaking for new center The first part of the Madison Street project will be the Sankofa Wellness Center By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Public officials, partners, funders and nearly 200 others attended the Sankofa Wellness Center groundbreaking Sept. 16 in West Garfield Park. The Sankofa Wellness Center at 4305 W. Madison St. is the first part of the larger Sankofa Wellness Village. Its construction aims to improve the health of Garfield Park residents, who on average live 13 years less than those in Chicago’s Loop five miles east, according to officials. “Garfield Park is a beacon of light and resiliency, despite having the lowest life expectancy in the region,” said Ayesha Jaco, executive director of hospital collaborative West Side United. “We believe that Garfield Park, and the entire region, has the right to inherit communities that will increase healthcare access, jobs and career pathways that generate wealth, small business capital and support that lead to stronger and new businesses like Fillmore Linen.” Expected to be completed by the fall of 2025, the Sankofa Wellness Center — in addition to See SANKOFA on page 7
Austin EmP.O.W.E.R.ed TODD A. BANNOR
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson starts his run in the Austin P.O.W.E.R. 5K with community members on Saturday, Sept. 21. See more photos on page 5.
WS ! NEF H S A L
You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at AustinWeeklyNews.com