CHICAGO – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, will join area veterans Friday to highlight a new state grant that will help develop and create the Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute’s (ALRI) Veteran Wellness Center, a modern facility to help house and assist veterans in need in Chicago’s Austin/West Garfield Community.
Ford will join leaders from ARLI at their Stand Up for Veterans event to discuss the project at a press conference scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. at Healing Temple Church, located at 4941 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago.
“This project is a tremendous first step in helping to provide additional housing to veterans in need on the West Side of Chicago,” Ford said. “Not only will it help provide greater access to basic needs – including food and shelter – it will also provide greater opportunities to connect veterans with mental health services, employment assistance and valuable social interaction that we all need.”
Ford helped to advocate for the $324,000 grant, which will be used to renovate and upgrade the building at 4957-59 W. Chicago Ave. The ARLI veteran program, which has grown significantly since its start in 2014, now serves upwards of 150 veterans monthly.
ARLI is a nonprofit social service organization that aims to enrich, empower and encourage positive growth of the residents of the Austin/West Garfield Community. For over 35 years the organization has focused on programs to assist children, low-income families, seniors and veterans. For more information on ALRI, please visit https://www.arthurlockhartinstitute.com/.
For more information on Friday’s press conference, please contact RepFord@LaShawnFord.com.
Rep. La Shawn Ford
(D-Chicago)
8th District
Visit Rep. LaShawn K. Ford’s website
Springfield Office:
239-E Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5962
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Chicago Office:
5051 W Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 750-0866