By Cathriona Fey
BAPA Community Outreach & Improvement
As businesses, parks, and other establishments begin to reopen, the 19th Ward Mutual Aid group remains busy assisting members of our community who have experienced difficult times and financial hardships during these last few months. Continuing to partner with various community groups and organizations, 19th Ward Mutual Aid has built up momentum and support from all corners of Beverly/Morgan Park to provide those in need, and those who want to help, with a place to go.
Each Wednesday in the Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr., you can find Mutual Aid volunteers diligently packing up bags of first aid and hygiene products for patrons of the Free Store. Formed through a partnership with Turpin Cares, BAPA and the 19th Ward Mutual Aid group, the Free Store provides local residents in need with an array of products that have been donated on Wednesdays, 5 to 7 p.m. The Free Store has served over 200 families and distributed over 2,000 items. It will remain open as long as the need remains.) Donations are accepted and can be dropped off at the Free Store during open hours.
On Tues., June 23, the first BAPA Teen Corps call was held to organize local teens interested in volunteering in the community. BAPA Teen Corps offers youth opportunities to build service hours, take advantage of work readiness and college personal statement writing workshops, and create service or volunteer projects. Teens got to work immediately, helping with BAPA’s Weeding Wednesday initiative the morning after their first call. BAPA invites teens to get involved. Want to know more? Join the BAPA Teen Corps Facebook Group or contact Mary Jo Viero, mjviero@bapa.org or 773-233-3100.
Another Mutual Aid partnership which includes the Beverly Area Arts Alliance, Edna White Memorial Garden and Turpin Cares, has installed the community’s first Neighborhood Pantry Box. Located at the Edna White Memorial Garden on the corner of 111th (Monterey) and Esmond Street, the Pantry Box provides 24/7 access to various items to anyone who needs food assistance. Neighbors can donate shelf–stable, unopened and not expired, food at any time. The Pantry Box was built and installed by Baird Campbell, Sal Campbell and Ross Weiler. For more information, contact turpincares@gmail.com.
To learn more about the 19th Ward Mutual Aid, follow them on Facebook for news and updates. If you need of assistance or would like to volunteer your services, contact aid19ward@gmail.com or 773-980-6043.
