By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council honored a young cancer patient at the Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 6.
A press release from the City stated Abigail Ayala, 12, was diagnosed with a Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, an aggressive sarcoma, February 7, 2023,
She has spent the last year battling cancer, undergoing major surgery to remove 95% of the tumor. She is currently completing her 18th and final round of chemotherapy before beginning radiation, which will target the other 5% of the cancerous tumor now left in her pelvis area.
Her mother, Sandra Ayala, calls her daughter a hero and warrior who has learned to be strong and resilient, regardless of how tough or painful things have been.
“Hearing those words that my daughter has cancer was the worst nightmare,” Ayala said. “But here she is, resilient, a year later, almost done with treatment. We’re just hoping for good news saying she’s cancer free. We’re very proud of her. She’s pushed hard. She’s given us strength.”
Mayor Richard Irvin presented Abigail with an Award of Valor and some special gifts and games she can play along with her siblings during her upcoming radiation treatments.
Mayor Irvin said to the young student, “When you get that great news that you’re cancer free, Aurora is going to be there to celebrate with you.”
The presentation can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 6 minute mark by clicking here.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items likely to be placed on the Tuesday, Feb. 13 full City Council agenda:
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointments of Patricia Devore and Richard Lawrence to the Aurora Veteran’s Advisory Board.
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointment of Sandra Harrison to the City’s Advisory Commission for Disabilities.
- Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the reappointments of Seth Hoffman, Amber Foster, and Simon Munoz to the Aurora Preservation Commission.
- Consent was given to a Resolution approving the reappointment of William Small Jr., Robert Lundquist, and Annette McMahon to the Human Relations Commission.
- Placed on Unfinished Business is an Ordinance providing for the issuance of not to exceed $58,000,000 Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024, of the City of Aurora, Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois, for the purpose of financing certain casino redevelopment costs, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds, providing for the pledge of certain incremental property taxes to the payment of said principal and interest, and authorizing the proposed sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is obtain the approval of the City Council of a proposed ordinance providing for the issuance of the Series 2024 A Taxable General Obligation Bonds for improvements related to the casino.
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In October 2022, the City, GLP Capital, LP (Owner), and HC Aurora, LLC (Developer), entered into a Redevelopment Agreement (RDA) to develop new site for the Hollywood Casino (Casino) and to relocate the Casino to the new site. The agreement specifies that the City will advance $50 million in funding to be repaid by the receipt of future TIF revenues to assist in the funding of the $360 million project. The City has chosen to issue bonds to finance the $50 million advance of TIF Funding.
Additionally, the RDA calls for the demolition, debris removal, and restoration of the existing casino site at the Developer’s and/or Owner’s expense. After these tasks have been completed, ownership of the existing casino site will be transferred to the City. Repayment of the bonds is supported from TIF revenues generated by the new casino development. The Developer has agreed to provide a minimum of $5,250,000 to accommodate the debt service payment on the bonds. Should the TIF increment generation total less than $5,250,000 annually the Developer will pay the difference to the City.
The draft ordinance is the first official step in selling bonds to finance the casino project. The ordinance is structured as a “parameters ordinance” and sets forth various conditions under which sale of the bonds is approved, providing the terms of the bonds are within certain parameters as defined in the ordinance. The parameters established are based on the terms of the redevelopment agreement finalized in October 2022 and indicate that the bonds cannot be sold should the annual debt service exceed $5,200,000.
The City entered into the RDA October 26, 2022 and committed to do certain things in support of the casino site development and relocation project. The City has evaluated the establishment of a TIF District with City Council action anticipated January 23, 2024. In accordance with the establishment of the TIF District the City has committed to issue bonds to finance the advance of funds as required in the RDA. That bond issue needs to be completed within 90 days of the establishment of the TIF District. City officials plan to close on the bonds in late February 2024 which would allow for compliance with the terms of the RDA.
Approval of the ordinance allows for the City to meet its obligations related to the financing of the advance of funds to be repaid by the TIF District. Were the bonds not to be issued, the City would need to provide another mechanism to finance the $50 million advance to satisfy the contractual obligation set forth in the RDA between the City and the Owner and Developer.
Placed on Unfinished Business is a Resolution approving the 2024 Quality of Life Grants in the amount of $1,017,000.
City government of Aurora documents show the Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened August 25, 2023 and closed September 22, 2023. For 2024, a total amount of $1,017,000 Qualify of Life funding is available.
The Quality of Life Program is primarily funded through the City’s gaming tax (approximately 88%) which comes directly from Hollywood Casino Aurora. The remainder of the 2024 QOL Program budget (approximately 12%) is funded through the City’s Safety, Health, and Public Enhancement Fund (SHAPE).
The outreach efforts of City staff members included notifications to prior and current QOL recipients and prospective first-time applicants.
Under each Email notification, an estimated 520 representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City’s Quality of Life and Community Development Block Grant opportunities. In addition, the City contacted other area grant providers via email to share the City’s grant opportunities and published an advertisement and press release in The Beacon News. The non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop was attended by approximately 75 representatives. The workshop was recorded and posted on the City’s website together with the workshop’s presentation slides.
The 2024 Quality of Life funding round closed September 22, 2023 with 49 applications requesting a total of $1.75 million dollars, which was in line with the number of applicants and funding requests submitted for last year’s Quality of Life funding.
City staff members that made up the scoring review committee included Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager, Amy Munro, Redevelopment Coordinator, and Adam Grubbs, Management Assistant. Each member of the scoring committee reviewed various aspects of each application to focus on the following criteria:
-Completeness and quality of the application
-Budget including sources and uses
-Grant management experience
-Past performance
-Ability to operate or carry on project with a reduced amount of funds
-Performance metrics
-Duplication of services
-Ability to serve Aurora residents based on portion of funding request and total program budget
City staff also completed good standing checks with the City’s Division of Revenue and Collections, State of Illinois, Internal Revenue Service, and federal debarment registry to confirm each applicant’s funding eligibility. Numerous site visits were completed and additional research was conducted to confirm the accuracy of the applicants’ described service areas and outcomes.
Lastly, the total number of youth and education applications received was the highest subgroup with 22 applications submitted. City staff reviewed each application to determine the location of services to be provided and the impacted schools. In total, 96% of City schools, or 46 schools, were included under the City’s 2024 Quality of Life applications.
After a review of each application, City staff organized projects by the requested amount, funding availability, and funding proposal quality. A total of forty (40) applications are recommended for 2024 Quality of Life (“QOL”), and nine (9) applications are recommended for denial. A brief summary of each application received, the funding requested, recommendations for funding has been attached (Attachment A). Additional information including an agency background and detailed project proposal have also been included (Attachment B). Each funded agency, with the exception of sponsorships, will be required to submit quarterly reports and sign a contract in order to receive payments. Failure to submit quarterly reports or to demonstrate direct service to Aurora clients will result in a reduction or denial of payment requests.
Similar to prior years, the 2024 QOL Grant program will continue to evolve. In addition to performance outcome metrics, the submittal of success stories will remain a priority and will be required as part of the QOL grantee’s 4th quarter progress report.
In 2024, site visits will remain a priority to complete basic monitoring and when feasible, a tour of the funded program sites and facilities. The results of set-up meetings, as well as quarterly progress reports will be further utilized to increase partnerships and to reduce the duplication of services.
The 2024 QOL Grants will support 40 activities. These funds will support a wide variety of agencies and fund programs such as youth services, senior services, job training, literacy services, museums, persons with special needs care, and other programs benefitting the residents of Aurora.
2024 Quality of Life Applicant Summary
Applicant: 100 Girls Like Us, Inc.
Agency Background: 100 Girls like Us mission is to build self-esteem, confidence, awareness in girls of color ages 6-17 to ensure they are equipped with the tools today in order to live productive, rewarding, healthy lives as they grow into the person they are working to become tomorrow.
2023 Project Proposal: I Believe In Me.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 25,800.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Administer Justice.
Agency Background: Administer Justice provides legal aid to low income individuals and families. Volunteers at these centers, including legal counsel, address issues pertaining to family law (40%), housing (14%), consumer rights (9%), wills, estates, and power of attorneys (16%), and immigration (5%). Administer Justice has two active centers in Aurora.
2023 Project Proposal: Aurora Legal Clinic.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 5,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Agape Connections, Inc.
Agency Background: Agape Connection’s vision is to bring awareness of and respond to disenfranchised residents’ social, economic, and educational needs with attention to persons of African descent. Agape Connection has been committed to improving the quality of life of Aurora residents by developing and implementing cultural and educational programming for underprivileged youth and children in grades 1-8.
2023 Project Proposal: Sankofa School of History, Culture, and Creativity.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $29,500.
Project Recommendation: $11,000.
Applicant: Alive Center.
Agency Background: The Alive Center programs supports adolescent mental well-being; social change that can benefit the teens, their relationship with each other, their families, and the community as a whole. Alive Center accomplishes this through connection and caring in a supportive and nurturing environment fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.
2023 Project Proposal: The Alive Center’s teen initiated programming provides unique opportunities for teens to come together to learn, create, and socialize in a welcoming, safe, and supervised environment.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $20,000.
Project Recommendation: $11,500.
Applicant: Association for Individual Development.
Agency Background: The Association for Individual Development works with individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical, and/or mental health challenges, those who have suffered a trauma, those experiencing immediate and/or chronic crises and those at risk to overcome personal, behavioral, societal, and environmental barriers to achieve recovery, independence and self-reliance.
2023 Project Proposal: AID Victim & Outreach Services.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 100,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 100,000.
Applicant: Aurora Area Crime Stoppers.
Agency Background: Aurora Area Crime Stoppers (AACS) offers cash rewards and anonymity to citizens who furnish information leading to the arrest of felony crime offenders and to the capture of felony fugitives. The AACS is a community program that works to improve quality of life, including safety, for Aurora-area residents.
2023 Project Proposal: The Aurora Area Crime Stoppers.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 5,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 4,500.
Applicant: Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry.
Agency Background: The mission of the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry is to strengthen the community by connecting those in need with nourishing food and access to area resources. Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry offers on-site food distribution, weekly deliveries, and pop-up pantries.
2023 Project Proposal: Holiday Food Distribution.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 22,500.
Applicant: Aurora Historical Society.
Agency Background: The Aurora Historical Society mission is giving the past a future by collecting, preserving the rich, diverse history of Aurora and the surrounding area.
2023 Project Proposal: Giving the Past a Future.
Project Type: Museum.
Project Request: $ 85,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 50,000.
Applicant: Aurora Regional Fire Museum.
Agency Background: The Aurora Regional Fire Museum actively serves the Aurora community to teach and preserve of the Aurora Fire Department and our region as well as through fire safety programs.
2023 Project Proposal: Aurora Regional Fire Museum Operations.
Project Type: Museum.
Project Request: $ 63,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 50,000.
Applicant: Boys & Girls Club of Elgin.
Agency Background: The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need them the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Their vision is to provide a world-class club experiences that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
2023 Project Proposal: Boys & Girls Club School Site Operations.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 50,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 7,500.
Applicant: Boys Baseball of Aurora.
Agency Background: Boys Baseball of Aurora provides two sessions, summer and fall, of baseball for kids ages 5-14. Their summer sessions has teams at instructional, rookie, minor, and pony leagues. The fall session has teams at the rookie, minor, major, and pony leagues.
2023 Project Proposal: 2024 Boys Baseball Summer and Fall Sessions.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 30,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 2,500.
Applicant: Boys Baseball of Aurora’s Aurora Starz.
Agency Background: Boys Base Ball of Aurora’s Aurora Starz has provided a part-time travel program affiliated with the main league. These are usually the best players at each level we want to provide an opportunity to for additional practice, skill development, and games/tournaments to improve their skills.
2023 Project Proposal: 2024 Boys Baseball of Aurora Starz Teams.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 10,000.
Project Recommendation: $2,500.
Applicant: Cities in Schools Aurora 2000, Inc.
Agency Background: Cities In Schools Aurora 2000, Inc. (CISA) maintains collaborative projects with community leaders that engage families, youth, neighborhoods, social services agencies, and schools. CISA partners and collaborates with local partners to provide daytime and afterschool programs to children who are most in need.
2023 Project Proposal: CISA Comprehensive Services Program.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 290,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 290,000.
Applicant: Collier Community Center.
Agency Background: Collier Community Center provides services that will help low-income families in times of need. They also encourage parents to find work if they are able to help pay bills that will provide the things families need.
2023 Project Proposal: Save Our Youth.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Dominican Literacy Center.
Agency Background: Dominican Literacy Center help immigrants in the Aurora area with ESL classes and provides a citizenship program.
2023 Project Proposal: DLC ESL tutoring and Citizenship Class.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $20,000.
Project Recommendation: $10,000.
Applicant: DuPage Senior Citizens Council.
Agency Background: The DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC)/Kane Senior Counsil (KSC) is a volunteer-driven organization committed to helping older people. They are an active and aggressive advocate for the independence and livelihood of older adults.
2023 Project Proposal: Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels), Community Dining, and Well-Being Checks.
Project Type: Seniors.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 25,000.
Applicant: Echo Development Center.
Agency Background: Echo Development Center’s mission is to ensure that no families are denied access to essential necessities for leading healthy lives, with a particular focus on assisting low-income and disadvantaged families.
2023 Project Proposal: Senior Care Program & Youth Anti-Bullying Program.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 110,734.60
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Fox Valley Hands of Hope.
Agency Background: Fox Valley Hands of Hope provides compassionate guidance and support to the grieving at no cost to clients. Their programs exist so they can spread awareness on grief and offer support to those suffering from loss, so they know that they are not alone and there are very attainable ways they can receive help.
2023 Project Proposal: General Operating.
Project Type: Mental Health.
Project Request: $ 15,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: Fox Valley Music Foundation.
Agency Background: Fox Valley Music Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect and present the music of the Fox Valley area, while providing affordable entertainment and education to community members of all ages and from all walks of life.
2023 Project Proposal: Student Master Class Jazz Workshop.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 12,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Fox Valley Special Recreation Foundation.
Agency Background: Fox Valley Special Recreation Foundation supports the ancillary programs and services for Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. Projects supported by the foundation go above and beyond the scope of services provides but are still essential to the quality of life of individuals with disabilities within the community.
2023 Project Proposal: Soothe Space.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 6,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 5,000.
Applicant: Fox Valley United Way.
Agency Background: The Fox Valley United Way is committed to ensuring that all families in the
community have equitable access to opportunities and resources by investing in positive health, education and financial outcomes.
2023 Project Proposal: United for ALICE Poverty Simulator.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 24,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Fox Valley United Way-SPARK.
Agency Background: The Fox Valley United Way is committed to ensuring that all families in the community have equitable access to opportunities and resources by investing in positive health, education and financial outcomes.
2023 Project Proposal: Gateway to Early Childhood (EC) Programs.
Project Type: Basic Needs.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $25,000.
Applicant: God’s Kingdom.
Agency Background: God’s Kingdom look to achieve social change by identifying social issues such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, environmental degradation, and other concerning needs. They provide awareness, build alliance with like minded individuals, develop clear goals for change mobilize supporters.
2023 Project Proposal: Creating New Leaders of Today.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Hope for Tomorrow, Inc.
Agency Background: Hope for Tomorrow, Inc. operates highly structured, clinically guided, substance free homes for men struggling with the disease of mental health and/or chronic substance use disorders. Their mission is to provide professionally, ethically, and compassionately evidence-based clinical and residential services that empower their clientele to transform their lives and permanently reintegrate into society as accountable, responsible, law-abiding, substance-free citizens in the community.
2023 Project Proposal: Homeless Men’s & Veteran’s Recovery Home Programs (HMVRHP).
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $30,000.
Project Recommendation: $19,000.
Applicant: Illinois Tejano Organization.
Agency Background: Provide dances and annual fest to preserve Tejano music and culture, and raise funds for college scholarships and for donations to local social service community organizations.
2023 Project Proposal: Illinois Tejano Fest.
Project Type: Childcare/Youth.
Project Request: $ 12,498.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Imperfect Angels Organization
Agency Background: Imperfect Angles Organization’s mission is to provide community programs to enhance the lives of youth experiencing hardship(s) who are experiencing a deflated perception of self purpose. They teach youth soft and life skills that will help accelerate their chances in any industry.
2023 Project Proposal: Imperfect Angels of IL-FY2024
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 20,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 5,000.
Applicant: Indian Prairie Educational Foundation.
Agency Background: In partnership with Indian Prairie School District 204, the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation enriches education for students by supporting their academic, artistic, emotional, and physical needs. We share a vision where students achieve success through out-of-the-box thinking, unique opportunities, and exposure to inspiring possibilities.
2023 Project Proposal: Kid Essentials Fund.
Project Type: Basic Needs.
Project Request: $ 5,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 5,000.
Applicant: Lewis Simmons Foundation.
Agency Background:
2023 Project Proposal: Building Strong Blocks Workforce Momentum Project.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 50,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
Agency Background: Loaves & Fishes Community Services’ mission to to provide healthy food and impactful programs to promote self-sufficiency. They believe to eliminate hunger they must address the root causes. They provide access to nutritious food and resources that help families overcome barriers that prevent them from living healthy, economically stable lives.
2023 Project Proposal: Grocery Assistance Program.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 24,000.
Applicant: Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center.
Agency Background: The Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center’s mission is to provide assistance in a diverse area of education and charitable provisions to families. They have serviced Aurora through early childcare, educational readiness, technological skill development, safe/healthy environment, before/after school programs, homework assistance and variety of family support.
2023 Project Proposal: Marie Wilkinson Child Care & Youth Before & After School Care.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 20,000.
Applicant: Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.
Agency Background: The Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry (MWFP) offers residents access to food support, a community garden, and a wealth of partnerships to allow the provision of wrap-around services at three different sites. MWFP’s mission is to meet the hunger needs of individuals and families in Aurora, and surrounding communities by educating, empowering, and enlightening people to be self-sustainable.
2023 Project Proposal: Reducing Food Insecurity and Improving Quality of Life.
Project Type: Basic Needs.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 25,000.
Applicant: NAMI DuPage.
Agency Background: NAMI DuPage is the county’s voice on mental health for peers, providing services to individuals and families. NAMI DuPage’s Community Education program teaches community and professional groups about mental illness and how to engage and help someone with mental illness.
2023 Project Proposal: Mental Health Education for Youth.
Project Type: Mental Health.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Agency Background: Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mission it to provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors, with dignity, equity and convenience through partnerships and innovation with a vision of everyone in Northern Illinois having the food they need to thrive.
2023 Project Proposal: Backpack Program.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 20,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 20,000.
Applicant: Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Agency Background: Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mission it to provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors, with dignity, equity and convenience through partnerships and innovation with a vision of everyone in Northern Illinois having the food they need to thrive.
2023 Project Proposal: Senior Grocery Program.
Project Type: Seniors.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 25,000.
Applicant: Northern Illinois Girl Scouts.
Agency Background: The Northern Illinois Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is designed specifically for girls, and is based on three keys: discover, connect, and take action.
2023 Project Proposal: Project Opportunity.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 49,332.
Project Recommendation: $ 19,000.
Applicant: Quad County Urban League, Inc.
Agency Background: The Quad County Urban League’s mission and vision ensures civil rights for all people by eradicating barriers to equal participation in the economic and social mainstream. Their programs consistently help residents that other programs cannot or do not reach, including those with multiple barriers to employment and financial stability.
2023 Project Proposal: Economic Empowerment Center.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 30,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 15,000.
Applicant: RITAS Ministry.
Agency Background: RITAS Ministry helps with prisoner re-entry who are coming from the criminal justice system. They help individuals navigate complex issues of getting back on their feet after the affects of the crime/incarceration.
2023 Project Proposal: Prisoner Re-entry and Family Support.
Project Type: Community.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 23,000.
Applicant: Riverwalk Adult Day Services.
Agency Background: Riverwalk Adult Day Services designs appropriate programing with varied and creative activities for adults that cannot be left at home alone safely. Although most of their participants are seniors, Riverwalk is the only adult center in the area that provides services for adults 18 and older that are navigating some form of cognitive challenge.
2023 Project Proposal: Staff Salaries.
Project Type: Seniors.
Project Request: $ 15,000.
Project Recommendation: $9,000.
Applicant: Sanjeevani4U.
Agency Background: Sanjeevani4U provides advocacy and support for anyone going through mental health or domestic issues in life.
2023 Project Proposal: Rehabilitation of two persons from mental health and domestic issues.
Project Type: Mental Health.
Project Request: $ 5,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 0.
Applicant: Simply Destinee.
Agency Background: Simply Destinee was founded with a clear mission of offering a safe space to talk about mental health. They teach students to work on wellness in SEEDS program. What began as an open dance program evolved into a comprehensive youth center catering to the needs of vulnerable and underserved youth in the community.
2023 Project Proposal: SEEDS.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 75,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 15,000.
Applicant: The Judah Robinson Foundation, NFP.
Agency Background: The Judah Robinson Foundation NFP offers individuals & group counseling to persons challenges by homelessness, housing insecurity, and severe, chronic mental illness. They also offer case management.
2023 Project Proposal: Homeless Mental Health Intervention – The Virgina F. Dolan Lounge.
Project Type: Mental Health.
Project Request: $ 20,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: The START Program.
Agency Background: The START Program offers mentoring, fitness and sports, violence prevention,
peace circles, and workforce development.
2023 Project Proposal: 3F Program.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 10,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 2,500.
Applicant: Three Fires Council, Inc. – Boy Scouts of America.
Agency Background: The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Through world-class programs, scouting brings together youth of every race, religion, ethnic background, and economic status in programs that develop character, citizenship, and fitness.
2023 Project Proposal: Character and Leadership Development Education for Aurora Youth.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: Waubonsee Community College.
Agency Background: Waubonsee Community College prepares learners for success in the 21st century by raising student achievement through academic quality and technological innovation. They focus on personal, experiential learning to help students adapt to the changing needs of business. Industry, and society. They emphasize a culture of diversity and global understanding.
2023 Project Proposal: Expanding Access: Empowering Aurora Adult Education Learners.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 25,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: Wayside Cross Ministries.
Agency Background: Wayside Cross Urban Youth Ministries (UYM) has provided free after-school programs, which include academic enrichment and youth leader leadership development programming for under-resourced families with children in Aurora who have academic and behavioral struggles.
2023 Project Proposal: UYM 2024 Academic Support and Youth Leadership Development Program
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 50,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 14,000.
Applicant: Wheatland Athletics.
Agency Background: The Wheatland Athletic Association’s (WAA) purpose is to provide athletic programs for families living in and around the Aurora area. WAA offers recreational and competitive programs in soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, and more, and travel programs in soccer, softball, baseball, and basketball.
2023 Project Proposal: Fee Assistance and Scholarship Program for Aurora Residents.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 30,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 10,000.
Applicant: World Relief.
Agency Background: World Relief Chicagoland is a refugee resettlement and immigrant services non profit organization. World Relief provides comprehensive services to immigrant families to support people of all ages, including early childhood support, academic tutoring, and after school clubs for youth.
2023 Project Proposal: Refugee and Immigrant Youth Services.
Project Type: Education & Youth.
Project Request: $ 20,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 15,500.
Applicant: Xilin Association.
Agency Background: Xilin Association is the largest Asian Community Senter in Illinois. The mission is to serve underserved seniors and families by providing diverse and comprehensive social services to empower seniors, youth, and new immigrants by breaking the language and culture barriers.
2023 Project Proposal: Managing Aging Life.
Project Type: Seniors.
Project Request: $ 40,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 19,000
Applicant: YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
Agency Background: YWCA is a social enterprise dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA provides services for sexual violence support and career, financial management, and business services to help women achieve financial stability and obtain training to enter nontraditional careers.
2023 Project Proposal: Early Childhood Emergency Fund Project.
Project Type: Basic Needs.
Project Request: $50,000.
Project Recommendation: $ 15,000.
• Final approval for items on the Committee of the Whole consent agenda are set to be made at the February 13 Aurora City Council meeting.