Friday, June 5, 2026

From Albany Park and our surrounding neighborhood communities, brought to you by North River Commission!

NRC Updates

Happy Pride Month from the North River Commission and Albany Park Chamber of Commerce!

We proudly celebrate the resilience, joy, and contributions of LGBTQ+ members in our community while recognizing the ongoing struggle for justice, equity, and liberation. Pride reminds us that strong communities are built through solidarity, collective care, and a commitment to inclusivity.

This month (and every month), support the community around you, especially your LGBTQ+ neighbors and local businesses!

Pictured above are North River Commission team members Caelin, Sonya, and Eve who are proud members of the Queer community 🌈 Happy Pride!

Built to Last: Celebrating AAPI Small Businesses and Community

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for Built to Last: Future Proofing Small Businesses for the Next Generation, our AAPI Heritage Month celebration hosted by North River Commission and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce.

The evening brought together entrepreneurs, small business owners, community organizations, public sector partners, and residents for an inspiring conversation about building sustainable businesses, adapting to change, and creating lasting legacies for future generations.

Guests enjoyed networking opportunities, resource tables, a panel discussion featuring local business leaders, and a community-centered Noodles Party showcasing flavors inspired by local AAPI cuisines. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community support in helping small businesses thrive.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our panel moderator, Lotika Pai, Chief Small Business Officer for the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), and our panelists:

• Andrew and Ling Chao, Somethin Sweet Donuts

• Justin Valas, Restoried Bookshop

• Lou Ella Rose, Sama Sama Project

• Jessica Mueller, College of Business & Technology, Northeastern Illinois University

We are also grateful to Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez for joining us and sharing remarks in support of our local businesses and diverse communities.

A special thank you goes to our sponsor, Fifth Third Bank, whose investment and partnership helped make this event possible. We also thank our promotional partner, Chicago Asian Network, for helping us reach and engage AAPI business owners and community members throughout the region.

Finally, we extend our appreciation to the many community organizations, resource partners, and volunteers who tabled, shared expertise, and helped create a welcoming space for learning, connection, and celebration.

Together, we demonstrated the power of community, partnership, and shared knowledge in building businesses—and communities—that are truly built to last.

We're proud to present our 2026 Flavors of Albany Park Sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support. We could not bring Flavors of Albany Park to life without them!

Support Our Local Families Going Through Hardship

Ongoing federal enforcement activity has left many of our beloved neighbors in extreme hardship. With community members, many of whom are parents, being detained suddenly and without due process, many families in the neighborhood are not only losing their loved ones but also losing a source of support or income to keep their families afloat.

Please help us support our neighbors financially through these devastating times. Your donations to our Affected Families Fund goes directly to families to supplement their bills, groceries, household supplies, and essential care.

You can also support our neighbors by donating non-perishable foods to the Community Food Pantries at Nighthawk (4744 N Kimball Ave) and Restoried Bookshop (4613 N Kedzie Ave).

DON'T MISS OUT!

Flavors of Albany Park is ALMOST SOLD OUT!!!

June 24, 2026

You won't want to miss out on Chicago's biggest restaurant crawl! Get your tickets today.

Volunteer at Flavors of Albany Park

June 24, 2026

Support our biggest event of the year and get half off your Flavors ticket!

Volunteer options include: Participant check-in, restaurant support, parking lot activities, breakdown.

Community Events

First Annual Albany Park Community Garage Sale

June 6 from 10-4pm

All across Albany Park (Map)

Join us with over 100+ sellers at the First Annual Albany Community Garage Sale. Your next great find is hiding in Albany Park! Discover things you didn't know you needed and support your neighbors all at the same time!

Rooted in Care: EMHS 11th Annual Summer Fundraiser

June 18 from 6-9pm

4626 N Knox Ave

Join us on Thursday, June 18, 2026, as we celebrate eleven years of healing, resilience, and accessible mental health care on Chicago's Northwest Side. This year's event honors the ongoing impact of Expanded Mental Health Services of Chicago (EMHS) through The Kedzie Center and LoSAH Center of Hope, and the individuals and partners who make our work possible.

The Horner Park BrewFest Returns!
July 17 from 6-10pm

Tickets are now on sale for the summer's big event: the 8th Annual Horner Park Craft Brew Festival! Sponsored by the Horner Park Advisory Council, The Horner Brew Fest is the largest of its kind on the northwest side of Chicago – this year featuring 40 local craft brewers, live music and an array of food trucks.

The BrewFest is a fundraiser to support the sustainability initiatives in Horner Park. This year's proceeds will be used for the continued preservation of the park's 89 critically-endangered ash trees and Horner's certification as an internationally-accredited arboretum. Additional objectives are for improvements along the park's restored river front and natural areas.

Join a cooking class with Chef Leahy!

June 25 at 6:30pm

4815 N Sacramento

Learn how to make Tofu Peanut Curry with our very own board member, Rory Leahy! Rory has been instrumental in booking our cooking classes since 2023.

Economic Development + Business Resources

Chicago Small Business Study

The College of Business at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is partnering with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (CCC) to facilitate this year’s small business research study. The aim of this annual survey is to identify the issues, needs, and concerns of small businesses, with the aim of guiding policy and research to facilitate the success of small businesses in the Chicagoland area. We’re asking that you complete this brief (5-minute) survey to tell us about your small business.

Survey participants can enter to win a pair of Southwest Airline ticket vouchers. Participants will also receive a copy of the final report. Thank you for your input!

Citywide Adopt-a-Landmark Fund

Due August 10 at 4pm

The Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund provides grants to support the restoration of designated landmark buildings and structures throughout Chicago. The funds are generated by downtown construction projects that contribute to the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system. 

Properties that qualify for Adopt-A-Landmark grants include individually designated landmarks and contributing buildings in designated landmark districts. Adopt-A-Landmark Fund projects must meet the following conditions:

• Restoration projects must be consistent with Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) standards and guidelines

• Scope of work must involve an exterior renovation that’s visible from the street or interior work that's accessible by the public, and routine maintenance is not eligible

• The CCL must approve the scope of work and associated budget for the restoration project pursuant to its standard review and approval process 

Accessing Capital: What you Need to Know Before Talking to a Lender

June 10 from 3-4:30am

Presented by Kimberly Blair- AVP, Communications & Engagement at SomerCor

Ready to access capital to grow your business but need to know what to prepare before applying for a loan? The presentation looks at the loan decision from a lender’s point of view – empowering you to access the financing you need.

Spotlight On Success: Insights To Grow Your Business

June 12 from 9:30-11am

These trailblazers will share their journeys, lessons learned and the values that drive both their business success and their commitment to lifting others. From overcoming challenges to creating lasting impact, this panel is a celebration of leadership, service and the power of women supporting women. Don’t miss this powerful conversation with some of the most dynamic voices in our community! Moderator will be Lynette DeRose, Managing Director, Supporting Strategies with panelist Anna Maria Viti-Welch, President, The VITI Companies, Taneka Tucker, Director, BMO Bank Griselle Quiñones, Owner, Inner G Health and Brandy Riley, Owner, Riley Design Studio.

We are a Neighborhood Business Development Center!

North River Commission is a delegate agency of the city of Chicago as a Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) We provide free assistance to businesses with licensing and permitting support, as well as technical assistance, capital resources, and 1-on-1 business advising. Call our office at 773 478 02020 to make an appointment.

Arts + Culture

Dungeons & Dragons | One-shot!

June 14 from 6-9pm

3968 N Elston Ave

Ready to dive into a thrilling adventure? This in-person event is perfect for both newer and experienced players! Gather your friends (or meet new ones!) and jump into an epic one-shot campaign. No long commitments; just pure fun, imagination, and storytelling.

The Set-up:

-Multiple tables of up to 5 players and one DM at each table

-Access to pre-made character sheets.

-There will be some dice and books available, but please bring your own if you have them!

-Levels available will be 3, 5, 8, & 10 and will be at a first come first serve basis! When you show up, we will ask for your preference of Level but you may need to play at what we have available. Don't worry, our DMs will be able to guide you!

-Our cafe will be open with some themed drinks (N/A)

-This event is 21+ ! Guests are welcome to bring some snacks and BYOB (no hard liquor plz! Beer/Wine is okay!)

Don’t miss out on this awesome gaming session! We can't wait to meet you!

Crime & Punishment

May 7 - June 28, 2026 (Thurs - Sat at 7:30pm and Sun at 3pm)

TUTA Theatre: 4670 North Manor Avenue

Presented by awarding winning TUTA Theatre company comes, a sleek and fast moving 90 minute adaptation of the beloved book, "Crime and Punishment". Impoverished student Raskolnikov believes himself to be above the law and extraordinary to such an extent that he may decide who is worthy of life and of death. But that all ends when he meets Inspector Porfiry, a master of mind games who is determined to elicit a confession from the ever-more-tortured Raskolnikov. Is Raskolnikov going to crack?

The American Project

July 18 - August 8 | Tickets on sale June 18

5100 North Ridgeway Avenue

A middle-school teacher turns her classroom into a sanctuary for asylum-seeking students. A dual citizen invents her own wonderland when neither of her homelands will accept her. Three teens arrive in the United States – from Japan, from Somalia, from Sudan – and find the America they were promised doesn’t exist, so they set to work building it together.

From classrooms to kitchens to standoffs in Chicago streets, The American Project brings to the stage stories of people taking it upon themselves to write the next chapter of the American story.

Parks + Environment

Want more trees in your neighborhood?

Last year NRC was awarded a $200,000 grant through The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to help expand Albany Park’s tree canopy and invest in a greener, healthier future for our neighborhood.

Our goal is to plant 250 trees across Albany Park by 2028 - bringing more shade, cleaner air, environmental benefits, and beauty to our community. Through this initiative, trees can be planted on private properties as well as institutional spaces including businesses, schools, places of worship, and other private properties.

Community members can explore our interactive tree map, request a tree for their property, and sign up for volunteer opportunities to support future plantings. Be sure to also check out our new CRTI campaign video on Instagram to learn more about the initiative and hear why this work matters for Albany Park.

Together, we can plant the roots for a stronger, greener Albany Park.

Take a walk with us!
June 28 from 11am-12pm

Join us for a Chicago Park Tree Walk on June 28th from 11am - 12pm at Horner Park (California + Montrose)! In partnership with Openlands TreeKeepers, this guided walk will highlight the different tree species on site and explore what makes each one unique—from bark to canopy.

Whether you’re a nature lover or just curious about the trees in your neighborhood, this is a great way to learn and connect outdoors.

Housing

Foreclosure Prevention Webinar

June 6 from 10am-2pm

8331 S Stewart St

Join us for our Annual Housing Fair, where we connect you to the resources and support you need on your path to homeownership. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with housing experts, explore available programs, and access tools designed to support renters, buyers, and current homeowners. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take the next step, this event is built to meet you where you are.

Education

2 WEEKS LEFT: Apply to The Odyssey Project/Proyecto Odisea

Deadline: June 15

Odyssey/Odisea is a free, college-credit bearing humanities program for income eligible adults in the Chicagoland area. We believe that education is liberatory and should be accessible to all. This free college program empowers adult learners to jump-start their education in a supportive community of students and educators.

Students who enroll in The Odyssey Project/Proyecto Odisea develop a firm foundation in the interdisciplinary humanities with courses that take place IN-PERSON from August through May. We cover subject areas that range from literature, philosophy, history, and art history to media studies, ethnic studies, and urbanism. A committed and creative group of professors from Chicago’s local universities guide Odyssey/Odisea courses, while students who complete the program earn up to 11 college credits in the humanities from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Chicago Welcome Center English Classes

Summer session starts June 3

4024 W Montrose Ave

Improve your English skills at the Chicago Welcome Center. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels offered.

Only $30 per month. Sessions are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10-11:30am OR 7-8:30pm.

Health + Safety

Donate or get free food at a Community Food Pantry!

You can make a positive impact by donating non-perishable food to our Community Food Pantries across Albany Park today! Shop local and support our local grocers if you can! 🛒

🌎 These pantries are located at:

📍Restoried Bookshop | 4613 N Kedzie

📍Nighthawk | 4744 N Kimball

If you would like free food, visit these pantries and take what you need, no questions asked!

NRC STAFF

North River Commission Staff

For more info, visit the North River Commission staff page:

Kay Villamin / Executive Director (nagsasalita ako ng tagalog)

Alexia Limas / Education Director (hablo español)

Eve Miller / Director of Community Impact

Elisha Jurewicz / Accounts Manager

Farah El-Nahal / Economic Development Specialist/ SSA 60 Program Manager (أنا أتكلم العربية)

Karen Milroy / Economic Development Specialist/ Albany Park Chamber Lead (mówię po polsku)

Caelin Muniz / Economic Development Specialist / Housing & Communications Lead (hablo español)

Sonya Koffman / Community Programs Coordinator / Parent Mentor Organizer (Я говорю по-русски)

FORGE School Site Coordinators

Haugan Forge Coordinator / Samantha Uribe (hablo español)

Henry Forge Coordinator / Priscilla Train (hablo español)

Peterson Forge Coordinator / Emily Berman

Roosevelt Forge Coordinator / Miranda Whitaker

Parent Mentor Program School Site Coordinators

Haugan PMP Coordinator / Lucila Esquivel (hablo español)

Hibbard PMP Coordinator / Fatima Suarez (hablo español)

Palmer PMP Coordinator / Maria Martinez (hablo español)

Cleveland PMP Coordinator / Adriana Cervera (hablo español) 

Help us continue this important work. Donations to the North River Commission directly support programs, resources, and initiatives that empower small businesses and strengthen our community.

North River Commission
The nonprofit community and economic development corporation for the Northwest Side of Chicago, from the Chicago River to Cicero and Addison to Devon, which unites 100s of civic associations, businesses, schools, institutions and places of worship to improve the quality of life for all constituents in our community by creating affordable housing, quality education, community safety and resilience, equitable access to health, arts & cultural endeavors, environmental responsibility, and thriving neighborhood businesses.

northrivercommission.org / facebook.com/northrivercommission / @northrivercommission

Copyright (C) 2026 North River Commission. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

3403 W Lawrence Ave, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60625

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