Business Services/Education

5 organizations offer business programs and education to Westside residents:

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North Avenue Business Association
Shorebank Neighborhood Institute
Westside Business Improvement Association
Westside Health Authority
Westside Youth Tech Entrepreneur Center & Business Incubator
Westside Women's Business Center

North Avenue Business Association

Address:
5308 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651-4337
map location

Telephone: (773) 637-2770

Fax: (773) 637-2450

Mission: The North Avenue Business Association (NABA) is a non-profit, collaborative effort of businesses in the Austin and Far West Side which gives companies greater effectiveness, through their joint efforts, to address their common concerns.

Services:

• Entrepreneur Training Program
• Access to financial resources and assistance with business planning
• Export Assistance
• Access to technical assistance, including expertise in operations management, industry-specific assessment, and new technology
• Infrastructure improvement
• Day-to-day provision of city services
• Public safety

Shorebank Neighborhood Institute

Address:
5100 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60644-5101
map location

Telephone: (773) 854-4360

Fax: (773) 854-4380

Mission: To increase opportunities in under-invested communities by focusing on employment, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

Services:

• Loans--provided through our Austin Growth Fund
• Entrepreneurship--We develop entrepreneurs and provide support  through our Runners Club program
• Leadership and management of the Individual Development Accounts program in collaboration with South Shore Bank

Regular event: Studio Air, where community youth design, produce and sell T- shirts.

Westside Business Improvement Association

Address:
5427 West Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60644-4030
map location

Phone: (773) 921-0166

Fax: (773) 921-0935

Email: wbia@jaske.com

Office Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday)

Mission: The Westside Business Improvement Association provides assistance to area businesses with financial and ongoing business improvement needs. As a delegate agency of the city of Chicago, WBIA assists the city in helping small businesses in Austin and West Garfield Park improve the visibility and viability of their enterprises.

Service Area: WBIA's service area is bounded by Lake Street (north) to Roosevelt (south); Hamlin Avenue (east) to Austin Boulevard (west). Our primary focus is the Madison Street commercial area from 3800 to 6000 west.

Services:

• City Facade Program--WBIA partners with the city in its City Façade Program by administering low-interest subordinated loans for façade improvements.
• Loan and Bid programs--WBIA provides technical assistance to area businesses for participation in SBA, the city of Chicago Micro Loan and Bank Participation Program, tax credits and incentives derived from the State of Illinois Enterprise Zone Program and the city of Chicago Empowerment Zone Program and procuring contractor bids through the city of Chicago and Cook County MBE/WBE programs.
• Vacant properties--We help attract businesses to vacant store fronts and properties
• Property rehabilitation--We help rehabilitate existing commercial building sites.
• Cutting red tape--As a delegate agency of the city, WBIA also assists area businesses in cutting "red tape" by assisting businesses with site plan reviews, contractor selection and building permit requirements.
• Member benefits--WBIA provides its members with free websites for E-Commerce and discounts on employee payroll services, check and credit card processing. For Austin and West Garfield Park residents who are interested in starting a small business, WBIA offers one-on-one business assistance on creating business plans and obtaining small business loans. For those who are still exploring business opportunities, WBIA conducts workshops on franchise opportunities as well as starting a business in E-commerce.

Westside Health Authority

Address:
5437 W. Division
Chicago, IL 60651
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Phone: (773) 378 0233

Fax: (773) 378 5035

Email:  info@healthauthority.org

Web site: http://www.healthauthority.org

Mission: The Westside Health Authority (WHA) acts as a vehicle for citizens on the Westside of Chicago to use in building their individual and community capacity in order to lead wholesome, healthy, and prosperous community lives.  Our mission is to use the capacity of local people to improve the health and well-being of westside residents, and to preserve existing institutions associated with health services.

Services: Please visit our web site for up-to-date information on our services offered and activities.

Westside Holistic Family Services

Address:
4909 W. Division
Chicago, IL 60651-3161
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Telephone: (312) 921-8777

Mission: To strengthen the family and community through a Holistic approach which fosters physical, emotional, psychological, educational and spiritual well-being.

Services:

• Health care programs:
•  Prenatal care for parents
•  Care for parents of children under one year of age
•  Pregnant teen program
•  Prenatal information, child care information
• Adult education classes
• Counseling Service
• Health & support service for moms
• Job training & placement
• Parenting Service
• Support program for women
• Youth programs:
• Alternative high school
• Mentoring program

Westside Youth Tech Entrepreneur Center (WYTEC) & Business Incubator

Address:
4213 West Madison
Chicago, Illinois 60624-2215
map location

Phone: (773) 533-3500

Fax: (773) 533-3507

Mission: Westside Youth Tech Entrepreneur Center (WYTEC) mission is to provide youth and young adults with entrepreneurial, technological training and development of social skills and knowledge will lead to self-sufficiency and empower communities as a whole to build better businesses and a capable workforce that can effectively compete in today's global market.

Programs:

Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O)

Leadership development class that focus on fundamentals of developing and operating a business. Participants learn how to apply the principles of entrepreneurship and complete a business plan. This class can be designed for youth as 8 years to mature adults.

Career & Etiquette

This program is designed for youth and adults. This six-week course will culminate with a fashion show that will give participants an opportunity to be (role) models. Each session will offer hands on activities that focus on social graces, poise, walking, skin-care, make-up and photography.

Special features of the program:

• Strong emphasis on use of technology and computers
• Mentoring
• Field experience
• Participation in bazaar/fashion show production
• All Participants complete portfolio---resume, employment application, & photos (Career & Etiquette program)
• Career assessment/inventory

Availability/Schedule

• After school/In-school, churches and organizations
• Workshop/conference presenter
• Summer program
• Weekends

Fees:

C.E.O class: $179.00. Cost includes textbook and materials.

Career & Etiquette: $95.00 plus $25.00 registration. This includes all class materials and photos.

Please note that field trips are not included in fees. Classes are starting soon! CALL (773) 533-3500 To reserve your seat!

Westside Women's Business Center

Address:
3333 West Arthigton, Suite 105
Chicago, IL 60624-4102
map location

Phone: (773) 638-1090

Fax: (773) 638-1091

Mission: To create opportunities to enhance clients skill through incentive knowledge seeking and the use of all available resources. We will grow and mature as entrepreneurs by setting and meeting all our challenging goals as we strive to reach our maximum potential. We will remain committed to the excellence knowledge and skills building.

For more information, contact Ms. Arnette King

Services:

• General Business Information
• Marketing Information
• On-going financial assessment
• On-going business assessment
• Business Enhancements (workshops and technical assistance)
• Business Licensing Information
• Business Research Information