PAX Foreign Student Exchange Program is looking for host families for foreign exchange students for the school year 2008-09.  Host families help exchange students attend area high schools and learn about diverse cultures and experiences. Students come from various countries from around the world!  Placements will need to be made by June 30, 2008 for the upcoming school year.  Organizations are encouraged to share this announcement with their member.  Places of worship are also great resources for host families. Please help us to place a student in a great home! This is a wonderful opportunity for our family to learn about a different culture, and even learn a different language!  If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a student, please contact Chicago Area PAX Exchange Student Coordinator, Ms. Wright via email info@ajwright.com and put in PAX in the subject line.

Thank you!

The Washington Park Community is serviced by two newly elected Aldermen:  Pat Dowell, 3rd Ward Alderman, and Willie Cochran, 20th Ward Alderman.  We have listed their office addresses and phone numbers below for your information.  Please get to know each of them by attending town-hall meetings and participating in Ward sponsored events.  Remember, an informed community is an effective community.  Let's work with our aldermen to make our communities better! Please call your alderman's office first to see if and when the office will be opened.  There are a lot of community events that are going on that may take their duties and staff into the community; and that includes meeting us where we live!  If we all work together we will have positive change in our community! Volunteer to help in your community, and let's get our children involved.  This is a great way to learn civic responsibility as well as a chance to see your elected officials at work.

Alderman Pat Dowell
3rd Ward Community Office
5046 S. State Street
Chicago, Il.  60609
773-373-9273 - office
773-373-6852 - fax
Office hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Ms. Ward, Chief of Staff
First Town Hall Meeting will be Tuesday, June 26th, 6-8 p.m. at the Fuller Park Field House, 45th & Princeton

Alderman Willie Cochran
20th Ward Community Office
6357 S. Cottage Grove
Chicago, Il. 60637
773-955-5610
Mr. Chestleigh, Assistant to the Alderman
Wednesday nights are open meeting times with the Alderman, no appointment necessary

Washington Park is on the South Side of Chicago. It includes the park named
Washington Park stretching east-west from Cottage Grove Avenue to the Dan Ryan Expressway,
and north-south from 63rd Street to 51st.  Half of the neighborhood's lots are vacant,
reflecting the fact that Washington Park is one of the poorest in Chicago,
with a median household income of only $15,000 a year, although there has
recently been a surge in gut rehab and new construction condominiums,
signaling the fact that the neighborhood is amidst change.


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