On Saturday, August 14, 2021, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, and wreaked havoc on the southern region of the country, leaving thousands of dead, maimed, stuck under the rubble, and in desperate need of shelter and bare necessities. It has been two weeks since this cataclysm occurred. Yet, the search-and-rescue mission is still underway. Statistics compiled by the United Nations System in Haiti and the Haitian Office de la Protection du Citoyen have established that 800 thousand people are affected—among them, 2.2K dead, 12.2K injured, 650K needing emergency assistance, 130K of damaged and destroyed homes.

The DuSable Heritage Association (DHA) advises anyone who would like to support Haiti to use Partners In Health "pih.org" and University of Miami Project/Medishare "projectmedishare.org" Both are established organizations that have a long track record on relief work in Haiti.

In addition, some Haitian Organizations in the area have formed the Chicago Coalition for Haiti Relief - 2021 (*) with the dual purpose of providing a rapid response to the stricken populations’ immediate needs and envisioning a permanent vehicle that addresses structural needs and supports a long-term agenda. To that end, a Go-Fund-Me platform was established to receive financial contributions. The Coalition’s coordinating organization will distribute ALL proceeds to organizations that have demonstrably done great work on the ground in Haiti, such as Gaskov Clergé Foundation, Project Ste-Anne, and others.

DuSable Heritage Association urges you to contribute to this fundraising effort by donating to the platform of your choice. If you would rather use DHA’s channels, you are welcome to do so online at www.dusableheritage.com/donate.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Public Library will soon see upgrades to its services thanks to over $4 million in grant funds, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) announced Wednesday.

“Millions of patrons depend on the Chicago Public Library for learning and other purposes, and will significantly benefit from this grant,” Van Pelt said. “After a challenging year for education, the library proves to be an invaluable resource to the community.”

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CoinFlip Signs Biggest Cryptocurrency Lease in City History, Doubling Footprint and Expanding Company Headcount

CHICAGO— CoinFlip, the world’s leading cryptocurrency ATM operator and the fastest-growing company in Chicago, today joined Governor JB Pritzker and local leaders to announce a new 44,000 square-foot headquarters located in the Old Post Office downtown. CoinFlip’s new headquarters represent a long-term commitment to the State of Illinois, with the largest lease by a cryptocurrency company in city history. With support from the State of Illinois, the company will more than double its previous office space and continue to increase its current headcount across all departments of the company.

“We’re proud to have founded CoinFlip in Chicago, Illinois, which has been our home for the last six years and are excited to announce we’re growing. While CoinFlip is proud to operate in 47 states, no other state is pioneering forward-thinking initiatives like Illinois that will make it not only a leader in cryptocurrency but a clear choice for our long-term plans,” said Ben Weiss, CEO of CoinFlip. “We’re committed to doing our part for the future of cryptocurrency as well as for the Chicago community – and that’s why we’re making long-term plans to grow our team here while investing in programs to help local communities benefit from the expansion of cryptocurrency technologies.”

CoinFlip was named the 2021 fastest-growing company in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business. Over the past few years, the locally based company has expanded to over 2,700 ATMs across the country, maintaining a strong record of regulatory compliance to ensure the safety and security of its customers. With this latest expansion, CoinFlip will keep that central focus, as well as map out new opportunities internationally and across product lines.

“Illinois has long been a global leader in financial services. And today we are building on that legacy, working to build a cryptocurrency regulatory framework that’s best in the nation and expand access to capital for innovative companies,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Congratulations to CoinFlip on recently being named by Crain’s as the fastest growing company in Chicago and thank you for your commitment to this city and state. I’m so proud you are part of the fabric of our community – and I’m absolutely thrilled you are doubling down in Illinois.”

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CHICAGO – A measure led by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to expand the amount of birthing center licenses in Illinois was signed into law Friday by Governor JB Pritzker.

“Tragically, 75 women die every year while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy,” Van Pelt said. “It is even more heartbreaking to know that four out of five pregnancy-related deaths could have been preventable. That is why this measure is so important – we must do everything we can to combat the issues of maternal mortality, including increasing birthing centers.”

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