>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

A NEW PROPOSAL TO EASE FEARS OF DISPLACEMENT IN THE WAKE OF THE OBAMA CENTER DESTRUCTION.

>>> HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS IN THE WRITERS GUILD REACH A TENTATIVE DEAL.

A LOOK AT THE IMPACT.

>>> I WANT OUR CHILDREN TO KNOW THAT.

THEY ARE THE FUTURE LEADERS.

>> HOW AN EARLY EDUCATION ORGANIZATION HONORED THOSE LOST AT THE 16th STREET BAPTIST CHURCH BOMBING IN ALABAMA.

>>> AND WE GET A DETAILED LOOK AT A ROGUE CLASS IN BRIDGEPORT.

.

>>> TO SOME OF THE TOP STORIES.

STRIKING UNITED AUTO WORKERS IS GETTING SUPPORT FROM POLITICIANS ON PICKET LINES.

>> I WANTED TO SHOW SOLIDARITY.

I COME FROM A UNION FAMILY AND I WAS RAISED IN A UNION FAMILY.

>> SENATOR DICK DURBIN OF ILLINOIS SPOKE WITH WORKERS PICKETING AT GENERAL MOTORS IN BOLINGBROOK TODAY.

HE SAID THAT WHILE HE THINKS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD REMAIN BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS, IT IS REASONABLE FOR HIM AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE WORKERS.

HE IS EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO MICHIGAN TOMORROW TO VISIT WORKERS ON THE PICKET LINE.

LAST WEEK, THE STRIKE AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS AND STELLANTIS EXPANDED TO 38 LOCATIONS INCLUDING ILLINOIS.

>>> WAS THAT OFFICIALS ARE URGING RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FEDERAL EMERGENCY AND IT RESOURCES TO HELP WITH FLOODING DAMAGE.

CONGRESS AND DANNY DAVIS AND CHICAGO OLDER WOMAN AND OTHERS JOINED TOGETHER TO REMIND RESIDENTS ON THE WEST SIDE THAT THEY ONLY HAVE A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE AT THIS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN OFFERED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOLLOWING THE FLOODING FROM STORMS BEFORE THE 4th OF JULY WEEKEND.

>> I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE FOLKS THAT NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO AT THIS POINT.

AND WE ARE REALLY PUSHING THAT DATE OF OCTOBER 16TH, WHICH IS THE CUTOFF DATE AND I'M HOPING SOMEWHERE, THAT MAYBE WE CAN EXTEND THAT DATE.

>> COOK COUNTY RELEASED ITS FIRST EVER TRANSIT PLAN INTENDED TO GUIDE HOW THE COUNTY WILL INVEST MONEY AND RESOURCES TO MAKE TRANSIT MORE CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT.

>> ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY DOES NOT DIRECTLY OPERATE ANY SERVICES, THE PLANNED GOALS ARE TO INCREASE OVERALL RIDERSHIP, FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF TRANSIT RELIANT COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE THE SINLESSNESS OF THE SERVICES.

THE PRESIDENT-'S OFFICE SAID THAT SINCE 2017, THE COUNTY AWARDED MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN GRANTS TO ADVANCE OR COMPLETE 27 TRANSIT PROJECTS.

>>> CHICAGO'S LARGENT'S SUBSTANCE ABUSE CLINIC IS GETTING MONEY TO TREAT MORE PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN IS ON HAND TO ANNOUNCE $1.3 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO TREAT THE ISSUE AS WELL AS TRAIN 675 NEW ADULTS WITH CO- OCCURRING SUBSTANCE USE AND HIV INFECTIONS.

HE MARKETS HIMSELF AS A LARGER CENTER FOR PUBLIC MENTAL SOURCES IN CHICAGO.

WTTW GOT A LOOK INSIDE AND TALK WITH PATIENTS RECOVERING FROM OPIOID ADDICTION.

FEDERAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAY THE MONEY WILL HELP EXPAND THE MISSION .

>> RECOVERY IS REAL AND POSSIBLE.

SEVEN OUT OF 10 ADULTS THAT HAD MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE CONDITIONER AND RECOVERY.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROVIDING THE RESOURCES, WE ARE EXCITED FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>> COMING UP IN THE PROGRAM, A TENTATIVE DEAL FOR STRIKING HOLLYWOOD WRITERS AND PRODUCERS.

>>> THE NEW PROPOSAL AIMS TO ADDRESS FEARS OVER THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER DAMAGE.

>>> WHEN JACKSON PARK WAS ELECTED TO HOUSE THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER IN 2016, LONGTIME RESIDENTS AND THE NEIGHBORING SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY FEARED IT WOULD GET PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

THE FIGHT TO PROTECT THOSE RESIDENTS IS BACK IN THE CITY HALL SPOTLIGHT WITH A NEW PROPOSAL FROM TWO OLDER PEOPLE THAT WOULD EXPAND PROTECTIONS FOR NEIGHBORS.

OUR WTTW NEWS REPORTER JOINS US WITH MORE.

TELL US ABOUT THE PROPOSAL FROM THE OLDER PEOPLE.

>> IT IS A TWO PRONGED APPROACH TO A RED HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET AROUND THE SOON TO BE OPEN PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP LONGTIME RESIDENTS WHO OWN HOMES OR CONDOS STAY IN THEIR HOMES WITH GRANTS FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS AND HELP PAYING DOWN PROPERTY TAX DEBT AND IS DESIGNED TO VASTLY EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AND ESPECIALLY ON THE BIGGEST CITY-OWNED VACANT LOT IN WOODLAWN AT 63rd NEAR THE PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.

THAT WOULD COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AND WHETHER IT CAN MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF COURSE IS THE OPEN QUESTION.

>> WE KNOW THIS FIGHT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK WHEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA CHOSE JACKSON PARK FOR HIS PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AND LIBRARY.

HOW DID THIS GET STARTED?

>> THAT ANNOUNCEMENT TRIGGERED THE COALITION DESIGNED TO PRESSURE THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S FOUNDATION TO ENTER WHAT IS CALLED A COMMUNITY FEED BENEFITS AGREEMENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE FOUNDATION TO PUT THIS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE LONGTIME RESIDENTS WERE NOT PUSHED OUT.

THE FOUNDATION RESISTED THAT SAYING ALTHOUGH PROVISIONS ARE CONTAINED IN THE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY AND THE PARK DISTRICT.

THAT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR MANY COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO WORRY THAT THE CENTER, WHILE PERHAPS CATALYTIC FOR THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO, COULD COME AT THE EXPENSE OF LONGTIME BLACK RESIDENTS.

>> AFTER YEARS OF DELAYS IN CONSTRUCTION ON THE CENTER, IT HAS PASSED THE HALFWAY MARK AS OF THE SUMMER AND WILL OPEN IN 2025.

ARE WE ALREADY SEEN CHANGES IN WOODLAWN?

>> WE ARE.

AN AGREEMENT UNDER FORMER MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT PUT SOME OF THESE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR WOODLAWN AND RESIDENTS SAY THEY ARE WORKING AND THE JUDGE A VACATION HAS SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE AGREEMENT AND NOW THE TWO ALTAR PEOPLE WANT THE SAME PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE SOUTH SHORE.

THE QUESTION IS, IF SOUTH SHORE IS ALREADY A GROUND ZERO FOR THE CHICAGO HOUSING CRISIS IN THE BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS, IS IT TOO LATE AND WILL THAT BE ENOUGH?

>> ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THE CENTER INCLUDED PLANS TO COMBINE THE 18 HOLE JACKSON PARK AND NINE HOLE SOUTH SHORE GOLF COURSE INTO A PGA TOUR CALIBER HORSE.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> IT FELL OFF THE RADAR AMID DELAYS CAUSED BY FEDERAL REVIEW AND THEN THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE MUCH MOVEMENT ON THE PLANS FOR THE GOLF COURSE AND A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE OBAMA FOUNDATION TOLD ME TODAY THAT THEY ARE JUST FOCUSED ON GETTING THE CENTER OPENED IN 2025.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE ON WTTW.COM.

>>> HOLLYWOOD IS BACK IN BUSINESS ALMOST.

THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA WORKERS REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE ALLIANCE OF MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCERS ENDING A 146 DAYS STRIKE THAT REVERBERATED RIGHT BACK HERE IN CHICAGO.

NOW EYES ARE ON THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AND THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS WORKERS WHO ARE STILL NEGOTIATING THEIR CONTRACTS JOINING US IS A NATIONAL BOARD MEMBER FOR SAG, AND ACTOR.

WE HAVE A BUSINESS MANAGER AND SECRETARY-TREASURER WITH LOCAL 476 AND A STRAIGHT CAPTAIN WITH WGA AND A WRITER, PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR.

AND THAT IS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO AMMTT.

WE DID NOT GET A RESPONSE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS TENTATIVE AGREEMENT HERE?

>> WE ARE FEELING PRETTY EXCITED.

OF COURSE WE HAVE NOT SEEN ALL THE DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT YET.

I THINK THE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE BUILT UP A LOT OF GOODWILL AND TRUST AMONG THE MEMBERS.

SO THIS DEAL MAKES US FEEL VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> WHAT YOU THINK IT CAME DOWN TO NOW AFTER 146 DAYS?

>> I THINK IT IS BECAUSE OF THE 146 DAYS.

I THINK IT BECAME CLEAR TO THE CEOS THAT THE WRITERS SOLIDARITY WAS STRONG AND WILL BE BROKEN OR ERODED IN ANY WAY AND I THINK IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SOLIDARITY BETWEEN UNIONS AND THE WRITERS GUILD AND SAG.

AND AFFECTING ALL THESE UNIONS AND WORKERS AND THEY CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND I THINK EVENTUALLY, THEY REALIZED THAT THIS WAS DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND THEY HAD TO GET SETTLED.

>> WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS OF THE OTHER UNIONS.

YOU HAVE YOUR OWN CONTRACT ISSUES OUT RIGHT NOW WITH SAG.

DOES THIS GIVE YOUR UNION MOMENTUM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT GIVES US MOMENTUM.

AND WE ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AS WELL.

WE HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE SINCE JULY.

AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE DEAL YET BUT WE HAVE SOME SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BECAUSE WRITERS NEED DIFFERENT THINGS AND ACTORS AND I'M HOPING WE CAN GET BACK TO THE TABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND CHICAGO, THERE ARE ALL OF THESE PRODUCTIONS.

CHICAGO FIRE AND CHICAGO PD.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF YOUR WORKERS DURING THIS PERIOD?

>> IT WAS ON MAY 13TH WHEN I GOT CALLED TO THE SET.

THE TEAMSTERS WERE LEAVING THEIR VEHICLES.

THE WGA SET UP THE STRIKE LINE, THE PICKET LINE.

AND THE MEMBERS OF LOCAL 476 STOOD WITH THEM.

WE ARE UNIFIED AND WE KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE A GROUP EFFORT AND WE KNOW THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WE FEEL LIKE THERE HAS TO BE SOME MOVEMENT WITH INFLATION AND EVERYTHING WE ARE FACED WITH.

AND WE NEEDED TO STAND TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT POINT.

AND WE HAVE DONE THAT.

>> I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO GET INTO SPECIFICS UNTIL THIS IS RATIFIED OR VOTED ON, BUT SO MUCH WAS TALKED ABOUT WITH AI AND HOW MUCH LEEWAY THE STUDIOS WOULD GET WITH AI AND FEARS THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE NOT JUST WRITERS BUT ACTORS.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS RIGHT NOW?

>> I CAN SAY THAT WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THE STRIKE, WE HAD A NUMBER OF CORE CONCERNS.

FIVE OR SIX CORE CONCERNS WE BROUGHT TO THE STUDIO SAYING THAT THEY ARE EXISTENTIAL ISSUES NOT JUST FOR WRITERS BUT FOR ACTORS ABOUT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE INDUSTRY AND THE PROFESSION.

AT FIRST, THEY REFUSED TO NEGOTIATE ON OVER HALF OF THOSE CORE ISSUES.

THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NONSTARTER'S AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

NOW 146 DAYS LATER, WE ARE HEARING THAT WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON EVERY ONE OF THE CORE ISSUES.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE THE DETAILS.

THE LAWYERS ARE WORKING ON THE LANGUAGE.

IN THE MEANTIME, I THINK WE CAN SAY THAT WE HAVE MADE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PROGRESS.

AND I HOPE THAT WHATEVER PROGRESS THE WRITERS MADE, THE ACTORS AND TEAMSTERS CAN USE THIS AS ONE MORE STEP ALONG THE WAY OF BUILDING A WORKERS MOVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY AND GET THE GAINS THAT EVERYBODY DESERVES.

>> REMIND US OF THE STICKING POINTS.

>> SAME WITH THE WGA IN TERMS OF WANTING TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION AS WELL AS THE AI CONCERNS WE HAVE, NOT BEING REPLACED BY COMPUTERS.

WE ALSO HAVE SELF-PAY REGULATIONS WE ARE ASKING FOR AND STREAMING RESIDUALS IS ANOTHER ONE WE ARE ASKING FOR.

>> YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE FOR NEGOTIATIONS.

CLEARLY, THIS IS MAYBE A STEP UP.

>> WE COULD GO BACK.

WE COULD HAVE GONE BACK THE DAY AFTER WE WENT ON STRIKE.

WE WERE READY AND WILLING TO.

THE AMPT INVITES US BACK AND WE ARE GLAD THEY INVITED US BACK AND NOW WE ARE JUST WAITING AGAIN UNTIL THEY INVITE US BACK TO THE TABLE.

>> HE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLIDARITY WITH YOUR MEMBERS.

HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR MEMBERS AFLOAT DURING THIS TIME?

THIS IS WORK THAT THEY DEPEND ON AT SOME OF THESE CHICAGO STUDIOS.

>> IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH RIDE FOR A LOT OF US.

THE INDIRECT IMPACT WITH THE COMMUNITY, JUST ON THE SERVICES THAT THE BUSINESS HAS REQUIRED FROM WITH PURCHASING AND RENTING.

BUT THE MEMBERS OF LOCAL 476 HAVE HAD TO FIND ANOTHER MEANS TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

YOU FALL OFF COVERAGE.

YOU FALL OFF CONTRIBUTIONS.

WE ARE DOING EVERY THING POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE FOOD DRIVES TODAY.

THE NEWS YESTERDAY WITH THE WGA, A GOOD EVENT.

AND WE ARE SETTING UP HARDSHIP FUNDS FOR THE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY FUNDS.

AND ALSO, LETTING THE MEMBERS GO INTO THE RETIREMENT IF THEY HAVE TO, TO GET THROUGH THE ROUGH TIMES.

>> THE ACTORS AND WRITERS KNOW THERE WILL BE PERIODS OR PERHAPS THEY ARE OUT OF WORK.

HOW MUCH MORE DIFFICULT WAS THIS?

>> IT HAS BEEN TOUGH.

PUT YOUR FINGER ON IT AND THERE IS A DARK CHOKE ABOUT HOW THE STUDIOS SPENT THE LAST TIME TRADING WRITERS AND ACTORS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GO SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR WITHOUT WORKING.

IN SO MANY CASES, THEY HAVE TRANSFORMED THE WORK INTO THIS KIND OF GIG ECONOMY MODEL WHERE THEY CAN HIRE WRITERS AND THEN LEAVE THEM LOOKING FOR THE NEXT JOB.

SO WRITERS ARE USED TO SPENDING TIME NOT WORKING.

AND WE DO HAVE TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO BRIDGE THE GAPS.

AS TONY WAS SAYING, WE KNOW IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR THE UNIONS AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO BE THERE FOR THEM WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LABOR ACTIONS AND WE APPRECIATE THE SOLIDARITY THEY HAVE SHOWN US.

>> SAME QUESTION FOR YOU, COURTNEY.

HOW ARE YOU KEEPING YOUR MEMBERS AFLOAT.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC MIGHT SAY ACTORS AND CELEBRITIES MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THE MOST OF THEM ARE WORKING CLASS IT.

THERE ARE ABOUT 1% IN THE UNIT THAT ARE CELEBRITIES MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE REST OF THEM ARE -- SOME OF US ARE OUT OF WORK.

EVEN NOT ON STRIKE.

AND I THINK IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL IN SOLIDARITY TOGETHER BECAUSE IT IS A THREAT TO THE EXISTENCE OF ALL OF US AS WORKERS.

IF THERE ARE NO ACTORS, THERE IS NOBODY TO DO THE HAIR AND MAKEUP.

THE REPLACEMENT OF US FROM AI HURTS TEAMSTERS AS WELL.

THERE WILL BE NO VANS TO DRIVE US AROUND.

>> TO THINK PRODUCTION WILL GO UP ASSUMING THIS GETS RATIFIED?

>> SMOKE SIGNALS ARE GOOD.

WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF CALLS FROM PRODUCERS.

THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO THE MEMBERS AND SEEING IF THOSE CREWS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

WE ARE HOPING THAT TENTATIVE AGREEMENT SOONER THEN LATER.

AND IT COULD BE A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THERE ARE SHOWS, PRODUCTIONS THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY START WORKING ON BEFORE THE WRITERS AND THE ACTORS HAVE TO GET INVOLVED.

SOME WILL BE RIGHT AWAY.

SOME WILL BE FOUR WEEKS.

SOME AS EARLY AS TWO WEEKS.

>> WHEN YOU THINK SOME OF THE WRITERS WOULD BE GOING BACK AND SUGGESTING THAT SOME OF THOSE LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOWS COME BACK AFTER THE STRIKE?

>> I THINK THAT IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

WE SEE THE DEAL.

WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR RATIFICATION.

THAT WOULD BE AN EASY PROCESS.

I THINK THE WRITERS START TO GO BACK TO WORK IN THE NEXT 10 DAYS, TWO WEEKS AND MAYBE EVEN EARLIER THAN THAT.

AND RIGHT AWAY, YOU SEE THE LATE-NIGHT SHOWS COME BACK WITH A DIFFERENT CONTRACT SO THAT THE WRITERS ARE READY TO GO.

AND I THINK IT WILL BE LIKE LANDING A LOT OF AIRPLANES AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE PRODUCTION CAN START AND WHAT IS READY TO GO.

IT WILL BE COMPLICATED FOR A WHILE.

BUT I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE SAG ACTORS CAN GET THE DEAL THEY DESERVE AND THE INDUSTRY WILL BE BACK UP AND RUNNING IN THE FALL.

>> ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT SAG ACTORS CAN GET THE DEAL?

>> AND VERY HOPEFUL.

>> WE WILL ANSWER ALL OF THIS.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT.

THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS FOR SHARING ALL OF THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> NEXT, HOW A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS HONORING THE GIRLS KILLED IN THE BOMBING OF AN ALABAMA CHURCH.

PLEASE STAY WITH US!

>>> THE SEPTEMBER BOMBING IN 1963 AT A CHURCH IN ALABAMA KILLED FOUR YOUNG GIRLS AND SHOCKED THE COUNTRY.

BECOMING YET ANOTHER GALVANIZED EVENT FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

AND CHICAGO, THE NAME OF ONE OF THOSE GIRLS HAS GRACED AN EARLY EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION SINCE 1976.

AND EVERY FIVE YEARS, THEY REDEDICATE THEMSELVES TO CARRY ON THE GIRL'S LEGACY.

WE HAVE THAT STORY.

>> THE CAROL ROBERTSON CENTER HAS HONOR THE MEMORIES OF THE LITTLE GIRL IT IS NAMED FOR BY GIVING SOME OF THE CHICAGO YOUNGEST LEARNERS A SOLID START TO THEIR EDUCATION.

>> WE HAVE THE BASIS PROGRAM WHICH IS EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT.

IT GIVES THEM THAT LANGUAGE.

THAT REGULATION AND THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL .

YOU WILL DEFINITELY SEE CHILDREN ENJOYING LEARNING.

YOU WILL SEE CHILDREN PLAYING AND BEING DELIGHTFUL AND EXCITED.

>> EVERY YEAR, THE CENTER HOLDS CEREMONIES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES IN REMEMBRANCE OF CAROL ROBERTSON, ADDIE MAY COLLINS, CYNTHIA WESLEY AND CAROL MCNAIR.

THE FOUR LITTLE GIRLS WERE KILLED IN THE 1963 WHITE SUPREMACIST ATTACK ON THE 16TH BAPTIST CHURCH IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

CAROL ROBERTSON'S SISTER DIANE ROBERTSON BRADDOCK SAID THAT WHEN A GROUP OF CHICAGO PARENTS ASKED HER FAMILY FOR PERMISSION TO NAME THE NEW AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM TO HONOR CAROL, THEY WERE INTRIGUED.

>> WE ARE A FAMILY OF EDUCATORS.

WE KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN.

AND WE WERE VERY HAPPY.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT MY MOTHER JUST CRIED AFTER SHE MADE THE DECISION THAT WE WOULD ALLOW THE PROGRAM TO USE CAROL'S NAME.

I THINK THAT IT MEANT SO MUCH TO MY MOTHER.

>> THIS PROGRAM SPECIALIST, LATOYA HAZZARD, SAID THE GIRL'S LEGACY CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A GUIDING LIGHT FOR THE CENTER.

>> EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE LEGACY WEEK.

THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO THE FOUR CLASS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALWAYS ADVOCATING FOR THEM ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES SO WE DON'T FORGET.

I WANT THE CHILDREN TO KNOW THAT.

THEY ARE THE FUTURE LEADERS.

>> ROBERTSON BRADDOCK SAID SHE AND HER FAMILY HAVE BEEN PROUD TO WATCH THE CENTER'S GROWTH OVER THE YEARS.

>> I THINK THAT WHEN WE HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH OTHER, WE FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT EACH OTHER.

WE CARE FOR EACH OTHER IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

THAT IS WHAT THE CENTER EMBEDS.

AREAS THAT BOND US TOGETHER.

>> THIS STARTED FROM AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

NOW, WE HAVE BIRTH THROUGH FIVE PROGRAM AND THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

WE HAVE THE SUMMER PROGRAM.

WE HAVE FAMILY SUPPORT.

WE HAVE THE HOME VISITING PROGRAM.

SO JUST THE FACT THAT WE CAME SO FAR AND ABLE TO SERVE THIS UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITY IS A BLESSING.

>> .

>> THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTER FOR LEARNING AND THE PROGRAMS ON OUR WEBSITE.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> IF YOU HAVE EVER WANTED TO MAKE YOUR OWN RUG, WE MIGHT HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU.

OUR CORRESPONDENT RECENTLY INTRODUCED US TO A CLASS IN BRIDGEPORT THAT AIMS TO BRING MORE FUNDS TO THE SOUTH SIDE.

HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK .

>> I REALLY LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING FUN TO BRIDGEPORT.

>> WITH A SIMPLE DESIRE, SHE CALLS HER NOW BUSINESS PARTNER AT FREE STYLE CERAMICS BEING BORN.

>> WE START WITH THE CERAMIC.

THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT.

>> LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THEY EXPANDED TO INCLUDE FREESTYLE TESTING, A NEW ART CLASS CONCEPT THAT ALLOWS ANYONE TO MAKE THEIR OWN RUG.

>> WE GOT A LOT OF PHONE CALLS.

AFTER ONE MONTH, WE STARTED TESTING.

PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE TRYING TO BOOK ONLINE.

>> THEY QUICKLY EXPANDED.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE YARN HERE.

IT SHOULD BE ALWAYS TRACING ON THE MARKER.

THAT IS HOW WE FOLLOW EXACTLY.

THAT IS THE PART WHERE YOU WANT TO PRESS AND HOLD OR OTHERWISE IS GOING TOO FAST TO FOLLOW.

>> ARE YOU READY?

>> I AM .

>> I'M READY.

>> H SESSION BEGINS WITH A PRACTICED TUTORIAL TO MAKE SURE EVERY DOCTOR FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THE TESTING GUN.

>> YOU JUST PUSH AND.

>> WHAT TO BE THINK?

>> VERY GOOD.

IS IT YOUR FIRST TIME?

>> YES.

>> THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG.

THIS IS THE NEWEST ALSO IN THE MARKET.

IF YOU DON'T USE THE GUN CORRECTLY, IT IS EASY TO POKE HOLES.

SO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIX THE ISSUES.

>> AFTER FINISHING THE TUTORIALS, THEY HAVE THE HELP OF A PROJECTOR AND THEN IT IS OFF TO THE RACES.

>> WITH THE SMALLEST SIZE TAKING ABOUT THREE HOURS TO COMPLETE, THEY SAY THE ONLY REQUIREMENT TO DO WELL IS TO HAVE FUN.

>> ONE THING ABOUT TESTING IS YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE TO BE AN ARTIST IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, REPORTING .

>> THIS BEGINS AT $60 WITH A $10 STUDIO FEE.

MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THAT IS OUR CHAUFFEUR THIS MONDAY MY NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED BY SIGNING UP FOR THE DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN GET MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE PODCAST.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 AND 10:00.

FOR ALL OF US, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

>> I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!