Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | View in browser
 Water Safety Tips
As the weather warms up and beaches get more crowded, water safety is important to give thought to.
- Keep tabs on Evanston’s water testing to monitor beach closings
- Beach Safety Announcement
- Avoid swimming alone, regardless of experience or ability
- Supervise children and toddlers while they are near a body of water
- Refer to the Flag Warning System posted
- Life jackets are available for loan at Evanston public beaches
Human Services Division
 We’re Out Walking (WOW) Ending Celebration!
The past 16 weeks have been full of bonding with neighbors, increased physical activity, and enjoying the fresh outdoor air.
Join us at the WOW Ending Celebration on Sat., August 2 at the McGaw YMCA. Get ready for a family-oriented day full of fun! The YMCA will host bounce houses and group workout classes. Additionally, there will be refreshments and multiple giveaways, including an iPad!
WOW events still happening:
WOW Community Walks are open to everyone and take place throughout the week at various Evanston locations. You still have time to explore a full calendar of activities, offering even more opportunities to get involved. Stay informed and connected by following the WOW Facebook page for real-time updates, reminders, and community highlights.
We want to hear from you!
The Health and Human Services team is dedicated to developing health programs that reflect the needs of the City. Your input is essential in helping us create initiatives that support your wellness and shape future community partnerships. Please share your ideas or health concerns by completing this form or reaching out to Community Health Specialist Kayla Smith at ksmith@cityofevanston.org.
Upcoming initiative:
In collaboration with the Reparations Committee and The African Kinship Reunion (TAKiR) Project, we invite interested community members to participate in the Family Roots Pilot Program, offering African-American descendants of enslaved individuals a unique opportunity to explore their heritage through advanced genetic genealogy and historical research.
The data collected is ONLY used for genealogical purposes and for no other research purposes.
FREE DNA kits are available for pickup at:
Ombudsman Unit
 Good news for Evanston’s Ombudsman Program!
Funding for the City’s Ombudsman program, once at risk of being cut, will not only be preserved but will see a modest increase, according to the latest report. This positive outcome is a direct result of the collective advocacy of concerned residents and community partners who recognize the vital role the Ombudsman program plays in our community.
Candice Mitchell, the City’s Regional Ombudsman, has been a passionate advocate for the rights and well-being of Evanston residents living in long-term care facilities. Her efforts, combined with heartfelt testimonials from community members, underscored the critical need to maintain and strengthen the program.
What makes Evanston’s Ombudsman program particularly special is that, unlike most across the state that are operated by the State of Illinois, ours is municipally run, demonstrating the City’s deep commitment to localized care and support.
Thank you to everyone who raised their voices in support. Your involvement helped ensure this essential service continues to thrive.
Ongoing Initiative:
If you have interest in learning how to support individuals in our community, such as those living with disabilities, older adults, or people living with mental illness, the Community Coalition Resource Meeting is a great opportunity. It is held the first Thursday of each month at the main branch of the Evanston Public Library at 9:30 a.m. The next meeting will be on July 3.
Special Projects Unit
 Mental Health First Aid Training is available for all
The City is still sponsoring Mental Health First Aid trainings that teach you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders, equipping you to respond to a mental health crisis with compassion and confidence.
Click your desired training date and fill out a brief registration form:
While the training is provided at no cost to community members, there are expenses associated with your participation and limits on class sizes. If your plans change and you can no longer attend after signing up for a date, please let us know ASAP.
All trainings require two hours of virtual pre-work that must be completed before the in-person sessions.
We will offer more training dates in the future, so this is not your only chance to participate. Thank you, and please help us spread the word to fellow community members who may also be interested in this training!
Ongoing initiative:
The Evanston Health Hub is a drop-in program open to all community members, offering free health screenings and resources. The Health Hub is located on the ground floor of Ebenezer AME Church at 1109 Emerson St. and operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.
Workforce Development Division
 ASPIRE Evanston Program
The City is proud to announce the official launch of the ASPIRE Evanston Program, a transformative workforce development initiative designed to build career pathways in the healthcare sector for Evanston residents.
This summer, 64 participants, including ETHS students, college students, and community members, will take part in a 10-week paid internship program in partnership with Endeavor Health. Through hands-on learning experiences in a variety of clinical and administrative healthcare roles, participants will gain valuable exposure to one of the region’s most vital and fast-growing industries.
ASPIRE Evanston is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to:
- Advance economic opportunity for youth and adult residents
- Cultivate a diverse and inclusive healthcare talent pipeline
- Strengthen local workforce readiness by aligning training with real-world employment needs
Participants will be placed in various departments at Endeavor Health facilities, where they will receive mentorship, on-the-job training, and professional development support. This initiative not only equips participants with critical workplace skills but also opens doors to long-term careers in healthcare.
The City extends its gratitude to Endeavor Health and community partners for their dedication to empowering Evanston residents and fostering equitable access to high-quality job experiences.
For more information, join the Workforce Development Newsletter or email workforcedevelopment@cityofevanston.org.
Public Health Division
Communicable Disease Unit
 Information on Bats and Rabies
If you find a bat in your home, avoid all physical contact. Do not try to get the bat to go outdoors. The bat should be safely captured, and it should remain in a closed box or bin until you have spoken with the City’s Animal Control Warden or Health Department. Do not release the bat unless you have been instructed to do so. Once captured, please call the Evanston Police Department at 847-866-5000 so that testing of the bat for rabies can be coordinated through Animal Control. If you do not feel comfortable capturing the bat yourself, confine it to a room and call the Evanston Police Department for assistance at 847-866-5000
After Animal Control has arranged for testing of the bat, the Health Department will assess the risk of rabies from a bat exposure for all people in the home. Most bats do not have rabies, and simply finding a bat in the home is not an indication to start rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Health Department staff will ask questions to make a recommendation on prophylaxis based on each unique situation.
If you have had any physical contact with a bat or other wild animal, you can also call the health department via Evanston 311 for a rabies risk assessment. Additional information on bats can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s page.
Staying Healthy While Traveling Internationally
With the summer travel season in full swing, it's important to take action before, during and after your trip to stay healthy. The CDC provides a list of travel recommendations based on the destination country. This list offers guidance on vaccines that may be needed before travel, but also specific precautions to take while in that country, such as avoiding certain areas due to an increased disease risk or preventing insect bites.
Globally, measles cases are increasing, so the CDC recommends that all international travelers be fully vaccinated with MMR before they leave the United States. If you have a trip planned this summer, please talk with your doctor or pharmacist about receiving MMR and other travel vaccines at least a month before your departure.
Ongoing initiatives:
We offer free safer sex supplies, educational materials, and community referrals on the second Tuesday of each month from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the 1st floor of the Evanston Public Library.
Thank you for learning more about us! Don't hesitate to contact any of our divisions.
Have a great day,
City of Evanston Health and Human Services Department
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