In partnership with CDPH, CPS has three vaccination sites to serve students and families beginning the week of July 12. Please click here to read more information.

Please join us for an exclusive conversation with Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. about the author James Baldwin. This event, James Baldwin: His Impact on the Theatre Then, Now, and in the Future will occur with a local audience at the Kehrein Center for the Arts as well as virtually on June 15, 2021 at 7:00 pm.

Dr. Glaude is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University.  He is the author of Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. 

Dr. Glaude will join the Oak Park Festival Theatre, Austin Renaissance Council and additional Austin community partners to discuss Baldwin’s legacy, his impact on the arts, and his influence on the development of the American identity. Please click here to register virtually, or to attend in person, please contact Ed Siderewicz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The was the inaugural year of The Catalyst Schools Alumni Persistence Fund, made possible by the generosity of long-time Catalyst friends Terry and Monica Toth. The fund’s purpose is to help Catalyst alumni meet urgent needs that might otherwise be an obstacle to continuing post-secondary education. Terry and Monica established this fund to honor the spirit and legacy of John Baptiste de La Salle, patron saint of teachers of youth. Funds were shepherded by the Catalyst Maria Post-Secondary Success Team.

During the 2020-2021 school year, there was $7,459.91 in persistence funding allocated to over 30 alumni. This money went to help alumni with tuition costs, books, computers, supplies and other personal items. We were so fortunate to assist 30+ alumni were from the classes of 2017 -2020, and we look forward to helping even more of our alumni persist in their post-secondary endeavors in future years!

This is a terrific gift that complements the existing The Sisters of St. Casimir Legacy Scholarship, also established by Terry and Monica, and The CMHS Leadership in Diversity Scholarship, established by CMHS Post-Secondary team member Victoria Coriano. These remarkable gifts will enhance Catalyst’s already superb college going and college persistence rates, as well as other post-secondary endeavors of our awesome graduates!

Dear Catalyst families,

We hope that you are safe, healthy and are doing well! 

Currently, all individuals 12 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Below are resources for Catalyst families to become vaccinated:

• You can contact your health care provider- the clinic, health center, or hospital where you receive health services.
• For Chicago residents- Zocdoc - https://www.zocdoc.com/vaccine or use their call center at 312-746-4835.
• Federal, State, and County-operated clinics:
  • State of Illinois Vaccination Locations webpage: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location
  • Cook County Community Vaccination Program: https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/
  • CDC Vaccine Finder: https://vaccinefinder.org/search/
• Several pharmacy chains are currently offering COVID-19 vaccine, and each has its own registration link:
  • Walgreens appointments can be made through this link.  
  • Jewel-Osco appointments can be made through this link.
  • Walmart appointments can be made through this link.
  • Mariano’s appointments can be made through this here.

Dear Catalyst families, 

We hope that you are safe, healthy and are doing well! Everyone 12 years or older is now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Illinois!  All COVID-19 vaccines are offered at no-cost to everyone, regardless of insurance and immigration status. Insurance and government-issued ID are NOT required. 

Still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you are interested in learning more about the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to:

• Speak with your child’s health care provider
• Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html to read more
• Watch https://youtu.be/7bBmQaX2k4w to learn more 

• Pfizer vaccine appointments are available for 12+ at UIC Credit One Arena. Parents/legal guardians must accompany minors 12-17 years old, but consent can be obtained by phone. Schedule at vaccine.uihealth.care or at 833-536-9829.
• Pfizer vaccine appointments are available at multiple city sites. Anyone 12-17-years-old may book an appointment, but a parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment. Appointments can be scheduled at zocdoc.com/vaccine or by calling 312-746-4835. Appointments are strongly preferred, but not required.
  • • Gallagher Way (Wrigley Field)    1119 W. Waveland Ave.           (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri)
    • Apostolic Faith Church             3823 S. Indiana Ave.           (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
    • United Center                        1724 W. Madison St.            (Open daily until May 3)
    • Chicago State University          9501 S. King. Dr.                (Mon-Sat, closed Sunday)

In addition, these partner organizations with community locations also provide Pfizer vaccine (12+): *This list is not exhaustive and may change.

• Alivio Medical Centers: Call 773-254-1400 or visit: https://www.aliviomedicalcenter.org/covid19vaccine
• Advocate Aurora Health: Call 866-443-2584 or visit: https://www.advocateaurorahealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019/covid19-vaccine/?_ga=2.19405048.1932744870.1620250169-1096073175.1620250169#vaccinating
• Chicago Family Health Centers:  Call 773-768-5000 or visit: https://chicagofamilyhealth.org/covidvaccine/
• Erie Teen Center:  Call (312) 666-3494 or visit: https://www.eriefamilyhealth.org/vaccine/
• Howard Brown Health Centers: Call 872.269.3600 or visit: https://howardbrown.org/covid-19/vaccine/
• Near North/Komed Holman Health Center: Call 773-533-7520 or visit:  https://www.nearnorthhealth.org/covid-19
• Rush University Medical Center: Call  (888) 352-7874 or visit: https://www.rush.edu/patients-visitors/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccines/schedule-covid-19-vaccination

CPS Vaccination Site Details

In addition, CPS is partnering with CDPH and CTU to coordinate vaccination events at specific CPS schools.  On Saturday, May 15th between 10am-12pm, Youth Vaccination Events will be held at the following schools:  

List of School Sites  

• Westinghouse HS
• Nash ES
• Marshall HS
• Juarez HS
• Chicago Vocational HS
• This is part of the new Protect Chicago Vaccination Bus project which uses a modified CTA bus to bring vaccination services into the community.  Due to limited supply at these sites, schools located more than 1.5 miles from the school vaccination sites are encouraged to share the opportunities listed above with their families. Vaccination occurs on the Protect Chicago Vaccination Bus, while an observation area is set up outside of the vehicle. A few other important items of note:

Types of Vaccine:

• Pfizer (12 y.o.+ / 2 dose series, 21 days)
• Johnson & Johnson (18 y.o+/ 1 dose series)
• Eligibility:
  • Youth accompanied by Parent/Legal Guardian (12 y.o.+)
  • 18 y.o.+ do not need to be accompanied by parent/guardian
  • Appointments/Registration:
    • No appointment necessary.  Registration is required on location.
    • Limited Vaccine Supply at these sites

• Schedule an appointment with a pharmacy: The City of Chicago has provided vaccines to pharmacies across Chicago. These pharmacies each have their own registration link which can be found below. Pharmacies have been asked to prioritize Chicagoans and current patients. For students ages 12-17, be sure to confirm that the pharmacy you choose has the Pfizer vaccine.
  • Walgreens: register online, call your local Walgreens, or 1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733)
  • Mariano's: register online
  • Walmart: call: 833-886-0023; Option 1
  • Jewel Osco: register online or call 877-723-3929
  • Chicago Costco Pharmacies: register online for an appointment, or call the pharmacy directly
  • Chicago Costco Pharmacies 1430 S. Ashland (Chicago IL Medical District) : call (312) 492-3601
  • Chicago Costco Pharmacies  2745 N. Clybourn Ave (Lincoln Park) : call (773)-360-2052
  • Other Illinois Costco Pharmacies
• Enroll with one of Chicago’s many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  • Visit the Find A Health Center locator 
  • Download the FQHC flyers in English and Spanish to learn more  
• Reach out to Chicago Vaccine Angels. My Block, My Hood, My City has partnered with the Chicago Vaccine Angels to help all Chicagoans get access to a vaccine appointment regardless of insurance or immigration status. A group of volunteers will secure an appointment for you at a convenient time and location.  They can also help with transportation, if needed. If you are interested in booking a COVID-19 vaccination, please click here to sign-up or call 312-600-8925.