KANKAKEE, IL (September 16, 2025) – The City of Kankakee Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) will host a Neighborhood Cookout on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 1pm to 4pm at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene (1000 N Entrance Ave, Kankakee). This community event is for all ages and will have several local agencies in attendance. “We had a great time at our event in July in the Marycrest neighborhood and are excited to be doing this again,” says Community Outreach Coordinator, Samantha Rocknowski. “Finding fun and unique ways to bring resources to residents instead of them having to seek all the services out on their own is what this work is all about. I look forward to continuing this cookout series in 2026.” Highlights of Saturday’s event include: - Free blood pressure checks provided by Riverside Healthcare - A reptile show from Spizzirri Reptile Rescue and Rehabilitation - Music from House of Brooks - An activity area for all ages – seniors and children alike - including crafts hosted by Handprint Puppets and MCA Senior Adult Day Center as well as a small bounce house for children 5 and under - Kankakee School District 111 on site sharing information about preschool screenings and immunizations, plus details about their Bilingual Parent Advisory Council - Kankakee Fire Department and Kankakee Police Department vehicles to tour - food served by volunteers from Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene In the event of poor weather, the Neighborhood Cookout will move indoors. Questions can be directed to the ECDA office at 815-933-0506 or via email at yourvoice@citykankakee-il.gov. About the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA): The Kankakee Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) is a local government agency whose mission is to improve the lives of Kankakee residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing, economic development and community development. The ECDA administers programs that serve the neighborhoods and residents of the City of Kankakee provided by federal, state and local funding. For more information, contact ECDA at 815-933-0506, Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit our website at https://ecda.citykankakee-il.gov/. About the City of Kankakee, Illinois: The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov. ECDA ORGANIZARÁ UNA COMIDA AL AIRE LIBRE EN LA PRIMERA IGLESIA KANKAKEE KANKAKEE, IL (16 de septiembre del 2025) –La Agencia de Desarrollo Económico y Comunitario (ECDA) de la Cuidad de Kankakee organizará una Parrillada Vecinal el sábado 27 de septiembre de 2025, de 1pm a 4pm en la Primera Iglesia del Nazareno de Kankakee (1000 N Entrance Ave, Kankakee). Este evento comunitario es para todas las edades y contará con la asistencia de varias agencias locales. “Nos lo pasamos genial en nuestro evento de julio en el vecindario de Marycrest y estamos entusiasmados de repetirlo” afirma Samantha Rocknowski, Coordinadora de Extensión Comunitaria. “Encontrar maneras divertidas y originales de brindar recursos a los residentes en lugar de lo que tengan que buscarlos por su cuenta, es la esencia de este trabajo. Espero continuar con esta serie de parrilladas en 2026”. Los aspectos más destacados del evento del sábado incluyen: - Controles de presión arterial gratuitos a cardo de Riverside Healthcare - Espectáculo de reptiles a cargo de Spizzirri Reptile Rescue and Rehabilitation - Música de House of Brooks - Un área de actividades para todas las edades, tanto para adultos mayores como para niños, que incluye manualidades a cargo de Handprint Puppets y el Centro de Día para Adultos Mayores MCA, así como un pequeño Castillo inflable para niños de 5 años o menos - El Distrito Escolar 111 de Kankakee estará presente para compartir información sobre evaluaciones y vacunas preescolares, además de detalles sobre su Consejo Asesor de Padres Bilingües - Vehículos del Departamento de Bomberos y del Departamento de Policía de Kankakee para el recorrido - Comida servida por voluntarios de la Primera Iglesia del Nazareno de Kankakee En caso de mal tiempo, la barbacoa vecinal se realizará en interiores. Para consultas, comuníquese con la oficina de ECDA al 815-933-0506 o por correo electrónico a yourvoice@citykankakee-il.gov.
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