Thank you to everyone who spent their Valentine's Day evening with CHICO at Mi Lindo Tizapan with a live musical performance by Ethan Stephenson.

This month we are proud to spotlight one of the local Latinx-owned businesses in Decatur.

Las Margaritas open their second location in Fairview Plaza (1603 W King St) in February!

They are open 7 days a week.

Visit their Facebook page to stay up-to-date with their daily specials or call 217-542-7113.

The information here is designed to provide advice and resources that can help you handle being suddenly laid off or fired from a job.

EMMA International is looking for pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals to work at various sites for their multinational pharmaceutical client. The following roles are open and available for immediate start:

If you are interested, email your resume Kira Jabri at kira.jabri@emmainternational.com.

Home City Ice is a local ice manufacturer and distributor in the Decatur area.

They are currently hiring for first and second shift production positions with opportunities to work third shifts as summer approaches.

Anyone interested can apply via their website or at their facility located at 2304 N Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

For any questions, contact Tom Williams at 217-519-1342.

DPS is looking for teachers, teaching assistant, secretaries, maintenance, security, and custodial staff.

This entry-level hands-on workshop will guide you through your LinkedIn profile to get the attention of recruiters, potential employers, and business prospects.

This complimentary class will be hosted at Cass Concepts on Sunday, March 12 from 3:00 to 6:00pm. RSVP is required.

The Decatur Conference Center & Hotel located at 4191 Rt. 36 W on Tuesday, March 14 at 9:00am to 3:00pm.

There will be a free lunch provided for applicants from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

Decatur Public Schools is hosting a career fair for upcoming DPS graduates and other students looking for full-time, part-time, and summer jobs.

For businesses wanting to reserve table space, RSVP to Leslie Risby at lrisby@dps61.org or 217-855-8156 by March 17.

The Decatur Family YMCA is now hiring various positions. Apply online by visiting their website.

Ministerio Pacto de Fe will be hosting a free conversational English 12-week class from 7:00 to 8:00pm beginning on March 10th.

If you are interested in improving your conversational English, fill out this form.

If you are interested in helping others with their English, fill out this form.

For additional questions, contact

Mallory Christensen at christensenma16@gmail.com.

The Good Samaritan Inn is looking for March volunteers to help serve their daily meals.

The 9:00 to 11:00 am shift can be filled by 2-3 people and involves food preparation.

The 11:00 am to 1:00 pm shift requires 4 to 6 people to help serve patrons the daily noon meal.

To sign up, call 217-429-1455 or email outreach@goodsaminn.org.

Registration is open until March 27 for Dove's domestic violence education and volunteer training.

Call 217-428-6616 to register.

Looking for a dependable source of information about and assistance with healthcare, housing, food, and more?

Community members may also set up a confidential appointment with the library Social Worker. All assistance is free and available to the public.

The Library is currently conducting a community needs assessment to guide its services, programs, and other priorities in the coming years. Please take a few minutes to complete the following community survey.

Northeast Community Fund has created the Family Investment Program to help families transition off public assistance and become financially self-sufficient.

The program director intensively partners up to 15 families at a time, working on things such as budgeting, prioritizing, coping skills, and self-advocacy.

For more information, contact Karina Corpus at familyinvestment@northeastcommunityfund.org or 217-429-5846.

The Better Birth Outcomes Program is designed to help eligible high-risk pregnant women in Macon County. This is a free program that offers one-on-one supportive prenatal education to mothers to promote a healthy pregnancy and health babies.

For more information, call 217-423-6988 Ext. 1335.

Dove, Inc. has special funding available for seniors aged 60 and older who are residents of Macon County.

To apply, contact Molly Tenuto at 217-433-7435 or DFA@doveinc.org to fill out an application.

Dove's Children's Clothing Room is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:30p.m. at Central Christian Church located at 650 W William St.

If you would like to donate but can't make it during those hours, contact Dove Inc. to schedule a drop off.

Every Tuesday and Thursday from

9 - 11:30 a.m., the Empowerment Opportunity Center located at 360 E Marietta St. provides free personal and household supplies to those in need.

First-time shoppers will need a valid ID to preregister for this service.

For more information, call 217-428-0155.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 - 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 - 10 a.m., the Salvation Army located at 229 W Main St., provides free food items to those in need.

Millikin University and the Decatur Public Library are providing free 2022 tax preparation assistance by appointment only.

Eligibility: Families with incomes of $70,000 or less OR individuals with incomes of $35,000 or less.

To make an appointment, call

For more information, visit their website.

Hickory Point Bank & Trust's Downpayment Plus Program is awarding up to $10,000 to eligible homebuyers to use toward down payment and closing costs.

Homebuyers must meet income eligibility requirements and:

This is a free program that mails an age appropriate book every month to every registered child in Macon County from birth to age 5.

Visit their website to register your child.

Birth to Five Illinois is reimagining a more equitable Early Childhood Education and Care system that ensures family and community voice is centered and prioritized at every level of decision-making in Illinois.

The Regional Team want to talk to caregivers of children ages 0-5, early childhood educators and service providers in focus groups and interview.

To be considered, please fill out a consent form.

Baby Talk has family friendly events in March. These small groups are designed for families with children birth to 3 years of age. Parents can share questions and concerns, celebrate their children, and join in on fun books, finger plays, and songs.

Richland Community College is offering the following non-credit courses beginning in March to improve professional development and on-the-job skills.

Visit their website to register for these courses.

The Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO) will be hosting a Candidates Forum on Wednesday, March 8th at the Decatur Public Library from 5:00 to 7:30pm.

Troop 134 Scouts are holding a drive thru pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 11 from 7:30 to 9:30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church located at 3850 Lourdes Dr. For only $5, you will receive pancakes, sausage, and syrup.

This fundraiser will help raise money for the Scouts' summer adventures on the Chesapeake Bay and Appalachian Trail.

This event is open to all men ages 16 and up to get information on health, careers, fitness, finance & more.

RSVP to Antwane McClelland Sr at 217-520-9031.

The Fabulous Motown Revue - America's top Motown party band with a roster of Motown, Disco, R&B, and Pop songs will be performing at the Lincoln Square Theatre on Saturday, March 11 at 7:00pm.

Join the Millikin University Center for Entrepreneurship on Sunday, March 12 at the UC Commons from Noon to 4:00pm and shop from local small businesses.

For more information, contact Isabella Voss at IVoss@millikin.edu.

Suga Fix will be holding 5 days of baking and decorating fun for youth ages 7-12 on March 13-17 from 7:30am to 5:00pm.

Classes are $200 for the week or $50/day. Reserve your spot online.

Dove Financial Assistance and the Energy Assistance Foundation (EAF) are co-hosting a dedicated evening of service to assist Ameren Illinois customers eligible for the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program.

The event will be held on Wednesday, March 15 from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Decatur Public Library Madden Auditorium.

For program information including income guidelines, visit their website.

Young people are invited to help us create art for the Gallery of Hope exhibit which encourages conversations around mental health and wellness.

Young artists (3-17 years old) will have opportunities to come to Children's Museum of Illinois (55 S. Country Club Rd.) and make a masterpiece for the Gallery of Hope which will be showcased at the Children's Museum of Illinois March 24-26.

Registration is not needed for this event and is free.

Step up to the plate and get your child registered for the Decatur Park District's Youth Baseball and Softball leagues on March 18 from 9:00am to Noon and March 19 from 11:30am to 2:30pm at the DISC.

The Decatur Underground Theater presents The Secret Garden the Musical on March 24 - 26 & March 31 - April 2.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the website.

Tickets are now available for Richland Community College's 15th Annual Culinary Scholarship Dinner.

Students will prepare their favorite New York-style dishes for guest in the Shilling Community Education Center on Saturday, March 25 at 5pm. All proceeds will benefit students in the Culinary Institute.

Early voting has begun for the upcoming consolidated election on April 4th.

To cast your ballot, visit 141 S Main St., Room 119.

The BHW Scholarship is open to women who are pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics during the 2023 school year.

The Denes I. Bardos Award is given to students in recognition for achievement in their community and science or engineering.

Applications are open to first or second generation immigrants and students in their final year of high school or students enrolled in a college degree program within the past 6 months.

The ILBCF is offering educational scholarship opportunities to high school seniors and undergraduate students who will continue their education at a two or 4-year institution in Fall 2023.