PAWS FOR A CAUSE NEUTERS, SPAYS OUTDOOR CATS
Paws for a Cause Vet Care of Naperville was one of several animal welfare organizations in the Chicago area to provide free spay and neuter surgeries to help control outdoor cat populations.
From March 9 to 15, organizations participated in the Chicagoland Humane Coalition Outdoor Cat Spay and Neuter Tour, a first-of-its-kind collaborative way to address community cat overpopulation. Community cats are free-roaming, live outside and don’t have an owner, the coalition said.
Paws for a Cause, a nonprofit group, spayed and neutered 131 cats during the tour at no cost to those who humanely trapped and/or take care of the animals.
The cats were spayed, neutered and vaccinated before being returned their original location. Organizers said the method is recognized as the most effective way to reduce outdoor cat populations while improving the welfare of cats and the neighborhoods they inhabit.
COLLEGE OF DUPAGE AWARDED USDA GRANT
College of DuPage was awarded a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to help expand its sustainable urban farming training and create new career pathways for under-resourced and incarcerated students.
The college offers the Facilitating Opportunities for Re-entry and Workforce Advancement Through Agricultural Development program, or COD-FORWARD, an initiative that helps provide certificates in urban farming and sustainable agriculture, hands-on training, paid internships and academic support, a news release said.
It builds on the college’s partnership with the DuPage County sheriff’s office to offer county jail detainees an opportunity to earn college credit and pursue certificates in urban agriculture or power equipment technology, the release said.
Participants can increase their employment opportunities after they are released while recidivism is reduced from 75% to 15%. It has also contributed thousands of pounds of free produce to local food pantries, the release said.
The grant will also support a new three-year position in the college’s horticulture program and will cover half the cost of paid internships for participating employers.
NAPERVILLE TO LAUNCH NEW COMMUNITY SURVEY
Naperville is working with Polco, an independent research firm and civic engagement company, to conduct a 2026 National Community Survey.
The survey will focus on 10 key areas: the economy, mobility, community design, utilities, safety, natural environment, parks and recreation, health and wellness, education/arts/culture and inclusivity/engagement, the city’s website said.
Previous community surveys were done in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2023. Results help guide decision making, strategic priorities and financial planning, officials said.
A Sampled Survey, designed to get a representative sample and reduce bias, will be randomly sent to 5,000 households, which will be notified by postcard invitation before the survey is sent. The process will take place from April 6 to June 1.
An Open Participation Survey will take place May 11 to June 1 and is open to all Naperville residents. It is identical to the sampled survey but participants will be asked to enter their Zip code. It will also be available on the city’s website, officials said.
Polco will analyze the survey results and prepare a report to be shared with city leadership, staff and the community.
