Windy City ToolBank & Midwest Disaster Services Hub

08/26/2026

🚨 🦺 WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN DISASTER STRIKES? 🦺 🚨

Chicago’s FREE Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is back, and the next class starts September 15!

🔥 Fire safety
🩹 Emergency medical operations
🔦 Light search & rescue
⚠️ Disaster preparedness
🧠 Disaster psychology
☣️ Hazmat & utility safety
🚨 Supporting emergency response

All FREE. All taught right here in Chicago.

📅 SEPT. 15 – OCT. 15
⏰ TUESDAYS + THURSDAYS | 6–9 PM
📍 OEMC | 1411 W. Madison St.
💰 COST: FREE!

And you actually get to train inside Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications!

👀 If you've never seen OEMC, that alone is pretty darn cool.

But here's why I really think people should do this:

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through disaster response is that you don’t have to be a professional first responder to be useful during an emergency.

When something goes wrong, having people in our neighborhoods who are trained, prepared, and know how to SAFELY step in can make an enormous difference.

CERT gives everyday Chicagoans those skills.

🙋 Never done anything like this before? THAT'S OKAY.

CERT is designed to teach community members basic, hands-on disaster response skills that can be useful in everyday emergencies and major disasters.

🏙️ MORE TRAINED CHICAGOANS = A MORE PREPARED CHICAGO.

🚨 Classes begin Tuesday, September 15, so sign up soon!

👇 REGISTER HERE 👇
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qc02cC0GUUGBRJfdxW5wJ6umZbFK7nBLkqS_lN1jEQRUOUdXS0xPNEtSSU9YM0ZRWkdYNlFaWlM2Wi4u&route=shorturl

ℹ️ Learn more about Chicago CERT:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/oem/provdrs/edu/svcs/become_a_cert_volunteer.html

📧 Questions: [email protected]

🚗 LIMITED PARKING at OEMC. The parking lot entrance is on Laflin just south of Madison. Free street parking is also available around Skinner Park. Arrive early!

💧 Water + light snacks provided. Eat before class.

❤️ Know someone who is ALWAYS the first person to jump in and help?

TAG THEM. SEND THEM THIS. SIGN UP TOGETHER.

08/19/2026

🔩 Know Your Bits! 🪛

Join us for Know Your Bits, a fun, hands-on workshop where you'll learn all about using drills for the right purpose!

✨ No experience necessary!
🌎 Bilingual instruction available in English and Spanish.

Bring your own drill if you have questions about it, or use ours. We'll have plenty of tools, bits, and fasteners for everyone to try.

📅 Saturday, August 22
🕥 10:30 AM
📍 Windy City ToolBank

💙 Free (similar workshops often cost $50–$75) Donations welcome!

🔗 Registration link is QR Code or in the first comment.



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🔩✨ ¡Conoce tus bits (brocas)! ✨🔩

¿Piensas que todos los taladros son iguales? ¡Piensa de nuevo!

Ven a Windy City ToolBank para Conoce tus bits (brocas), un taller práctico y divertido diseñado para ayudarte a ganar confianza al usar taladros, destornilladores, brocas y sujetadores.

✅ ¡No se necesita experiencia!
🌎 Instrucción bilingüe en inglés y español
🧰 Trae un taladro de casa si tienes preguntas sobre cómo usarlo, o utiliza uno de los nuestros.
👷 Se proporcionará equipo de protección personal (EPP).

💙 Gratis (talleres similares suelen costar entre $50 y $75).

📅 Sábado, 22 de agosto
🕥 10:30 AM
📍 Windy City ToolBank

🔗 El enlace de registro está en el código QR o en el primer comentario.

08/12/2026

🛠️ ¡Nuevo taller en Windy City ToolBank: Conoce tus bits (brocas)!

¿Piensas que todos los taladros son iguales? ¡Piensa de nuevo!

Ven a Windy City ToolBank para Conoce tus bits (brocas), un taller práctico y divertido diseñado para ayudarte a ganar confianza al usar taladros, destornilladores, brocas y sujetadores. ¡No se necesita experiencia!

Durante el taller aprenderás:
🔹 Las diferencias entre los tipos comunes de taladros y destornilladores de impacto.
🔹 Comprender la configuración del taladro, el embrague, la velocidad y el par.
🔹 Elegir la broca o el bit adecuado para el trabajo.
🔹 Combinar los sujetadores con la herramienta y la aplicación correctas.
🔹 Mucha práctica y una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en vivo.

🧰 Trae un taladro de casa si deseas ayuda para comprender sus características o tienes preguntas sobre cómo usarlo. También tendremos herramientas disponibles para practicar.

🌎 Instrucción bilingüe en inglés y español.
👷 Se proporcionará equipo de protección personal (EPP).

📅 Sábado, 22 de agosto
🕥 10:30 AM

💙 Gratis o paga lo que puedas. Talleres similares suelen costar entre $50 y $75.
👥 La asistencia está limitada a 20 participantes.

🔗 El enlace de registro está en el primer comentario. ¡Nos encantaría verte allí!

08/12/2026

🛠️ New Workshop at the Windy City ToolBank: Know Your Bits!

Whether you've never picked up a drill before or you've been using one for years, this workshop will help you understand which drill, bit, setting, and fastener to use—and why.

We'll cover:
• Different types of drills and impact drivers
• Bits and fasteners
• How to use your clutch and gear settings
• Hands-on practice
• Live Q&A

Bring your own drill if you'd like help learning how to use it, or use one of ours.

📅 Saturday, August 22
🕥 10:30 AM

The morning begins with a tour of the Windy City ToolBank before we dive into the workshop. If the weather cooperates, we'll move outside to Dvorak Park for the hands-on portion.

💙 No experience necessary.
💙 Bilingual instruction available in English and Spanish.
💙 Free or Pay What You Can.
💙 Limited to 20 participants.

Use QR Code or registration link is in the first comment. We'd love to see you there!

07/28/2026

📰Big news out of the Windy City!🌆👏

Please join us in congratulating Jessica Pohto, Executive Director of the Windy City ToolBank & Midwest Disaster Services Hub Manager, on her recent appointment to the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service!

In partnership with the Office of Governor JB Pritzker, this commission plays a vital role in strengthening volunteerism and expanding service opportunities across the state. Jess’s leadership, passion for community impact, and deep understanding of what it takes to equip volunteers for success make her an incredible addition to this important work.

At ToolBank, we know that when you put the right tools in the hands of those ready to serve, amazing things happen. Jess has been leading that charge for years, and this appointment is a natural extension of her impact...not just in Chicago but across the entire state of Illinois.

We’re proud to see her expertise and dedication recognized at the state level. Congratulations, Jess! 🛠️💙

05/29/2026

One of the hardest parts of running the Windy City ToolBank right now is not having enough tents to support all the incredible organizations requesting them this summer.

So for my 46th birthday yesterday, I decided to ask for something practical.

Help me buy more tents. ⛺

Goal:
• 10 new 10x10 tents
• 5 new 10x20 tents
• $4,000 total

These tents will immediately support nonprofits, schools, gardens, volunteer events, disaster response teams, and community programs across Chicago.

I’m asking people to consider donating $25 if they can.

Every donation directly helps us say “YES” to more organizations this summer.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/one-person-hundreds-of-nonprofits-we-need-more-tents

Thank you all for supporting this crazy mission and this little nonprofit-for-nonprofits that I love so much 💙

Yesterday was my 46th birthday, and this year I’m asking for something a little different.No gifts. No dinner fund. No vacation fund.I’m asking for help buying more tents for the Windy City ToolBank.Right now, one of the biggest stress points for me is trying to support the huge growth we’ve s...

04/29/2026

So excited to be part of such an amazing event!! It was incredible seeing the blue tools in every volunteer's hands!

04/19/2026

Before it sells out!! 4/25!!! Want a unique, delicious and FUN workshop? Look no further than our friends at Pullman Tech Workshop!