For the first time yet, the Coming Together in Skokie and Niles Township’s planning committee is putting out an application (https://sites.google.com/a/d219.org/ctisapplication/) for people to have their culture highlighted in the community. The deadline has been extended to April 11th.

Beginning in late January with an Opening Ceremony, Coming Together is typically a six-week period filled with multiple events. Some events that take place can be unique each year. However, each year the Coming Together committee picks a book by a living author to represent the year’s culture, and generally in early March is when the author’s visits take place in the Skokie elementary and middle schools.

Since its beginning in 2010, the Coming Together planning committee has celebrated several cultures such as Korean, Greek, Assyrian, Filipino, and Indian heritage. Past years have been so successful that the program, which started in Skokie, has grown from Coming Together in Skokie to Coming Together in Skokie and Niles Township to incorporate the Niles Township communities Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles.

Community Relations Director Jim Szczepaniak said, “Every year we are told by members of the featured culture that they enjoy the opportunity to spread knowledge and awareness of their culture to the larger school community.”

So for those who want to join in the memorable experiences past participants have had, don’t hesitate to apply and highlight your own culture within the community.