Community Heroes honored at conference

• March 25, 2008

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All over Chicago, ordinary people go to extraordinary lengths to make life better for their families and their neighbors. Thirty of these “Community Heroes” will be recognized Wednesday night, March 26 th during the “Getting It Done: New Tools for Communities” conference organized by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Chicago’s (LISC/Chicago) New Communities Program.

The New Communities Program (NCP) was created by LISC/Chicago and supported by a major grant from the John D. and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation to encourage comprehensive community redevelopment efforts by community organizations in 16 communities throughout Chicago. The 28 Community Heroes were nominated by their NCP lead agencies.

The 16 neighborhoods and their Community Heroes are:

Auburn Gresham: Granville and Juanita Love and Deborah Moore

Chicago Southwest: Dr. Wayne M. Lerner and the team at CeaseFire

Englewood: Orrin Williams and the Rev. James Dukes

East Garfield Park: Clifton Cooper and Brenetta Howell Barrett

Humboldt Park: Miguel A. Palacio and Bill Howard

Little Village: Jorge Roque and Maria Velazquez

Logan Square: Mayra Casasola and David Pino

West Haven: Crystal Palmer and Keith Jackson

North Lawndale: Gerald and Lorean Earles and Pat Herrod

Pilsen: Oscar Torres and Martha Monrroy

Quad Communities : Monica Haslip and CleanSlate

South Chicago: Al Reyes and Neil Bosanko

Washington Park: Della Mitchell and Cliff Kelley

Woodlawn: N. Jeane Clark and Bryan Echols

 In short, community heroes are getting it done, whether “it” is organizing a block party that brings a community together; planting, tending and harvesting a neighborhood garden; or offering struggling youth a way out of gang life.

Download the booklet here to learn more and see pictures of each hero.

The New Communities Program (NCP) is a long-term initiative of Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Chicago to support comprehensive community development in 16 neighborhoods throughout Chicago. It seeks to rejuvenate challenged communities, bolster those in danger of losing ground and preserve the diversity of areas in the path of gentrification. Each effort is led by a neighborhood-based lead agency that coordinates programs among other local organizations and citywide support groups.

The New Communities Program is supported by a major grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation with additional support from: Bank of America, Chicago Bulls, Chase Foundation, James W. and Kay Mabie, Living Cities, Polk Bros. Foundation, State Farm, Steans Family Foundation, Louis R. Lurie Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, The Chicago Community Trust, The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, The Partnership for New Communities, The Joyce Foundation and University of Chicago.