Chicago’s New Planning Chief Has Fresh Eyes For INVEST South/West

WBEZ Radio "...Fresh Eyes for INVEST South/West" Natalie Moore/WBEZ An empty building on West 79th Street, owned by the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, that the city says it will help redevelop. Chicago’s new planning commissioner, Maurice Cox, observed somet... more

There's Still Time to Help Us Sponsor Kids For Summer Camp this #GivingTuesday!

This Giving Tuesday you can help us reach our goal of $1500 to allow 60 youth to attend Auburn Gresham Gold Summer Camp. Your gift of $25 will provide a camper a safe space to engage with their peers through an art and academic enrichment program, while gaining exposure and new cultural experience... more

Giving Thanks Today and Everyday

Happy Thanksgiving to all the communities and clients we serve.

Business Start-up Certificate Program

Complete 9 workshops in a 6 month period and earn a Business Startup Certificate. Those who earn a certificate are eligible to apply for low-interest and no-fee loans ranging from $1,000 - $25,000 through the CIBC Entrepreneurial Loan Program.

INVEST South/West

INVEST South/West is an unprecedented community improvement initiative from Mayor Lightfoot to marshal the resources of multiple City departments, community organizations and corporate partners toward 10 neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides. Through this groundbreaking c... more

Mayor's Affordable Housing Plan Hits Roadblock When Housing Advocates Cry Foul

Mayor Lori Lightfoot burst onto Chicago’s political stage with promises to run a transparent government that welcomed participation by grassroots neighborhood activists, groups that frequently critiqued her predecessor for shutting them out. She also said it was time for Chicago to kick-start... more

Mural of Butterfly Symbolizes Journey of Immigrants

“Migration Is Beautiful,” the new theme on the mural on Marcelo Ferrer’s garage, is meant to counteract the negative rhetoric about immigration. “Unleashing Peace” had roots in the Mayan culture. RoundTable photos" The monarch butt... more

Put an eligible house into the Chicago land trust to lower its taxes and preserve affordability

The Chicago Department of Housing and the Chicago Community Land Trust (CCLT) want to start a novel pilot program to preserve existing affordable housing in community areas that are at risk of gentrifying. The Department of Housing asked for City Council’s permission on Wednesday at the regul... more

Chicago Families Take on Gentrification and Housing

Gentrification is affecting housing in the U.S. In Chicago, families are organizing for solutions. Marguerite Casey Foundation is co-publishing this story, which first appeared in La Raza, as part of its partnership with ImpreMedia, a national media organization. Gentrification is a proc... more

Trolley Tour Highlights Chicago’s Housing Woes On The Northwest Side

Arionne Nettles/WBEZ James Rudyk, executive director of the Northwest Side Housing Center, speaks during a trolley tour of neighborhood projects on Chicagos Northwest Side. A trolley wound through neighborhoods on Chicago’s Northwest Side, passing wide boulevards and trendy... more

We Are Hiring!

Teamwork Englewood is hiring an Executive Director responsible for the organiations consistent achievement of its mission, financial objectives and compliance with policies and procedures. The ED will implement the strategic goals and objectives of the organization as defined by the Board of Directo... more

2018 Business Plan: Pitch Competition

Join us for the 2018 Business Plan: Pitch Competition where business owners Pitch their business for a chance to win a share of $40,000 cash prizes. See flyer for additional details.

Teamwork Englewood 2017 Spotlight

We are proud to present the TWE 2017 Spotlight. This report showcases the hardwork and dedication of the Teamwork Englewood staff, and the relentless committment of the Greater Englewood community members. Inside, you’ll find highlights of our impressive departments, testimonials from stak... more

Englewood Quality of Life Plan II Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary

On Saturday December 2nd 11AM-12:30PM, at Volunteers of America (6002 S. Halsted), the Englewood community will celebrate the one year anniversary of the Englewood Quality of Life Plan (EQLP). In April 2015, Englewood residents celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the 2005 Englewood Quality of Life Pl... more

Englewood Women's Initiative: Supporting Veterans

Are you a women veteran living in Englewood looking for pathways to success and economic security? If you are, the Englewood Womens Initiative or "EWI" is for you. Women veterans living in Englewood, recognized for honorably serving our nation, are invited to a special EWI session on Wednes... more

Claretian Associates is Looking for an AmeriCorp Vista

Member Duties : The VISTA will 1) research and assist with applications for private and public funding sources for housing and social programs. 2) Evaluate Claretian Associates existing programs and learn best housing practices in Chicago-area special needs housing. 3) Develop materials for tenant s... more

CeaseFire Rally Cries, "Save Our Funding"

Monday afternoon, Claretian Associates’ Ceasefire (Cure Violence) team participated in the rally at city hall to save Ceasefire funding. With $2.8 million in frozen funding, the South Chicago team demonstrates how essential the program is to the community. In a recent interview with a CeaseFir... more

Community Assessment for Early Childhood Services

Claretian Associates is partnering with Metropolitan Family Services and many other community organizations to develop an Early Childhood Network in support of AOK. AOK (All Our Kids) Network is a group of agencies that work with families with young children to make sure that families get the servi... more

Claretian Associates is Partnering with I Am We to South Chicago Youth!

Message from I Am We Executive Board Member, Latisha Thomas I Am We has partnered with Claretian Associates to offer visual and digital storytelling to youth living in South Chicago. We are excited about this endeavor to fill a gap where youth have limited access to art, literacy development, ment... more

Claretian Associates is Looking for a Youth Media Team!

Claretian Associates is searching for a few motivated local youth who are between the ages of 15-21 and would like to learn about film production, create press releases, write blogs, and create engaging social media content to feature on our website and social media platforms. These three youth wi... more

Auburn Gresham Day Care Centers, Santa is Coming to 79th Street 12/13!

Holiday Greetings from the Greater Auburn Gresham CDC, 17th Ward Alderman David Moore, and Block By Block of Auburn Gresham. Santa is Coming! December 13, 2019 11am - 1pm Giving a little holiday cheer back to local Day Care Businesses! Pictures with Santa, cookies and cocoa, and sing alongs and c... more

17th Ward Office Closed in Observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday

In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the 17th Ward office will close early at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 27th, and will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th and will re-open at 9:00a.m. on Monday, December 2nd.

G.E.M.S. Mentoring Program Accepting More Girls, Hurry the Deadline Dec. 3rd!

The Ark for St. Sabina GEMS Mentoring Program is inviting girls 13-17 to join us. Hurry, the deadline is December 3rd and space is limited. Join a great group of young ladies as we: Receive mentoring, support and access to resources Go on exciting field trips Even Earn a stipend for participati... more

2019 Ladder Up's Tax Site

Para ver este boletín en español, haga clic aquí. Ladder Up and Center for Economic Progress (CEP) have officially merged as of October 2019. The name of our combined organization is "Ladder Up". As you will see, our website and materials for this upcoming 2020 tax s... more

Mayor Lightfoot and CTA Launch "CTA Building Small Businesses Program" to Help Local Entrepreneurs Work on Largest Project in Agency History

CTA and Walsh-Fluor team up with LISC Chicago to help small firms compete for large-scale capital projects in Chicago like RPM Phase One As the CTA begins the largest construction project in its history, the $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project, the agency announced tod... more

Help Support a Local Community Organization When You Shop Walmart

Now Everyday Shopping at Walmart Will Benefit Local Community Development Just click the banner each time you want to purchase from Walmart for online shopping, store pick up, or delivery. Try it this Holiday or anyday! A portion of proceeds from your purchase will support Colony 5 and work on ... more

Community Conversation

Come out and participate in a community conversation about solutions for violence in Englewood. Thursday, November 14th at 6pm.

Mayor Lightfoot and CTA Launch "CTA Building Small Businesses Program" to Help Local Entrepreneurs Work on Largest Project in Agency History

CTA and Walsh-Fluor team up with LISC Chicago to help small firms compete for large-scale capital projects in Chicago like RPM Phase One As the CTA begins the largest construction project in its history, the $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project, the agency announced tod... more

Huskie Pledge: A 3.0 high school GPA could be your ticket

DeKalb, Ill. (October 23, 2019) – Illinois high school students who graduate this coming spring with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above might now be able to reap the benefits of a generous financial aid program at Northern Illinois University. The new Huskie Pledge aims to make NIU more affordable... more

Did this save Will Smith from Colon Cancer?

Getting your first colonoscopy may not hold a top spot on your bucket list. But as movie star Will Smith recently discovered while recording a lighthearted vlog chronicling his first colon cancer screening, it probably should. “There’s a certain level of commitment and embarrassment to... more

Three more portals for Smart Communities

The three Southwest neighborhoods in Chicagos Smart Communities program launched their portals yesterday, creating a wide new avenue for interaction among residents, businesses and organizations.They are works in progress, with some empty spaces yet to fill, but already the portals offer new stories... more

Peirce on Daley

Syndicated state and local government columnist Neal Peirces recent summary of Mayor Daleys legacy on the Citistates site will seem fawning to Daleys critics. There is only a brief mention at the end about patronage and corruption, and no mention at all about the privatization controversies that hav... more

Preview: Humboldt Park Launches Its Portal

Its still a work in progress, according to the team that made it happen, but the Humboldt Park Portal, a day after its "soft" launch, looks pretty good to me. It features a nice selection of stories from various contributors and organizations, a packed calendar (Movies in the Park, Jens Jensen birth... more

Take a Tour of Pilsen - by Video or Phone

Weve written here before about how neighborhoods are using multimedia tools to promote their work and their neighborhoods, but couldnt have imagined, even six months ago, how far the groups would come, and how fast.Audio slideshows are now available for 10 neighborhoods as part of the Chicago Commun... more

Front-Yard Signs Call Out Banks on Foreclosures

Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) is "naming names" of banks that are foreclosing on properties on Chicagos Southwest Side, where 7,300 foreclosures have been filed over two years in four area ZIP Codes. The bank names are prominently featured on yard signs that say "Deutsch Bank (or Citibank or J... more

Casa Queretaro, Lake Village East among Winners of Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards

Casa Queretaro will be receiving first place for the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design at the upcoming 24th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDA). Gabriel Ignacio Dziekiewicz said he hoped Casa Querétaro would help to def... more

LISC’s Quality-of-Life Planning Bettering Neighborhoods throughout Chicago

Attracting new businesses to West 79th Street is a mission for Carlos Nelson, executive director of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC), and his associate, Nicole Wheatly. Renovation of a four-story building just west of Halsted Street is expected to begin later this year. G... more

Micro Market Recovery Program Revitalizes Blocks Across Chicago

Anthony and Michelle Johnson and their children in front of the two-flat in the 700 block of North Spaulding Avenue that they purchased through the citys Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP). They live in the lower portions of the house and rent out the top floor. Photos by Gordon Walek In 2012... more

Catalyzing Change Through Empty Lots on Chicago’s South Side

In Englewood, vacant lots have become beacons of opportunities. An opportunity that isn’t without difficulty and hardship. An opportunity that requires determination, vision and, most importantly, collaboration. Since 2016, Englewood residents have been able to purchase vacant City of Chicago... more

Evelyn’s Food Love Uses LISC Small Business Loan to Bring Hip New Restaurant to Washington Park

Evelyn Shelton realized her ambition to open a Washington Park restaurant, thanks in part to a LISC Small Business loan. Photos by Gordon Walek Evelyn Shelton wants to revitalize Washington Park one triple chocolate chip pancake at a time, and a substantial LISC Small Business loan is allowing ... more

29th Ward projects decided for 2020

29th Ward residents approved six out of seven projects that will be completed over the next several months. The projects include street resurfacing, community park improvements and a pedestrian crosswalk, with a safety island.

Learn how to determine if your name is in CPD’s gang database

The free FOIA clinic and know your rights workshop, organized by the Chicago Westside NAACP branch, will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Sankofa Cultural Center, 5820 W. Chicago Ave. Dinner will be served.

Meet the new 15th District police commander

All West Side stakeholders are invited to the meet and greet with 15th District Commander Yolanda Talley 9 a.m. Dec. 9 at Sankofa Cultural Arts & Business Center, 5820 W. Chicago Ave. Breakfast will be served.

All invited to Austin’s annual holiday parade, tree lighting festival

The event will kick off at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at Unity Fellowship Church at the corner of Cicero and Madison, followed by the tree lighting at 6 p.m. in front of the 15th District Police station, 5701 W. Madison St. The annual parade and tree lighting is organized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Neighborhood group to hold holiday bazaar Saturday

The Central Austin Neighborhood Association (CANA) will hold the annual holiday event at Third Unitarian Church, 301 N. Mayfield Ave., from 12 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. There will be jewelry, artwork, fashion and beauty items, and more. Free food to those who make purchases.