How Auburn-Gresham Fought Back and Won | The Law Project's Spotlight on Success

Photo: Courtesy of The Law Project On any given weekday, the busiest bus line in Chicago runs along 79th Street, a wide corridor that bisects the far south-side neighborhood of Auburn Gresham, an area that typically makes the news only for violence and crime. But the weekend after Labor Day, the ... more

Clara Barton Receives Recognition Banner From Network 11 For Great Work Around Attendance

On Wednesday, September 21, 2016, Clara Barton Elementary School Principal August Smith, received a very welcomed gift, from the Chicago Public Schools Network 11 office. With all the "real" work Principal Smith, staff and teams are doing at Barton, this is not such a surprise. To quote Principal Sm... more

4th Annual Remarkable Women's Conference 9/23-24!

Join Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, as we support local for-profit and non-profit businesses, on the Southside of Chicago. Join us for the ultimate ladies gathering to support the P.U.M.P.S. (Providing U (You) Motivation to Pursue Success) program. Friday, September 23-24, 2016, 6:... more

University of Chicago Medicine breaks ground on new emergency department

A ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday marked the start of a $43 million project to convert part of a parking garage into a new emergency department at University of Chicago Medicine, bringing back trauma services to the South Side after a 25-year absence. The new emergency department is expected to... more

Follow the 11th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival on Socail Media All the day!

Follow Us On Social Media THROUGHOUT THE DAY... Be sure to LIKE Us on FACEBOOK 79th Street Renaissance Festival, Mention Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp 79th Street Renaissance Festival Also tag and Mention us, in FACEBOOK LIVE Videos for us to Share Follow Greater Auburn-Gresha... more

Parent Power: Community Organizing as a Parent Engagement Strategy

Parent engagement can take on many forms within schools. Helping a child with homework, attending after school activities, cooking for a bake sale, and volunteering in the school’s office all fall under our general understanding of typical expectations for parent involvement in schools.Parent ... more

Dual language programs to expand, but fears over money linger

Hurley Elementary student Lex Posada and his classmates work on reading and pronunciation in Spanish with kindergarten bilingual teacher Yesenia Hinojosa. The school is one of five thats adding a dual Max Herman When Dolores Cupp told parents at Hurley Elementary that the West Lawn school planne... more

Local teacher finds success after parent mentor program

Kindergarten teacher Ebelia Mucino says she did not know she wanted to be a teacher until she became a parent mentor. | Jacob Wittich/Sun-Times Jacob Wittich When Ebelia Mucino, a kindergarten teacher at Avondale-Logandale Elementary School, immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, she had no confide... more

Exigen fondos para mantener ‘Padres Mentores’

Más de 600 padres de graduaron el día de hoy del programa Padres Mentores y le exigen a los legisladores que los hagan parte del presupuesto estatal.

Gentrification how it's affecting residents in Logan Square

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmMxJZ8L0-I

Join Us for Resume Workshop on Oct. 3rd

Come join us at Teamwork Englewood’s Perfect Resume Workshop. The purpose of the event is to enhance individuals resume skills and increase their chance of getting employed. Teamwork Englewood 815 W. 63rd st. 2nd fl Kendra Mitchell kmitchell@teamworkenglewood.org 773-488-6600 Wednesday... more

Englewood Quality of Life Plan Taskforce Meeting Updates

The Englewood Quality of Life Taskforce meetings are scheduled to resume after the November Community Summit. There, taskforce members will have an opportunity to review efforts of the early action plans as well as further co-author developments to support the 5 community issue areas that will be p... more

Development without Displacement - McCormick Foundation

Teamwork Englewoods Perry Gunn discusses the importance of reinvigorating the Englewood community not throuhg the displacement of people and families but working side by side with various interest be it the residnets, developers or businesses to build a thriving sustianabel community.

Englewood Quality of Life : Community Arts and Safety

The Englewood Quality of Life Public Safety Taskforce has launched an on going series of creative intervention in hot spot areas for the last 6 weeks. Stay tuned for partnership opportunities and full schedule. Drum Cirlce Intevention Schedule: Lesson 4: Ngoma on Saturday, 10.8, 2016, 3... more

Department of Justice host Office Hours at Teamwork Englewood

The United states Department of Justice Civil RIghts Division has launched an investigation into the Chicago Police Department as part of its investigation, a representative from the Department of Justice will be holding office hours on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the office... more

WPC Announces Resignation of Executive Director

The Board of Directors for the Washington Park Consortium (WPC) announced today that executive director Brandon F. Johnson has resigned to pursue other opportunities. “I am tremendously proud of the strides Washington Park Consortium has made in support and technical assistance to Wa... more

Red Line South Reconstruction Project

Cermak-Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan • May 2013 – October 2013 CTA is rebuilding the south Red Line from just north of Cermak-Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan. The work will benefit Red Line riders for decades to come—through faster travel times, increased reliability, and spruced-up statio... more

The Crisis of Black Male Joblessness in Milwaukee: Trends, Explanations, and Policy Options

ABOUT THIS REPORT Since the late 1990s, issues surrounding race and employment have been a central research focus at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Economic Development (UWMCED). In a series of reports, the Center has analyzed racial disparities in employment in the Milwaukee regio... more

Alderman Pat Dowell Discusses Her Vote on on the Speed Zone Cameras and the Infrastructure Trust Ordinances

At the two most recent City Council meetings, I cast votes on two ordinances that will affect all residents of the city. I cast a no vote for the ordinance authorizing placement of speed cameras near schools and parks and voted in favor of the Chicago Infrastructure Trust ordinance. (See ordinance ... more

Alderman Willie Cochran Discusses His Vote on on the Speed Zone Cameras and the Infrastructure Trust Ordinances

Greetings to all: Over the last two weeks the City Council has had two matters, Speed Zone Cameras and The Infrastructure Trust that were voted on. These matters have been in discussion for approximately six (6) weeks. Over that period of time thorough discussion were had and questions and ... more

UIC Seeks Breast Cancer Research Study Volunteers

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 Wesley Walker Breast Cancer Survivors Move Forward Moving forward — that’s what researchers at the Institute for Health Research and Policy want to help African American breast cancer survivors do. Moving Forward is also the name of a community-based weight loss ... more

Woodlawn Health and Human Services Community Information Meeting

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 July 15, 2013 Please join the Network of Woodlawn, the Woodlawn Health and Human Services Consortium (WHHC) , and other Woodlawn health and human services providers for a discussion about Woodlawn’s health and human services. Secretary Michelle Saddler, Illinois De... more

Woodlawn Rolls Out Network of Woodlawn's Education Strategy to Community Residents

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Woodlawn residents, stakeholders invited to participate in community meeting to guide the future of local schools Network of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Children’s Promise Community to host 10/27 meeting, the first in the Future of Woodlawn series (Chicago) … Th... more

Woodlawn Public Safety Alliance Continues to Organize and Pray to Stop the Violence

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 W.Walker The Woodlawn Public Safety Alliance will be leading a prayer vigil and march around the 6300 block of S. Rhodes on Thursday, October 18th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The vigil and march is part of a response strategy to call attention to the escalation of youth violenc... more

State of Illinois Invests $2 million towards Decreasing the Digital Divide in South Side Communities

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Governor Quinn Announces First Winner of Illinois Gigabit Communities Challenge State’s $2 Million Seed Investment Will Jumpstart Fiber Optic and Wireless Network in Mid-South Side Chicago Neighborhoods; Help Create Over 50 Jobs CHICAGO – October 16, 2012.... 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

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

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 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

This website is an archive about LISC Chicago's Neighborhood Sports program, covering work from 2009 to 2011. Learn more about our current work at lisc-chicago.org

This website is an archive about LISC Chicagos Neighborhood Sports program, covering work from 2009 to 2011. Learn more about our current work at lisc-chicago.org

New Hoops in the Hood video

Monday, December 19, 2011 For the last several years, Tu Multimedia, through videos and audio slideshows, has been documenting Hoops in the Hood, the summer basketball program that LISC/Chicago supports in communities throughout the city. Heres the latest.....

Historic Gately Stadium Reopens
After Sweeping Renovation

Friday, November 11, 2011 Football players from eight public schools and South Side park districts that share decades-old Gately Stadium in Roseland gathered on Oct. 14 to celebrate a renovation that includes a new synthetic turf field, scoreboard, lighting and seating. They were joined just before ... more

Hoops in the Hood

Monday, December 19, 2011

From Learn and Earn to Slam and Jam

Friday, November 11, 2011 John McCarron “There’s no time to get in trouble.” If the Near North Unity Project needed a motto this summer, Shelby Tharpe surely nailed it. It was a sticky-hot Friday afternoon and the 13-year-old was conferring with his buddy, Leon Wilbut, near basketb... more

Help support WINGS Metro, domestic violence victims

WINGS Metro is slated to open on February 14, just a few shorts weeks away. They will be providing interim housing to those fleeing domestic violence situations. WINGS is still in need of items before the big opening and is asking the community for support. If you or someone you know is able to don... more

IMAN puts out proposal for Healthy Marketplace Campaign

IMAN is converting a local corner store and neighboring commercial space at 63rd and Racine into a Healthy Marketplace with two businesses. The two businesses will be a small scale grocery and an adjacent establishment aligned with the mission of providing healthy options for the consumer. Learn... more

Cutting Corners for Chanel and Cartier

Asha had worked a string of jobs ranging from admin assistant, to photographer, to pre-K art teacher. She’d taken some career courses at City Colleges. However, the opportunity to find a career path that provided both job satisfaction and the wage she needed as a single mother to support her ... more

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On the Table 2016 Expands Impact, Reveals Insights into Causes, Issues Chicagoans Care About Most

ON THE TABLE 2016 EXPANDS IMPACT, REVEALS INSIGHTS INTO CAUSES, ISSUES CHICAGOANS CARE ABOUT MOST CHICAGO – September 29, 2016 – The Chicago Community Trust today released a report from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE) assess... more

UI Health’s Mile Square adds new school-based clinic at Drake Elementary

The University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System will renovate and operate a new federally-qualified, school-based health center at Bronzeville’s John B. Drake Elementary School in 2017. The Drake Health and Wellness Center will serve approximately 400 students, including stu... more

ComEd Spotlights Solar Energy in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: ComEd Media Relations 312-394-3500 ComEd Spotlights Solar Energy in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month Solar Spotlight program to be held at the ComEd Chicago Training Center will focus on teaching Latino hig... more

TECH THURSDAYS Chicago September 22-23, 2016

WELCOME TO TECH THURSDAYS Chicago 2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, a start-up business or planning to start a business soon, Tech Thursdays Chicago 2016 Annual Conference allows you to select the workshops that best meet your needs and support your e... more

PBS Documentary On ISU Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline Highlights Auburn Gresham GOLD Camp

Auburn Gresham GOLD, a community education initiative is highlighted in PBS Newshour. Take a moment to see the work of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) and its school partner Illinois State University, Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline. Together we are working to change the... more

Commissioner Richard Boykin Hosts Endangered Population Listening Tour in Englewood

Please join Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, Rev. Leslie Sanders, Committeewoman Stephanie Coleman 16th Ward, Operation Push, Chicago Urban League, WGCI-FM, RAGE- Resident Association of Greater Englewood, Leaders Network, Mothers Against Gun Violence, Build Inc., NAEFI, Safer Foundation, An... more

NHS launches campaign to held distressed home owners

CHICAGO – While some areas have rebounded from the housing crash, parts of Chicago are being left behind by the recovery. As a result, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) is launching a campaign to provide relief to homeowners that are underwater, have a high interest rate mortgage,... more

Community Celebration Day: Together we are better

The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation has led residents, business owners and stakeholders in recently completing a comprehensive planning process to improve the overall quality of life for the people of Auburn Gresham. Through the LISC Chicago Neighborhood Network, we have built on the ... more

The Montessori School of Englewood Second Annual Fundraiser

The Montessori School of Englewood is pleased to announce its second annual fundraiser! The event will be held on Thursday, October 20th at 7pm. We would love for you to join us for our event! All proceeds of this event will benefit the learning and growing of the students of The Montessori School... more

Get IN Chicago host Parent Summit

Parental INvolvement: A Get IN Chicago Summit Wednesday, October 12th 3-6pm (program 3-5pm; reception 5-6pm) 225 N Michigan, Ste 2200 Chicago, IL 60601 Strengthening families is a cornerstone strategy to reducing youth violence. At Get IN Chicago, we partner with parent leadership programs to... more

ComEd Spotlights Solar Energy in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

ComEd is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by providing Latino high school students with the opportunity to learn more about solar energy and career opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields through its Solar Spotlight Program. In partnership with local communi... more

Got A Call From The "IRS"? Beware of Phone Scams!

Protect Yourself Scammers make unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests through phone &ld... more

Groundbreaking Ceremony for La Casa Norte’s Pierce House and Community Center in Humboldt Park

La Casa Norte, one of Chicago’s key provider of services to homeless youth and families, is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, September 9th at 10:00 am, for its new vibrant Pierce House and Community Center located at 3533 W North Avenue. The new facility will become a... more

23rd annual Fiesta Boricua Returns to Division Street on Sept 2-4

Opening on Friday, September 2, with a new "Back to School Carnival," the fest takes place on Division between Western and California. It then expands on Saturday and Sunday with three stages of music, entertainment, art activities and more for both kids and families. Hours all three days are from ... more

A tradition of being non-traditional

Maritza has pursued work that is non-traditional for women her whole life. She has studied CNC at city colleges, driven forklifts, and held picking and packing positions. But she was still on a quest for a career that she enjoyed, as well as provided opportunity to support her kids and get ahead. ... 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

Business District Leadership Program Graduates New Cohort

Annie Grossinger Whoops, hollers and the shouts of nicknames permeated the Community Room at Harold Washington College as the second class of the Business District Leadership (BDL) Program graduated. Eighteen community leaders working at organizations supporting neighborhood-based economic deve... more

Reclaiming Southwest Chicago

As Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan walked toward the intersection of West 62nd Street and South Washtenaw Avenue, Ticina Edwards rushed out her front door and extended her hand. “I love my home,” she told Madigan. It was a satisfying moment for the attorney general. Madigan ha... more

Halfway Point for Englewood Quality-of-Life Planning - Ready to Act

Community members and members of the Englewood QLP task forces vote on strategic next steps. Annie Grossinger Dozens of people gathered in the community room at St. Bernard Hospital in late July to discuss the Englewood Quality-of-Life Plan – so many that there weren’t enough chairs... more

Ten Years of Hoops in the Hood: An Oral History

Eric Young Smith This year marks the 10th anniversary of LISC Chicago’s Hoops in the Hood program, a network of community-run basketball games in 14 neighborhoods across the city. Designed to literally take back the streets from gangs and violence, the program sets up in public safety &ldq... more

Financial Opportunity Centers: Connecting People to the Local Economy

Photos by Gordon Walek For the last decade, LISC’s network of Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) have helped residents of underserved neighborhoods establish good credit, find jobs, increase their incomes and learn digital skills. Recently, LISC researchers analyzed the experience of 40... more

Low Wage Workers Forum, TONIGHT 2/11, 6 p.m.

The surge of groups speaking today for low wage workers is unprecedented in Chicago. What do they want? Who are they? What’s likely to happen? Tonight – Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. these workers, the groups that represent them, and the community organizations and others that are standing behind... more

Students promote Martin Luther King’s values

Uplift High students participating in the Peace Ambassadors program will be honored Friday, January 17, 9:30 a.m., at 900 W. Wilson.

The Obama tour

Marking the fifth anniversary of Barack Obamas election as president, Forgotten Chicago is offering a tour of the Chicago sites from Obamas life in Chicago on November 10.

Ames parent mobilize

Ames Middle School parents will canvas the neighborhood Saturday morning to spread the word about community meetings at the school Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Foreclosures and the black community

Author Laura Gottesdiener will discuss her new book, "A Dream Foreclosed: Black America and the Fight for a Place to Call Home," joined by activists from the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign and Residents Association of Greater Englewood, on Wednesday, October 30, 6 p.m., at the Center for the Study o... more

Sanders campaign not able to top Clinton in S.C.

By JESSICA COLOPY & NICHOLAUS GARCIA Columbia S.C. ­­– Beverly King was one of the few who cast her vote for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in South Carolina’s Democratic Primary Feb. 27. King, who cast her ballot at Hand Middle School, said she’s supported Sanders since before his campaign officially... more

Clinton Wins Big in South Carolina

Nader Alghoul & Elaine Rojas-Castillo  With Super Tuesday looming, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won her first decisive victory in the 2016 presidential race Saturday. The landslide victory in South Carolina’s Democratic primary marks a turning point for Clinton, who lost handily eig... more

Bernie Sanders rally at Old Water Tower Place draws hundreds

  Bernie Sanders supporters totaling in the hundreds hosted a rally Saturday at Chicago’s Old Water Tower Place in support of the presidential candidate. Socialists Alternative, a national organization, organized the rally, which began Saturday afternoon at Daley Plaza. Carrying signs and... more

Postpartum Psychiatric Illness Remains a Lingering Challenge

Melanie Stokes was a wonderful woman: kind-hearted, and always smiling, said her mother Carol Blocker. “She was joyful, Blocker said. “The only thing she talked about was positive things. When Stokes became pregnant, everything in her life seemed to be in place. She was happy and eager to be a mothe... more

Health Officials Say Zika Unlikely to Spread Through Illinois

Despite reports of three Illinois cases of Zika virus, which is believed to cause birth defects in children, state health officials say the spread of the virus here is very unlikely. “The type of mosquito, Aedes aegypti, that carries Zika virus has rarely been found in Illinois, said Melaney Arnold,... more

In the News: Lewis says she's not stepping down

Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, says she isn’t stepping down over an “inappropriate joke she made about Education Secretary Arne Duncan. While her remarks were insensitive, they were just 120 seconds of her 35-minute speech at a social justice event in Seattle last month, Lewi... more

CPS moves forward on principal prep program, single hs application

At a low-key board meeting, district officials told members they are formally looking for partners to better prepare principals. Also, board members approved a contract for the development of a singular application for high schools to take the place of the hodge podge of applications that parents mu... more

No time to waste on longer day

 Chicago’s children deserve better. The majority of the city’s public school students today are not being prepared for success in this increasingly competitive global economy. Without dramatic change, it is unlikely that Chicago students living in poverty today will even have the chance to live a mi... more

In the News: Groups ready to battle over closings

Community groups around Chicago have begun revving up for what likely will be a fierce battle to keep neighborhood schools open as CPS prepares to announce this years list of school closings and consolidations. (Tribune) All prospective Chicago Public Schools students would have to go through an ap... more

In the News: City schools face Common Core struggle

Some of the best Chicago public schools are struggling to measure up to the recently adopted tougher Common Core curriculum, according to the Tribune. Also, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard announced Monday a new online tool that will allow the public to read school reports for ea... more

Dozens of schools meet closings criteria

About 140 schools, most on the South Side, meet all the key components of the district’s draft criteria to be eligible for closing. This week, the district is holding community forums on the proposed criteria. Sometime after Nov. 21, CEO Jean-Claude Brizard will issue final guidelines. A week and a... more

CTA financial statements reflect positive steps in efficiency and emissions

A push to lower emissions and some smart commodity buying led the CTA to a drastic reduction in operating costs.

A raw idea: Owners changing up pets' diets

Before dogs were domesticated, they ate what they killed -- and they certainly didnt cook it. Now, a new diet designed with that simple philosophy in mind is picking up steam in the pet industry. Some dog owners say it makes their pups healthier and happier, but others say its just not worth the... more

Cancer survivor’s difficult road to hit smooth pavement across America

Evan Bartlett’s life began with a huge challenge. At four months old, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening form of cancer and given a 65 percent chance of surviving.

Color Jam brings back vinyl

Have you noticed the pop of color in Chicagos Loop? You may have touched it and not even realized. Color Jam, an art installation by multimedia artist Jessica Stockholder, blankets the corner of State and Adams.

Last chance to see Venus phenomenon, in this lifetime

Last chance to see Venus phenomenon, in this lifetime venuschicago Venus Transit Venussplash Transit of Venus dazzles thousands at Adler Planetarium Venus trek across the sun tracked by thousands at the Adler

Helping Senior Renters Age In Place

Enterprise released two new “Aging in Place” guides this fall to help developers, owners and managers of multifamily properties ensure that they are meeting the unique needs of senior residents. Just as young families have specific needs for their housing – such as larger units o... more

Request for Proposals - Pay For Success (PFS) Projects

LISC is seeking Request for Proposals for a first round of funding to support transaction structuring activities of Pay for Success (PFS) projects within the United States. We will award approximately $300,000 to $635,000 in transaction structuring services for a 12-18 month period to qualified appl... more

Community Development That Brings Better Health

Community developers and health professionals have long known that how healthy you are has a lot to do with where you live. We are learning more about the true extent of that impact. LISC Director of Community Health Amy Gillman recently published For Healthier People, We Need Healthier Neighborhood... more

QAP: Fundamentals and Recent Trends - Archived Webinar

This LISC-hosted webinar reviewed the importance of the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) to affordable housing and looked at recent trends in state QAPs that developers should consider in planning housing development projects. The session covered the basic elements of a QAP and then explored in dept... more

Nonprofit Capacity Building on a Shoestring

For community development corporations and other nonprofits, the work of building capacity is never done. Whether you’ve launched new initiatives or programs, experienced staff turnover or weathered changes in your local environment, your organization will need to build or rebuild capacity fro... more

CAR Good Neighbor Awards

CAR Good Neighbor Awards Congratulations to Developer Karry Young! NSP buildings at 1337 S Central Park in N. Lawndale and 6447 S Yale in Englewood have won this award for 2015, which showcases groundbreaking redevelopment. click here for more detail. NSP buildings at 5520-30 S. Prairie Ave., ... more

New day dawns in Pullman

George Pullman had a couple of good reasons for building his railcar manufacturing plant and workers’ village on Chicago’s far South Side in 1881. One, land was cheaper there than near the city center. And, two, it was so far from downtown that his employees would be isolated from the &l... more

Homebuyer Fair Taps Instinct to Buy

They arrived, often two-by-two, like pilgrims to Mecca, drawn by the dream of homeownership to the soaring architecture of West Pullman’s Kroc Community Center on 119th Street. They came from Back of the Yards, Cicero, Chatham, Humboldt Park, and a handful of other neighborhoods, from one end ... more

In Logan Square and Hermosa, home buyers on the hunt

Vanessa Valentin and James Rudyk aren’t exactly salesmen – they’re respectively a community organizer and executive director for the Northwest Side Housing Center – but they recently demonstrated the art of persuasion while leading a trolley-full of potential home buyers thro... more

NSP: Where it's been, where it's going

Katie Ludwig discussing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program at a public meeting on Chicagos South Side. Gordon Walek Writer Bill Healy recently spoke with Katie Ludwig, an assistant commissioner dealing with foreclosure mitigation in the Chicago’s Department of Housing and Economic Deve... more

Community shows its support of 5K walk, run

More than 200 people participated in last weekends Austin P.O.W.E.R. event, which celebrated the West Side and all it has to offer.

Some West Side teens have not explored much beyond their ‘hood

Al Raby High School student Kenneth Gordon shares his thoughts on visiting Downtown Chicago for the first time.

Don’t miss the West Side gospel choir competition

Admission is free to the Oct. 1 event, which begins at 4 p.m. and will be held at Greater Holy Temple Ministries at 5906-10 W. Chicago Ave.

Take a bike ride in Austin

Everyone is welcome to join the ride Sept. 28th. Meet at BUILDs headquarters at 5 p.m. and roll off at 6 p.m. Free bike rentals available.

County commissioner’s “endangered population” listening tour stops in Austin

Local residents expressed frustration over the lack of resources and attention paid to the West Side. Elected officials must do more, they said.

Measuring an Era

Demond Drummer wasn’t at all shocked to get such a heartfelt endorsement of the impact of what he teaches as the tech organizer at Teamwork Englewood. But how it was delivered was a bit of a surprise. One afternoon, while walking down the street in Englewood, one of his former students from a... more

Job Search 2.0

A hard-working student at Kennedy-King College in Englewood, Gabrielle Thompkins has turned to the Smart Communities program in a lot of ways. Help finding a job is just the most recent example. Thompkins is one of thousands of residents in the five Smart Communities who’ve taken computer tra... more

Report: Web Use Way Up in Smart Communities

Residents participating in LISC Chicagos Smart Communities program are using high-speed Internet more frequently, but greater access to affordable broadband at home remains an issue for at-risk communities, according to new research released by Broadband Illinois. The "Measuring Change in Internet ... more

Small, Smart and Ready

At Reciclarte Studio, Leticia Rodarte’s art gallery on Ashland Avenue, almost everything for sale is made from recycled materials, much of it by Rodarte herself. It’s a fun, funky kind of store—the type of place that brings in visitors from across Chicago to Pilsen. But Rodarte k... more

Lessons for Life

It’s yet another mercilessly hot July day in Chicago—the temperature hovers at 94 degrees outside—yet class is in session. More than a dozen local residents are sitting at computer workstations in Englewood’s FamilyNet Center at Kennedy-King College for a free, 90-minute co... more