Auburn Gresham Elementary Principals Band Together To Raise Literacy Levels

AUBURN GRESHAM — An Auburn Gresham group is working to improve third grade literacy levels in the neighborhood for future generations. The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation’s education task force created a comprehensive educational plan that serves students, parents, school... more

School Is out for CPS students, Some Network 11 Teachers Are Ready to Learn

Please take a moment to congratulate the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporations (GAGDC) Auburn Grehsam Gold (AG-GOLD) Education team, composed of Derris Cameron, program and cultural enrichment manager, and reource coodlinators who each have a home-base office, in one of our Auburn Gresham ... more

AUBURN GRESHAM GOLD SCHOOLS: A COMMUNITY DRIVEN EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Auburn Gresham, a neighborhood located on Chicago’s South Side, residents in the community face challenges in education and social services. 80% of children in primary grades are not at reading level and nearly half of them ages 0 to 5 live in poverty. These statistics are staggering however t... more

You have nothing to lose and can gain a Lot for only $1

The Citys $1 Large Lot program is still open to deeded property owner applicants. You must Apply by July 21, 2018. If youre a property owner in Auburn Gresham and are interested in owning a vacant lot on your block, please visit largelots.org to find available lots and submit your application.... more

Women’s Business Development Center hosts Rise Up: From Educator to Entrepreneur

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) will host its 20th annual Early Childhood Education Entrepreneurship Expo on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 8:00am-2:00pm. Rise Up: From Educator to Entrepreneur! focuses on building the foundations of child care businesses in Chicagoland. Expo i... more

Comunidad se reúne para buscar soluciones al desplazamiento urbano en un barrio de Chicago

Este jueves una iglesia abrió sus puertas para residentes y varias organizaciones que discutieron sobre este fenómeno en Logan Square. Este es otro de los vecindarios en la ciudad que está experimentando nuevas construcciones y altos costos para la compra o renta de casas, l... more

New Wave of Parent Mentors Graduate Program

Caption by Ashmar Mandou A new wave of extraordinary parents graduated from one of the city’s fastest growing programs, Parent Mentor on Friday, June 8th at Back of the Yards High School. Originally developed by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA) in 1995, the Parent Mentor Progr... more

Lawsuit targets Berrios over biased residential assessments in Cook County

Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios appears before the county board to answer questions raised by a Tribune investigation of property tax rates on July 18, 2017. A group of public-interest lawyers filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that embattled Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios vio... more

How Can We Keep Neighborhood Investments From Causing Displacement?

Leaders discussed this challenge at "A Catalytic Moment" TOD Symposium Marisa Novara, Geoff Smith, Juan Carlos Linares, Krysta Pates, Tyrrone Soudemire. Photo: John Greenfield Today local leaders gathered to discuss the potential for new development near transit stations to have a positive in... more

12 More Ways To Help Hurricane Victims In Puerto Rico, Mexico

Puerto Rico National Guard members assisting communities as Puerto Ricans try to get to their homes after Hurricane Maria hit. (Photo by Sgt. Jose Ahiram Diaz-Ramos/PRNG-PAO) View Full Caption Flickr/Puerto Rico National Guard CHICAGO — Locals havent stopped raising money for disaster victim... more

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

Convening with a Chicago Grant Maker

This article is taken from the Bulletin.

Something to Celebrate: Englewood Square

ENGLEWOOD — Whole Foods and Englewood Square marked its first anniversary in Englewood Monday with a big celebration featuring the mayor, aldermen and local entrepreneurs. “It’s a good day for me,” said Ald. Toni Foulkes (16th). “I’ve been walking these stree... 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

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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Keep warm when the weather drops

City of Chicago Senior Fest

Alderman David Moore will be providing courtesy roundtrip transportation to Senior Fest for the 17th Ward Seniors. Space is limited and 17th Ward Seniors will need to RSVP by calling 773-783-3672.

What You Should Be Doing Right Now to Prepare for #GivingTuesday and #ILGive

It’s August, 2018, and #GivingTuesday is November 27th. What should you be doing right now to ensure that your campaign is successful? Here is a timeline of recommended activities from the Complete Toolkit published by #GivingTuesday. Visit www.givingtuesday.org to register for #GivingTues... more

Back to Bud: New Parade Leadership Gets Back to Basics

Jesse White Tumblers One of the most anticipated days of the summer is approaching. The second Saturday in August has become known in Chicago as the day when neighbors sit out in lawn chairs along King Drive, barbecue pits are fired up on the South Side, kids run freely behind the barricades awai... more

Too many new moms are dying. Illinois health officials are trying to understand why.

Looking back, Jo Ann Allen wonders what she might have missed in the days leading up to her niece’s sudden death. Monique Bacon was 17 and had given birth just weeks before to a son. Allen, who is a nurse and knows the importance of keeping a mom healthy, took Bacon to her prenatal appointme... more

AG Gold Week 2 Newsletter

ABOUT US During our first two weeks at AG Gold Camp, we had a lot of fun getting to know each other. We played games to learn everybody’s names, and we were able to learn more about each other through many other games and activities! We worked together to create some camp norms that we all a... more

How to Contribute to the Englewood Portal

All contributions are welcome. Luckily, making a contribution to the Englewood Portal is easy. Follow these steps and youll be on your way!

RAP SHEET REVIEW DAY Sealing, Expungement, Legal Options Info Session

When: August 8, 2018 Where: Teamwork Englewood 815 W. 63rd Street 2nd Floor Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. SCHEDULE: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Session: Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CityKey Sign-Up - North Lawndale Employment Network Re-Entry Options: Teamwork Englewood, Safer Fou... more

Don't Get Mad at the News Reports? Take Action -- R.A.G.E. Open House | New Member Orientation

Are you an Englewood resident or stakeholder looking to join forces with other residents in their continued efforts to increase peace, pride and unity in Englewood? Have you heard about R.A.G.E. and want to learn more? Or did you recently join and don’t know where to start? If you answere... more

So Fresh Saturdays’ 5th stop at Ogden Park this weekend – August 4th!

So Fresh Saturday’s fourth stop on July 21st at Murray Park was nothing short of amazing! We provided hundreds of Englewood residents with access to community resources, music, free food plus an organic food cooking demonstration by youth from the Gardeneers, and performances by talented loca... more

The Comer Mobile Health Unit is coming to So Fresh Saturday!

They will be providing services for people aged 18 and under, please visit bit.ly/2LqTfDV for more details!

June 2nd Registration Deadline Approaching for City Colleges of Chicago’s Summer 2017 Term

Chicagoans who want a quality, affordable education to prepare for further college or career can register now for the 2017 Summer Term at City Colleges of Chicago, the largest community college system in Illinois. One of the seven city colleges, Wright College has a location in Humboldt Park at 1645... more

Complete a Health Survey, Earn $40 Visa Giftcard

Researcher Kiarri Kershaw, PhD is conducting a survey on how women use their environment, available resources, and each other to choose the foods they eat. Access to healthy food is a public health issue, but previous research on whether or not improving access to healthy foods improves eating beha... more

Engaging community through conversation

Bickerdike welcomed 11 guests for dinner and discussion as part of an On The Table event on May 17, 2017. Held each year in May, On The Table is a special initiative of the Chicago Community Trust (CCT); it is designed to promote community building and the sharing of ideas among diverse groups as th... more

Team Hope

As an adult education instructor, many times my classes will present a “first time ever” experience to me. Sometimes it’s things like – first time I raised my voice, first time NO ONE was prepared for their presentation, etc. But with the Wood Products Manufacturing Class w... more

McTeacher’s Night at Western Ave. McDonald's for Roberto Clemente Community Academy

Roberto Clemente Community Academy of CPS held their first McTeacher’s Night at the McDonald’s on Western in Chicago, on Thursday, May 18. A McTeachers Night is organized to help raise money for local schools by having teachers work at McDonalds and then giving a percentage of the nights... 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

All are invited to workshop on what to expect when a loved one is arrested

The free event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 11 at Augustus Tolton Peace Center, 5645 W. Lake St. A new resource guide will be introduced at the event, which has been organized by Trinity United Church of Christ, Austin Coming Together, Catholic Charities and The Next Movement.

Elected officials call for end to violence after deadly weekend

Congressman Danny Davis, Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin and 29th Ward Ald. Chris Taliaferro were among the more than dozen officer holders who urged their fellow politicians to do more to help struggling West and South Side neighborhoods.

Poetry block party comes to Austin

Residents participated in last months event, as did more than 20 people who came to Chicago for workshops put on by the Poetry Foundation.

Shakespeare being performed at Columbus Park tonight

A Midsummer Nights Dream begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7. The free event is being sponsored by the Chicago Park District and Boeing.

Stop by Austin networking event

All are invited to the Aug. 7 event, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central Ave. Participating organizations include: AAABNA, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Coming Together, North Avenue Business Association, West Garfield Park Community Stakeholders, West Side Business Network and... more