Youth Jobs Provide "Smart" Results in Auburn Gresham

Ernest Sanders As part of its Smart Communities initiatives and efforts to sustain the greater Auburn Gresham community and nearby neighborhoods, the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) employed and contracted with youth between the ages of 14 – 19 to increase the quali... more

Chicago Celebrates Police Officer Michael R. Bailey

Ernest Sanders 78th and Throop Street took on a different avenue other than normal residential traffic flow. Celebratory sounds of bagpipes and drums filled the air as the Chicago Police Department’s Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society band performed selections on Throop Street to lead the ... more

Health Fair Vital to Health and Wellness of Community

Kasheika Brown On a hot summer-like day in June, the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) hosted their bi-annual “Health Fair on Block" on west 79th Street. Inclement weather forecast did not hinder the success of this event. An estimated 500 - 600 people stopped to get free h... more

Landmark Graduation Held at Perspectives-Calumet High Schools in Auburn Gresham

Ernest Sanders Gleaming faces of excitement and unbelief filled the 1500 seat auditorium (at capacity) as 110 graduating seniors traveled down the processional aisle to the celebratory musical selection, Pomp and Circumstance. “My child did it,” exclaimed a proud parent. “I just ca... more

Small Accessible Repairs For Seniors (SARFS)

Linda Johnson The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) is a delegate agent for the City of Chicago’s Department of Community Development (formerly known as the Department of Housing), which provides free minor home repairs through the SARFS program. SARFS (Small Accessible Rep... more

We put people to work.

Monday, August 23, 2010 Darvolis Robbinson, community outreach /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-paddi... more

Safe Summer Basketball League Honored Victims of Violence

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Slideshow: Kid's Night Out Block Party

Monday, August 16, 2010 An extended slideshow of JAMMS Block Club (Jackson, Adams, Madison and Monroes) first event, Kids Night Out at Touhy-Herbert Park. For community residents looking to get involved in the block club, please call Memory at (312) 624-9168 or e-mail Mike at quinlan.mp@gmail.com

Slideshow: Westhaven Park's Community Garden Opening

Monday, August 16, 2010

Near West Fest

Site Map Vendor and Sponsorship Cover Letter Vendor Application Sponsorship Packages Event: Near West Fest When: Saturday, August 28, 2010. 2pm to 8pm Where: Malcolm X College Plaza Address: 1950 W Van Buren Expected Attendance: 400 to 500 people We’re getting ready to let everyone in on Ch... more

The Second Annual Connect 4 "Promoting Community Togetherness" Trolley Tour.

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm CONNECT 4 MISSION IS TO CREATE A VISUAL EVENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS AND DOCUMENTS THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS AND CONTRIBUTIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACHIEVERS OF THE 4 COMPONENTS THAT MAKE A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY: COMMUNITY, BEAUTIFICATION, POLITICAL WILL,... more

We've entered a contest AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Friday, August 13, 2010 Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC) has entered the "What Makes Your Place Great?" contest by nominating the artwork of North Kenwood resident, Mr. Milton Mizenberg.The Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art - aka Mr. Milton Mizenbergs Garden, is a community treasure ... more

The Third Annual Groovin on the Grove Festival

Saturday, September 11, 2010 The Third Annual Groovin and Gospel on the Grove Festival 2010 Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC) is hosting its’ third annual community festival, the "The Groovin and Gospel on Grove Festivals", Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 10:00 am until 7... more

We missed you last week!

We had a great time last Saturday. How about coming to join us this week to do a little shopping? I hope youll drop by and say hello. Take a look at what you missed! This year The Wholesome Wave Foundation partnered with us to offer a special double your LINK purchase program. For every dollar you s... more

Park 43 Open and Ready for You!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Quad Communities Development Corporation hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for “Park 43”, a new community gathering space located at 529 E. 43rd Street. In attendance were Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, State Senator Kwame Raoul, State Representative Will Burns, QCDC Bo... more

Urgent Posting 3 of 3: Jobs: Community Health's Englewood Satellite Site, posted

Monday, July 26, 2010

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) flooding disaster assistance

Friday, August 20, 2010

Hoofers South Branches Off To Become Hoofers Club Englewood: Tap Your Way To Fitness!

Thursday, August 12, 2010 Rashanah Baldwin

Urgent Posting 1 of 2: Emergency Rental Assistance Available!

Monday, August 9, 2010

ILLINOIS LOTTERY: HAVE A BALL BUT PLAY RESPONSIBLY! Posted

Friday, July 23, 2010

Download New Washington Park Quality-of-Life-Plan

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 Washington Park released its new Quality-of-Life Plan this past Saturday May 30, 2009 at the Washington Park Refectory. The Washington Park Consortium was announce as the lead agency in the execution of the plan. Download the Plan here.

Building consensus, finding language for quality-of-life plan

Sunday, October 26, 2008 Richard Muhammad A “die hard, core group” met Oct. 18 at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church for a morning of discussion and feedback on a draft Quality of Life Plan. Washington Parkers are building consensus and crafting language to illustrate their needs, hopes... more

End of planning, new era for Washington Park

Sunday, December 7, 2008 Richard Muhammad In Washington Park the effort to craft a Quality-of-Life Plan, or comprehensive road map to a revitalized neighborhood, started on a snowy December 2007 day at a south side restaurant. The planning moved into its final phase on a snowy Dec. 6 morning in a me... more

Education, economic development take center stage

Sunday, October 26, 2008 Richard Muhammad The Church of the Good Shepherd played host to a July 26 Neighborhood Summit as residents and stakeholders in Washington Park added more detail to their fast-developing Quality of Life Plan. This Saturday meeting featured special sessions devoted to educatio... more

Project ideas emerge at May 17 Summit

Friday, June 6, 2008 Patrick Barry The outlines of a neighborhood plan began emerging at Washington Park’s first Strategy Summit on May 17, 2008 at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church. More than 65 local stakeholders participated. The Strategy Summit opened with a prayer by Bishop Edward Peech... more

1000 Man March A Success

An estimated 2000 Woodlawn residents, including more than 750 African-American men, joined hands with Mayor Daley, local elected officials and community leaders on a hot July Saturday to showcase a coordinated push for linking together community services and residents in need in Woodlawn. The 1000-m... more

NCP Woodlawn Welcomes New Housing Development

Woodlawn Center South is a 67-unit affordable housing development for low and moderate income families and individuals and is the first phase of the larger redevelopment of the existing Grove Parc Plaza, a distressed 504-unit Section 8 complex being demolished and rebuilt as a mixed-income community... more

NCP Woodlawn Organizes A March Against Violence

Terrance Miller (photos by Lonnie Richardson) Woodlawn’s March against Violence On Saturday May 1, 2010 men women and children assembled at Apostolic Church of God to march against violence in Woodlawn. The driving forces behind this event were members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Un... more

Building a youth movement against HIV/AIDS, disease

Sunday, February 15, 2009 Richard Muhammad MAGIC’s National Teen Test Day is an example of the Woodlawn non-profit’s determination to grapple with serious issues and have young people save themselves when it comes to things that affect their lives. Teen Test Day, which is actually a year... more

Entrepreneurs today — no wait for tomorrow

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Richard Muhammad Talk of product expenses, hourly price rates, industry competitors, customer service, marketing strategies, and business pitches might seem odd for teenagers. But young people at Sunshine Gospel Ministries recently tossed around business lingo readily. T... more

Explore South Chicago with an eye-opening tour

Long-standing industrial pockets on the far-south shore, South Chicago and Southeast Chicago are "going green". Take stock of the old U.S. Steel South Works site slated for reuse in a LEED-certified eco-friendly community. Visit Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (subject to availability) ... more

Hurlock honored with Chicago Magazine's 2010 Green Awards

Chicago Magazine has honored Executive Director Angela Hurlock with one of its 2010 Green Awards. She received the award at the John G. Shedd Aquarium April 13, 2010. Check out the article, photo and video celebrating Angelas dedication and spirit.

South Chicago People's Park Gets a Makeover - thanks to Evergreen Supply Company!

Thank you to the employees of Evergreen Supply Company and EverLights who spent a day refurbishing South Chicago People’s Park at 91st Street and Buffalo Avenue in late March. As a volunteer project, they raked up 100 bags of leaves, rebuilt the stage, installed new brick pavers, repainted mur... more

Tour South Chicago - virtually!

Enjoy short tours of South Chicago online, thanks to ExploreChicago.org, YoChicago.com and NewHomesNotebook.com.

Hear Hurlock on Chicago Public Radio

Executive Director Angela Hurlock was selected as one of 15 visionaires leading our region into the next century, as part of the Chicago Matters series, Beyond Burham. To hear her story - which aired September 15, 2009 on Chicago Public Radio - click here. Chicago Matters features yearlong, original... more

Promoting Health at Marquette Elementary School

Please follow these links to learn more about efforts related to improving health outcomes for students at Marquette Elementary School through Elev8. http://www.newcommunities.org/communities/chicagolawn/articleDetail.asp?objectID=1104 www.lisc-chicago.org/display.aspx?pointer=9231

SWOP and Keep Our Homes Campaign Announce Partnership With Bank of America to keep families in Homes

Thursday, July 9, 2009 Southwest Side residents stood along side Bank of America officials yesterday to announce a new partnership to combat the foreclosure crisis in the neighborhood and ensure hundreds of families can stay in their homes. The announcement came after a two-hour meeting with Bank ... more

SWOP featured in local news media regarding signing of foreclosure grace period legislation

SWOP executive director Jeff Bartow was featured in Chicago news outlets on recent bill signing of foreclosure grace period legislation sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins. The law would give homeowners facing foreclosure an additional 90 days to remain in thier homes. Lenders would be r... more

Leaders Gather for Candlelight Posada Highlighting Plight of Families Facing Foreclosures

Neighbors and community members gathered for prayer and a “posada” to highlight the plight of families facing foreclosures in one of Chicago’s hardest hit neighborhoods this holiday season. Families formed a procession through the neighborhood, beginning at St. Nicholas of Tolenti... more

More than 200 ESL and GED Students Complete Fall Semester

Students of the Southwest Organizing Project’s ESL and GED program participated in a special ceremony and potluck dinner celebrating their completion of the Fall 2008 semester. The Southwest Organizing Project, working in partnership with Malcolm X College, recognized the achievements of two-h... more

Funders

We are grateful to all our present and past funders, including: Advocate Bethany Hospital Community Health Fund AIDS Foundation of Chicago Chicago Community Trust CLOCC Field Foundation Illi... more

Helping Her Live: Gaining Control of Breat Cancer

The Helping Her Live/Apoyandola a Vivir (HHL) program at Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) located in Mt. Sinai Hospital is committed to eliminating the disparities found in breast cancer mortality rates between minority and white women. Funded by the AVON Foundation the goal of the Helping Her Li... more

Clinicians, health organizers challenge feds

Ed Finkel This article, featured on the LISC-Chicago New Communities Program website, describes the scope and activities of the Humboldt Park Health Forum. Read the full article here.

The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness

The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness is a broad coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving our communitys health. Our work is focused around eight health priorities in Humboldt Park: Asthma, Active Lifestyles, Behavioral Health, Diabetes, Health Careers, HIV/AIDS, ... more

Download Reports Related to Our Health Priorities Here

General Sinai Health Systems Improving Community Health Survey: Report I (Ten Key Findings). This report presents ten key findings from what is likely the largest door-to-door, community health survey ever carried out in Chicago. It was conducted by the research branch of the Sinai Health System, t... more

Chicago TechExpo 2010

The 2nd Annual Chicago TechExpo will be held from 9:30am-4:00pm on October 6, 2010 at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt, Chicago, IL).  The one–day conference and exposition provides relevant training and education to allow business owners to learn how technology can improve operations, minimize time ... more

Mayor Daley unveils Smart Communities Program with FCC Chairman

Mayor Daley speaks at the press conference in front of Federal Communications Commission officials and community leaders.           On December 21st, 2009, Mayor Daley and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski held a press conference at Churchview Supportive Living on 63rd ... more

Street Performers and Musicians entertain at Holiday Festival on 63rd St.

  Street performers entertain customers outside the Subway on 63rd St. Starting in November of 2009, the 63rd Street Growth Commission sponsored daily events along the 63rd Street business district to promote commerce in the area and bring joy to shoppers during the holiday season... more

"Check, Please!" Highlights 63rd St. Restaurant

On August 6th, the Chicago Readers Food and Drink Column featured Garifuna Flava, a popular 63rd Street restaurant which serves authentic Belizean cuisine. On Friday, October 16th, Garifuna Flava was featured on WTTW Channel 11s show, "Check Please!". "Check, Please!" features local Chicagoland res... more

People Power makes partners of SWOP, GSDC, NHS, & BofA

by: John McCarron - reposted from www.newcommunities.org They weren’t indoors at the negotiating table, but the 200 demonstrators praying and singing on the front lawn of St. Rita’s church rectory on a rainy Wednesday morning delivered a powerful message to the bankers inside. “Bank of America! th... more

'Hoops in the Hood' About More than Hoops

Thursday, September 2, 2010 As the jubilant members of the East Garfield Park basketball team celebrated, straining to touch the trophy they had just claimed, it was clear they had won more than a basketball game and a gold statue. The 2010 Hoops in the Hood Cross-City Tournament winners for the maj... more

Hoops Takes to the Streets in North Lawndale

Friday, August 20, 2010 Cristobal Martinez The Chicago Police Department’s 10th District police station on Ogden Avenue usually hosts plenty of negative action in the North Lawndale community. But on a recent Thursday night, the action was quite the opposite. The smell of grilled hot dogs and ... more

Spring Into Sports 2010: The Beat Goes On

Thursday, April 15, 2010 Oji Eggleston A year ago, hundreds of Chicago youth from neighborhoods all over the city converged on Crane High School for the Spring Into Sports finals. That competition, in basketball, volleyball, fencing and a variety of other sports, was the culmination of an unusual we... more

The Alternate Route - 8K Run for Youth

race@alternativesyouth.org | http://alternativesyouth.org/8k2010.html Alternatives, Inc. will host its third annual 8K race on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Montrose Harbor starting at 8:00 AM. Funds generated from the race will go to support Alternatives, Inc.’s programs and services. Founded in 1... more

Teamwork Creates a Safe Haven for Englewood's Youth

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Joseph White / Photos by Joseph White At 6:30 on a Friday evening in late August at a Southside Salvation Army, coach Daryl Bell is sitting in the bleachers of the large gymnasium as a hotly-contested game between teenage boys in its final minutes is playing out on the floo... more

Vote for Pilsen's Growing Station Community Garden

Is Growing Station Community Garden in Pilsen Chicagoland’s favorite public place? You can help decide. Between Aug. 9 and Sept. 10, vote online at PlacemakingChicago.com for your favorite of two dozen finalists in the “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland&rd... more

Promoting in Pilsen

If youre at a concert in Pilsen and there are three bands on the bill and two DJs, all playing different kinds of music, and original paintings are on the walls, and between sets, a group of dancers come out--youre probably at a show put together by Rockotitlan Chicago. This year, Rockotitlan is ... more

New Meditation Classes at the Velasquez Institute

Discover how meditation can greatly enrich the many areas of your life, just as it has countless people, across different cultures, faith and time. Meditation is an ancient practice still used today, to experience moments of deep inner silence, calm, tranquility and peace. Today, it is practiced fo... more

Gads Hill Center's Teen Connection After School Homework Help & College Preparatory Program

Teen Connectionprovides academic support to 7th - 12th graders. Our program provides participants with the tools to effectively transition from junior high, successfully graduate from high school, and enroll in college/ postsecondary institution. Our program empowers and encourages youth to impro... more

Gads Hill Center Kids Meet Olympians at World Harmony Run

Chicago, IL - On Monday, July 26, 2010, 20 children in Gads Hill Center’s Club Learn Program participated in the World Harmony Run celebration in Grant Park. The Club kids had an opportunity to meet local Olympians and learn about their different events. One of the activities included a gro... 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

Pro-quality music video from Crane High students

Very impressive!The music video below looks like something from a record-labels studio, but it was created and produced by 12 students at Crane Tech Prep High School in Chicagos West Haven neighborhood. The project was a joint effort between the students, their teacher "Gravity," owner of OOO Multim... more

South Chicago Does Green in a Big Way

Lots of communities and individuals talk about "being green," but few can show as much actual green activity as the former steel mill community of South Chicago, which in May will host 80 green-oriented events from habitat restoration and urban farming to tours, youth programs, cycling events and he... more

Digital Youth See Leading Edge of Tech at IIT

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Carl Vogel Tom Lord pushed a button on his remote control, and with a light hum, the robot lurched forward. The dozen or so students gathered around him watched rapt as the machine began to spin, faster and faster. Already interested as Lord had gone from workbench to workbe... more

LISC Wants You to Step Up to the Plate

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 State Farm® and Major League Baseball® (MLB) have stepped up to the plate for charities in the U.S. and Canada for years. This year, through its Go To Bat promotion, State Farm offers fans a chance to support a charity of their choice and enter to win a trip for tw... more

Showcase Tours Start With “Parks & Boulevards”

Thursday, August 19, 2010 Ed Finkel About a dozen staff from community, environmental and architecture-related nonprofits toured and learned about West Side “Parks and Boulevards” on Aug. 6 to kick off “Round Two” of LISC/Chicago’s Community Showcase Tours. Funded throu... more

Elev8 Students to Congressman: Immigration Reform Now

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Maureen Kelleher For many Chicago middle school students, immigration reform isn’t an academic abstraction. Some of them are undocumented, or have friends and classmates who are, and they’re apprehensive about what life beyond the 8th grade holds for them. This... more

"Yard" Work Rewarded in Uptown

Thursday, July 29, 2010 John McCarron Doing mixed-use redevelopment in a less-than-affluent city neighborhood is never easy. Most often it’s downright difficult. And then there’s Uptown’s Wilson Yard. “This is a win-win situation, but it took over 12 years,” said a seem... more

Seniors defend Social Security

Senior citizens and their supporters will protest the appearance of the leading proponent of Social Security privatization at a Chicago fundraiser tomorrow.

Clear Air and Water Show

Without a car, any Little Village resident who want to get to the lakefront for this weekends Air and Water Show will have to take several buses – and probably walk a half mile or more.

Hyatt workers to call boycott

Hyatt workers hit by staffing cuts and locked in tough contract negotiations will announce a boycott of one or more Chicago-area Hyatt properties tomorrow.

Festival supports Humboldt Park art center

The Festival of the Musai is an all-women arts event Saturday night featuring a variety of music, visual art and dance to raise money for the Rumble Arts Center, a nonprofit community art center in Humboldt Park.

Muslim-Jewish gathering promotes tolerance

With anti-Muslim sentiment once again surging in the U.S., Jews and Muslims will gather tomorrow night for a unique interfaith celebration to promote dialogue and tolerance.

One West Side Group Provides Flood Clean-up, Jobs

A news report from Sarah Ostman, AustinTalks.org Westside Health Authority Rosemary Marsh was sure her home would withstand the heavy rains of July 23. The brick Keystone Avenue home she shares with her sister had never leaked before – and it had weathered many a storm over the past two decades. But... more

Join Senior Citizens Today to Defend Social Security

A news report from Curtis Black’s Newstips Blog, Community Media Workshop Senior citizens and their supporters will protest the appearance of the leading proponent of Social Security privatization at a Chicago fundraiser today.  The action is part of a growing effort to defend the nation’s ret... more

Learn to Organize for Your Community

Chicago is the home of Saul Alinsky—style community organizing. Now you can get that kind of training and turn around and move your neighborhood and community forward. The Community Renewal Society’s flagship three-day training identifies key organizing principles, how values influence those princip... more

Water Quality Rankings Affected by Frequent Testing

Image via Wikipedia The results are of water quality are in, and Minnesota ranked first for the Great Lakes states — and 12th overall. Illinois was last in the region and 28th overall. Five percent of Minnesota’s samples exceeded the federal standard compared to 16 percent of Illinois’. But beach ex... more

Industrial Workers of the World Set up Shop Right Here in Chicago

A news report from Kevin Robinson, Center Square Journal The IWW is now headquarted in Northcenter at 2117 W. Irving Park Road. Photo/Mike Fourcher, Center Square Journal. Maybe you’ve passed this building at 2117 W. Irving Park, but did you know that it’s the headquarters of the international labor... more

A revolving door

Charter schools had to replace an average of more than half of their teachers between 2008 and 2010, a turnover rate on par with some of the most troubled district-run schools. Experts say that high teacher turnover is associated with a school in turmoil and that instability often hampers student pe... more

Searching for equity

Mayor Richard M. Daley has vowed to continue with his Renaissance 2010 strategy. Yet six years after it was launched, nearly 3 out of 4 Chicago schoolchildren still attend low-performing schools. Top officials acknowledge that new schools are not the main spark for systemwide improvement.

Budget landmines

A Catalyst analysis finds that many charters operate with deficits and depend heavily on private money to stay afloat.

What communities are planning for Promise Neighborhoods

Chicago communities and social service agencies are making a pitch for part of $10 million in federal planning grants for Promise Neighborhoods, the Obama Administrations initiative to replicate the Harlem Childrens Zone. The 20 planning grant winners will be announced in September. Chicago could co... more

Life after high school: Boot camp at Cook County Jail

Last year, Kenny Rainey was saying goodbye to high school. He had too few credits to graduate and was nervous about his future, but he had a summer job lined up and plans to enroll in an alternative school to earn his diploma. But now, Kenny is in Cook County Jails boot camp, where he was sentenced ... more

In the News: School honoring slain officer dedicated; divide on merit pay, tenure, Race to Top

Mayor Daley and Chicago Public Schools and police officials joined in the dedication Wednesday of the new Eric Solorio Academy High School (5400 S. St. Louis Ave.) that honors a Chicago police officer who was killed in the line of duty several years ago. About 300 freshmen will begin classes at the ... more

In the News: Limited success with turnarounds; value-added evaluation model exploding

A survey released by the Washington-based Center on Education Policy finds that few school districts are familiar with the four federal models for turning around low-performing schools and even fewer have implemented them. More than a third of school districts reported they had no familiarity with t... more

Four Chicago neighborhoods to give input on school improvement

To try and get community buy-in for school closings and new school openings, CPS has chosen four neighborhoods in which officials plan to develop a school improvement plan. The communities--Englewood, Grand Boulevard, Humboldt Park and Austin—all have struggling schools that are prime targets ... more

In the News: Funding for New Teacher Center; advice on fixing public schools

Last year, the Chicago New Teacher Center provided training and mentoring for all new CPS teachers. But the $3.5 million program collapsed in June after the School Board laid off its 54 teacher coaches to help balance the CPS budget. Now, the Center may be coming back but with a scaled-down program.... more

In the News: CPS embraces online learning; charters recast New Orleans education

Tribune reporter Azam Ahmed takes a look at online learning programs in Chicago Public Schools, which supporters say are inexpensive, flexible and have the potential to revolutionize education. Critics call online learning untested. CPS now offers a battery of online programs, ranging from math and ... more

Seventeen

Seventeen-year-olds are minors in the eyes of the law if they’re the victim of a crime, but not if they commit a felony. A Chicago Reporter analysis found that hundreds of minors are being prosecuted in adult court and serving hard time in Illinois’ adult prisons with other adult felons. All this be... more

Weighing opportunity cost

I have student loan debt that’s been looming for years. Every time I think about it, my heart races and my brain calculates how much overtime I’d have to pull to pay off the debt in a year....

An Update from the Farm

Im so proud of them: LaToya heard about the hiring through a job developer at at Michael Barlow Center. She told others in the class and they worked through the long (1.5 hour) online application on their lunch break, part of class, and after work. The three ladies below brought interview clothes ... more

Drinking Wine at Big Bowl Supports Growing Home!

From now thru February 2011, Growing Home will receive a $1 donation for each bottle of Campanile Pinot Grigio sold at Big Bowl restaurants throughout the city! Big Bowl is also introducing Illinois wines to their wine list this year. Were grateful for the support from Big Bowl, and excited that I... more

Fall CSA Shares Available Now

Growing Home fall CSA shares are still available for purchase for the 2010 season. This share begins on October 15th and continues through November 6th. The fall shares is a great way for individuals or families to try a CSA share before purchasing a full summer share. This share is only availabl... more

2010 Growing Home Harvest Festival

Click here to download .pdf of invitation!

An Update from the Farm

Chicago Community Retail Profiles

LISC MetroEdge has a long standing relationship with the City of Chicago to support retail development and retail retention efforts. Each year, we produce retail profiles for each of the 77 community areas defined by the Citys Department of Community Development. These profiles are used by the City... more

Foreclosure Filings in Chicago's New Communities Neighborhoods

LISC MetroEdge has conducted an analysis of foreclosure filings in the City of Chicago. A complete analysis of 2009 foreclosure filing activities has been completed. In addition, throughout 2010 LISC MetroEdge will be updating these data monthly and posting to this web site. The data used to produ... more

Duluth Media Highlights New MetroEdge Market Analysis and Planning Work in Lincoln Park

MetroEdge is working with partners in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Duluth to define the market and business opportunities. The need for this study comes at a time when new businesses are scheduled to come online at Clyde Park, former home of Clyde Ironworks. In addition, community and business... more

Pilsen Primed for Business Expansion

LISC MetroEdge partnered with the 18th Avenue Development Corporation, The Resurrection Project and LISC Chicago to conduct a Retail Scan in Pilsen, a New Communities neighborhood. By analyzing market data and conducting on-the-ground assessments, LISC MetroEdge identified unmet retail demand and st... more

The Commercial District Advisor - an online resource for practitioners

The Commercial District Advisor is an on-line resource for information-sharing, ideas and strategies for successful commercial district revitalization. Maintained by Larisa Ortiz Associates, this web site regularly features stories and resources from around the country about best practices in comme... more

Closing the Deal: 7 Tips on Making it Happen

Getting to the finish line on any kind of real estate deal takes stamina and creativity. It can be even harder when the project is in a community of color, because many developers undervalue the opportunities there, says Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, executive director of Quad Communities Development Co... more

Bridging Ethnic Divides through Stories -- and Recipes

Its hard to create a sense of community when people dont know each other. And especially difficult in a place like San Diego’s Colina Park neighborhood, where residents speak more than three dozen languages. But as part of the Neighborhoods First Initiative, students from Crawford High School... more

Common Vision Can Create Beautiful Results

"A one-man bands music is never very good, right?" It was early in the first-ever Neighborhood Innovation Forum in San Diego, and Jim Capraro, the keynote speaker, was explaining the theory and practice of comprehensive community development. A longtime community organizer in Chicago, Capraro had ... more

In San Diego, Two Different Paths to Change

Two neighborhoods, just four miles apart in the vast sprawl of San Diego’s ravines and canyons, are walking two different paths toward community improvement. Greater Logan Heights, a largely Latino neighborhood that was once mostly African-American, is methodically bringing together communit... more

Partnerships? Sure, But How Do You Get There?

At the end of the first-ever Neighborhood Innovation Forum in San Diego, the crowd was asked: "What are you called to do because of what happened here today?" "Create partnerships" was an immediate response. And no wonder. Virtually every presentation and comment during the May 2010 event –... more

Chicago Amendment to the NSP 1 Substantial Amendment

The City of Chicago is amending its NSP 1 Substantial Amendment allocation priorities. This amendment will be posted for a 15 day public comment period. Please note that comments will be collected through August 5, 2010. A summary of comments will be forwarded to the Department of Housing and Urb... more

New Houses, Local Jobs Make for Better Neighborhoods

“When you gonna come work for me?” Melvin Bailey shouts at a young man walking down Homan Avenue on the city’s West Side. “We got orientation coming up next week.” The young man’s pants are sagging (a look Bailey says is unacceptable in the working world but whic... more

Illinois Association of Realtors Weighs in on NSP

Last fall, Brian Bernardoni, in a publication of the Illinois Association of Realtors, described how realtors are involved in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. See the story here.

NSP houses hit the market

There’s the smell of fresh paint on the walls in the entryway of 6405 S. Rockwell. But Karry Young, the developer who’s been remodeling the single-family home in Chicago Lawn, is pointing past the paint job, at the wooden molding. “That oak,” he says, “puts so much per... more

Properties Acquired by NSP

Auburn Gresham 7721 S. Carpenter St., 2 units 7835 S. Ada St., 1 unit 7646 S. Morgan St., 2 units 7719 S. Throop St., 2 units 7914 S. Carpenter St., 4 units 7801 S. Aberdeen, 1 unit 7719 S. Ada St., 2 units 7804 S. Green St., 2 units Austin 220-222 S. Lotus Ave., 4 units 5521 W. Gladys Av... more

Chicago gets first flood “disaster recovery center” in Austin

Victims of the summer floods lined up early Wednesday at FEMAs first Chicago "disaster recovery center" to apply for money.

Local group provides jobs, cleans up from flood

The Westside Health Authority has volunteers available to help through the end of September.

Austin women urged to be proactive, vocal in fighting breast and ovarian cancer

Event last Saturday at Loretto Hospital spotlights these too-often deadly diseases.

Residents upset with La Follette Park budget cuts

The newly formed park advisory council vows to fight to get more attention - and money - from Mayor Daley.

Grandparent network expanding to West Side

The 7-year-old Grandfamilies Program of Chicago launches its suburban support groups this month.