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Do You Know How Valuable Your Service Is?

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

NLCCC has been in existence since April, 2015. As a result of your support, we have hit the ground running, and have covered more ground in a shorter period of time than we would have ever imagined from a purely volunteer effort. We would like to estimate the value of your contributions. Please, complete the form below so that we may begin to quantify your impact. We will share the results once we get a critical mass of responses. Your individual data will not be made pubic.Your assistance, as always, is appreciated. Any questions you have may be directed to

Valerie F. Leonard, consulting@valeriefleonard.com
Rodney Brown, rodney@new-covenantcdc.org
Dennis Deer, drdeer@deerehabservices.com

Complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M3G7PB2

Help Us Engage North Lawndale in the Planning Process

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Help us the word out to the North Lawndale community about our planning process and to survey community members. This will include making presentations at community meetings; distributing and collecting surveys at the meetings; going door-to-door with surveys and brochures, and surveying people in public spaces. We also want to make presentations throughout the community. If you can help in anyway, please let us know.

Please complete this form so we can follow up with you with an assignment that matches your preferences. Your assistance, as always, is appreciated. Any questions you have may be directed to
Valerie F. Leonard, consulting@valeriefleonard.com
Rodney Brown, rodney@new-covenantcdc.org
Dennis Deer, drdeer@deerehabservices.com

Complete the survey here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y3ZFJ6Q

Funeral Arrangements for Laura Lode

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

We regret to inform you of the sudden passing of Laura Lode (nee Ackerman). Her obituary appears in the Chicago Tribune as follows.

Beloved wife of Lawrence Lode. Cherished sister of Robert G. (Cindy) Ackerman, and Linda Data. Devoted daughter of the late Robert and Joan Ackerman. Loving daughter-in-law of Cornelius and the late Mary Lode. Beloved sister-in-law, aunt and great-aunt of many. Dedicated her life to the people of the Homan Square community. Visitation Sunday 2-8 p.m. Funeral Monday 9:15 a.m. from the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL to St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr Church, 17500 S. 84th Ave., Tinley Park, Mass 10:00 a.m. Entombment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Foundation for Homan Square, 3517 W. Arthington Street, Chicago, IL 60624 would be appreciated. http://www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=laura-lode&pid=180441889&fhid=2156#sthash.uHz5qNRP.VAGR6V9T.dpuf

NLCCC Submits Letter of Intent to LISC in Hopes of Facilitating Quality of Life Planning in North Lawndale

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Exactly a year ago today, (June 24, 2015) NLCCC submitted an application to CMAP for technical assistance to complete a comprehensive plan for the North Lawndale community. On June 15, 2016, we submitted our letter to LISC, expressing interest in becoming the lead agency to facilitate continued Quality of Life Planning (QLP) in North Lawndale. If we are successful, the QLP process will be done in tandem with our comprehensive planning process. This will allow us to focus on developing the physical environment while strengthening our ability to improve the capacity of local residents, organizations and businesses to take advantage of the changes the plan will bring. The QLP process will highlight those areas that are not currently emphasized in the CMAP comprehensive community planning process, including education, public safety, arts and culture, technology and health care.

We are very fortunate to have received 36 letters of support from various stakeholders to back up our letter, including: Alderman Michael Scott Jr., New Covenant CDC, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Valerie F. Leonard, Chicago Youth Centers, Congressman Danny K Davis, Commissioner Robert Steele, Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Frank Bass, BBF, Celestial Ministries, CCA Academy, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Deer Rehabilitation Services, Inc., DRW College Prep, Free Spirit Media, Foundation for Homan Square, HSI, JPA, Kathy Powers, Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, K-Town Historic District Association, Chicago LAMP, New Age Services Corporation, The Night Ministry, NLEN, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt, Sankofa Safe Child Initiative,Sinai Health System, St. Agatha Family Empowerment, The Learning Center, Theresia Thurman, UCAN, WestCare, St. Anthony Hospital.

We thank you for your support to date, and the support you will provide. Because of your efforts, and those of people who have laid the foundation for this work, North Lawndale has hit the “reset button”, and is turning the corner. The work is not easy, but every effort is valued and moves us closer to realizing our vision of North Lawndale as a healthy, vibrant community with a diversified and innovative economy, competitive work force, engaged citizens and infrastructure that supports long term, sustainable growth. A copy of our packet has been embedded below.

What Can We Do to Reduce Crime and Violence in North Lawndale?

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

There are 77 community areas in Chicago. According to the Chicago Tribune Crime in Chicagoland page, as of June 13, 2016, North Lawndale ranked #7 in violent crime,  #29 in property crime and #4 in quality of life crime, according to the Chicago Tribune Crime in Chicago page.

What strategies do you know of that have been proven to reduce crime and violence? Can any of those strategies be replicated in North Lawndale?  We posted these questions on Facebook, and got the following responses so far.

“I don’t know if it’s been proven but giving people in the community jobs, that benefit the community. For instance, jobs that clean up the vacant lots, by build playgrounds and gardens; or opening more centers for the kids to play and provide young adults/teenagers with jobs. Having accessible mental health facilities, to break the stigma and help people cope with the community violence.”

“For as much as I’m not a fan of Pastor Corey Brooks, I admire how he has brought the rival gangs together and called a truce. We need our churches to become more involved, get out in the community and befriend the gangbanger. In the neighborhoods, there is a church on almost every corner. I think it’s time the pastors to start getting together stratigizing. It’s time for the churches to give back to the communities by showing they care. It might take bringing in others like the Alderman and talking to the police chief but it has to start somewhere.”

Some people shared links to useful articles.

Police spend £5,000 on flowers to deter criminals

The display in Bristol, used as a deterrent to miscreants and petty criminals, is believed to be the first time flowers have been used to combat crime.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10989873/Police-spend-5000-on-flowers-to-deter-criminals.html

Flower Power Thwarts Burglars in Japan

Healthy Communities May Make Safe Communities: Public Health Approaches to Violence Prevention

http://nij.gov/journals/273/Pages/violence-prevention.aspx

What say you?  Feel free to post in the comment section.  We would love to hear from you.

NLCCC in the News

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

We thank the Austin Weekly News for their continued coverage of the NLCCC Comprehensive Community planning process. The following articles have recently run in the newspaper.

CTA’s Blue Line plans include new West Side stations

The proposal, still in the preliminary phase, will be open to public scrutiny at June 29 meeting

By Robert Felton

The Chicago Transit Authority is working on a plan to renovate Blue Line train tracks and stations between the Forest Park and Clinton stops, and is seeking feedback from residents of the North Lawndale community on the details of the ambitious proposal. More

North Lawndale seeking artists, artisans for August festival

The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council sets July 22 date for participants to register for Aug. 6 event

By Igor Studenov

Over the past few years, Douglas Park has hosted numerous events devoted to music. Each year, the West Side Music Festival takes up the southern half of the park and last year Riot Fest moved there from Humboldt Park. But there was never anything devoted primarily to art — until now. More

N. Lawndale’s grand plan rolls on

A comprehensive plan, formed from the grassroots up, is still in motion for the community

By Igor Studenov

Earlier this year, a group of North Lawndale residents, businesses, community organizations and elected officials united to create a detailed plan to improve their entire community. More

Don’t Miss These Upcoming NLCCC Partner Meetings

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Good evening. We just wanted to share upcoming NLCCC partner meetings. Please, come out and support our members.

K-TOWN Historic District Association Meeting

Many things have been and are happening in North Lawndale; the District should be and can be a part of it. Governmental and philanthropic organizations know of us now.
We have owner-occupied buildings without the resources for needed repairs, and new building owners displaying no interest in actually living here.
Are there grants to help with those repairs? Is there money available to attract new owner-occupancy with buyer incentives? KTHDA is a non-profit organization, which makes us eligible for grants that may help.
Tell your neighbors and friends. and join us this Thursday, June 23rd, 6:30 pm at Greater St. Paul AME Church, 4236 W Cermak Rd. Let’s explore our possibilities.

Paul Norrington, Founder, Vice-President
K-Town Historic District Association
“Celebrating History and Cultivating the Future”
P.O. Box 24072 Chicago, Il 60624
ktowndistrict@yahoo.com facebook.com/KTHDAssociation

UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH
CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Former Cook County Board President Bobbie Steele Requests the Honor of NLCCC Members’ Presence

United Baptist Church
4242 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60624
Office: (773) 722-4357 Fax: 773-722-8001
http://www.unitedbaptistchicago.net
Rev. Dr. Wilson Daniels, Pastor
Deacon Lamar Coleman, Anniversary Chairman
Tinki Robinson, Anniversary Co-Chairwoman

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Tinki Robinson, Communications

JUNE 17, 2016 Email: tinkirobinson@gmail.com

Phone: 773-406-6512

CHICAGO’S NORTH LAWNDALE CHURCH CELEBRATES ITS 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

WHO: Roughly 200 members, friends, clergy and dignitaries including: Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott Jr., Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele, Congressman Danny K. Davis, Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown, Former President of the Cook County Board Bobbi Steele, Former Alderman Ed Smith, North Lawndale Employment Network Director, Brenda Palms-Barber.

WHAT: 50TH Year Banner Dedication and Prayer Gathering (Outdoor Event)

WHERE: United Baptist Church 4242 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Illinois 60624

WHEN: Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 11:00 AM – 12:30pm

For Further information about the 50th anniversary events and church history, contact Tinki Robinson 773-406-6512 or Email: tinkirobinson@gmail.com.

Rev. Dr. Wilson Daniels, Pastor
United Baptist Church
4242 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60624

###

CTA Blue Line Vision Study

Submit project comments electronically to blueweststudy@transitchicago.com

Join the CTA at an open house for the
CTA Blue Line (Forest Park Branch)
OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
WHEN 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
WHERE
Altgeld Park Field House
515 S. Washtenaw Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
WHY Do you use any of the CTA Blue Line stations
between UIC-Halsted and Austin?

The CTA is engaging stakeholders on the Forest Park Branch of
the Blue Line and we need your input! Join us at this open house
to give feedback on CTA station concepts and modernization
plans for the Blue Line.

At the meeting, you will be able to view a brief presentation and
exhibits on station improvement concepts, talk with CTA team
members about the project, as well as give us your input on the
preliminary plans.

Can’t make it on the 29th? NO PROBLEM!
We want to hear from you!
Submit project comments electronically to
blueweststudy@transitchicago.com
> How do you access these stations?
> How can we improve your customer experience?
> Tell us which station improvement concept you prefer!
Learn more about the Forest Park Branch Vision Study at http://www.transitchicago.com/blueweststudy

We thank the Austin Weekly News for covering the NLCCC Transportation Subcommittee meeting, in which the proposed expansion project was discussed. http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/6-17-2016/CTA’s-Blue-Line-plans-include-new-West-Side-stations-/

Cook County Commissioner Steele 2nd District Presents
Cook County Land Bank Series

Date: Thursday June 30, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m
Location: Malcolm X College
1900 W. Jackson Chicago, IL 60612
(Room 1104 Conf. Hall B)

What is the Cook County Land Bank?
How can the Cook County Land Bank help you promote
development in your community?
How to engage the Cook County Lank Bank.

Partners:
Cook County
Cook County Land Bank
New Covenant Community Coordinating Council
North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council
Washington Park Chamber of Commerce
Phoenix Association

NLCCC Potential Funding Opportunities/ Upcoming Meetings and Events

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Good afternoon, everyone. I just wanted to share a few important updates of which you should be aware.

Steering Committee Meeting with the Chicago Community Trust

The Steering Committee is in the process of setting up a meeting with the Chicago Community Trust to discuss the Benefit Chicago initiative, sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust and the Calvert Foundation. This initiative will fund social enterprises. We will also discuss the range of products and services provided by the Chicago Community Trust, and the needs of our membership, as outlined on the North Lawndale Community Snapshot survey. We will keep you posted of the outcomes of the discussion.

Chicago Community Trust On the Table/Acting Up Awards Application Video

A number of our members participated in the Chicago Community Trust’s On the Table conversations on May 10th. The Trust will be providing fifty $1,000 grants to various participating groups to ensure that some of the ideas that were discussed to bring about community unity are implemented by the end of the year. Here is the video from the NLCCC application. If selected, we will use proceeds towards the first annual North Lawndale Arts Festival in Douglas Park, to be held August 6, 2016, from 10 am-7 pm. We should know the outcome of the competition the first part of July, 2016.

LISC Quality of Life Planning

NLCCC will be applying for LISC Quality of Life planning funds to strengthen our comprehensive planning process, currently under way with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). CMAP is currently facilitating the comprehensive planning process, with a focus on land use around housing, transportation, infrastructure, economic development, health care and arts and culture. If we are successful in securing this, we will use the funding to help us strengthen initiatives in those areas that are not being emphasized in the CMAP planning process, such as technology, education, public safety, workforce development and capacity building. We will submit our letter of intent by June 17, 2016, at 6:00 pm.

New Covenant CDC, the fiscal agent for the NLCCC comprehensive planning process, will also serve as the lead agency in this application. Lawndale Christian Development Corporation was the lead agency for the North Lawndale Quality of Life Plan completed in 2005. We thank Richard Townsell, Executive Director of LCDC, and the chairman of the NLCCC housing subcommittee, for supporting this effort.

Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this planning process. If so, we ask that you provide us your contact information so that we may include it as an attachment to our letter of intent to LISC. Ideally, we would also like you to include a letter of support as well. We will provide a model letter under separate cover to those agencies that have expressed an interest in participating.

Upcoming NLCCC Meetings

Please find attached a PDF file of our meetings flyer outlining the meeting schedule for NLCCC subcommittees, as well as a copy of our brochure. A link to the electronic application is found here.

Please Support our Members’ Upcoming Events:

Grand Opening of North Lawndale Peace Parks

HOST: Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center 773-542-9126
SUNDAY, JUNE 5 FROM 12:00 PM
TO 5:00 PM
1st North Lawndale Peace Park
2101 South Spaulding Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623

For more information, please click here.

An Evening Affair With the Board of Directors of HSI

Please join the Board of Directors of Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI) on Monday, June 13th at 6:00 pm at the South Shore Cultural Center for an evening overlooking Lake Michigan, enjoying appetizers and cocktails while learning more about this dynamic organization. For more information, please click here.

Please share these announcements widely. Your assistance, as always, is most appreciated!

 

Check Out NLCCC’s Acting Up Awards Application Video

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Each year following On the Table, the Chicago Community Trust hears from excited and passionate community members about the conversations they had and the ways in which they want to make a difference on a local level. This year, the Trust will help ensure creative and actionable ideas raised during the discussions come to fruition.

To this end, the Chicago Community Trust has invited all individuals and organizations to submit a short video featuring their table’s idea of an actionable task to benefit your community. Some ideas included planting a community vegetable garden to buying school supplies for a classroom in need; cleaning up a local playground to supplying dinner for a week at a local soup kitchen. In essence – what could participants do with $1,000 to benefit their community?

On June 28, Chicago Community Trust will announce up to 50 On the Table participants who will receive a $1,000 Acting Up award to implement their idea. The charge is simply to encourage people to work together and take action for the public good.

Here is a copy of the NLCCC video submittal. Regardless of the outcome of the competition, we thoroughly enjoyed participating in several On the Table discussions on May 10th and have come back with a number of ideas that may be incorporated into our community planning process.

NLCCC Participates in On the Table

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

NLCCC members participated in several On The Table events on May 10, 2014. On the Table is an annual forum sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust, and is designed to elevate civic conversation, foster new relationships and create a unifying experience across the region. Thousands of Chicago-area residents gathered in small groups to share a meal and discuss the challenges and opportunities we face. These conversations have the potential to inspire new ways we can work together to make our communities stronger, safer and more dynamic.  Check out some of the #OntheTable pictures here.