Accomplishments – North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

The North Lawndale Coordinating Council (NLCCC) is a group of North Lawndale stakeholders, including community-based organizations, business owners, elected officials and individuals, that guide comprehensive planning and implementation in North Lawndale. We started in April, 2015, with a goal of developing an authentic community-driven process that engages stakeholders “early and often”. As we prepare to take our efforts to the next level, we thought that we would take stock of what we have been able to accomplish to date. We thank everyone who has had anything to do with our success. This includes working on a committee, participating in events, making cash and in-kind donations, spreading the word about us, et cetera.

To date, we have achieved, or are currently working on the following:

Developed a successful application for CMAP technical assistance resulting in an award valued in excess of $100,000
Initiated relationships with Cinespace, Sinai Health System and Top Box
Held NLCCC kickoff event that attracted over 150 people when we’d hoped to get 50
Increased membership from 50 people in October, 2015 to 265 in August 2016
Developed website, Twitter page, Facebook page and private Facebook group with over 4,200 views, over 1,700 visits and over 50 followers within 5 months of being launched in March, 2016
Developed an occasional newsletter whose circulation has increased from about 143 to 268 between October, 2015 and July 1, 2016
Held the first annual community development conference, which attracted over 300 people
Developed 9 preliminary program logic models that will be used to inform our agenda and increase the capacity of North Lawndale residents, businesses and institutions to take advantage of the opportunities the planning process will bring
Participated in several On the Table conversations in North Lawndale and with LISC to discuss ways of bringing about commuity unity
Completed a preliminary North Lawndale Snapshot Survey to begin to assess the capacity of our member organizations individually and collectively
Held an informational meeting with the Chicago Community Trust to get an overview of their programs as well as the Benefit Chicago Initiative.
Applied for LISC Quality of Life Funding and hosted a very successful site visit and tour for LISC representatives
Initiated relationship with the North Lawndale Kinship Initiative to foster job creation, economic development and capacity buildingWill be hosting the first annual North Lawndale Arts Festival in August
Assessed potential for creating employment pathways leading to industry recognized credentials
Hosted a transportation town hall meeting
Attracted over $15,000 to this work. Proceeds were used for the conference, arts festival, copies and collateral materials. The vast majority of the funds came from our members and North Lawndale based organizations
Will be hosting a town hall meeting on the health status of North Lawndale this fall
Will be hosting a TIF town hall meeting in September
In the process of replicating the Promise Neighborhoods model in North Lawndale Hosted a transportation town hall meeting
Will be hosting a town hall meeting on Alderman Scott’s proposal for a music venue in Douglas Park on August 23, 2016
Will be hosting a two-part workshop on Robert’s Rules of Order in October
In the process of developing programs to improve local business and customer service, including a local flash mob to descend upon selected North Lawndale businesses, targeted for November or December