A neighborhood-wide investment in the essentials every community deserves. Rooted in our plan, powered by our people.
Every neighborhood should have what it needs to thrive: safe places to gather, great spaces to learn, pathways to meaningful work, and support for local dreams. In many parts of Chicago, that kind of infrastructure is a given. In North Lawndale, it’s something we’ve had to organize, advocate, and build for ourselves.
Energizing an Ecosystem for North Lawndale — a finalist for the prestigious Chicago Prize — is the result of that work. It’s a $45 million investment in five community-led projects — all deeply connected through North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council’s Quality of Life Plan, which reflects the hopes and priorities of thousands of residents.
These projects do more than fill long-standing gaps. They also unlock new opportunities, from youth employment and entrepreneurship to green jobs and community-based ecotourism. The thread that connects them is a shared vision to transform underused spaces into places of beauty, purpose, and possibility.
Rather than a flashy development, we’re building something foundational that every neighborhood needs, and that this neighborhood has long deserved. This is North Lawndale shaping its own future — on our terms, in our voice, and for generations to come.
Pollinator Pavilion
In North Lawndale, green space and green jobs are both in short supply, but the potential is abundant. The Pollinator Pavilion is an environmental education and workforce training hub that connects youth and adults to land stewardship, sustainability careers, and the healing power of nature. It also anchors a new vision for urban ecotourism, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the beauty, resilience, and innovation of Lawndale’s green economy. Designed by and for the community, it’s a place to learn, grow, and build a future that’s both economically and ecologically vibrant.
Project Coordinated By:
North Lawndale Employment Network
One Lawndale
Children’s Discovery Center
In other neighborhoods, a children’s museum or early learning center is a staple. Here, it’s a transformative investment in healthy development and generational change. The Discovery Center offers culturally affirming play-based learning, wellness programs, and parent support — all shaped by the voices of Lawndale families. It’s a joyful place where children can follow their curiosity and experience the feeling of community pride.
Project Coordinated By:
North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council
1600 Lawndale Business Hub
Entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders need talent, space and support — and that’s the inspiration behind the 1600 Lawndale Hub. In a neighborhood where too many storefronts have gone dark, this co-op engine will drive new energy into the local businesses, food, and art of North Lawndale. The Hub is an example of community-powered revitalization, where local visionaries can turn ideas into shared wealth.
Project Coordinated By:
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation
Innovation Center
North Lawndale is full of innovators, but they lack the necessary access to the support they need to turn ideas into reality. The Innovation Center fills that gap, providing digital training, co-working space, and entrepreneurial support to help residents start businesses, build networks, and create generational stability. Whether you’re launching a business or learning new tech skills, the Innovation Center equips you to build up what you’ve dreamed up.
Project Coordinated By:
New Covenant CDC
Sheila’s @ Douglass 18
Under the surface, this youth-run café and mini-golf course is more than a social space — it’s a real-life training ground for young people to develop confidence, leadership skills, and pride. Through paid opportunities and hands-on experience, young people prepare and serve meals while they shape the culture, economy, and identity of North Lawndale. Located in Douglass Park, Sheila’s is a reminder that when we invest in youth, we invest in the future we all share.
Project Coordinated By:
Sheila’s @ Douglass 18
North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council 