North Lawndale Arts & Cultural Festival Aug 6 in Douglas Park

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council
We thank the Austin Weekly News for following the North Lawndale Arts Festival.  Here is an excerpt from their latest story.

A colorful day of visual arts, music, dance and drama to Douglas Park will run allday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m at the cultural center/field house at 1400 S. Sacramento. It’s free and people of all ages from anywhere in the world are welcome.

North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, the not-for-profit group responsible for a unique citizens planning process in this West Side neighborhood, aims to bring out the area’s sometimes-hidden cultural assets, said festival chair Sheila McNary.

Artists and vendors so far include: BGLH, Sweet Beginnings, Maxwell Street Foundation, the NLCC, Celestial Ministries, MUSIC, Madd Rhythms, Momma Kemba, Painter Cory of 345 Gallery, Rickie Brown, Dametrius, Jaclyn Jacunski of SAIC, Free Spirit Media, Able Electropolishing, Bee Boys, Artsy Marcey Jewelry, Jamiah Calvin, and Eddie Hudson.

Read more here

 

North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council Accomplishments and Work in Progress

Posted on by 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:

  1. Developed a successful application for CMAP technical assistance resulting in an award valued in excess of $100,000
  2. Initiated relationships with Cinespace, Sinai Health System and Top Box
  3. Held NLCCC kickoff event that attracted over 150 people when we’d hoped to get 50
  4. Increased membership from 50 people in October, 2015  to 265 in August 2016
  5. 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
  6. Developed an occasional newsletter whose circulation has increased from about 143 to 268 between October, 2015 and July 1, 2016
  7. Held the first annual community development conference, which attracted over 300 people
  8. 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
  9. Participated in several On the Table conversations in North Lawndale and with LISC to discuss ways of bringing about commuity unity
  10. Completed a preliminary North Lawndale Snapshot Survey to begin to assess the capacity of our member organizations individually and collectively
  11. Held an informational meeting with the Chicago Community Trust to get an overview of their programs as well as the Benefit Chicago Initiative.
  12. Applied for LISC Quality of Life Funding and hosted a very successful site visit and tour for LISC representatives
  13. 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
  14. Assessed potential for creating employment pathways leading to industry recognized credentials
  15. Hosted a transportation town hall meeting
  16. 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
  17. Will be hosting a town hall meeting on the health status of North Lawndale this fall
  18. Will be hosting a TIF town hall meeting in September
  19. In the process of replicating the Promise Neighborhoods model in North Lawndale Hosted a transportation town hall meeting
  20. Will be hosting a town hall meeting on Alderman Scott’s proposal for a music venue in Douglas Park on August 23, 2016
  21. Will be hosting a two-part workshop on Robert’s Rules of Order in October
  22. 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

We will keep you posted on our progress from time to time.

There is Still Time to Sponsor the North Lawndale Arts Festival!

Posted on by North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

Thank you for your ongoing support of the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council. Because of your generous support, we have been able to successfully produce our first annual North Lawndale Community Planning Conference back in April. We are now winding down the planning and fundraising efforts for our next big event–our First Annual North Lawndale Arts Festival, to be held on August 6, 2016, from 10 am – 7 pm at Douglas Park Cultural Center, located at 1401 South Sacramento.

We need your support as we enter the final stretch. If you, or a local artist, small business or representative of a public or nonprofit agency are interested in showcasing your artwork, business or organization, please contact Shiela McNary, our Arts and Culture Subcommittee Chair, at sjmcnary1@aol.com and she will forward you a registration packet that outlines the fees and requirements. I have attached sponsorship packets for individuals and organizations wishing to sponsor the festival, as well as a jpeg file of the promotional flyer. A copy of a message from Sheila is found below.

Please, share this email widely. We still need to cover costs for equipment and furnishing rentals and light refreshment.

In closing, we thank the following North Lawndale stakeholders for their generous cash and in-kind contributions:

Alderman Michael Scott-Cash donation and technical assistance with event planning, marketing and outreach
Country Financial-Cash donation
Foundation for Homan Square-Cash donation and strategic partnerships with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Mia Gamble-Cash donation
Corry Williams-Cash donation
Mary Ellen Dragon-Cash donation
Kevin Sutton, Vice President, The Foundation for Homan Square-Technical assistance for event planning
Alysia Slusser,Graphic Artist-Logo deign and assistance with collateral material/social media design
Alexie Young, Visual Artist-Community Canvass (workshop in which participants will all have an opportunity to complete a painting during the event) and assistance with collateral material design
Reneau Diallo, Quilt Artist-Facilitation of quilt workshop in which participants will have an opportunity to design and complete a quilt block, to be fashioned into a community quilt

Sheila McNary
Sheila J. McNary, 

Dear Friend of North Lawndale:

The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC) cordially invites you to be a sponsor of our first annual North Lawndale Arts Festival. The Arts Festival will be held at Douglas Park Cultural Center, 1401 S. Sacramento Ave., on Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be no charge to patrons of the Festival and sponsorship proceeds will be used to offset the cost of the event.

The Arts Festival will showcase the works of local artists and talents of local entertainment including blues musician Larry Taylor, jazz musician Ronnie G. and tap dance group M.A.D.D. Rhythms. The NLCCC plans to use the Festival to bring the already rich culture of North Lawndale to a broader audience. We expect over 1,000 people to attend including elected officials, heads of public agencies, leaders of community-based organizations and local residents.

Your investment in the Arts Festival is a win-win for you and the community. Your organization will have the opportunity to establish and nurture relationships with a broad base of influential North Lawndale stakeholders that have access to even broader networks that would be beneficial in strengthening your brand. The Arts Festival will unify the community around arts and culture, attract more arts and cultural activities, encourage economic development and help make the case for improving the entire community.

In closing, we invite you to review our sponsorship packet and respond with your tax deductible donation and print ready logo no later than July 15, 2016. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 312.907.7701 or sjmcnary1@aol.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Sheila McNarry,
Chairman, NLCCC – Arts and Culture committee

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

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.

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

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.