Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation - Home page

Fall Family Festival Reaches Out to Youth and Seniors

11/2/2009, 10:30 AM

Terra London and Linda Johnson

GADC's Aurora Cruz (L) and Linda Johnson (R) pose with pre-schoolers from local daycare centers Building Blocks Learning Academy, Alpha Learning Center, Kids R First Learning Center, and Tina’s Treasure Child Care with performing artists Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico (C).

Terra London

The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) hosted its Bi-annual Fall Family Festival at the Thurgood Marshall Library on two crisp fall days this past October.

These days may not have offered much sunshine or warmth in the air, but once you entered the inside of the Library’s auditorium, a different story was told. The energy in the room was electrifying and contagious.

On their respective day, nearly 100 children and senior citizens smiled and laughed, dance, clapped and sang to live performances by renowned performing and musical artists.

Washington Park resident, Rick Singleton holds an African cloth with his 4 of his nephews as a 5th nephew admires sitting with Mama Kimosha, Artistic Director of Alyo Children’s Dance Theatre.

Terra London

On the first day, Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico (national performing artists referred by arts icon, Urban Gateways), entertained pre-schoolers from local daycare centers with historical teachings of the Mexican–Indian Culture using hand-made musical instruments, traditional feathered headdress, song and dance.

These daycare centers included Building Blocks Learning Academy, Alpha Learning Center, Kids R First Learning Center, and Tina’s Treasure Child Care.

After seeing the flyer posted in his building, Washington Park resident, Rick Singleton, brought five of his seven nephews with him to the library. Although he is not a local resident, Mr. Singleton says, “It is extremely important to expose all of my nephews to cultural events in other communities.”

Mama Kimosha, Artistic Director of Alyo Children’s Dance Theatre, also introduced the pre-schoolers to African storytelling, traditional dance, and handmade instruments. Her talented use of the shekere and vibrant, interactive story about the “Dancing Hippo” encouraged lots of laughter by the children. Join us next year for this fun-filled event!

Two seniors dance and sing to the sounds of Johnny Drummer and the Starliters.

Ernest Sanders

On the second day of the Fall Festival over ninety of the finest senior citizens attended the popular bi-annual Senior Blues and Breakfast event.

With a hot n’ hearty breakfast catered by Ah’ La Romelle’s Catering, seniors were served and feasted on scrambled eggs, hash browns, grits, biscuits, bacon and sausage, pastries, orange juice and coffee.

While dining, seniors rocked to the smooth sounds of live blues performed by Johnny Drummer and the Starliters. Drummer of course was not a disappointment to the seniors as he entertained everyone with hit songs like, 'Shake a Hand, Make a Friend', ‘If You Going to Walk on My Love, Please Take Off My Shoes’, ‘I'm Gonna Sell My Cadillac and Buy Myself a Mule’, and ‘Rockin in the Juke Joint’.

Seniors arrived from all over; as close as Auburn Gresham and Englewood and as far away as south suburban Markham.

Mrs. Betty Basora from San Juan, Puerto Rico was in Chicago visiting family and was invited to attend. “It’s hard to believe that something this exciting and entertaining is happening at a library! Library’s are usually quiet, but today it’s vibrant and I am having a fantastic time!” One senior mentioned how this was a great end to the week and a good start to the rainy day.

Virginia Thomas (L) and her colleagues from Best Home Health Services, LLC, administer FREE professional healthcare screenings to seniors at the Family Fall Festival.

Ernest Sanders

The GADC staff, along with dedicated volunteers, continually displayed appreciation to the seniors by serving them the entire time, hand and foot. Some of our staff members even danced and ‘cut the rug’ with them.

Several t-shirts were given away in a free raffle, with a special give-away to the oldest senior in attendance, 85 year old Albert Garth. Returning sketch artist, Dan Montrel, provided free sketchings and Best Home Health Services, LLC provided free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings for everyone in attendance.

After hours of dancing and singing, seniors left with smiles on their faces and full tummies, looking forward to the next event scheduled for February 2010.

Urban Gateways Brings an Arts International Exchange Program to Auburn Gresham

8/28/2009, 8:01 PM

Ernest Sanders

Urban Gateways Art Option students pose for a photo with Ernest Sanders of GADC (bottom left) and Urban Gateways' teaching artists Maia Morgan, Grace Gachocha, and Shawn Wallace (bottom center to right). Also pictured are Urban Gateways' Jill LeCesne Potter (middle right) and Albert Cooper (rear center).

www.joelwanek.com

Aligning itself with Auburn Gresham’s Quality of Life Plan to make enjoyment of the arts and culture a way of life, The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) partnered with Urban Gateways to host their 2^nd Annual Art Options summer apprenticeship program for middle and high school students at Perspectives Charter Schools-Calumet Campus.

With support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Chicago International Connections Fund, arts icon, Urban Gateways participated in an international exchange of teaching artists from Chicago, IL and the United Republic of Tanzania (East Africa).

Grace Gachocha, a visiting teaching artist from Tanzania demonstrates an African dance technique to Urban Gateways Art Options students that encourages the concept of unity.

www.joelwanek.com

Urban Gateways’ Artist in Residence, Amanda Lichtenstein, traveled to the Tanzania to serve as a resident artist with the International Theater and Literacy Project and Grace Gachocha came to Chicago’s Auburn Gresham community to teach part of Urban Gateways’ Art Options program.

This overseas exchange afforded each artist the opportunity to showcase their talents, learn from a multi-week residency engagement, and disseminate knowledge back to their own countries and communities.

The Art Options program is a four-week summer apprenticeship program for middle and high school students working one-on-one with professional artists in the field. The program provides young artists the opportunity to experience the arts beyond the setting of the school classroom, an authentic studio experience in the arts, extended learning time, and compensation for achievement of program goals.

Grace Gachocha (right) marches along side her resident host, Darlene Fieberg (left) and GADC's Ernest Sanders (middle right) with the Faith Community of Saint Sabina at a Friday evening violence prevention demonstration in Auburn Gresham.

www.joelwanek.com

Twenty-one students from Auburn Gresham, Englewood, and surrounding communities participated in this apprenticeship with teaching artists, Grace Gachocha and Urban Gateways’ Maia Morgan & Shawn Wallace. Within the four weeks, students were able to focus on issues within the community relevant to their age group, while exploring similarities and differences between American and Tanzanian culture.

The students final production was a theatrical piece titled, “You Feel Me?” This play showcased the student’s ability to produce various forms of art to include theatre, visual art, audio recording, film/video, and poetry.

Grace Gachocha also had ambitions of learning about the community in which the students resided and participated in an evening violence peace march with the Faith Community of Saint Sabina.

A special thanks is given to John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago (LISC/Chicago), the Leo S. Guthman Fund, the Woods Fund of Chicago, the Saint Sabina Employment Resource Center (ERC), Oglesby Elementary School, and Joel Wanek Photography for their support of this international exchange.

Click here to view a video of the 2009 Art Options project in Auburn Gresham. For more information about Urban Gateways and their Art Options program, please visit their website at www.urbangateways.org.

Renaissance Festival Reaches New Heights on the Nine

10/30/2009, 9:24 PM

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Ernest Sanders

NBA Superstar and Olympic Gold Medalist Dwayne Wade (left) speaks to a crowd of youth regarding anti-violence at the 4th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival on behalf of his Foundation - Wade's World: Every Child Deserves a Shot at Life.

Ernest Sanders

The sky was an amazing sky blue and the weather forecast offered no humidity and no chance of rain. This pleasant and ambient backdrop welcomed an estimated 9000 festival-goers to the 4^th Annual Auburn Gresham 79^th Street Renaissance Festival featuring live music, performances by Jessie White Tumblers and South Shore Drill Team, a Green (eco-friendly) corner, and a “Taste of 79^th Street local eateries,” on one of Chicago’s busiest retail corridor and thoroughfare – 79^th Street, aka, the Magnificent Nine.

Several youth who participated in Dwayne Wade's Foundation: Every Child Deserves a Shot at Life circled around mable stones of famous African Americans in Renassiance Park at the 4th Annual 79th Renaissance Festival.

Ernest Sanders

Hosted by the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC), the 4^th Annual 79^th Street Renaissance Festival closed down 79^th Street for another year between Racine to Loomis Streets. Not only is this business corridor is recognized as magnificent because of local establishments, but it is also home to the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) busiest bus route of more than 145 routes city wide.

Recently the Oprah Winfrey Show took a page from the Auburn Gresham Renaissance Festival play book and closed down a stretch of Michigan Avenue, or the Magnificent Mile to celebrate her show’s 24^th season. Fifteen bus routes were diverted during the show’s taping on Michigan Avenue from Wacker Drive to Ohio Street.

The 79^th Street Renaissance Festival hosted local leaders as Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina Church, State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16), Aldermen Latasha Thomas (D-17) and Howard Brookins (D-21), and State Representative Mary Flowers (D-31).

Cook County President Todd Stroger (L) converses with Power 92 Radio Personality, Tre the Chocolate Jock before taking the main stage at the 4th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival.

Eunice Carson

The Renaissance Festival also welcomed other civic leaders and first time appearances by individuals as Cook County Board President – Todd Stroger, Chicago Southside native and Miami Heat NBA Basketball superstar and Olympian Gold Medalist – Dwayne Wade, and radio personality – Tre The Chocolate Jock of Power 92 Radio.

In a special tribute to youth effected by gun violence, basketball superstar Wade and his foundation – Wade’s World Foundation: Every Child Deserves a Shot a Life, participated in a solemn march with nearly 300 youth and leaders from Auburn Gresham. They proceeded from Saint Sabina Church, through Renaissance Park (a Chicago Park District), to the main stage of the 79^th Street Renaissance Festival. Once on the main stage, each leader and Wade offered words of inspiration and prayer to encourage our youth.

A few of Auburn Gresham's priceless gems (our youth) enjoy a Renaissance Portion of Nachos and Cheese from a local eatery at the 4th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival.

Joel Bookman

The Renaissance Festival also welcomed back for a 2nd year Auburn Gresham hometown favorite and the king of House Music – Farley Jackmaster Funk. Indeed, Farley’s selection of house music and those other performers like Johnny Drummond and the Starliters transcended race and age, as several festival-goers were dancing and discovering moves and muscles not known to themselves.

Our senior citizens were provided free lunches and activities. Our youth were celebrated and honored through free face painting, jumping jacks, fun-filled educational activities and a city wide basketball tournament facilitated by GADC’s partner, In The Paint Basketball.

There were stellar performances by the Jesse White Tumblers and South Shore Drill Team. Festival-goers eagerly awaited their performances and crowded around the main stage to catch a glimpse of their defying leaps, acrobatic stunts, dance moves, and twirling athleticism.

The young men and women of South Shore Drill Team prepare for a performance honoring President Barack Obama and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, at the 4th Annual 79th Street Renaissance Festival.

Aum Mu Ra-El

In all over 100 businesses, organizations, and performers participated in the Renaissance Festival where there was plenty of food, fun, entertainment and dance for all ages.

A very special thanks goes out to all of the sponsors for this year’s Renaissance Festival. They include: Fifth Third Bank, Beverly Bank, Citibank, Ujamaa Construction, LISC/Chicago, Alderman Latasha Thomas (17^th Ward), Alderman Howard Brookins (21^st Ward), State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16), Saint Sabina Church, Quest Development Group LLC, Cleanslate, Recyclable Tech Solutions, Cheryl Johnson and Associates, Urban Gateways, and Special Service Area #32.

We want to pay recognition to the many donors who contributed to the Renaissance Festival. They include: ALDI Foods, Best Buy, Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures, Volunteers of America of Illinois, American Girl, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, The Children's Museum, The Chicago Red Stars, Borders Books - North Avenue, The Belden-Stratford Hotel, The Chicago Fire, Rothschilds Liquors, Steve Smith, Global Care Consultants, A.G.A.P.E., Ribs & Fish Unlimited, 79 Food Basket, Island Fish & Chicken, Popeye's, Morrison's Catering, and Momma Love's Food Service.

PiaShante Johnson (L) and Ed Lowemax display a banner supporting Alderman Latasha Thomas (D-17), GADC and the 79th Street Renaissance Festival.

Eunice Carson

Also, we wish to acknowledge our volunteers, especially the Freshman Urban Program Volunteers from Northwestern University, community residents, and Target Area Development Corporation/CEASE Fire for this year’s Renaissance Festival. Without your dedication, this festival would not be possible.

Click here to view a slideshow of the Renaissance Festival and mark your calendars now for our 5^th Annual celebration next year on September 11, 2010.

Note: Slideshow Photo Credits: Eunice Carson

Urban Renewal Brings National and International Attention to Auburn Gresham

6/26/2009, 10:45 AM

Ernest Sanders

Nobuko Nishina, a graduate student from Hosei University Graduate School in Japan, and her professor, Miki Yasui, Ph.D speak with Carlos Nelson regarding Auburn Gresham.

Ernest Sanders

Over the past seven years, the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) has partnered with several public and private best practitioners regarding many aspects community development. Because of their unyielding push to turn a once blighted and crime infested community into a national and globally recognized one, several other communities and institutions have now taken notice of Auburn Gresham’s accomplishments.

Nobuko Nishina, a graduate student from Hosei University Graduate School of Well-being Studies in Japan, and her professor, Miki Yasui, Ph.D visited Auburn Gresham’s Carlos Nelson and Ernest Sanders to discuss and research community development corporations and their work with housing development and preservation and other programming at large.

Nelson discussed Auburn Gresham’s Quality of Life Plan and Foreclosure Prevention initiatives in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago (LISC/Chicago) and MacArthur Foundation.

Sanders gave a tour of Perspectives Calumet Middle School and the new school-based health center, managed by Access Community Health Network (ACCESS @ Perspectives) and spoke of their Elev8 partnership with Atlantic Philanthropies.

Nelson and Sanders both learned of Japan’s efforts to integrate community growth with housing initiatives.

Carlos Nelson [R] welcomes undergraduate students and administrators from Emory University in Atlanta, GA to Perspectives Calumet Middle School.

Justin Irving

As part of Atlanta-based Emory University's Community Building and Social Change Fellows Program, several undergraduate students and administrators visited Auburn Gresham to learn how to supplement their studies and grassroots efforts for building community in contemporary urban America.

Students enrolled in this fellowship program commit to spending two semesters learning the academics of community building and are getting full time experience working in communities in Atlanta. In order to broaden their perspectives and learning opportunities, the fellowship visits another U.S. city to understand how community building is happening outside of the Atlanta area.

Kate Grace, Emory’s Director of the Community Building and Social Change Fellows Program said, “This is such an integrating experience for our students and administrators. It is really amazing to see first hand the work we talk about and educate our students, especially in other communities outside of the metropolitan area of Atlanta.”

Nelson provided the Atlanta consortium a tour of Auburn Gresham to include Auburn Lagoons, St. Leo Catholic Church Bell Tower and Catholic Charities' Campus for Veterans, historic bungalows along Morgan Street, cutting edge elementary and high schools as Perspectives Charter Schools-Calumet Campus, the Faith Community of St. Sabina Church, the Martin Luther King Park & Family Entertainment Center, the first of its kind – SOS Children’s Village Illinois, and the City of Chicago Park District's and landscaping gem – Hamilton Park.

Recently, GADC partnered with LISC MetroEdge to conduct an assessment of the potential for retail development in the Auburn Gresham trade area including the 79th Street Corridor. Nelson discussed some of the goals of this current and potential retail development with students from Columbia College. There was also discussion around GADC's Litter Free Zone Initiative (LFZI) as a part of the City of Chicago's Climate Change Action Plan.

Carlos Nelson [C] speaks to several visitors who recently toured Auburn-Gresham as part of the Burnham Plan Centennial Community Showcase.

Justin Irving

Now part of The Burnham Plan Centennial Community Showcase Tours, with five other of Chicago neighborhoods: Albany Park, Pilsen, Quad Communities, South Chicago, and West Ridge, GADC looks to continue its sell of why Auburn Gresham is a great community to live, learn, work, shop and play.

As part of this tour, GADC showcases it main commercial corridor (79^th Street) with enhancements to the streetscape and storefront facades, highlights its most important assets – the residents, and informs tourists of iconic landmarks – many which have been mentioned earlier.

Since 2008 GADC has hosted other delegates from across the country to include states as Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.

Recycling Market Skyrockets in Auburn Gresham

1/13/2009, 10:01 AM

Ernest Sanders

Perspectives Charter Schools-Calumet Campus students pose for a photo with representatives of Cleanslate and The Shedd Aquarium in front of their school.

Hubert Newkirk

Under the leadership of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC), a targeted area of homes, businesses, and schools within a 1 mile square radius are participating in a litter free and recycling pilot program that’s mimics the City of Chicago’s current environmental action plan.

Not scheduled to participate in a citywide recycling initiative until 2011, GADC’s Executive Director, Carlos Nelson spearheaded the Litter Free Zone Initiative (LFZI).

GADC's Americorp Member Tiffany Horton disposes paper waste into a curbside recycleable bin supplied by GADC's Litter Free Zone Initiative.

Ernest Sanders

This pilot program aims to collect recyclable materials from Auburn Gresham residents and businesses (door to door and curbside) as paper, plastic, glass, bottles, and properly dispose of them in a large recyclable dumpster located at the 17^th Ward Aldermanic parking lot.

This initiative also includes participation from 5 local participating elementary and high schools. These schools include Perspectives Charter Schools-Calumet Campus, Simeon Career Academy, and Oglesby Elementary School.

Many other eco-friendly stakeholders from the City of Chicago’s Office of the Mayor, Department of Environment, The Burnham Plan Centennial, and The Boeing Company, to The Comer Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and The Aspen Institute have taken notice of the LFZI.

Recently The Shedd Aquarium visited the Auburn Gresham neighborhood to get a hands-on idea of how the litter free/recycling operation works. Impressed by the simple approach and alliance with community and school partners, the Shedd asked how they could integrate a similar program into some of their community related projects.

Auburn Gresham’s recycling efforts would be pointless without local support from other key stakeholders as Cleanslate. As part of their collaboration, Litter Free Zone Ambassadors, i.e. Perspectives-Calumet students, summer youth interns, and local community volunteers, along with LFZI Coordinator, Hubert Newkirk go door to door to pick up recycle materials from the front of the residents homes. Students from other participating schools collect recyclable materials within their school and dispose of them through Chicago Public Schools environmental initiatives.

Terrance Samuels, a community volunteer collects several recycleable bags to dispose into the recycleable dumpster at the 17th Ward Aldermanic office.

Ernest Sanders

This pilot program began in April 2008 and has collected (through December 2008) 2765 recycled bags from residents only. This totals approximately 69,125 pounds of recycled materials. The other participating schools are recording their tonnage through the Chicago Public Schools system. Cleanslate records their recyclable curbside pick-ups with their litter prevention totals. Please visit Cleanslate's website for their performance measurements year to date.

When asked about the next phase of this pilot program, Nelson said, “As a direct strategy from the Auburn Gresham Quality of Life Plan, we are genuinely interested in expanding our program to the entire Auburn Gresham community, with an eye towards developing "Green Collar" jobs. Ultimately, we want the LFZI to become a basis of living a healthy lifestyle and providing economic development opportunities for our constituents.”

Click here to see charts and graphs of this past year’s LFZI collection in Auburn Gresham’s piloted area.

Home Repairs for Accessible Independent Living (HRAIL)

3/24/2009, 4:03 PM

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 HRAIL program.

HRAIL (Home Repairs for Accessible and Independent Living) is a program for senior citizens who earn no more than 80% of the medium income—adjusted for family size—and who are at least 60 years of age. Qualified recipients may be homeowners or renters living in a 1- 4 unit building.

Renters must have permission from their landlord and landlords must certify that there will be no rent increase as a direct result of HRAIL improvements.The GADC project manager assists seniors through the application process, making on-site assessments to determine service needs, and provide limited home improvements at no cost to the applicant.

The HRAIL program provides safety, security and accessibility improvements that better assist seniors to move freely and remain safely in their homes.

Repair types are limited to minor repairs that may include, but are not limited to; grab bars, handrails, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, or window and door repair.

GADC has been a delegate agent for the Department of Community Development’s HRAIL Program since 2003, repairing nearly 100 homes in the Auburn Gresham, Englewood, and West Chatham communities.

To access the HRAIL program and find the nearest agency to your ward, call 311, the city of Chicago’s non-emergency hotline. Clients are assisted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Residents will need to provide proof of age, income and ownership.

Income Limits
Family Size	80% Median Income*
1	$42,200
2	$48,250
3	$54,250
4	$60,300
5	$65,100
6	$69,950
7	$74,750
8 or more	$79,600
*Income limits are based on a median family income of $71,600 for Chicago Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area.

H-RAIL Delegate Agencies

Albany Park Community Center, Inc. 3403 W. Lawrence Avenue #300 60625 Wards: 33, 38, 39, 40, 45, 50	Lauresha Mala (773) 539-3828 x123 Fax: (773) 539-6137
Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council Wards: 3, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20 1751 W. 47th Street 60609	James Gonska (773) 523-4416 Fax: (773)254-3525
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation Wards: 1, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37 2550 W. North Avenue 60647	William Acevado (773) 278-5669 x34 Fax: 773-278-5673
Chinese American Service League, Inc. 2141 S. Tan Court 60616 Wards: 11, 12, 14, 15, 25, 34, 44, 48, 50	Ben Lau (312) 791-0418 Fax (312) 791-0509
CJE Senior Life 3003 W. Touhy Avenue 60645 Wards: 46, 48, 49, 50	Bradley LeGrand (773) 508-1094 Fax: (773) 508-4766
Edgewater Community Council 6044 N. Broadway Street 60660 Wards: 40, 47, 48, 49	David Rowe(773) 334-5609 Fax: (773) 508-4970
Genesis Housing Development Corporation 3763 W. Wabash Avenue, 2nd Floor 60653 Wards: 3, 4, 6	Steeve Kidd (773) 285-1685 Fax: (773) 285-1695
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation 1159 W. 79th Street 60620 Wards: 15, 17, 18, 21	Linda Johnson (773) 483-3696 Fax: (773) 483-3692
Greater Southwest Development Corporation 2601 West 63rd Street 60629 Wards: 13, 14, 15, 18, 23	Livia Villarreal (773) 735-6727 x12 Fax: (773) 735-6592
Latin United Community Housing Association 3541 W. North Avenue 60647 Wards: 1, 26, 30, 31, 35	Sylvia Melecio (773) 276-5338 x224 Fax: (773) 276-5358
Near West Side Community Development Corporation 216 S. Hoyne Avenue 60612 Wards: 2, 16, 21, 22, 24, 26, 29, 30, 34, 36, 37	Wilma Ward (312) 738-2280 Fax: (312) 738-2308
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago 11001 S. Michigan Avenue 60628 Wards: 9, 12, 22, 27, 34	(773) 568-1020 Leave Message with Receptionist
Partners in Community Building 3424 S. State Street, Ste. 1F6-1 60637 Wards: 3, 4, 5	Bobbie Ball (312) 328-0873 Fax: (312) 328-0879
Rogers Park Community Council 1530 W. Morse Avenue 60626 Wards: 49, 50	Carol Goldman (773) 338-7722 Fax: (773) 338-7774
SeniorLink Alliance c/o Portage Park Senior Satellite Center 5 4100 N. Long Avenue 60641 Wards: 26, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45	Wayne Oestreicher (312) 744-9070 Fax: (312) 744-9055
Voice Of The People In Uptown, Inc. 4861 N. Kenmore Street Suite-15 60640 Wards: 33, 39, 46, 47, 48	DeAnne Mann (773) 769-2442 Fax: (773) 769-2772
Will Feed Community Organization 6401 S. Sangamon Street 60621 Wards: 15, 16, 17, 18	Jay Jones (773) 651-9220 Fax: (773) 651-8491

Quality-of-life plan sets goals, projects

2/14/2007, 12:54 AM

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

The Auburn Gresham quality-of-life plan was created in 2004 by residents and local leaders, and presented to Mayor Richard M. Daley on May 18, 2005. The plan presents the neighborhood's vision and a set of strategies to achieve it.

Download the executive summary here.

Download the full plan here.

Here is the vision from the plan:

Auburn Gresham residents care about each other and their community. We support healthy social interaction and foster a network of friendships, extended families and neighborhood organizations that work together. A strong sense of heritage and optimism fuels pride in our community.

We have high-quality housing, attractive business districts and good public and private services throughoutthe community.

Our emphasis on quality does not excludethe less fortunate. Auburn Gresham welcomes and nurtures all members of the community. We are building an Auburn Gresham that flourishes not simply in physical ways but in the personal and economic development of its residents.

The Auburn Gresham quality-of-life plan includes improvements to the 79th Street retail corridor.

Photo: Camiros Ltd.

Excellent educational opportunities allow all residents to fulfill their potential. Coordinated efforts among our residents and institutions have reduced crime so that it no longer compromises the neighborhood’s quality of life; when crime does occur, it is addressed competently and humanely.

Social harmony, economic advancement and physical charm combine to make Auburn Gresham a community of choice—where residents form strong attachments to the neighborhood and where non-residents are welcome to join us.