Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation

Governor Quinn signs Earned Income Tax Credit into law

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0600

David Marzahl (L), executive director for Center for Economic Progress (CEP) joins one of their volunteer along with Governor Pat Quinn and Rhonda Jones (R), Auburn Gresham's assistant tax site manager for CEP.

Harvey Tillis Art & Stock Photography

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law tax relief credits for working families across the Land of Lincoln. Formerly, Senate Bill 400, this new legislation provides the largest increase of more than a decade to the Illinois' Earned Income Tax Credit.

Auburn Gresham's assistant tax site manager, Rhonda Jones spoke at the Governor's press conference with a host of other elected officials and dignitaries on how her family has benefited from the EITC in the past, and most definitely how helpful it will be to her family in the future.

Governor Quinn's signing of this legislation comes at a critical and necessary time during the state's dismal economy. Implementation of this law start in the tax years 2012 and 2013.

Click here to read more from the Governor's official press release. Click here for the official photos from the press conference.

GADC's Vision Newsletter - Winter 2011

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0600

PDF

"Giving" is in Auburn Gresham's DNA

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0600

GADC staff person Cheryl Brown (center) prepares some pastry items for a participant in GADC's Free Coffee Day. This participant also received a plastic bag of donated non-perishable items sponsored by the Elev8 program at Perspectives Middle Academy.

Ernest Sanders

The days after the Thanksgiving holiday officially kicks off the start of the holiday shopping season. During this season, you often find people standing in long lines to buy gifts to exchange with family and friends. While an accepted pass-time, the Auburn Gresham community demonstrated this week many examples of "giving" with no expectations to receive a gift in return.

Free Coffee and Canned Goods Distribution

(L-R) Perspectives Middle Academy students Ariyana Coleman, Tabatha Daniels, Kywaun Sterling, and Trevor Keith joined Carlos Nelson and Tenisha Jones in distributing donated canned goods.

Ernest Sanders

Early Monday morning the staff of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) began its day by lining the intersection of 79^th & Racine to distribute over 350 cups of FREE hot coffee and apple cider along with fresh pastries to include cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. Pedestrians, drivers, CTA patrons, and even bicyclists all stopped to partake this quarterly event sponsored by GADC.

New to this coffee serving day was a free canned goods distribution coordinated by Elev8 middle-schoolers at Perspectives Middle Academy. These young people took the initiative to collect over 1500 canned goods to distribute to residents of the Auburn Gresham community. Because of their desire to help, several families who may not have regular access to food items could now provide for themselves and their families. At the nearby Saint Sabina/Catholic Charities Social Service Center, GADC staff distributed a portion of these donated canned goods to people waiting in line.

(L-R) Antionette Fisher and Tenisha Jones are joined by Perspectives Middle Academy family members who received 1 of 6 food gift baskets donated by the Elev8 program with support from GADC.

Perspectives Middle Academy

At the start of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Elev8 program with support from GADC also donated six food gift baskets to include turkeys and other non-perishable items for Perspectives Middle Academy families in need. These families could now start their holiday season with great meal.

“Our organization’s ability to give back to the greater Auburn Gresham community really speaks to the pulse of what makes Auburn Gresham such a special place to live, work, learn, shop and play," said Carlos Nelson, Executive Director of GADC. “I am utterly amazed by this community’s ability to give to others in need. This is what makes Auburn Gresham Chicago’s Best Kept Secret.”

Click here to see more photos.

Operation Hope 2011

Thousands of people entered the doors of BJ's Market and Bakery in Auburn Gresham to receive a free and hot southern style dinner.

Ernest Sanders

More than 2050 Auburn Gresham community members and passer-byers were treated to a free and hot southern style dinner at the Auburn Gresham eatery, BJ’s Market and Bakery. In its second year, Operation Hope is a collaboration between the Faith Community of St. Sabina, BJ’s Market and Bakery, Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), Rush University Medical Center, and WVON Radio. There were several key stakeholders including elected officials as Alderman Latasha Thomas (D-17), Auburn Gresham native and Chicago Transit Board Chairperson, Terry Peterson, Linda Johnson-Rice (Chairman) and Desiree Rogers (CEO) of JPC, Jean-Claude Brizard, CEO for Chicago Public Schools, and Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

This day would not be possible if BJ’s co-owners John and Hank Myers did not recognize the importance of giving back to the community. The event offered Christmas melodies, gospel selections, and a warm reception by many volunteers. One gentleman was so filled with the holiday cheer, he danced solo to some of the musical selections.

"That was delicious! All gone!" exclaimed two hungry participants in Operation Hope.

Ernest Sanders

Fr. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Church said, “The Christmas season is under attack from its original intent. During this season, we should embody the message of God to love one another as Christ loved the church. It is important that the poor who have been made to feel disposable and invisible, know that we not only see them but we are here to help. Giving away over 2000 dinners is just a small example of this community's willingness to love others.”

Click here to see more photos.

Auburn Gresham Series on National Public Radio (WBEZ)

All this week the Auburn Gresham community was featured on National Public Radio (WBEZ) through five unique and very different accounts of this community's richness.

Freelance reporter Bill Healy (L) instructs Justin Irving how to use a very complex digital camera at a press conference in Auburn Gresham with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Ernest Sanders

Reported, photographed, and produced by a freelance reporter, Bill Healy, five Auburn Gresham residents and business owners (a high school student, a fitness club owner, a House Music legend, a 20-something journalist, and an elderly disabled artist) gave of their time and shared stories about their community.

These very robust and honest conversation will give you a sense of why Auburn Gresham is the gem of Chicago's neighborhoods.

Healy's project, Auburn Gresham, Chicago received support from the Chicago Community Trust’s Local Reporting Initiative.

To close the week, St. Sabina Church gave away over 800 turkeys to community residents on a brisk Saturday morning.

Auburn Gresham Celebrates in Style

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:00:00 -0600

On the red carpet (from left): Ald. Latasha Thomas, Southwest Smart Communities Program Manager Norma Sanders, St. Sabina Employment Resource Center Executive Director Lisa Ramsey, Auburn Gresham Portal Manager Ernest Sanders, St. Sabina Employment Resource Center Financial Counselor Janice Murdock and GAGDC Executive Director Carlos Nelson.

Gordon Walek

It was very clear that something special was going on in Auburn Gresham on Friday, 11/11/11. A red carpet was rolled out in front of the headquarters of the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation and spotlights shone into the evening sky.

What might not have been as obvious was just how much the neighborhood had to celebrate. The Auburn Gresham Red Carpet Event II was the official unveiling of the community’s new FamilyNet Center, an information fair about the Smart Communities program, and a graduation ceremony for the neighborhood’s first computer training classes to earn a netbook computer, all rolled into one. The fact that it was Veteran’s Day and most of the graduates were veterans was just icing on cake.

“I am so proud of what is happening at the corner of 79th and Racine in the mighty 17th Ward. We need to be bragging about what’s going on in our community,” Alderman Latasha Thomas told the packed room, then got a enthusiastic cheer going: “The digital divide won’t be dividing much longer!”

Norma Sanders talks about all Smart Communities have to offer.

Gordon Walek

A Technological Mix
MC’ed by GAGDC Executive Director Carlos Nelson, the evening’s presentations led the crowd through the broad range of services offered by the Smart Communities program in Auburn Gresham. They heard about free computer training for adults, the Auburn Gresham portal, and what the program can offer small businesses interested in improving their bottom line through the Business Resource Network, run by Pia Shantee.

“The Smart Communities program is aiming to train 3,000 residents in its five communities,” Southwest Smart Communities Program Manager Norma Sanders said. “We’ve got a lot to offer.”

With food donated by local restaurants and a raffle to win a free netbook computer, the room had a festive, fun atmosphere, but it was the technology that stole the show.

Nelson introduced Glenda Franklin with a video of her mother, the late Rev. Glenola Lashley, getting the crowd riled up at the inaugural Red Carpet event last year. Portal Manager Ernest Sanders offered short training sessions on what the community site offers. Kids played video games and visited social network sites like Facebook in the “Smart Room.” Jimmy Prude, the Auburn Gresham tech organizer, ran a video feed of the event off a laptop, streaming to the Auburn Gresham Portal and the Chicago Mayor's Office Facebook page. (Watch the video here!)

Tech Organizer Jimmy Prude in the new FamilyNet Center.

Gordon Walek

FamilyNet Center Grand Opening
Next door to the GAGDC headquarters, the new Auburn Gresham FamilyNet Center officially opened. The site has 28 new computers--including three set up specifically for children--all hooked up to the Internet with a broadband connection. Brent Hill, the center’s manager, showed interested visitors what’s available—all offered for free.

The center has computer classes five days a week, educational software for students from kindergarten to high school, GED prep software, computers with Dragon Natural Speaking accessible program, typing skill software and more. Open Monday and Tuesday 9 – 5, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9 – 8 and Saturday from 9 – 1, the center is truly a valuable community resource.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity, for youth especially, to get introduced to technology," said State Sen. Jacqueline Collins, with Carlos Nelson and Jimmy Prude.

Gordon Walek

State Senator Jacqueline Collins pointed out that the facility can have a big impact on the neighborhood. “If you look at the downturn of the economy and where there is some growth, it’s in technology and finance. For so long our community residents have not had the advantage of resources, things that other communities might take for granted,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity, for youth especially, to get introduced to technology and what it can accomplish and not be intimidated by it.”

Graduation Day
For the more than a dozen participants in the Smart Communities tech training courses who had earned a new netbook, the best part of the evening was the graduation ceremony, where they received their new computer and learned how to best use it.

“I used to mess around on my son’s computer before he went off to college, but in these classes, I learned how I could do things better and I learned a lot of shortcuts,” said Roosevelt Cooper, one of the graduates, who added that he plans on using his new netbook to email and find more newspapers online to add to his morning news fix. “I didn’t want to be a 70-year-old that the world was passing by.”

Rhea Steele, president of Blue Ocean Logic, which created the training curriculum, asked the graduates what they liked best about the courses. Community organizer Gerald Harper, said he appreciated learning how to look up information about TIF funds, the demographics of the ward and other important information for citizens.

“It’s amazing what you can learn online,” said tech training graduate Gerald Harper.

Gordon Walek

“It’s amazing what you can learn online,” Harper said. “And it shows that to be competitive, we’re going to need to know how to use computers for things like this. The next generation will be left behind without it.”

At the main presentation, Prude spoke directly to the veterans he taught in the program, who had taken Everyday Digital, Civic 2.0 and Microsoft Office classes: "This is Veteran's Day, this is your day. As we kick off the netbook distribution, I hope you continue to use what you learned, both in your personal life and in your business endeavors."

The list of Auburn Gresham veterans who earned a netbook computer is: Babet Payton, Alfredo Lockheart, Vernon Yancey, Bruce Clark, Richard Neal, Toni Ellison, Georgenna Alexander, Issa Umi, Jerry Roberts, Lary Wilson and Kathrine Scott.

See more images here.

GADC's Vision Newsletter - Fall 2011

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0600

PDF

Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Bungalow Awards

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Each year, the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation honor homeowners whose work demonstrates the best bungalow landscaping, rehabilitation and restoration projects. It is a juried competition with the panel of judges composed of neighborhood development community members, architects, horticulturalists and representatives of the local media. Nominees are judged on the overall visual impression, the creative design solution, and how well the project maintains the integrity of the Historic Chicago Bungalow.

Nominations for the 2011 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Bungalow Awards are OPEN. To learn more or nominate a bungalow>>>

The deadline is November 2 and on-site visits will be conducted Friday, November 11 or Saturday, November 12.

Awards are given in the following categories:

Interior Rehabilitation: Demonstrates a contemporary use while maintaining significant features.
Interior Restoration: Accurately recovers the details and forms of the Chicago Bungalow.
Exterior Rehabilitation: Demonstrates appropriate rehabilitation projects and/or compatible new additions.
Green Project: Demonstrates the use of energy-efficient design and renovation while maintaining classic features--can be a landscape or garden project if it incorporates green elements such as native plants, permeable pavers, etc.
Small Project: Preserves historic detail and form while improving one aspect of a room or the exterior at a cost of $5,000 or less.

Prizes

First place winners receive a newly increased cash award of $1000 and a handcrafted bronze plaque
Display at award ceremony
Recognition on the HCBA website and in the newsletter

Nomination Instructions

You may nominate a particular room or an entire home. For a Bungalow to be nominated, it must be HCBA-certified. All rehabilitation projects must conform to the Historic Chicago Bungalow Design Guidelines.

Health Fair on the Block Gets Attendees Jumping for Success

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0600

A CVS/pharmacy pharmacist speaks to an Auburn Gresham resident about services that CVS provides at their stores.

Ernest Sanders

The sun shined bright as the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) hosted their bi-annual Health Fair on the Block of 79^th Street in Auburn Gresham. This block's long event was full of dedicated participants, who were there to offer residents of the Auburn Gresham community valuable information on health and other community resources.

One key participant and sponsor during the Health Fair was CVS pharmacy. They offered residents flu shots and blood pressure screenings. CVS had over eighty people stop by their table to take advantage of one of the two services provided.

The Health Fair was also supported by GADC's Elev8 initiative, which aims to ensure that middle school students succeed in school and their communities by providing them with multiple supports, including: comprehensive on-site school-based health services; before and after-school, and summer learning opportunities; and effective mentoring by caring adults.

GADC believes in the importance and relevance of informing the community on different health issues, prevention, and other community resources. Job readiness is also a component of this Health Fair . GADC works directly with the St. Sabina Employment Resource Center. They offered attendees information about their services as well as how to gain employment. Examples include how to write resumes, interview with potential employers, and how you can improve your life as a whole.

GADC Staffer, Cheryl Brown helps to distribute loaves of organic bread to participants and passer-byers at the Health Fair on the Block.

Ernest Sanders

Members of the community, participants of the Health Fair, GADC staff, along with Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Collins took to the streets and exercised by playing jump rope. This was a highlight of the Health Fair because it not only promoted exercise, but the importance of having fun and a good laugh. Statics suggest that stress can be the cause of so many other illnesses. Exercise, letting yourself go and finding ways to laugh can be very beneficial in relieving stress.

The residents that poured onto the streets as well as the health providers also received loaves of bread from GADC, donated Manna Organics, to say thank you. Volunteers danced in the street, and in some instances gave away bread by the case to those passing by.

Other participants of the Health Fair included but were not limited to: Aflac, WellCare, Access Community Health, Catholic Charities, Family Health Network, Curves and more. Each participant/vendor, resident of the community and volunteers all made this Health Fair a huge success. Everyone left excited and ready to return for the next one!

Click here to see photos from this beautiful day.

Auburn Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival & St. Sabina Family Peace Jam

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Perfect sunny weather graced the 79th Street corridor as the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) hosted its 6th Annual Auburn Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival. New this year to the Festival was the Faith Community of Saint Sabina Church's Family Peace Jam.

"What an amazing collaboration and partnership between a business and church," one festival-goer added while singing and dancing to world renown gospel artist Ricky Dillard & New G. God has really blessed this community.

The list of businesses, organizations and performers was not only top-shelf, but also numbered more than 100 at this year's Festival and Peace Jam.

Carlos Nelson, executive director of GADC said the Festival has really grown to a point in this community's history, where we will have to consider multiple days to accommodate the large number of attendees. There was an estimated 10,000 festival-goers at this year's event.

A Jesse White tumbler makes a leap defying and acrobatic flip over several of his teammates.

Ernest Sanders

Some of the highlights of the day included a free petting zoo, free kids face painting, free dental exams and cleanings, free haircut for youth, free food for some of our most precious assets - our senior citizens, a free book giveaway, a free 1700 book bag giveaway and so much more.

Click here for program booklet.

Farley Jack Master Funk closed the Festival with house music and thanked Nelson and the GADC staff and gave special recognition to Fr. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church.

There was a lot of time and effort expended to display such a showcase of talented individuals and organizations. GADC would like to recognize all of its key sponsors: 17th Aldermanic Ward, 21st Aldermanic Ward, several City of Chicago department agencies, Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago (LISC/Chicago), UJAMAA Construction, The Cara Program & Cleanslate, ALDI, Beverly Bank, Chicago Children's Museum, World Sports Chicago, The University of Chicago's Urban Health Initiative, Foreman Mills, CJ & Associates and Special Service Area #32.

Illinois State University student volunteers and take a few meals over to Auburn Gresham senior citizens.

Ernest Sanders

Another special thanks goes out to GADC's numerous volunteers and contributors including Clear Channel, Walgreens, Ty Watts Photography, Mania Organics, South Chicago Chrysler and Food 4 Less. Lastly, GADC would like to pay special recognition and congratulations to St. Sabina Church for adding their Family Peace Jam to the Festival.

If you did not have an opportunity to participate or attend, click here for a brief YouTube video offered by our partners at YoChicago. Click here to see photos from the day.

See an in depth interview with Carlos Nelson and Cheryl Johnson about Auburn Gresham's annual community celebration.

See you next year, September 8, 2012.

GADC's Vision Newsletter - Summer 2011 (Special Edition)

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0600

PDF

ISU STEP-UPs in Auburn Gresham and Little Village

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Auburn Gresham STEP UP fellows illustrate their connectedness by referring to themselves as the Auburn Gresham Alligators. Watch out they may STEP UP in your neighborhood soon.

Illinois State University

STEP-UP (Summer Teacher Education Partnership for Urban Education) is a four-week long summer immersion experience for Illinois State University (ISU) pre-service teaching majors working in Auburn Gresham and Little Village.

This fellowship allowed students to work in Chicago Public Schools' summer school programs in the morning and serve as interns in the evening at neighborhood organizations as the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC). On evenings and weekends, they attended workshops on topics including special education, literacy and neighborhood culture.

You may be asking, "How did these fellows get an opportunity to participate with a community based organization and have the ability to attend workshops in the evenings and weekends?" Well, the answer is simple.

Auburn Gresham STEP UP fellows all smile before they take on kayaking in the Chicago River.

Illinois State University

The fellows LIVED in the Auburn Gresham and Little Village neighborhoods with host families for the 4-week period and other neighborhood organizations opened their doors to enhance their out-of-school learning experiences.

In Auburn Gresham there were 7 host families and 5 other community based organizations to include: Access Community Health Network (Access @ Perspectives), Boulevard Arts Center, GRANDFamilies of Chicago, Neighborhood Housing Services of Auburn Gresham & Englewood, and the St. Sabina Employment Resource Center. In Little Village there were 6 host families and 8 community based organizations that opened their doors.

STEP UP is part of a larger initiative referred to as TEACHER+PLUS Project. It is a special initiative at Illinois State University that is open to all teacher education majors who have interests in pursuing employment in the Chicago Public Schools. The central goal of this initiative is to prepare teachers to work in this challenging urban context by providing them targeted course work, clinical experiences and unique internship opportunities.

A very special thanks goes to host family members and neighborhood organizations that made this program a reality for our future teachers.

For more information regarding the TEACHER+PLUS Project, please contact Corrinn Cobb at (773) 483-3696.

Chicago Political Heavyweights Hold Historic Town Hall Meetings Using Social Media

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:00:00 -0600

President Barack Obama tweets a response to one of several thousand questions fielded to him at the first ever Twitter Town Hall meeting.

AP Image/Twitter Town Hall Meeting

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This age-old, rhetorical question took a similar position between Twitter and Facebook and President Barack Obama and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Earlier this week, Chicago native, President Barack Obama, became first sitting president to host a Twitter town hall meeting, tweeting about pertinent issues from the economy and jobs to education and healthcare.

Questions were read live to the President by Twitter’s Executive Chairman Jack Dorsey and then retweeted by the President.

It is estimated that tens of thousands questions were tweeted to the President.

But here in Chicago, just a week earlier, Mayor Rahm Emanuel held the first ever Facebook town hall meeting at Kennedy King College.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel addresses audience members at Kennedy King College at the first ever Facebook Town Hall meeting.

Ernest Sanders

The Mayor's forum leveraged Chicago's current Smart Communities (Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Humboldt Park, and Pilsen) and solicited online and video recorded input from many participants across the city of Chicago. The Smart Communities Initiative is a project funded by the federal government's BROADBAND USA: Connecting America's Communities.

The Chicago forum was co-hosted by WGCI's radio personalities, Tony Sculfield and Nina Chantele.

These digital forums are President Obama's and Mayor Emanuel's attempt to illustrate their commitment to the social media space to inform their constituency about issues concerning the country and city.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel discusses political concerns with WGCI's Tony Sculfield and Nina Chantele.

Ernest Sanders

Similar to President Obama, Mayor Emanuel took questions from online participants. He discussed important issues as City Hall budget cuts, casinos in Chicago, jobs, the Taste of Chicago, and stimulating the economy, especially for small business owners.

718 people submitted 525 questions and cast 8,699 votes for Mayor Emanuel.

Click here to see photos of Mayor Emanuel's historical event at Kennedy King College.

Follow the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) on Twitter and Facebook.

Health Fair on the Block: Back By Popular Demand

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center helps a community members sign up to learn more information about how to prevent child abuse in Chicago.

Ben Levine

Twice a year the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) hosts a health fair on 79^th Street exposing Auburn Gresham residents and business owners to the many services that are available to them living in Chicago.

Once again 79th Street was lined with health care providers and providing important information to attendees on how they could get low-cost and sometimes free healthcare near them. The health fair is part of the Elev8 initiative at Perspectives Middle Academy (PMA).

Elev8 is designed to ensure that middle school students succeed in school and their communities by providing them with multiple supports, including: comprehensive on-site school-based health services; before and after-school, and summer learning opportunities; and effective mentoring by caring adults.

Members of the University of Chicago's Urban Health Initiative inform residents about where to go to for health services on the South Side of Chicago. www.southsidehealth.org

Ben Levine

One of the ways that Elev8 accomplishes this goal is by providing health resources including a state of the art health center operated by Access Community Health.

This season’s health fair was sponsored in part by CVS/Caremark and the University of Chicago’s Urban Health Initiative. There were more than 250 residents and business owners attending the health fair and featured over 25 health providers. Some of these providers included: The Loodat Health Reflexology Center, Gift of Hope Chicago, EMB Medical Supply, and many others.

Two key providers, the Comer Pediatric Mobile Unit and the Christian Community Health Center Van, offered free medical screens for anyone interested. Their services were such a hit that GADC's executive director, Carlos Nelson went for a screening himself. Health vans like these play a very important role in providing health services to areas that do not have access to quality health care.

E’a Williams from Curves in Auburn Gresham leads a Zumba session at the Health Fair on the Block.

Ben Levine

As a bonus to these mobile units, Dr. Dan Johnson from the University of Chicago discussed how to prevent the spread of HIV and other communicable diseases, while Dr. Doriane Miller offered brief and comprehensive tips for a healthier "you".

Besides the more typical health services, a few other organizations participated and demonstrated how maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be loads of fun. E’a Williams from Curves Auburn Gresham and Tiffany Daniels of Nubian Dance led PMA students and other neighborhood residents in exciting Zumba and Nubian dance routines. Students were thrilled with the opportunity to perform, especially for their parents who attended the health fair as well.

Two sixth grade PMA classes came out specifically to learn about the resources available to them in their neighborhood. These students had lively discussions with many of the providers and illustrated their school-based knowledge of living a healthy lifestyle.

Jay Khatau of LoDaat shows off his Aryuvedic wares to sixth graders from Perspectives Middle Academy.

Ben Levine

One notable example includes the PMA students who participated in the West-Town Bikes extended-day program. They built their bikes from scratch throughout the school year and got to keep them at the end of the program.

As the health fair concluded, many of the health providers indicated they would like to support or participate in other GADC events. As such, many signed up to become vendors at the annual Auburn Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival on September 10, 2011.

The 79th Street Renaissance Festival highlights the transformative work that the GADC has done to redevelop the Auburn Gresham Community. It began in 2006 to commemorate Auburn Gresham residents and business owners who have participated in the rebirth of this historic community.

Tyler Sims puts on his helmet and readies his bike provided by West Town Bikes.

Ben Levine

Through the help of local health providers, the support of Elev8 and other similar programs, the Auburn Gresham community is well on its way to becoming a healthier community.

Click here to see more images of this popular Health Fair on the Block in the Auburn Gresham community.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Returns to Auburn Gresham

Tue, 31 May 2011 12:00:00 -0600

As part of his campaign stops, then Mayoral-candidate Emanuel visited the Auburn Gresham community to inform residents and business owners about his intentions as the city's first Mayor in more than 20 years and efforts to really work with all Chicago communities.

Fast forward to today and you will find that Mayor Emanuel returned to the greater Auburn Gresham community to thank residents and business owners for their support.

In April 2011, Emanuel made a surprise visit to the DuSable Museum's Night of 100 Stars and acknowledged Jeremy Winters and his partner Aaron Harding for approaching him on a CTA L platform to present their Artist Skill Enhancement (A.S.E.) after school contract. (A.S.E. is a musical and theatrical program designed to help students develop their talents in the musical and theatrical industries.)

Both Winters and Harding (Simeon Career Academy students) got word that Emanuel would be greeting passengers on a CTA L platform and decided to go meet him. And the rest as they say is history.

Emanuel also presented Winters with DuSable's “Rising Star Award”- and told the audience that he would joining his task force as a student advisor.

In May 2011, Mayor Emanuel returned to the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) and Fuller's Barbershop. At each business, the Mayor thank everyone again for their welcome and asked for their support of him as Mayor of Chicago.

Click here for pictures of Mayor Emanuel's return to Auburn Gresham.

GADC's Vision Newsletter - Spring 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Click image for newsletter

How Cities Are Fighting to Close the Digital Divide

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:00:00 -0600

When it comes to the Internet, conversations about the “haves” and “have nots” are ongoing. Why is closing the digital divide so important? The access issues are often broken down into a handful of parts.

Read more here.

Simeon Classmates Enhance After-school Programming

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Jeremy Winters (L) and Aaron Harding review their curriculum for Artist Skill Enhancement (A.S.E.) to present to fellow classmates and participants.

Ernest Sanders

A group of motivated Simeon Career Academy high school students meet daily (after regular school hours) to gain more knowledge, increase their networking opportunity, and leverage their interpersonal skills (oral, written, and listening) through a program called Artist Skill Enhancement.

The brain child of Jeremy Winters and Aaron Harding, these co-founders seek to leverage their classmates' talent to artistic measures. Artist Skill Enhancement (A.S.E.) is a musical and theatrical program designed to help students develop their talents in the musical and theatrical industries.

Winters (C) and Harding (R) discuss preparation of a featured song with a fellow classmate and participant of Artist Skill Enhancement.

Ernest Sanders

Winters and Harding co-founded this program to give their classmates a place to go after school, to develop their singing talent, voice articulation, stage presence, and stage direction. Accompanying these extended learning opportunities, students are also able to digitally record sessions in a fully equipped recording studio.

One might think this is just another after school program in a high school that yield low participation because of a lack of interest on the student's part. This is far from the truth.

A.S.E.'s enrollment and participation is more than 20 students of which each student's attendance record is nearly perfect.

Each parent must sign a contract (developed by Winters and Harding) requiring students to attend mandatory meetings, demonstrating punctuality and good work ethic, and achieving the goals and objectives of the programs.

Parents are also expected to participate and support events that A.S.E. hosts and/or sponsors. Some are parallel to school events as report-card pick up day, and other important matters that requires parental attention and their child(rens') support.

Male participants of Artist Skill Enhancement practice a musical selection for Winters and Harding (R), co-founders of this after-school program at Simeon Career Academy.

Ernest Sanders

A.S.E. would not be possible without support from Simeon's Dr. Sheldon House (Principal), and ASE Sponsors, Mr. Sterling Bolden (Assistant Principal/Sponsor), Ms. Sharon Coleman Teacher/Sponsor), and Mr. Abdul Muhammad (Teacher/Sponsor).

Recently, Winters and Harding received notable recognition at DuSable Museum's Night of 100 Stars in which Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel acknowledged Winters and Harding for approaching him on a CTA L platform and presented their contract to him. As a result of their pursuit of the Mayor-elect, both were asked to join Emanuel's education task force as student advisors.

Also see photos from A.S. E.'s performance at Bank of America's recent grand opening of the 83rd Stewart location.

Auburn Gresham's Neighborhood Beautification Report

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Want to know why Auburn Gresham is so clean? See PDF.

GADC's Vision Newsletter - Winter 2010

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:00:00 -0600

PDF

Sidewalk Snow Removal

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Dear Community Partners,

The Chicago Department of Transportation is pleased to announce that the Sidewalk Snow Clearance campaign is underway, designed to promote residential and business participation in clearing public sidewalks of snow and ice. Many people rely on walking and transit as their primary way to get around, and without a wide, clear path through snow and ice, it is especially difficult for people with disabilities, seniors and children to walk safely.

There are two components to this campaign. The first is a door hanger reminding property owners and occupants of their responsibility to clear the sidewalk of snow and ice. These may be left at residential and business properties that exhibit a pattern of not clearing their sidewalks. We have also created a "Thank You for Shoveling" flyer for distribution to neighbors who do an exceptional job with clearing snow and ice. Door hangers and flyers can be downloaded from the CDOT Snow Removal webpage here: http://bit.ly/e52obm

The second component of this campaign recognizes businesses and organizations that do an exceptional job of clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk. Businesses and organizations can display the poster indicating their participation in this effort. At the end of winter, the Mayor's Pedestrian Advisory Council and CDOT will present nominated businesses with an award and will issue a press release announcing award recipients. Download the Sidewalk Snow Removal Campaign poster here: http://bit.ly/gW1Dey

Please assist us in promoting sidewalk snow clearance by distributing the posters to your local businesses and property managers. These measures encourage pedestrian safety and being a good neighbor.

A packet containing door hangers and sidewalk snow removal campaign window posters has been mailed to your offices. Please contact Jerad Weiner at 312-742-7621 if you have any questions regarding this effort.

Thank you for your participation and have a safe winter.

Jerad Weiner

Pedestrian Program Assistant

Chicago Department of Transportation

30 N. LaSalle Street

Suite 500

Chicago, IL 60602

312.742.7621

Getting My Taxes Done

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:00:00 -0600

"I enjoyed getting my taxes done today for free and learning more about emails and the Internet. I have an email address now! Thanks Elacsha for your help," said Dwayne Jackson.

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The Auburn Gresham Tax Preparation team is made up of nearly 40 certified individuals from different careers and disciplines. Led by Pamela Wafford (C), this team of volunteers seeks to provide families an opportunity to become financially secured.

Ernest Sanders

Jackson's acknowledgement of Auburn Gresham's free tax preparation and ability to get a free email account is reflective of two initiatives being led and co-sponsored by the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC).

The free tax preparation is a partnership between Saint Sabina Employment Resource Center (ERC), the Center for Economic Progress (CEP), and GADC. In its seventh year of providing free tax preparation and like-minded services (free financial counseling, free checking and savings accounts-with US Bank, and free application for federal student aid (FAFSA), these partnerships seeks to bring financial literacy and dependency to local residents.

Jackson's latter comment is related to Auburn Gresham and four other neighborhood's participation in the U.S. Government's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) in which the City of Chicago was awarded Recovery Act Funds to increase technology access and encourage adoption of broadband Internet Services.

As a southwest side collaboration, the Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, and Englewood neighborhoods envision using technology (with the assistance of BTOP) to connect and reduce the physical and psychological barriers that have hampered their cooperation and slowed their collective progress.

Read recent articles by Elizabeth Kobak, a Northwestern University Medill School graduate student, report on Auburn Gresham's Smart Communities initiative and the free tax services.

Auburn Gresham's free tax service occurs on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through April 18, 2011.

Monday & Thursday: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Click here for more details.

Auburn Gresham's Neighborhood Beautification Report

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 -0600

PDF

City Contracts Flourish in Auburn Gresham

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 -0600

The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) for several years has supported the City of Chicago in their efforts to keep Chicago an attractive and viable city for its residents and business owners. As such, GADC has entered into several contract arrangements with the City to provide services.

Two contracts that are acclaimed locally and have received various levels of acknowledgement include the Small Accessible Repairs For Seniors (SARFS) Program and GADC's Litter Free Zone Initiative.

SARFS

As part of the Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS), GADC's subcontractor Team Construction installs handrails to accomodate a senior getting in and out the a bathtub and shower.

Linda Johnson

GADC is a delegate agency for the City of Chicago’s Department of Housing and Economic Development and has provided free minor home repairs to qualifying seniors through the Small Accessible Repairs For Seniors (SARFS) Program since 2003. As city funds increase the numbers of serviced homes have increased.

Upon the completion of the 2010 approved homes, GADC and subcontractor Team Construction, will have provided successful minor home repairs to nearly 200 homes, satisfying the needs of many seniors within our service area. To learn more about the SARFS Program, contact project manager, Linda Johnson at 773-483-3696 or via email at ljohnson@gagdc.org.

LFZI

In the fall of 2007, Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) created a community based environmental public awareness campaign that promotes the virtues of recycling. The Litter Free Zone Initiative (LFZI), implemented in the Spring of 2008, was created to improve the physical appearances of a targeted “zone” within the Auburn Gresham community.

GADC's Hubert Newkirk deposits recyclable items into the City of Chicago "Drop Off" dumpster at the 17th Aldermanic Office.

Ernest Sanders

Within this “zone”, students attending neighborhood schools (Perspectives Charter School – Calumet Campus, Oglesby Elementary School and St. Leo’s Catholic Male High School) and low skilled adult residents act as Green Ambassadors to promote the benefits of recycling and litter prevention.

Additionally, through the LFZI public awareness campaign we are 1) improving the appearance of our community, 2) changing behavior that reduces litter and increases recycling, and 3) producing outcomes that reduce carbon emissions and increase local employment opportunities.

Through a competitive bidding process GADC was awarded a two year contract in 2009 from the Chicago Department of the Environment to expand Auburn Gresham’s LFZI by supporting capacity building efforts to train and employ low-skilled and income residents to become Green Ambassadors.

Though an arduous effort, this program has yielded outstanding results. Click here to see 2010 data for recyclables collected.

For more details regarding the LFZI, please contact Hubert Newkirk at (773) 483-3696 or by email at hnewkirk@gagdc.org.

Everyday Digital Classes Offered in Auburn Gresham

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 -0600

As part of the Smart Communities Initiative, the Saint Sabina Employment Resource Center (ERC) is host to the Everyday Digital curriculum for the Auburn Gresham community. This course is designed to teach digital fundamentals and focus on the basics of the Internet.

Looking at the parts that makeup the Internet today, this course also focuses on the various tasks and functions that can be performed using the Internet on a daily basis.

The Everyday Digital course track covers the following:

Internet Basics
Internet Safety & Security
Broadband Basics
Online Banking & Commerce

Recently, the ERC held its first day of class for Everyday Digital participants. Participants were provided with a course manual and began to disect the following:

The background and history of the internet
Defined and understand internet concepts and key terms
Examine the common uses of the internet
Explore the World Wide Web, the browser, its main window elements and the address line
Access various websites and learn navigation techniques
Use basic search techniques
Create Bookmarks / Favorites

At the end of the curriculum, participants will be given an assessment and knowledge check. There will be exercises given during the assessment as a knowledge check. The first will be an exercise to retrieve specific information from a website which will require them to utilize some of the skills they learned in class. The second will be to complete a 10 question multi-choice assessment to be turned in to the instructor.

Once this multiple week curriculum is completed, participants who meet the Earned Computer Training Program requirements, will be eligible to receive a Netbook computer system, and provide any additional feedback for classes going forward.

For more information regarding Everyday Digital classes, please contact Roderick Pugh FamilyNET Center Manager at (773)-347-0024 or rpugh@ercsabina.org

Digital Platform Excels in Auburn Gresham

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 -0600

Online job training, after-school activities for kids and free netbook computer giveaways for families who complete computer training are getting a huge boost across Chicago, thanks to two federal stimulus grants totaling $16.05 million.

Auburn Gresham is a SMART Community

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:00:00 -0600

Carlos Nelson, executive director of GADC delivers an inspiring message regarding Auburn Gresham being a SMART Community. To his right is GADC's business and project manager Linda Johnson. To his left is Ms. Ross, a senior residing in St. Sabina Elder's Village.

Ernest Sanders

The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) launched its Smart Communities Initiative with a digital and red carpet theme. With nearly 400 attendees, people of all economic and social make-up learned about Auburn Gresham’s digital platform and the resources made available to further develop them in Auburn Gresham.

Event highlights included remarks from 17^th Ward Alderman Latasha Thomas, Susana Vasquez of Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago (LISC/Chicago), Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina Church (in person and via Skype), Phil Hunter of Saint Sabina Employment Resource Center, Auburn Gresham resident and student - Elachsa Madison (via Skype), and GADC’s executive director, Carlos Nelson and Ernest Sanders, New Communities Program manager and director of communications.

Southwest Smart Communities project manager, Norma Sanders (L) poses for a photo with the City of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology's project manager, Danielle DuMerer in front of a HP Touch Screen computer.

Ernest Sanders

The federal government’s Broadband USA Initiative and the City of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology were also acknowledged as key and central players in the Smart Communities Initiative.

There was a taste of Auburn Gresham’s finest eateries with samples of shrimp, salmon patties, rib tips, jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, vegetarian jambalaya, and a large caramel cake. Unique naturally-flavored coconut water was donated by local distributor – Dr. Tim’s Juices.

Two refurbished HP Desktop computers were generously donated by Mark Glower of Feeding America and made available to attendees for two free raffles.

There were featured demonstrations on Touch Screen computers (donated by Hewlett Packard), digital Smart Board presentations by GADC's Technology Organizer Jimmy Prude and Perspectives Charter Schools-High School of Technology students, and online Skype sessions from Saint Sabina Church, Howard University in Washington DC and the continent of South Africa.

There were educational displays to include GADC’s Elev8 initiative, School Yard Demonstration Projects, and newly formed partnership with Illinois State University’s (ISU) TEACHER+PLUS. ISU also offered a summer weeklong scholarship as a raffle prize for high school juniors too.

This red carpet launch also featured GADC’s Business Resource Network and Family Net Center (administered by Saint Sabina Employment Resource Center).

A few of Auburn Gresham's most precious assets enjoy gaming systems Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox in the Auburn Gresham Business Resource Center.

Ernest Sanders

Attendees were encouraged to visit each Smart Communities Initiative site within the 79^th Street business corridor, where they found more Touch Screen demonstrations and received a free Smart Communities thumb drive and lanyard. Even youth participated in a kid’s corner of the Business Resource Center, where the latest in gaming (Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo Wii) were made available to them.

Special thanks is given to the Red Carpet planning committee including Linda Johnson and Aurora Cruz of GADC, Kathryn Welch with the office of State Senator Jacqueline Collins, Lisa Ramsey with the St. Sabina Employment Resource Center, PiaShantee of the Auburn Gresham Business Resource Center, and others mentioned in this story for their tireless efforts towards ensuring a successful event.

The Smart Communities Initiative for Auburn Gresham represents one of five digitally underserved New Communities Program neighborhood's in Chicago that are participating in the City of Chicago’s Smart Communities. This program aspires to enable full participation in meaningful digital activities for households, businesses, institutions to increase knowledge, expand economic and educational opportunities, while enhancing and redressing issues among residents and businesses.

The Southwest Smart Communities Initiative is a partnership of Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, and Englewood communities with project management provided by Edge Technological Resources’ Norma Sanders.

GADC's Roslyn Charles (L) and a LISC AmeriCorps member gives an overview of GADC's School Yard Project to a senior attending the Auburn Gresham Red Carpet event.

Ernest Sanders

The Smart Communities program is being administered by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC/Chicago) and includes four other New Communities Program neighborhoods. They include Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Humboldt Park, and Pilsen.

Click here to see photos from the Smart Communities Red Carpet event.

For more information about the Smart Communities program, please visit our digital excellence page or the Auburn Gresham Portal.