Logan Square Neighborhood Association - Home page

Lathrop Leadership Team Socks it to Them!

10/1/2009, 2:02 PM

Lathrop Homes must be rehabbed and kept as housing for low and moderate income residents, an eloquent panel of Lathrop Homes leaders told the Chicago Housing Authority Board on September 15. Speakers urged the CHA to fix, rather than tear down the existing housing, and not to require one-third market rate housing for Lathrop as it has in other public housing Transformation plans.
   Members of the Lathrop Leadership Team along with the Lathrop Local Advisory Council spoke for 15 minutes to attentive board members and an enthusiastic audience made up of supporters from Mary Crane Childcare Center, LSNA, Lathrop Alumni, Preservation Chicago and Lakeview Lutheran Church.
   “Lathrop Homes was here for me when I was going through tough times and it should be here for other families who fall on tough times,” said resident Sandra Cornwell who spoke about the need for affordable homes for single mothers.
   Others spoke about Lathrop’s history, the importance of preservation and the current housing market crisis. Ellen Ray, speaking for LSNA and Kimball Avenue Church noted that market rate condos are staying vacant while rental property is badly needed. “Why would anyone build more market rate units when the simple fact is that Lathrop is surrounded on all sides by market rate units? Keeping Lathrop as a mixed income community does not require market rate housing. It requires the creation and preservation of affordable housing. That may not be CHA's standard formula, but it is the right formula for Lathrop."
   Scott Shaffer of the Lathrop Alumni Group said Lathrop was green long before green became trendy: “I am a member of a 600-member alumni group. Many of our residents are very successful and have never forgotten the support we received at Lathrop. The buildings were built to last, they are solid! It would be a waste to put them in a landfill somewhere!”
   Pastor Liala Beukema who has lived one block from Lathrop for 25 years, shared this with the Board: “Lathrop is not TBD - To Be Determined. It’s TBD – Too Beautiful to Demolish!”

The Lathrop Leadership Team would like to tell their story to other Chicago groups that support affordable homes. For a brief presentation to your group or additional information, call or email Tami Love, 773/549-2525 tlove@lsna.net.

Do you shop at Carson's? Support LSNA by buying a coupon booklet!

10/26/2009, 3:50 PM

LSNA is selling Carson's Community Days Coupon Booklets for November 14th as a fundraiser for the organization. Come to the office or contact a member of LSNA staff to get yours, today!

Check out the booklet here.

Free Cellphone Service People with Low Incomes

10/23/2009, 3:15 PM

This program is offered for anyone who is already qualified for one of
the following:

Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Section 8
Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Free School Lunch Programs
SSI
food stamps
Temporary Assistance

and MUST have a valid mailing address with no one else in the home using
this service

This program offers:

free cell phone
60 free minutes per month (additional minutes may be purchased via
TracFone)
no contracts / fees
free services such as voicemail, caller ID, call waiting

Applications can be made via the internet site with response being
almost immediate (per their statement), or via a toll free phone number
but response for qualifying must wait until information is mailed to
them.

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/benefits.aspx

Affordable Housing “Myth-Buster”

10/19/2009, 1:18 PM

MYTH: Zapata Apartments will make Logan Square the “dumping ground of poverty.”

FACT: Zapata Apartments will create homes for families that earn between $22,800 and $44,000 a year. The median income in Logan Square right now is $36, 245. Zapata Apartments will create homes for families that earn the same money as people already living in our neighborhood.

MYTH: Zapata Apartments will not pay property taxes.

FACT: Bickerdike pays the same taxes for owning vacant land as anybody else. When the Zapata Apartments are built, Bickerdike will pay even more taxes—approximately $72,000 a year in taxes. City parks do not pay any taxes because they are city-owned property.

MYTH: The zoning changes for Zapata Apartments were illegal.

FACT: The City of Chicago and Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation followed all the procedures required by law, including posting signs on the properties and hosting public meetings at City Hall.

MYTH: Zapata Apartments is a development being pushed on the community by outside organizations.

FACT: Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA) is the community partner for Zapata Apartments. LSNA is a 47 year-old organization made up of more than 40 churches, schools, social service agencies and block clubs that represent 40,000 people from the neighborhood. Parents from Logan Square invited Bickerdike to build new, high-quality rental housing in our neighborhood. Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation is a 42 year-old neighborhood-based organization that serves the community areas of West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square and Hermosa. Bickerdike is invested in this neighborhood—that is why they not only build housing that is affordable to working people, but they also sponsor community gardens, youth sports programs, and community safety campaigns.

MYTH: The vacant land at Armitage and St. Louis might become a park.

FACT: Bickerdike owns the land and will build rental housing affordable to moderate-income working families on this lot. Making Logan Square a safe place to play is an essential part of LSNA’s vision, too. Because outdoor space is so important, LSNA and its member institutions supported new play space at McAuliffe Elementary School and Palmer Square and the expansion of Haas Park. The Bloomingdale Trail will also create new parks in our neighborhood; one will be at Albany and Bloomingdale. Please call LSNA (773) 384-4370 if you want to help advocate for more recreational space.

Be a School Based Mentor at Ames Middle School!

10/15/2009, 12:58 PM

Thursday, October 15, 2009

If you can spare just one hour a week, you can be a positive role model in a child's life. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Metropolitan Chicago gives you an opportunity to mentor a child in a school setting.

The program runs during the school year October to May every Monday from 4:00– 5:00pm at Ames Middle School at 1920 N Hamlin Ave in Chicago!

It’s Easy!

During mentoring sessions you spend time doing activities that foster a positive relationship with a child: read a good book, play a game, work on homework or chat about the day. We’ve learned that being someone important to a kid doesn’t take much more than that. A BBBS staff member is on site during each meeting for support.

·Fill out an application and fax it to BBBS

·Set up an interview with your BBBS Program Coordinator

·Attend a one hour mentor training with your fellow mentors

The impact is huge for 1 hour of focused attention a week. Children begin to show signs of increased trust towards adults and the confidence in knowing that someone cares enough to come and see them every week.

Please Contact Anthony Medina

Bilingual Elev8 Program Coordinator

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

560 West Lake Street

Chicago, IL 60661

312-207-5616

medina@bbbschgo.org

www.bbbschgo.org

Download a flyer here.

Download the application here.

Someone You Should Know: Lorraine “LA” Samluk

10/1/2009, 4:04 PM

On September 8, 2009 crossing guard Lorraine “LA” Samluk received a surprise unveiling of an honorary street sign with her name on it, at the intersection of Diversey & Sawyer Avenues. She received this honor for her forty-five years of dedication to crossing over 135,000 children to and from Avondale & Logandale Schools.
“The children love her, they call her ‘LA’ short for Lorraine. That’s three generations of our family [she has crossed],” said Maria Sanchez, a long time friend and organizer of the signage and event. Maria wanted to acknowledge this unsung hero for her passion and dedication to her work in providing safety to the children while crossing them everyday. “She never misses a day unless there’s a funeral.”
Her supervising Officer Robaszewski of the 14th District Chicago Police Department praised LA, “Citywide, Lorraine is the senior crossing guard. She makes a supervisor’s job easy. She is the definition of the term Public Service.”

A grateful Lorraine shared her happiness with the crowd, “I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. This was a big surprise and I feel overwhelmed. I wish to thank everyone for their support and love.”

LSNA Helps Launch “Sweet Home Chicago” Campaign

10/1/2009, 3:29 PM

On July 30th, the Sweet Home Chicago Coalition, of which LSNA is a member, launched a campaign to get the city to spend more money on affordable housing for very-low-income households in Chicago. Three hundred and fifty people came out for the campaign launch and were energized by songs and chants and the words of support from Alderman Burnett, Alderman Flores, and Alderman Foulkes.
At a time when thousands of families are losing their homes to foreclosures and thousands of people are losing their jobs and struggling to afford housing, the Sweet Home Chicago Coalition learned that the city has $1.3 billion that could be used to build affordable housing. The money is called Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds and they are special property tax dollars that the city sets aside to redevelop neighborhoods. However, a lot of the funds are sitting there unspent!

Meanwhile, LSNA has been fighting for years to find funding for Zapata Apartments, Lathrop Homes, and new supportive housing for the neighborhood. All of these projects could potentially be funded with TIF. The Sweet Home Chicago campaign is calling on the city to designate TIF funds for affordable housing projects like these.

Sweet Home Chicago Coalition Proposal:
Each year the city would dedicate 20% of TIF funds collected towards affordable housing.
Developments could receive funds if 50% of the units were affordable to households earning less than $37,000 for a family of four. In addition, citywide, 40% of the total units created with the dedicated TIF funds each year must serve households earning less than $22,600 a year for a family of four.

What is TIF funding?
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars are property tax dollars that the city uses to develop certain neighborhoods. They can be used to build affordable housing.

Chicago’s use of TIF funds for affordable housing:
Over the past 13 years, only 4% of TIF dollars have gone for affordable housing.
In 50% of the wards where TIF funds were used to build housing, at least half of the units that were called affordable were too expensive for current residents.
Since 1995, only 27% of the affordable units built with TIF funds have been for households with the greatest needs—those earning less than $20,000 a year.

"Opening the Schoolhouse Doors: Replicable Models for School-Community Partnerships"

2/12/2009, 3:28 PM

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Download the January 2009 publication "Opening the Schoolhouse Doors" which outlines LSNA's extensive education programs.

To order hard copies of this report, call or email Monica G. Chavez at 773 384-4370 ext 14 or mgarreton@lsna.net.

Farm-City Market Basket Program Now Available Through Growing Power

4/17/2009, 9:19 AM

LSNA has begun a partnership with Growing Power, Inc. to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables at a low cost right from the farm to Logan Square! As a participant in this program, you will have direct access to the growers, suppliers and sellers who partner locally to bring your food to you. The Farm-City Market Basket Program includes 12-14 different types of produce in amounts that will feed a family of four for a week. It increases city residents' access to affordable food, while provide a viable market for small farmers.

There are various options for orders:

Farm to City Market Basket at $17.00: This basket contains ~20 pounds of assorted high quality conventional fruit and vegetables. It offers 10-14 varieties designed to feed 2-4 people throughout the week.

Junior/Senior Market Basket at $9.00: This basket contains 10-12 pounds of assorted high quality conventional fruit and vegetables. It offers 5-7varieties designed to feed a single person throughout the week.

X-Box Sustainable Market Basket at $28.00: This basket contains ~20 pounds of sustainably grown organic produce. It offers 10-15 varieties of vegetables, fruit and herbs that lasts 2-4 people throughout the week.

Conventional Fruit Basket at $17.00: This basket contains 20-25 pounds of conventional fruit.

Whole Chickens @ $16.00/each
Beef Liver @ $3.00/pound
Lamb Rack @ $13.00/package (~1.25 pounds)
Sunflower Sprouts @ $16.00/pound *available in 1/4lb. increments
Pea Shoots @ $16.00/pound *
Zesty Sprout Mix @ $16.00/pound *
Winter Salad Mix @ $12.00/pound *
Spinach @ $6.00/pound

Contents of baskets are based on what is in season at the time, or can come from a "rainbow coalition" of family owned suppliers to bring fruit and vegetables not found in the region such as mangoes.

Orders must be in by 5pm on Mondays together with payment (exact amount in cash or a check made out to Growing Power) and will be delivered to the LSNA office on Fridays.

For more information or to place an order, call Site Coordinator Monica Chavez at 773 384-4370 ext. 14 or email at mgarreton@lsna.net

Check out www.growingpower.org for more information on Growing Power.

Homemade in Logan Square/Hecho en Logan Square

4/1/2009, 1:55 PM

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Looking for a last minute gift? Searching for a “wow” dish to bring to a party? Look no further!

¿Buscando un regalo del último momento? ¿Buscando un plato “wow” para llevar a una fiesta? ¡No busque más!

Below is a list of members of the Logan Square community who have goods, services and talents to offer for reasonable prices. Please contact them directly if you are interested. If you would like to be added to this list, please call Bridget at Logan Square Neighborhood Association at 773/384-4370.

Esta es una lista de miembros de la comunidad de Logan Square quienes tienen bienes, servicios y talentos para ofrecer para precios honestos. Favor de contactar a ellos directamente si tiene interés. Si le gustaría ser añadido a la lista, favor de llamar a Bridget en la Asociación del Vecindario de Logan Square al 773/384-4370.

Gifts/Regalos
Original jewelry with a Puerto Rican accent. Joyería original con acento puertorriqueño.
Jessica Montanez 773/478-7392

Original jewelry made by Mexico City art student. Joyería original hecha por una estudiante de arte del D.F. Patricia Lopez 773/750-5727.

Clothes for Barbies and other dolls. Ropa para Barbies y otras muñecas.
Estela Martinez 773/738-9379

Knitted scarves, hats, and more. Bufandas, gorros tejidos y más.
Rosalia Escobedo de Colón 773/235-8964

Knitted scarves, hats, ponchos and baby clothes. Bufandas, gorros, ponchos y ropa de niño.
Luci Delgado 773/278-0860

Handicrafts, souvenirs, goody bags and decorations for weddings and quinceañeras.
Manualidades, recuerdos y decoraciones para bodas y 15 años.
Araceli Carrillo 773/545-0461 (home) 773/895-2760 (cell)

Food/Comida
Mexican food: empanadas with beef and potatoes, pozole, fried chicken, pork, green and red salsas. Recipes handed down from mother and grandmother who ran a restaurant in Mexico. Comida mexicana: empanadas de res y papa, pozole, pollo frito, puerco, salsas verdes y rojos. Recetas del restaurante de la mamá y abuela en México.
Martha Blanco 773/ 744-9216

Empanadas with cheese and chicken. Empanadas de queso y pollo.
Marlene Peralta 773/486-4737

Mexican food, especially beans, tamales, chicharrones, birria. Comida mexicana, especialmente frijoles, tamales, chicharrones, y birria.
Araceli Carrillo 773/545-0461 (home) 773/895-2760 (cell)

Mexican food—anything you like! Comida mexicana—¡todo lo que gustan!
Antonia Reyes 773/614-1088

Mexican food: Tamales, pozole, flan, cheesecake/pay de queso.
Rocio Juarez 773/844-0057

Dessert/Postre
All kinds of cakes, including tres leches. Specializes in cake decoration. Pasteles de toda clase. Especialidad es en decoración.
Maria Garcia 773/384-1063 (home) 773/655-0208 (cell)

Desserts. Specializes in flan. Postres. Especialidad es en flan.
Maria Camacho 773/814-1090

Homemade baked treats, made from scratch and high-quality ingredients. Specialties include, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, brownies and cheesecakes. All at responsible prices for special events, business meetings, etc. Pasteles hechos de ingredientes de alta calidad. Especialidades son pasteles, pastelitos, galletas, panqués, brownies y pastel de queso. Todos a buen precio para eventos especiales, reuniones,etc.

Baby Cakes Bakery Chicago
Tiffany Belk - Owner
773-278-4838 (home)
773-441-8671 (cell)
www.babycakesbakerychicago.com

Services/Servicios
Experienced baby-sitter. Años de experiencia en cuidado de niños.
Elena Hernandez 773/744-7638

Cleaning. Limpieza.
Ericka Smith 773/516-1434

Cleaning. Limpieza.
Amparo Padilla 773/954-5228 (cell)

Cleaning. Limpieza.
Norbella Luna 773/360-8930

Haircuts, manicures and pedicures. Corta cabello, arregla uñas, manicura y pedicura.
Maria Garcia 773/384-1063 (home) 773/655-0208 (cell)

Dance classes—salsa, meringue, hip hop, Ecuadorian folkloric. Clases de baile—salsa, merengue, hip hop, música folklorico de Ecuador.
Miosotes Aldas 773/870-8807 (cell)