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Special delivery from the new alderman

3/16/2007, 4:28 PM

Friday, March 16, 2007

Richard Muhammad

The Washington Park Neighborhood Association received an unexpected “special delivery” when Alderman-elect Willie E. Cochran showed up at the group’s regular March meeting.

Alderman Willie Cochran addresses Washington Park Neighborhood Association as WPNA president Murray Johnson listens.

Richard Muhammad

The March 14 evening was supposed to be devoted to association elections, regular business and a dialog with U.S. Postal Service employees Stephanie Hartman, south side area manager of customer service and operations and Valerie Carter, manager for customer service for Jackson Park Station, about chronic problems with mail delivery.

Neither post office manager showed up.

And, Cochran, who was an unexpected participant at the meeting, was invited to share some thoughts and take some questions.

Cochran, who will officially be sworn-in May 21, started by saying that mail service problems weren’t limited to Washington Park and were found throughout the ward.

He shared the personal experience of having campaign materials returned to his office that he later had volunteers or paid workers deliver to the same addresses on envelopes, waving a stack of returned mail sent back to Tasha Baker, director of the New Communities Program in Washington Park.

Campaign mailings cost $6,000 to $10,000 apiece and trays of mail that should have gone to voters were returned, he said.

Time to come together

Shared problems are a reason why barriers between neighborhood in the 20^th Ward – which includes Woodlawn, Washington Park, parts of Englewood and the Back of the Yards communities – must be broken down, said Cochran.

“We have to come together as a community,” said the local businessman and former organizer for the New Communities Program in Woodlawn.

To help inform constituents and promote greater access and unity, Cochran announced rotating meetings would be held in different areas of his ward, and there would be a regular meeting at his ward office. A newsletter and monthly appearance of a local radio station will also keep people informed, Cochran said.

His plans include having a liaison for area churches in the 20^th Ward office.

It would be good to have leaders and organizations from different areas to come together, he said. “There are good things going on and we can strengthen one another. We have to become strong again,” Cochran said.

Positive work is being done across the ward, but you don’t hear about it, he added.

When it comes to tackling mail delivery and other problems, ward residents must go forward together, he argued. “We have to show our power as a community,” Cochran said.

Conversations about development underway

A representative from Harris Bank meets the new 20th Ward alderman.

Richard Muhammad

Cochran told the audience that his business outreach had already begun.

The huge number of vacant lots in the ward are opportunities for new development, he said.

Cochran added that a meeting with grocer Ultra Foods to discuss the possibility of opening a store in the 20^th Ward was scheduled.

Discussions with Wal-Mart and other businesses are also underway, he said.

Developers will come before community residents and share their plans for building in the ward and for supporting local schools, churches and civic organizations, Cochran said.

With the city’s bid for the 2016 Olympics, it’s time to talk to unions about training area residents for work, to the University of Chicago about expansion plans, and to get ready for a flurry of activity to fill those vacant lots, said Cochran. He added:

“We don’t want to look back 30 years from now and say what we should have done in 2007.”

In taking questions from WPNA members, Cochran asked for help compiling lists of young developers, construction companies, tradesmen and other businesses. From that list can come introductions and referrals for possible contracts, he said.

Protections for longstanding residents, especially senior citizens, need to be put in place to protect them from increased taxes and the negative impact of Olympic-driven development, Cochran said.

The role of community organizations

In an interview, Cochran also talked about the importance of organizations like the Washington Park Neighborhood Association, which hosted a candidates forum and a leadership training session he attended.

“Community organizations empower the people in the community and so I am an advocate of community organizations and community participation and listening to what the community has to say,” said Cochran.

“That’s the every reason I’m here tonight because I know how important it is to have contact with people. And I want to be accessible. I want to be able to listen to what the community is saying and I want to be able to responsive to those things,” he said.

Alderman Cochran reaches out to a constituent.

Richard Muhammad

Cochran added that his background in community organizing taught him why neighborhood groups are important.

“Community organizations can do a lot of work that needs to be done that can assist a public official in accomplishing goals that need to be accomplished. They are methods by which the community has a voice,” he said.

It’s good for residents to be more involved in community organizations and public processes, Cochran said.

More people need to get involved, he said.

Leaders urged to 'ask questions, ponder possibilities'

3/19/2007, 10:33 PM

Monday, March 19, 2007

Richard Muhammad

Participants pose with Gene Moreno, Chicago Rehab Network, following leadership development training.

Richard Muhammad

If isn’t often that the goal of a training session is to have participants asking more questions at the end than the beginning.

But that was the mission of Gene Moreno, director of policy for the Chicago Rehab Network, as she completed a March 17 training on “Understanding Policy and Legislation” for community residents and members of the Washington Park Neighborhood Association.

Moreno’s presentation was part of a series of trainings presented by St. Edmund’s Redevelopment Corp., the New Communities Program and the Washington Park Neighborhood Association. It was her second session with the group.

Moreno opened by telling community leaders that understanding the big picture is important to building power at the neighborhood level.

That big picture includes knowing what trends are happening in the community, what vehicles are available to impact development and change, what questions to ask, and who to go to for answers, Moreno said.

Moreno used census data and the Chicago Rehab Network’s “Affordable Housing Fact Book” to have residents review changes in income, housing stock, education and demographics in Washington Park.

Small group work was an important part of training sessions.

Richard Muhammad

“What do these changes mean to you?” she asked.

Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but numbers, such as a community’s population figures, can impact the inflow of resources, and numbers can point to positive or negative signs, Moreno said.

Reading different indicators for a community can help paint a picture of what is happening, she continued.

For example, figures for Washington Park showed lagging educational attainment, and a high rate of lead poisoning among children.

Lead poisoning affects a child’s ability to learn and is most often found in older housing, Moreno observed. One could conclude that a significant number of children are living in dilapidated housing, even as the community has lost housing stock, she said.

Reviewing city documents and maps also shows the exact boundaries of “official” neighborhoods as designated by the city and Cook County, she added.

Those boundaries determine what vehicles for changes and public access points exist, Moreno said. Washington Park is in a tax increment finance district, but who knows what is happening with area TIF money? she asked.

One north side alderman used TIF money guarantees to help limit risk for a developer who wanted to undertake a major project related affordable housing and economic development, said Moreno. The $10 million TIF money guarantee was used to leverage other loans, she said.

Reading numbers, drawing conclusions

Among some trends found in Washington Park were increases in White, Latino and Asian residents, increased homeownership and a fall in the African American population, though the area remains predominantly Black.

Trainees were divided into small groups and used anecdotal and statistical evidence to decipher changes in the community.

Community residents are learning to assert thier interests in Washington Park.

Richard Muhammad

Conclusions from the assessments from community members were interesting. Ed Chaney, a dentist, shared his group’s analysis. The group felt a “slow diversification” was taking place along racial lines and an influx of homeowners has brought greater stability and more resources.

Negatives included rising home insurance costs for longtime property owners and building owners called “new slum lords,” interested in renting to Section 8 voucher holders, but uninterested in impact on the quality of life.

Changes happen more quickly than census data shows, given new housing and other building projects can appear suddenly, Moreno said. Statistics show a slice of a community so even small numbers shouldn’t be ignored, she said.

Check out trends and pay special attention to increases, which can be harbingers of things to come, she advised.

Kelvin White, WPNA vice president, takes notes during session.

Richard Muhammad

Moreno urged participants to consider changes in nearby neighborhoods, because of shared schools, hospitals, grocery stores, bus lines and the same sanitation district. The impact can be positive or negative, she said.

“You can either make things happen or let things happen to you,” Moreno said.

Medical facility welcomes Washington Park residents

2/17/2007, 7:17 PM

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Richard Muhammad

When Dr. John Awah decided to open a medical center, he looked north and south, east and west. His decision to build the three-level Korle Bu Medical Center at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Garfield Boulevard, in Washington Park, drew cautions.

"You'll have problems with security, the area isn't a good location, don't do it," he was told.

Dr. John Awah and Genya Harley inside medical center created by the physician.

Richard Muhammad

The Ghanaian native and staff physician at two area hospitals didn't let the negative warnings affect him. He purchased the land and had the facility built from the ground up.

Judging from a tour that started in his office and encompassed all three levels of the first class facility, south side residents stand to benefit from his decision.

A photo in the lobby proclaims the traditional Ghanaian greeting "Akwaaba," or welcome.

Accompanied by marketing manager Genya Harley, Dr. Awah met with Tasha Baker, director of the New Communities Program in Washington Park, who welcomed him to the neighborhood.

She thanked him for his interest in serving Washington Park residents, including tenants in over 500 units of housing owned by St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corp., the NCP lead agency.

Baker discussed forming a partnership with Dr. Awah, and working together to inform residents about health issues and dispensing information at a health fair and other community-based events.

Elderly residents often don't have an understanding of prescribed medication and ask her for help, Baker said.

Baker talked to Dr. Awah on Jan. 31 about how to reach residents, the lack of medical care in the neighborhood, and offered to help spread the word about the services offered at Korle Bu Medical Center, which is pronounced "corley-boo." The facility opened in November 2006.

The Quality of Life Plan for Washington Park, which gives a roadmap for community redevelopment, is very strong on "brick and mortar," but lacking in its health focus, said Baker. She asked Dr. Awah to help improve the health part of the plan.

Baker was also impressed with the doctor's bedside manner as she overheard patients talking about the excellent treatment they received. Harley called the highly animated and energetic Baker "a blessing."

Having someone with knowledge of the community, who invites you in and offers to help make connections is important, she said.

"The idea of a comprehensive medical facility and location of the center was carefully selected due to its strategic position; a stand alone medical center in the community gives a sense of ownership to the local community," Harley said.

The facility, which looks deceptively small from the outside, houses a pharmacy, dental clinic, X-ray and other screening equipment, a sleep center, an eye clinic, weight loss clinic and multiple examination rooms. Dr. Awah calls it a hospital without the beds. Korle Bu is also the name of a hospital in Ghana.

Korle Bu Medical Center accepts various medical insurance plans and has a sliding fee scale, based on income, for those without medical coverage. Transportation to the medical center is available for patients.

Whether it's the music of Michael Jackson of the sounds of the late crooner Luther Vandross oozing out of speakers, flat screen TVs in waiting rooms, African or African American art that adorns the walls, the center makes a strong statement: You are at home, you are welcome here.

Genya Harley, left, Dr. John Awah and Tasha Baker, NCP director for Washington Park.

Richard Muhammad

Read more about Korle Bu Medical Center: http://www.korlebumedicalgroup.com/contact.html

Phase two begins for Washington Park leadership training

2/14/2007, 1:20 AM

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Richard Muhammad

Washington Park leaders attended training session on public policy and legislative issues led by John Paul Jones, of the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group, who is seated in foreground.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

Some 20 neighborhood residents gathered in a community room at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church Nov. 18 for phase two of sessions presented by the Washington Park Leadership Development Training Institute.

“Understanding Policy and Legislation” was the topic of a Saturday session led by John Paul Jones, of the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group. The bi-monthly training lasts six months and is expected to conclude in May, said New Communities Program director Tasha Baker, of lead agency St. Edmund’s Redevelopment Corp.

Leadership training is especially significant given Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and proposed changes in Washington Park, said Jones, NCBD director of community outreach.

As the Olympic proposal and other developments move forward, there is an expectation and often a requirement for community input, he noted. Residents, in particular, and other community stakeholders must be engaged, Jones stressed.

Without engaged leadership, a neighborhood can easily be bypassed as decisions are made, he explained.

Washington Park residents spent over half a day learning about how to engage and monitor government.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

Jones led the group through defining public policy, tracking legislation, examining the role of lobbyists, critiquing public subsidies, tax dollars and capital improvements, and similar topics. His presentation ranged from where to look for city money to install lighting and curb cuts to how to engage in democratic processes at the city, county and state level.

The idea is to broaden residents’ conversations with government officials about policy needs to protect their interests and to increase their wealth, Jones said.

Training provides definitions, possible strategies

Washington Park has often had a difficult time assembling leaders to talk things through, he noted. “This is a whole new ballgame, they are now ready to begin some policy work and legislation, and that should help them achieve many victories,” said Jones.

“Stakeholders have to assemble, they have to be clear about what they expect, from not only themselves but from others – and set the pace. Again, outsiders will be looking for a venue. I think people who work in good faith do want to communicate with the constituencies, but (Washington Park) will have to provide that venue,” Jones added.

Pastor Jesse Knox listens during Nov. 18 presentation.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

Willie Cochran, a training participant, was struck by the topics presented and how much residents could learn. It was “a great meeting,” and very informative about legislation, lobbying and community organizing, he said.

“This session has given us the ability to increase the capacity of our local agencies. And our local agencies, if given the opportunity, working hand in hand with government could increase overall government and community effectiveness,” said Cochran.

“It was a wonderful morning and afternoon on gaining insights on how governments work,” added Edward Chaney, membership chair for the Washington Park Neighborhood Association.

Increased knowledge input and impact

“The more they become savvy about the items, the better they’ll be able to protect themselves from economic disruptions, or at least, compete with the new stakeholders that will be coming their way,” said Jones, in laying out the value of the training.

Jones hopes to come back to Washington Park to talk about putting together special funds, whether for college scholarships, home improvements for longtime residents or money to support other redevelopment. It’s more than someone just paying for pop at a block club party, he said.

John Paul Jones, of the the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group, conducts leadership training session in Washington Park.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

“Washington Park is overwhelmed by new private investors, who need to know they must give something back to the community … not just to give to city hall, but to give to the community,” he said.

The Washington Park Leadership Development Training Institute is run by the Washington Park Neighborhood Association and the New Communities Program. The training was sponsored by LISC/Chicago and the Woods Fund of Chicago.

The goal is to empower residents and develop a core group of leaders, said Baker. Phase One of the training included community engagement and neighborhood relations, she said.

Mixed feelings about Olympic bid

Having attended five core group meetings about the Olympics, Baker has seen mixed reactions. “The residents have been told, no one has invited them to the table and gave them a thorough understanding” of the process, she said.

There are worries the city will mandate expensive improvements for home and condo owners, questions about who will pay for new developments, and whether there will be place for current residents, Baker said.

Others think the idea is wonderful and will bring jobs, she continued. But, Baker added, if residents don’t qualify for the jobs, training will be needed.

Getting residents to think through opportunities, problems and options is important given the assorted questions and mixed feelings. “This kind of training is crucial because it teaches people how to get involved step by step, without theatrics, knowing the core information. So when you go to the table you know what people are talking about and you can add to the process,” she said.

Heroes: Murray T. Johnson, Greg Brown

2/14/2007, 1:11 AM

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Community Heroes are individuals who offer their passion, strength and talent to improve their neighborhoods, benefiting people who may never know them by name, but who will reap the rewards of their work. The Community Heroes for Washington Park are Murray T. Johnson and Greg Brown. They were selected, along with 26 others from across the city, by the New Communities Program lead agencies and their partners. Congratulations to these extraordinary "ordinary" people for their steadfast commitment to improving Chicago neighborhoods.

MURRAY T. JOHNSON

Photo: Tasha Baker

A resident of the Washington Park neighborhood for 56 years, Murray Johnson understands the challenges facing his neighborhood and the importance of resident-driven change. Under Murray 's leadership, the Washington Park Neighborhood Association (WPNA)—the first organization led by community members in the area—was created in 2003. One of Murray 's greatest accomplishments through the WPNA has been instilling a sense of community pride in others, and empowering residents to voice their opinions about how to improve Washington Park . Murray has been married to Willie Johnson for 45 years, and has five sons and 10 grandchildren. He is also a trustee at the Greater Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church and president of the 5800 Wabash Block Club.

GREG BROWN

Photo: South Side Community Federal Credit Union

Greg Brown, president/CEO of South Side Community Federal Credit Union, believes that economic empowerment is the first step toward alleviating poverty. With Greg at the helm, the Credit Union serves as a neighborhood based alternative to currency exchanges, payday lenders and high-cost financial services in the area. The Credit Union, the first and only community development credit union in Chicago owned and managed by African-Americans, offers financial education classes, free homeownership workshops and one-on-one counseling to Washington Park residents. Greg sits on the board of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and the Bronzeville Community Development Partnership. He is a devoted husband and father, as well as an accomplished poet and author.

Washington Park job fair draws 1,600

2/14/2007, 1:20 AM

Sunday, October 8, 2006

Richard Muhammad

About 1,600 people ages 16 to 65 turned out for a resource and job fair recently hosted by Mainstream Living to connect area residents with jobs – or the skills to find a job.

Tamika Tagub, 21, said the event, held Sept. 20 at the Chicago Park District's Harris Park, provided a chance for people to gain employment and ways to better themselves.

Bob Corbett (left), a recruiter for Exelon and Commonwealth Edison, talks with a potential job candidate.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

"They offered jobs, help learning how to do resumes, help filling out applications. They gave you applications to fill out," said Tagub, who applied to several companies, including Walgreen's, the post office and an insurance agency.

Exhibitors, who included employers and service providers, manned tables in two huge rooms at the park's community center. Displays, brochures, and applications filled tables as conversations filled the air. Participants learned about potential careers and career starters. 20th Ward Ald. Arenda Troutman partnered with the fair's organizers to make it happen.

Having the employers and service providers in one place was a "great" idea, said Tagub. "It's hard for some people to get [jobs], and they brought an opportunity to come and get jobs here," she said.

An exhibitor at the fair (right) shares information during the recent job and resource fair.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

"More people, if they knew about it, would have come out," added Shaquendo Britton, 32, who applied for several positions.

Resource for community, employers

Bob Corbett, who represented energy companies Exelon and ComEd, did brisk business. He talked with potential applicants about their work experience, interests and desired career paths, and he gave tips on the best way to post resumes online.

Exelon/ComEd job requirements range from a G.E.D. to four-year college degrees, Corbett noted. A meter reader, for example is an entry-level position that pays $14 to $15 an hour. But an overhead electrician earns $100,000-plus, with salary and overtime, he said.

"We just wanted to make sure that [attendees] are aware of the fact that these kinds of good paying jobs with good security and good benefits are available," Corbett said. "Unless you really get to know what kinds of jobs a company has, you might have a certain view of them and just not have any idea that there is something there for you."

Dorothy Taylor, head of Mainstream Living, works year-round with employers who participated in the fair.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

Corbett said he expected a lot of people to post resumes online after the event, which he added was a great opportunity for companies because it cost only staff time.

Other employers, like the U.S. Census Bureau, offered a chance to get a job and have a greater impact on the neighborhood. Though the next national census won't happen until 2010, other important data collection is happening.

"The surveys that we are doing determine how much federal money comes into certain areas around the country," said recruiter Charles Slater.

Given the continued problem of undercounting African Americans, Slater hoped to find employees who can do a more thorough job of counting. Though the position is entry level, it can lead to a long-term career, he said.

Center adds family to employment equation

The job fair is more than a one-day affair, said Dorothy Taylor, of Mainstream Living, which helps with employment, job preparation, skill training, and education. Employers who participate in the job fair are sought out for jobs during the year as are previous job fair participants, she added.

Work is done with the entire family, not just the individual job seeker, she said. That might mean help with housing, or child care while a parent is working, Taylor explained. "We kind of embrace the whole family and the support system that needs to go around it," she said.

The effort is a collaboration between St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corp. and Mainstream Living, where Taylor serves as executive director. This is Mainstream Living's first foray into partnering with St. Edmund's under the New Communities Program.

Tasha Baker (left), NCP director for Washington Park lead agency St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corp., mans a display with a colleague.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

The job center is a little over a year old but has only been recruiting for the last three months. More than 100 people have been enrolled in services in the last 90 days, according to Taylor. Bringing services and jobs together helps get those who aren't quite ready for work prepared, as many in the 20th Ward and Washington Park need to be, she said.

The myth that people don't want to work went out the window in Washington Park eight years ago, said Taylor, who cited numbers at usually 2,000 to 3,000 people per job fair, which shows people are eager for employment.

Her organization, located at 5912 S. State St., is looking to move into a larger space to provide more services, like offering e-mail addresses and internet access, resume writing, and a place to call or fax potential employers.

"The center in Washington Park is designed to make a difference in a neighborhood that's been left behind," said Tasha Baker, NCP director for Washington Park.

Portfolio: Washington Park townhomes

2/14/2007, 1:20 AM

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Cities and neighborhoods, like businesses, rise or fall based on investment. Many parts of Chicago—downtown in particular—have boomed thanks to public and private investment in such projects as residential Dearborn Park, the restoration of Wacker Drive and, most recently, Millennium Park on Chicago's magnificent lakefront.

Assembled here is a portfolio of Chicago's next great investment opportunities, in NCP neighborhoods, including Washington Park.

Download the full portfolio in Acrobat PDF format (2.5 MB).

These projects are the most investment-ready of hundreds to emerge from a series of quality-of-life plans written by neighborhood residents under the leadership of local organizations. Some of the projects call for substantial residential and commercial redevelopment—project values run more than $245 million in the aggregate. Others are modest in dollar amounts, but heavy on civic spirit: ethnic wall murals by local artists, a retail feasibility study, expansion of a training program for auto mechanics.

Washington Park is promoting St. Edmund's Commons Townhomes, which would transform vacant lots to the sites of affordable rental townhouses and a base for local renewal efforts, as part of the New Communities Program's Community Investment Portfolio. The project would consist of 53 rental townhouses, mostly three-bedroom units, built on 10 vacant lots, bolstering the return of middle-income housing in this reviving South Side neighborhood. The Commons will contain four units for households earning less than 30 percent of the area median income, 17 units for those earning less than 50 percent and 25 for those below 60 percent. The remaining five units will be leased at market rates.

New townhomes will be attractive and affordable.

Photo: Johnson and Lee Architects, Ltd.

BENEFITS The housing development will reduce the number of vacant lots that plague Washington Park ; expand the income range of neighborhood residents; serve as a neighborhood model for mixed-income housing; and attract other developers, including those offering homes for sale.

Most families rent their homes.

Photo: Juan Francisco Hernandez

SPONSORING ORGANIZATION St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation (SERC) works to renew the Washington Park community by developing quality housing and fostering revitalization opportunities for all people. SERC is working to redevelop former Chicago Housing Authority sites and vacant lots into successful mixed-income housing; create attractive gateways coming east from the Dan Ryan Expressway; revitalize commercial strips; increase parks and green space; and improve employment opportunities.

LOCATION
60th Street from Wabash to Indiana Avenues

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
$500,000 for gap financing

OVERALL PROJECT VALUE
$14.6 million

TIMELINE
2007 Construction
2008 Completion

Older brick housing is being rehabbed.

Photo: Martha Brock

PARTNERS
Ald. Arenda Troutman (20th Ward), Charter Mac, Chicago Department of Housing, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Chicago Housing Authority, Developers Mortgage Corporation, Gilead Management Company, LISC/Chicago, Redevelopment Service Corporation, Skender Construction Company, University of Chicago, Washington Park Neighborhood Association

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Cecelia Hunt
773.752.8893
ceceliahunt@aol.com

Back on the block: Calls for unity echo through Washington Park

2/14/2007, 1:11 AM

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Richard Muhammad

“We are committed to reclaiming Washington Park, block by block and building by building. Together we pledge our commitment to serve as instruments of peace and healing for the Washington Park Community.”

— Excerpt from Washington Park pledge

With the noise of the Green Line “El” train and motorcycles roaring down side streets in the background, the Washington Park Neighborhood Association (WPNA) held its second “Unity in the Community” rally on the steps of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Washington Park residents say the community is coming back and they want to quicken the pace of progress.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

The summer evening drew a spirited group Aug. 9 that listened to pastors, community residents, activists and state representative. The Unity Rallies are the organization’s preemptive solution to improving the Quality of Life in Washington Park. The mission is to unify a neighborhood where one block doesn’t know what the other block is doing. Unity brings harmony, connecting the residents is the key to reclaiming the neighborhood, explained Tasha Baker, the New Communities Program director for Washington Park.Three Unity in the Community rallies were planned for strategic locations to bring residents from different blocks together, Baker said. A third rally is planned for mid-September.

Neighborhood residents pick up information from table during a Washington Park Neighborhood Association community rally.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

The evening started with a peace march from St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church to the Church of the Good Shepherd, at the corner of 57th St. and Prairie Avenue. The evening was a showcase of possibilities with a performance by a neighborhood dance troop, a presentation by New Beginnings a non-profit that helps homeless women become self-sufficient and the 5700 Indiana block club president, who repeated the theme of cooperation. Baker led a Washington Park pledge that focused on working together.

Kiyaheta Bentley, 25, and her nephew recite "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," at rally. Bentley wants to get more involved in her neighborhood. She has lived in Washington Park for two years.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

Washington Park is seeing signs of change with new housing construction and rehab projects, and just blocks away police department “blue lights,” which include surveillance cameras, signify trouble spots. Problems range from drugs and violence to poor mail service and too few programs to engage youth people.

'Keep the faith'

The rally focus went beyond problems as residents were urged to stay involved, or get involved, whether by working with the WPNA neighborhood association or buying flowers and sod to beautify where their yards. They were also invited to the mic to speak their minds.

“The people that don’t respect this area are going to get the picture soon and very soon, so keep the faith,” said State Representative Ken Dunkin, who represents Washington Park. He pledged his support and congratulated organizers, pastors and residents trying to bring the area back. Dunkin told the group new street lights will be coming a block away, with additional lighting planned. He also offered to help with beautification efforts.

Sherry Simpson, in black top, runs a program for girls out of her home Washington Park Home. The “Baby Dolls” (Bold And Beautiful Young Daughters Obtaining Life Long Success) are girls ages 11-17 that participate in the mentoring program. The Baby Dolls performed a dance routine at the unity rally.“They girls work hard and they are open for anything that’s positive,” said Simpson.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

It’s great to see people out, said Donna Smith, president of the 5700 S. Indiana Block Club. “Unity means to have humility. In order for us to have humility, we must know we have to work together, we must believe in one another, we must believe in what we’re doing and we must look after the children,” she said.

“This is going to be a different community; this is going to be a different neighborhood. The thing we have to do is be sure it remains Black or mixed, because like a lot of neighborhoods throughout the city, gentrification takes place and then people that lived here are not able to stay,” added Rev. David E. Chambers, Jr. pastor, Church of the God Shepherd.

Sherry Simpson runs a program for girls out of her home. “I decided and the girls decided that they didn’t want to do what everybody else around the neighborhood was doing. We needed to get together and do something that was worth their time, something they could be proud of doing and something they can talk about everywhere they go,” she said.

The result was the Washington Park “Baby Dolls” (Bold And Beautiful Young Daughters Obtaining Life Long Success) are part of a mentoring program for girls ages 11-17. “They girls work hard and they are open for anything that’s positive,” said Simpson.

WPNA: Trying to make things better

Murray Johnson, president of the Washington Park Neighborhood Association, wants to see more opportunities for youth, acquisition of a vacant lot for a youth center, and local businesses donating some profits to pay for youth programming. He and his wife have lived in the community for 56 years.

State Representative Ken Dunkin takes pledge to support Washington Park at rally. Dunkin, who spoke at the gathering, applauded residents for their efforts to improve the area and vowed to help.

Photo: Richard Muhammad

“The reason why we’re doing it outside is to let the people know that we’re just not talking, we’re actually acting on what we’re saying,” said Johnson. The summer rallies, which took the place of regular monthly meetings, are a chance to let people know about services that are offered in the community, encourage people to participate, and partner with block clubs, churches and other organizations, he said. Regular meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at St. Edmond’s Church.

There will be workshops, regular meetings, continued organizing, help forming block clubs, and work with the Ministerial Alliance to get participation from the many churches in the area, Johnson said.

“I want the people who have been in Washington Park for 20, 30, 40 years to have a say so about what’s going on in Washington Park. Everything that’s been built in Washington Park, our taxes pay for it. We need to have a say so, we need to unite,” he said.

One of the challenging things is outreach to renters, who may move frequently, but they need to be engaged and involved, he said. A tenant’s rights workshop is scheduled to offer information and reach out to renters, Johnson added.

Kiyaheta Bentley, 25, has lived in the neighborhood for two years. “I want to see things that can bring the community together. I want to see the kids have something to do. There needs to be a change,” she said.

Bentley felt inspired by the rally and made some predictions. “Next time the meeting is going to be bigger, the signs are going to be bigger, and I’ll play a part in that, if I have to. I’m trying to be a community activist too,” she said.

Community comes together for college bound teen

2/14/2007, 1:11 AM

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Tiara Ligon

The Indiana Terrace Tenant Organization was joined by St. Edmunds Redevelopment Corp., the Washington Park Neighborhood Association and others to support a young woman headed to college with a promising future.

Tiara Ligon, a resident of the Indiana Terrace Building in Washington Park, is a graduate of Hirsch Metro High School, where she was the Class of 2006 Salutatorian. Tiara was also an honor student in grammar and high school.

Her work paid off. Tiara received a full four-year scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Washington Park community came together to give Tiara a trunk party on Aug. 14 at the Indiana Terrace Community Room. The show of unity made sure that Tiara went off to college with the supplies and other things that she needed to make a great start.

Thanks to everyone who joined the effort!

CWFs help boost income, cut costs

2/14/2007, 1:11 AM

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Ed Finkel

Centers for Working Families (CWF) offer a new twist on improving the financial well being of low-income working families. Rather than concentrating solely on employment services, the CWF model adds financial counseling, tax preparation assistance and public benefits screening to boost a household's economic health.

Being rolled out by LISC/Chicago and 13 partner agencies – 11 in NCP communities – the centers are based on an emerging national model developed through the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Classes in English as a second language are a key tool for raising earning power at the Instituto del Progreso Latino, the CWF serving Pilsen.

Photo: Sarahmaria Gomez

They offer a uniquely integrated system of services, says Christopher "Happy" Tan, program officer with LISC/Chicago. "This is a much more holistic attempt to help people achieve financial stability," Tan says. "You have to pay attention to asset development, but just as important in the short term is the need to address debt — sometimes pretty crushing debt."

Boosting income is the other half of the equation. "If you only focus on controlling expenses and controlling debt ... they cannot get out of that cycle of paycheck, expenses, debt."

Tan recalls a conversation with Brenda Palms-Barber of the North Lawndale Employment Network, the first LISC partner to become a CWF. "Our problem with our clients is, they get paid on Friday, and they're broke by Monday," Palms-Barber told him. Tan adds: "The complaint of the households was, 'I already have a job, and in many cases I'm working two or three jobs, and I'm having difficulty making ends meet.' "

More than employment centers

The centers confront that problem by offering more than traditional employment services, says Ricki Lowitz, the LISC senior program officer who has shaped the local CWFs.

Free tax preparation in the Quad Communities brought $1.2 million in tax returns to 792 households.

Photo: Eric Young Smith

Lowitz worked with Project Match, a nationally respected workforce agency, to help neigh borhoods create programs that welcome any community resident, plus friends and family, and stick with them through multiple job placements to keep them employed.

The centers serve people who often don't qualify for traditional employment programs because they are not welfare recipients, dislocated workers, or part of another eligible category – or they lack required reading and writing skills, Lowitz says. Others who do qualify might be kicked out for poor attendance or other reasons, or, after being placed once, lose their jobs and cannot be placed again. "The CWFs don't cream," Lowitz says, referring to programs that serve only the most eligible clients.

Juan Salgado: "CWF is built into the fabric of the organization."

Photo: John McCarron

Any site that calls itself a Center for Working Families also must bundle job-related services with one-on-one financial counseling, tax preparation and assistance in accessing public benefits. And each center develops partnerships with financial institutions to provide fairly priced financial products and services.

The financial counselors help with everything from getting out of debt, to starting to save, to moving upward into investments, Lowitz says. They can boost family income by as much as 25 percent with public benefits alone, and decrease expenses by, for example, setting up checking accounts to avoid the exorbitant fees at check cashing windows. Free tax preparation can make a huge difference: in 2006 the volunteer service organized by Center for Economic Progress generated $20 million for nearly 15,000 households. To provide financial advice that clients would trust, NLEN hired Tiffany Randle, a former portfolio analyst for Northern Trust. Near West Side CDC in West Haven hired Seung Kim, a former investment planner, and Southeast Chicago Development Commission in South Chicago hired Deidra Thomas, a former branch manager of Northern Trust Bank.

Taking a cue from the medical profession, counselors urge clients to never leave without making the next appointment. "They advise people on when they should come back: 'Come see me when you get a job, and we'll talk about your credit report,' " Lowitz says.

Eight sites online, more to come

Eight CWF sites are fully functional, in North Lawndale, Pilsen, West Haven, Quad Communities, South Chicago, Logan Square, West Garfield Park and Uptown. Together they provide employment services and/or free tax prep assistance to about 8,000 people a year. With new financial counselors on board, the number of people receiving one-on-one financial counseling is growing to roughly 200 per site.

Auburn-Gresham, Humboldt Park, Chicago Lawn, Washington Park and Woodlawn also plan to launch CWFs. LISC provides each site $50,000 per year for three years to pay for a full-time financial counselor. The sites must collect specific data on each participant and update an on-line database with all services provided and outcomes achieved.

The Pilsen site, operated by Instituto del Progreso Latino (IPL), has seen 1,500 clients for tax preparation services alone, a number that executive director Juan Salgado expects will grow. In 2006, the site generated $2.8 million in refunds

Salgado's organization has bundled services like employment, adult education, youth development and citizenship for 30 years, adding tax assistance three years ago and then financial services two years ago as it became part of CWF. He recalls reading about the concept of CWF and realized that the approach would click with IPL. "I immediately said, 'This is us. It's not a program within us, it is us,' " Salgado says. "We're leveraging, we're integrating, we're creating an initiative that's built into the fabric of the organization."

In West Haven, the CWF evolved out of a Home Visitors Program for residents of the Henry Horner Homes public housing complex. The previous program did not offer financial counseling or the same level of employment assistance.

"This has been really good for introducing financial education to families who otherwise would not have known anything about it, or thought about it," says Vorricia Harvey, program director. "We've been pretty successful in getting people better jobs and higher-paying jobs."

Among the local variations: Logan Square is building its program on an existing network of community schools, rather than an employment center. Greater Southwest Development Corp. (GSDC) will provide third-party verification of mortgage loan terms, as well as counseling for sub-prime mortgage borrowers prior to closing a loan. This is especially appropriate because GSDC fought for passage of a state anti-predatory lending law that requires those services.

Lessons learned

The CWF model has evolved based on local experience. Sites initially weren't required to hire in-house financial coaches, but training case managers to be bankers didn't work, and bringing in outside consultants didn't always provide the necessary personal touch and continuity of service.

Another lesson was that sites often spent too much time recruiting clients who were willing to make a long-term commitment upfront, rather than developing a counseling protocol – and quality of services — to make clients want to continue long term. Not surprisingly, groups learned that referrals from trusted people and group presentations by an impressive counselor would pique client interest. Referrals from staff they did not know or weak group presentations rarely prompted people to continue.

Image is important, too. Financial planning carries less stigma for working people than other social services, the sites learned, since the wealthy do it. But "you need extremely well-qualified financial counselors for people to get hooked," Lowitz says.

Washington Park plan presented to Daley, Fanton

2/14/2007, 1:21 AM

Washington Park residents joined their brethren from around the city in May to see area leaders present the comprehensive Washington Park quality of life plan to Mayor Richard M. Daley and Jonathan F. Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation.

Presenting to Mayor Richard M. Daley and MacArthur Foundation President Jonathan Fanton were Murray Johnson(left) and Rev. Richard Tolliver.

Photo: Juan Francisco Hernandez

This occurred on a dais in a packed ballroom at the Chicago Hilton and Towers during the LISC New Communities Program Roll Out Assembly for all 14 NCP neighborhoods.

Murray Johnson, president of the Washington Park Neighborhood Association, and Rev. Richard Tolliver, president of St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation presented the plan, while Ald. Arenda Troutman and her staff participated in the planning process and were in attendance.

"This is a great day for Washington Park," said Mary Beard, secretary of the WPNA, as she watched Daley and Fanton honor the planning efforts of SERC, the WPNA and organizations in the other 13 neighborhoods that presented their plans.

"I commend all of the residents and organizers involved in the New Communities Program for taking responsibility for strengthening the economic and social life of their neighborhoods and helping us to create a stronger and more vibrant city," Daley said. "The City of Chicago welcomes the ideas in these plans, and we have already begun working with many groups and look forward to working with many others in helping turn their visions into reality."

"We are encouraged by the positive response from public agencies and private funders," Fanton said. "With strategies that are based on solid data and a clear understanding of market dynamics, the plans offer real opportunities for improving conditions in city neighborhoods. The health of individual neighborhoods affects the city as a whole and even the region. If you care about the city, investing in neighborhoods just makes sense."

The New Communities Program is a long-term, comprehensive approach to urban development that uses grassroots neighborhood planning as a central tool for improving the quality of life of community residents. NCP looks at the whole community, including schools, parks, health care, childcare, community safety, organizing, social services, and opportunities for economic development

Although the 14 plans vary according to community condition and particular need, certain common critical issues emerged in virtually every one of the planning processes, which NCP will address on a broader policy basis. These issues include the need to enhance education and youth services, build family wealth, increase housing that is available across a broad spectrum of incomes and ages, increase retail service and reduce crime.

Managed by LISC and led by lead agencies in neighborhoods around Chicago, NCP will help bring new resources to the Washington Park community. Titled "Rebuilding the Neighborhood," Washington Park's plan identifies several critical issues and projects that will strengthen the neighborhood as a balanced, mixed-income community, including:

Affordable housing options through new housing investment and rehabilitation of existing buildings;
An employment assistance program to help with job readiness training and job placement;
A new business/research park and increased retail and commercial activity;
Fences and right-of-way improvement along 63rd Street;
Creation of more transportation options and more parks and green spaces for local children and families;
Support for and engagement of community residents to address unmet community needs; and,
An old-fashioned neighborhood-welcoming program that will provide new residents with a community directory and newsletter.

For more information or to get involved in the revitalization initiative taking place in Washington Park, please visit the SERC website at www.sercchicago.org or call us at(773) 752-8893.