Planting seeds toward a "healthy" Chicago

Until recently, it was difficult for community leaders in Albany Park – or in any neighborhood – to explain their public health challenges to city officials in a calm, collegial setting. But that’s exactly what’s happening at a series of meetings between leaders of LISC Chicago’s New Communities network and Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D., of the Chicago Department of Public Health. Here's how they work.

From vacant land to "productive landscapes"

New land use plans for Chicago's South Side call for a constellation of community gardens of many shapes and sizes, for conversion of an unused railroad embankment into 30-block east-west hiking trail, for an assortment of “pocket” parks and athletic fields as well as rain-absorbing grassy areas to relieve the area’s overloaded sewers. See how residents and planners came up with the ideas.

Setting some big anchors in Pullman, Roseland

Successful community redevelopment often gets started with a succession of small victories – a few abandoned homes rehabbed here, some vacant storefronts rejuvenated there. And that's happening in the Pullman-Roseland-West Pullman neighborhoods on Chicago’s Far South Side. But there's a lot more going on there, too, with some major projects capable of anchoring many more investments to come. See what they are.

Strategizing to fight crime

A crime requires three things: an offender, a victim and a suitable location. Intervening at any point along this “crime triangle,” such as by altering the space or educating potential victims, can prevent the crime, experts say. Community developers discussed these tactics and others with Julia Ryan, of LISC's Community Safety Initiative. Here's what was on their minds.

Small, smart and ready

From 2000 to 2010, the Latino population in the U.S. grew by 43 percent, and self-employment rose from 5.6 percent to 10.3 percent. Yet Latino-owned businesses are at greater risk of failure and have lower rates of success on key business indicators. In that context, 29 small business owners in Pilsen recently took advantage of a four-week Saint Xavier University workshop series that covered creating a business plan, maximizing human resources, marketing and more. Here are a few things they learned.

Moving closer to unity in Near North neighborhood

For the last 18 months, neighbors, community leaders, clergy and others have been doing the tough work of defining how the rapidly developing neighborhood near the razed Cabrini-Green high-rises can evolve to the satisfaction of long-time residents as well as newcomers. Those discussions, plus early action projects like a summer jazz series in Seward Park and the creation of a neighborhood website, are among the successes of the Near North Unity Program. Check it out.

Donor spotlight

The work described in this newsletter’s first story – about LISC engaging community organizations and the City of Chicago to address public health problems – wouldn’t have been possible without support from The Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute, one of the nation’s oldest philanthropies. Here's why.

Fourth quarter grants and loans

In the fourth quarter of 2012, LISC Chicago made grants and loans totaling more than $2.8 million to support community rebuilding efforts. Here are some examples.

Save the date!

The 19th annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards ceremony will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at the Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Online registration begins in January.

Learn more about LISC Chicago.