A TRIBUTE TO
COMMUNITY
HEROES
A TRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY HEROES
N E W
C O M M U N I T I E S
P R O G R A M
To Susan Lloyd, friend, patron and hero in her own right.
Community Heroes
A tribute to those who serve their neighborhoods
The words “community” and “hero” are powerful in their own right, bringing to mind common bonds, shared
fates, courage, strength and self-sacrifice.
Bring the words together—“community hero”—and the expression takes on greater meaning. Community
heroes are those individuals who offer their courage, strength and self-sacrifice in the service of a neighborhood, benefiting people who may never know them by name, but who will reap the rewards of their work.
The community heroes honored here are as diverse as the communities they represent. They are mothers,
fathers, church deacons, Islamic believers, coaches, cheerleaders, facilitators, planners, thinkers and above
all, doers. All were selected by the New Communities Program (NCP) lead agencies and partners. NCP
focuses on community development from the ground up and multi-year planning to address longstanding
problems. It is built upon the spirit and vitality of audacious stakeholders: these heroes and many others.
Community heroes are buoyed by belief in their neighborhoods and driven to tackle social and economic challenges that naysayers insist can never be overcome. They are winning because of their willingness to struggle,
and they are counting tangible victories—whether in improved schools, cleaner streets, safer parks, healthier
habits or the growth of individual leadership skills and personal power. They are making things better.
These quite extraordinary individuals share some common traits—passion, perseverance and a sense of
purpose. They represent the best of Chicago.
AUBURN GRESHAM
2
BETTY
SWANSON
BETTY SWANSON
Community activist Betty Swanson participates in nearly every aspect of civic life in her neighborhood. She lends her
sense of service to the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation’s Green Renovation Project and other
efforts. Betty is president of the 79th and Carpenter Block Club Association, CAPS facilitator for Beat 612, board
president of Auburn-Gresham Neighborhood Housing Services, and a Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation board member. Betty has received awards from President George W. Bush, Mayor Richard M. Daley, and
earlier this year, received the 6th Police District’s Triad Award, the highest civilian community award presented by the
Chicago Police Department. But above the positions and accolades is Betty’s passion for improving Greater Auburn
Gresham, which has made life better for others.
James Drake, a Greater Auburn Gresham community leader, is like a rare jewel. He stands out from the ordinary
and has exhibited unmatched value in his 15 years of community activism. His 17th Ward Redevelopment Advisory
Council work and advocacy for redevelopment of 79th St. are just two of his many neighborhood projects. James has
served as National Night Out team leader and participant, neighborhood police roll call organizer, 77th and Hermitage
Street Block Club president, Cook County Court Advocate for the 6th District chairperson, District Advisory Committee chairperson, beat administrator for Beat 611, and secretary for the “Beat Facilitators Network.” He is a 2005
Recipient of the Triad Award for the 6th District—the Chicago Police Department’s highest community civilian award.
AUBURN GRESHAM
JAMES
DRAKE
JAMES DRAKE
3
CHICAGO SOUTHWEST
AIMEE NAVARRO
AIMEE NAVARRO
The 2006 Class of Parent Mentors
The 27 parents in Chicago Southwest’s first class of Parent Mentors in Eberhart, Marquette and Talman elementary schools are
all heroes. The Mentor program nurtures school leadership by
training and placing select parents in classrooms for two hours a
day. Mentors commit to a year of activity, attend weekly training
sessions, serve as school safety patrol volunteers, and provide
other needed assistance. They also recruit other parents to get
involved. The 2006 class has met Mentor requirements, and
gone on to lead Local School Councils, join the Grow Your Own
Teacher program and tackle issues like immigration reform. Ten
work full-time jobs. Aimee Navarro, a mother of seven whose
children attend Eberhart Elementary School is a dedicated community leader and representative of the group.
4
RAMI
NASHASHIBI
RAMI NASHASHIBI
Rami Nashashibi, a Muslim father and husband,
is executive director of the IMAN (Inner City Muslim Action Network) Center and Health Clinic in
Marquette Park. Rami partnered with the Greater
Southwest Development Corp. to improve health
screening, education and prevention services for
all area residents. IMAN currently offers free weekend health screenings at local physicians’ offices
and will soon open a full-service community health
clinic to serve those lacking insurance and funds.
The clinic and Rami’s work build on the Islamic values of brotherhood, service, charity and faith. Rami
helped start the IMAN facility—which also includes
computer classes, art and cultural programming
for youth—and he helped identify youth, safety
and health strategies during the NCP process.
His commitment to community service is breaking
down cultural barriers and inspiring others in the
diverse Chicago Southwest community.
CHICAGO SOUTHWEST
5
EAST GARFIELD PARK
ERNESTINE
KING
ERNESTINE KING
Ernestine King, Greater Garfield Chamber of Commerce executive director and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance board member, understands effective partnerships. Through her involvement with the
proposed redevelopment of East Garfield Park commercial corridors and plans for a garden plaza, an
art studio and retail development on Madison St.,
Ernestine brings people together to improve her
community. She is committed to the New Communities Program, and active on several committees. She
sits on the board committee overseeing the direction
of NCP and keeps board members updated on local
issues. Ernestine is proof that patience and commitment yield results.
6
DWAYNE
TRUSS
DWAYNE TRUSS
When Dwayne Truss shows up, everyone knows what’s
on his mind—improving education for students on
Chicago’s West Side. A regular at Board of Education
meetings, Dwayne wants the best for his two children
and other public school students in Austin and West
and East Garfield Park. Dwayne organizes meetings,
sets up strategy sessions with community partners
and powwows with Chicago Public School, staff on
ways to upgrade academic offerings. A Westinghouse
High School graduate, Dwayne has volunteered at all
levels to improve education. His passion for reform
and transparency is shared by his wife, Cata, and they
often testify before governmental agencies. Dwayne
has led community members in advocating and planning for the construction of the New Westinghouse
High School, and as always, brings the enthusiasm of
a parent and concerned resident.
EAST GARFIELD PARK
7
ENGLEWOOD
HENRY HENRY
P. WILSON
P. WILSON
The “community mayor” of Englewood, Henry P. Wilson
was a vocal and active neighborhood contributor before
urban renewal and model cities programs. Now Henry is
a leading advocate for rebuilding a vibrant and healthy tax
base in the New Englewood Village communities. A former chairman of the Englewood Conservation Community
Council, established by the city in 1961, Henry’s efforts
helped stakeholders shape a land-use plan for Englewood.
His corporate sector and Empowerment Zone work led to
non-profit investment and resources for two new neighborhood facilities, the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Center
and the Children’s Home and Aid Society’s new Englewood Family Center. The fruit of past work is seen in new
housing and on-going public investment. Henry’s patience,
diligence and commitment make him a true neighborhood
hero.
8
DEANNA WOODS
DEANNA WOODS
Deanna Woods, the aunt of “Englewood angel”
Seritha White, has a face that lights up when
you mention the community’s children. She
has long been a sister, friend, and surrogate
mom for West Englewood children looking for
someone to talk to. The death of her niece in
March 2006 brought attention and new opportunity to a long neglected community. It also
brought Deanna’s gifts directly to youth through
program work with churches, block clubs and
other organizations. Her focus is always on fun
things for children to enjoy. Quiet and humble,
she doesn’t seek recognition for her contributions. Through adversity and pain, Deanna
to someone else. She is an example of community leadership and service.
E N G L E W O O D
gives to people asking only that they do good
9
HUMBOLDT PARK
MIGUEL
MORALES
MIGUEL MORALES
In a community struggling with obesity, Miguel
Morales understands the importance of proper nutrition and active lifestyles. As coordinator for Community Organizing for Obesity Prevention in Humboldt
Park (CO-OP HP), an initiative based at the Puerto
Rican Cultural Center, Miguel has raised awareness
of the problem and expanded choices to help neighborhood residents enjoy healthier lives. His mantra is
a good diet and regular exercise. His leadership has
led to innovative programs to improve diets, such
as monthly visits from a Producemobile to over 100
low-income residents; weekly programs that deliver
fresh, organic produce to local families at lower
costs than supermarkets and a Homegrown Farmers Market. Exercise is stressed through a workout
program for women and educational efforts in high
school classes, pre-schools and local events.
10
OFELIA
NAVARRO
OFELIA NAVARRO
Ofelia Navarro, executive director of the Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH), believes in affordable housing and
providing quality services to low-income people. For 15
years, Ofelia has led an important nonprofit organization
that serves Chicago’s growing Latino community. She
helps identify gaps in housing-counseling services and
develops strategies to fill those gaps. Prior to becoming executive director, Ofelia served as a housing counselor for the agency. Under her leadership, its staff has
grown from three to 34, two additional locations have
opened, and the organization’s budget has increased
from $100,000 to $1.5 million. Ofelia keeps in touch with
community needs through an effective network of partners that provide housing services and information that is
vital to community development.
H U M B O L D T
P A R K
11
LITTLE VILLAGE
12
MARK MARK
& JESSIE
SARATE
& JESSIE SARATE
If the best lead by example, Mark Sarate and Jessie Sarate are highly qualified to
provide lessons about teamwork, cooperation and service. The couple is committed to offering children in the Little Village neighborhood positive experiences through
sports. Mark coaches youth of all ages, backgrounds and both genders in basketball
and baseball. Jessie, Mark’s wife, is right by his side, supervising as her husband runs
several teams. While one team is playing and holds Mark’s attention, Jessie is usually
found helping other teams with warm-ups, as young basketball players, or baseball
players, await their turn. The couple shares their talent willingly, often without financial compensation, and manages teams all over the neighborhood, including working
with youth at the Little Village Community Development Corporation and Eli Whitney
“B-Ball on the Block” this summer, and successfully coach as many as four teams in
different age groups at one time. At the Community School, he works with four groups
of students from first to eighth grade. High school students, who once played for Mark,
The couple is a fixture at sporting events, offering needed reliability to young people.
Though they may not come out on top every game, Mark and Jessie are winners in
the best sense of the word.
V I L L A G E
work with him as volunteers. The youth understand that Mark and Jessie are a team.
L I T T L E
Community School. This productive partnership allowed Mark to help organize play in
13
LOGAN SQUARE
SILVIA
GONZALES
SILVIA GONZALES
Silvia Gonzalez is a longtime leader for Monroe Elementary School and the Logan Square Neighborhood
Association (LSNA). As a parent mentor, parent tutor,
school committee member and Local School Council
treasurer, she has given time and talent to neighborhood children and families. When LSNA and Monroe
School began a School Community Learning Center,
Silvia became the center’s advisory council president.
She serves on LSNA’s Education Committee and is
studying to become a bilingual teacher through LSNA
and Chicago State University’s Maestros Sin Fronteras (Teachers Without Borders) program. Silvia also
is involved in housing issues, and currently is learning
about Tax Increment Financing and its potential neighborhood impact. Always ready for the next challenge,
she is a great example of a true community leader.
14
DEBORAH
MCCOY
DEBORAH MCCOY
Having tackled issues like affordable housing, safety and
education for 20 years, Deborah McCoy is an experienced community leader. She served as president of
Logan Square Neighborhood Association for two years
and helped craft the Logan Square New Communities
Program Plan. Deborah has gone door-to-door engaging
neighbors and getting them to work together. She has
also stayed busy since her term as president of Logan
Square Neighborhood Association expired. Deborah sits
IVI-IPO political action committee and serves as a Shimer
College board member. Her activism is rooted in a strong
belief in residents’ rights to determine their future in an
L O G A N
on the Humboldt Park Social Services board, chairs the
economically and ethnically integrated community.
S Q U A R E
15
NORTH LAWNDALE
ERNEST
& GLORIA
JENKINS
ERNEST AND GLORIA JENKINS
Ernest and the late Gloria Jenkins shared a marriage, children and a collective 50-year commitment to the Lawndale
community. Each offered individual contributions to neighborhood activism, as well as a significant joint effort to create
the Westside Association for Community Action.
Ernest and Gloria began their service to Lawndale as social workers. Ernest moved to the Westside in 1956. He
worked with youth in gangs for 14 years until a shift in social services funding steered him toward a formal career in
social work. Gloria began her career working with young girls at the Chicago Youth Centers (CYC). She coached volleyball and softball and organized cotillions. Gloria and Ernest met at CYC. Their common passion eventually led to a
lifelong partnership in marriage and community service.
Their meeting at the Chicago Youth Centers and their relationship with Danny Davis, who later became a member
of Congress, led to the creation of the Westside Association for Community Action (WACA) in 1971. They founded
the organization to facilitate social justice on the city’s West Side, and to focus on health, juvenile justice and youth
services. Gloria Jenkins passed in 2005, but her legacy and dream of improving her community lives on through the
work of WACA and in the lives of her husband, Ernest, and their two daughters.
16
NORTH
LAWNDALE
17
PILSEN
CARMELITA
FRIAS
CARMELITA FRIAS
Carmelita Frias is a loving mom, but it takes effort to
get 100 kids ready for a ballgame. The single mother
of four created “Carmelita’s Kids,” the informal name
for her neighborhood program for children. The
Resurrection Project community leader partners
with institutions and foundations to bring resources
to Pilsen’s youth. She typically is found taking dozens of children at a time to major sporting events or
recruiting for Chicago Police Department’s Explorers and other programs. Summer nights Carmelita
volunteers in Pilsen’s streets with the Resurrection
Basketball League. She has given away countless
books and believes that exposing children to positive options helps them make wise life choices.
18
ELVIA
RODRIGUEZ
ELVIA RODRIGUEZ
Community artist Elvia Rodriguez offers experience,
leadership and vision to Pilsen’s children and budding artists. She has promoted the arts for 10 years
through different neighborhood venues. As a member
of the Polvo artist collective, Elvia is a strong advocate for local artists. She helped plan the premier of
Pilsen Open Studios, an event showcasing Latino
artists in the community. She also involves youth in
the arts through the Pros Arts Studio. As a Resurrection Project leader, Elvia is an invaluable member of
the organization’s El Zócalo Leadership Team, which
crafted a vision for healthy creative activity throughout
Pilsen. Elvia was an official representative of Pros Arts
Studio in the Quality of Life planning process through
the Pilsen Planning Committee.
P I L S E N
19
QUAD COMMUNITIES
AMANDA
DEISCH
AMANDA DEISCH
Gaining financial independence can be daunting. Center for Working Families Director Amanda Deisch and her staff make
it easier by welcoming and responding to the needs of community residents seeking help on the path to financial stability.
The Center for Working Families, housed in the Abraham Lincoln Centre, is open to all residents. It offers financial consulting, employment assistance, and benefits screening. Since January 2005, because of Amanda’s leadership, The Center
exceeded all its projections: it has enrolled 236 individuals, helped nearly 100 people get involved in education and training
programs, and assisted 97 people obtain jobs paying on average $10.33 an hour. The Center has developed partnerships
with other social service agencies that link communities; and providing clients with clothes, transportation, food and personal
counseling.
20
NICOLE
JONES
NICOLE JONES
As a civic activist, entrepreneur, real estate developer
and neighborhood booster, Nicole Jones is a dynamo of
positive energy. Community advocacy has been her passion for 15 years. She has created programs in women’s
shelters, hosted back-to-school fairs for children who
need school supplies, connected public housing tenants
with education and social services, and opened a business in the heart of Bronzeville. Nicole is also active in the
Bronzeville Chamber of Commerce. To call Nicole just a
businesswoman would be a mistake. The owner of Sensual Steps Shoe Salon, she is determined to build altruistic
partnerships between businesses, and encourage others
to be involved in building viable, sustainable and quality
economic institutions in Chicago communities.
QUAD COMMUNITIES
21
SOUTH CHICAGO
MICHELLE
SCHEIDT
MICHELLE SCHEIDT
A Southeast Side resident, Michelle Scheidt brings to
South Chicago her personal dedication to diversity, cultural sensitivity, compassion and a deep-seated belief
in “bottoms-up” community development. As program
manager at Metropolitan Family Services South Chicago Center, Michelle has been a friend to the New
Communities Program since 1998. She participated in
the first Quality of Life planning process and is a member of the task force updating the South Chicago plan.
Michelle was instrumental in building SUCCESS—the
South Chicago Community School at Sullivan—and she
has directed that program for the last four years. The
SUCCESS program has brought over $1 million in outside resources to the community. Michelle also helped
develop LEAD South Chicago, a year-long program that
trained 20 emerging leaders in community development
practices.
22
JULIA
LOPEZ
JULIA LOPEZ
Born and raised in South Chicago, Julia Lopez has championed services for the underserved nearly all her life. As
the social services coordinator for Villa Guadalupe Senior
Services, Inc. since 1997, she has invited local residents
of all ages into the senior center through programs and
events. Julia served as the chairwoman for the Senior
Service Coalition of Southeast Chicago for the past nine
years and spearheaded a six-year fight to bring a senior
development in 2007. A member of South Chicago’s New
Communities Program Task Force, Julia understands how
community organizations must work together to bring
C H I C A G O
resources and programs to people who need them.
S O U T H
satellite center to South Chicago, which is scheduled for
23
WASHINGTON PARK
MURRAY T. JOHNSON
MURRAY T. JOHNSON
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.
24
GREG
BROWN
GREG BROWN
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 neighborhoodbased 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 homeowner-
ton 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
ship workshops and one-on-one counseling to Washing-
25
WEST HAVEN
WILMA E.
WARD
WILMA E. WARD
Wilma Ward, a West Haven leader for more than 25 years, has seen serious challenges—from redlining, disinvestment and building demolitions after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to a proposal to bulldoze her community
for a Chicago Bears stadium. She’s never given up the fight and she’s won quite a few. Wilma helped establish the
Near West Side Community Development Corporation that is rebuilding West Haven. She is proud of where she
“lives, works and worships.”
As program director for H-RAIL (Home Repair and Accessibility for Independent Living), Wilma helps senior citizens
citywide by providing ramps and small repairs so that they are able to stay in their homes and remain independent.
26
BOB
DOUGHERTY
BOB DOUGHERTY
Bob Dougherty, a native Chicagoan and executive director of St. Leonard’s Ministries for ex-offenders for the last
19 years, is a reliable friend to people who need a fresh start. St. Leonard’s Ministries provides case management, residential and employment services for formerly-incarcerated men and women. Under Bob’s leadership,
education and employment programs, and a state-of-the-art computer lab. Clients can earn high school diplomas,
connect with counselors and hook up with employers once programs are completed. Bob’s drive, dedication and
W E S T
St. Leonard’s opened the Michael Barlow Center on the Near West Side in 2005. The center offers skills training,
belief in second chances are allowing many in West Haven to rebuild their lives.
H A V E N
27
WOODLAWN
LINDA AUSTIN
LINDA AUSTIN
Linda Austin wasn’t an “activist” until she moved to Woodlawn in
1996. Problems with her rehabbed building inspired her to establish and lead a tenant association. Then Linda got involved with
community policing to address safety concerns, and helped to
found Rebuilding Our Community, a school safety and improvement organization. She was elected to the Fiske Local School
Council as a parent representative and later became a community representative once her son graduated. When the YWCA
decided to sell the historic Harris Y, residents organized to have
the Chicago Park District purchase it. Linda serves as the first
Harris Park Advisory Council chair. Linda is also active with the
New Communities Program/Woodlawn Task Force. Not bad for
a proud mother of three and grandmother.
28
LORNE
CRESS
LOVE
LORNE CRESS LOVE
Education of African-American youth is a passion for Lorne Cress Love. It inspired her leadership with Woodlawn Development Associates and
the creation of the Woodlawn Community School,
which accepts students from K-6th grade. The
school teaches students through an Afrocentric
curriculum and was featured in the Chicago Tribune. Lorne was a member of the NCP/Woodlawn
Task Force and vice chair of its education committee. Coming from a family with a history of community activism, Lorne did civil rights work in the
Mississippi Delta. She has received many awards,
including Today’s Chicago Woman’s “100 Women
nity closest to her heart.
WOODLAWN
of Note,” but holds recognition from her commu-
29
Logan
Square
Logan Square
Neighborhood
Association
New Communities
Program Locations
Humboldt Park
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp.
LISC/Chicago’s New Communities
Program (NCP) is the nation’s
largest experiment in comprehensive
community development. It seeks
East Garfield Park
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
to rejuvenate challenged communities, bolster those in danger of losing
ground and preserve the diversity
North Lawndale
Lawndale Christian Development Corp.
of areas in the path of gentrification.
Each effort is led by a neighborhoodbased lead agency that coordinates
its work with that of other local and
citywide organizations. NCP is
supported by a major grant from
Little Village
Little Village Community
Development Corp.
Chicago Southwest
Greater Southwest Development Corp.
the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation.
Auburn Gresham
Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
30
West Haven (Near West Side)
Near West Side Community Development Corp.
Pilsen
The Resurrection Project
(West Haven)
Quad Communities
Quad Communities Development Corp.
Washington Park
St. Edmund’s Redevelopment Corp.
Southwest
Woodlawn
Woodlawn Preservation
and Investment Corp.
Englewood
Teamwork Englewood
South Chicago
Southeast Chicago
Development Commission
31
The New Communities Program is built on the idea of partnerships. Meaningful partnerships with dedicated organizations and individuals are the hallmark of the program.
The heroes described in these pages were selected by the NCP lead agencies and their collaborators.
LISC/Chicago and all of the NCP lead agencies congratulate these communitiy heroes and thank them for
their dedication, inspiration and steadfast commitment to improving the places we call home.
NCP lead agencies
32
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp.
Near West Side Community Development Corp.
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
Quad Communities Development Corp.
Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
St. Edmund’s Redevelopment Corp.
Greater Southwest Development Corp.
Southeast Chicago Development Commission
Lawndale Christian Development Corp.
Teamwork Englewood
Little Village Community Development Corp.
The Resurrection Project
Logan Square Neighborhood Assn.
Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corp.
Photo Credits
Tasha Baker: pg 24, Murray T. Johnson
Alex Fledderjohn: pg 4, Aimee Navarro; pg 6, Ernestine King; pg 8, Henry P. Wilson; pg 9,
Deanna Woods; pg 12, Jessie and Mark Sarate; pg 18, Carmelita Frias; pg 19, Elvia
Rodriguez; pg 20, Amanda Deisch; pg 26, Wilma Ward; pg 27, Bob Dougherty; pg 28,
Linda Austin; pg 29, Loren Love
Margarita Guerra: pg 22, Michelle Scheidt; pg 23, Julia Lopez
Juan Hernandez: pg 10, Miguel Morales; pg 11, Ofelia Navarro; pg 21, Nicole Jones
Logan Square Neighborhood Association: pg 14, Silvia Gonzales; pg 15, Deborah McCoy
Bob Nick: pg 5, Rami Nashashibi
Ernest Sanders: pg 2, James Drake and Betty Swanson
South Side Community Federal Credit Union: pg 25, Greg Brown
Marcus Thorne: pg 16, Ernest and Gloria Jenkins
Cata Truss: pg 7, Dwayne Truss
For more information, contact
Keri Blackwell
LISC/Chicago
1 N. LaSalle St., 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
312-697-8211
[email protected]
www.lisc-chicago.org
www.newcommunities.org
The New Communities Program is supported by a major grant from the John D. and Catherine
T. MacArthur Foundation with additional support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bank
One, Joyce Foundation, Living Cities, Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Partnership
for New Communities, Polk Bros. Foundation, State Farm Insurance Companies and Steans
Family Foundation.