SECC Announces Neighborhood Beautification Grant

CNW Staff Report

The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is a nonprofit organization that works to facilitate and support economic development within the Southeast lakefront communities of Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn and to foster collaboration and coordination among businesses, organizations, and institutions to promote the creation of jobs, investment, and economic vitality.

The SECC renamed the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant as the new Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program. Since 1999, more than $1,000,000 in grants have been awarded to over 200 community and faith-based organizations, block clubs, neighborhood schools, and park advisory councils to support neighborhood enhancement projects.

Newsome joined the SECC Board of Directors in 2006. She was appointed Board President in 2008 upon former board President Valerie Jarrett’s departure to serve President Barack Obama. Newsome led the SECC Board and the SECC’s efforts in housing, transportation, business development and retention, neighborhood improvement, and arts and culture. Newsome served on the SECC Board until 2020 and on the SECC’s Advisory Board through her passing in December 2022.

“For nearly 15 years, Ms. Newsome provided valuable insight, expertise, and guidance on how microgrants were dispersed. She directly impacted over 120 projects during her involvement with the program,” stated Diane Burnham, Executive Director for the SECC. “It only makes sense to recognize her efforts in changing the landscape of vacant lots and other public spaces, but also working to change the narrative of Chicago’s’ southside through placemaking efforts.”

“Congratulations, SECC on launching the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program for 2023. Dedicating your program, focused on the beautification of our south lakefront neighborhoods, in honor of Shirley J. Newsome is a fitting tribute, Shirley believed that all of our residents deserved to live in communities with beautiful spaces,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

The 2023 Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Grant is designed to enhance the physical attractiveness and walkability of the Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Woodlawn, and Washington Park communities. The program provides reimbursable micro-grants to support beautification projects that enhance the quality of life and improve the aesthetics of the southeast neighborhoods.

The grant application is open through Monday, April 10th, 2023. The selected projects will receive grants of up to $5,000. Proposed projects must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be highly visible from the street

Be completed between June 1st – November 10th, 2023

Physically enhance and build on the uniqueness and character of the neighborhood

Strengthen civic pride and a strong sense of community

Be sustainable

Each proposal will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from the community areas and the SECC. The application deadline is Monday, April 10th, 2023. Information sessions will be held in each community area beginning March 14th, 2023. For more details about the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program, please visit https://www.secc-chicago.org/neighborhood-enhancement-grant/.