Austin Coming Together 052318

May 23, 2018

AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

INTRODUCTION PAGE 3 | CREATING A PLAN FOR AUSTIN PAGE 45 | BUILD CHICAGO: SUMMER OF OPPORTUNITY PAGE 7

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Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers

Directors

Larry Williams, Chair Broker State Farm Insurance

Mildred Wiley Community Organizer Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Ruth Kimble, Vice-Chair Executive Director, Austin Childcare Provider’s Network

Sharon Morgan Director, Graduate Support & Community Outreach Catalyst Schools, Circle Rock Charter

Angela Waller, Secretary Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships The Loretto Hospital Deborah Williams, Treasurer Principal D. W. Provision Consulting Services

Bradly Johnson Director, Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, BUILD Reginald Little Consumer Loan Officer Old Second Bank Dawn Ferencak Associate Publisher Austin Weekly News

Reverend Reginald E. Bachus Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church Tenisha Jones Director of Education Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corp

ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A House in Austin Academy of Scholastic Achievement American Red Cross Austin Childcare Providers’ Network Austin Weekly News Be Strong Families Because I Care Bethel New Life BUILD, Inc. By the Hand Club Cara Catholic Charities Central Austin Neighborhood Association Channing’s Child Care Chicago Children’s Choir Chicago Community Loan Fund Chicago Jesuit Academy Christ the King Jesuit College Prep Church on the Block Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest Dominican University Erikson Institute

First United Church of Oak Park Friendship Baptist Church Friendship Community Development Corporation Gone Again Travel Greater West Town Community Development Project Housing Forward I.C. Stars Inspiration Corporation Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Jane Addams Resource Corporation Jumpstart Chicago Kids First Chicago KIPP Create KRA Westside American Job Center LAF Literacy Works Manufacturing Renaissance Mary Shyrese Daycare Mead Communication Mercy Housing Lakefront Moving Everest Charter School

Jack Macnamara Visiting Scholar, CURL Loyola University Robin Pratts Manager of Health Promotions & Community Engagement Rush University Medical Center

New Moms OAI, Inc. Oak Park Regional Housing Center Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry Positive Attitudes, Inc. Prevention Partnership Project Exploration Rape Victim Advocates Sarah’s Inn South Austin Neighborhood Association St. Anthony’s Hospital St. Joseph Services St. Leonard’s Ministries The Catalyst Schools The Loretto Hospital UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work Valerie Leonard Inc. VOCEL Westside Health Authority Worldvision Youth Guidance

Austin Coming Together THRIVE 2025 Quality Early Learning Living Wage Careers Safe Neighborhoods Stable Housing Market To learn more visit us at austincomingtogether.org

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

IN T RODU CTION

H

Ready for Action

undreds of Austin residents have been working with Austin Coming Together and other local public, private, and non-profit leaders for over a year to create one plan for Austin. Our goal is for the “Quality of Life Plan” to help shape how our community develops over the next 5 years.

We have been hosting summits, organizing meetings, and engaging in debate. We have discussed how to propel the Austin community into the future while remaining rooted in our rich past. We have discussed how to grow the economy without leaving our neighbors behind. From issues like housing to education, economic development, and public safety, we want to address a comprehensive set of issues that impact our community. The goals, strategies, and projects of the plan are outlined on the following pages of this document. We ask you take the time to review them and provide your feedback on Saturday June 2nd at Michele Clark High School at 5101 W Harrison.

We’ve been planning for over a year and are now ready to take action. We want you join us, and the hundreds of Austin community members, as we embark on this journey to build community and create change together!

AR E YO U LI V I N G TH E # H U B LI F E ?

THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY HUB IS WHERE #HUBLIFE HAPPENS... #Hublife activities available: • • • •

Career counseling sessions Peace circles for youth & adults Educational workshops Member facilitated workshops

• Peer learning opportunities • Professional development • Community networking events

To start living the #hublife, contact Vanessa Stokes at 773-417-8617 or vstokes@austincomingtogether.org

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Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

Quality of Life Plan:

Goals, Strategies, and Actions Draft to be presented on June 2, 2018

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL We will support economic revitalization in and

by Austin that supports new and existing local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the workforce; improves our commercial corridors; and attracts new investment to build a stronger, more dynamic local economy.

Economic Development Strategies Strategy 1: Improve transportation infrastructure to and through Austin 1.1 Catalogue current resources, entities and people working on infrastructure projects in Austin and all potential funding sources 1.2 Bring on an infrastructure consultant so Austin is prepared for opportunities and can advocate for improvements 1.3 Invest in beautification and signage for Austin’s commercial corridors

Strategy 2: Train and develop local workers and entrepreneurs 2.1 Survey and connect existing programs, such as workforce development and entrepreneurship trainings, to attract funding and recruit participants 2.2 Expand and support local resources like boot camps and apprenticeships in high demand economic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health care, and building and trades 2.3 Build a new Manufacturing Training Center in Austin 2.4 Invest in entrepreneurship development programs

Strategy 3: Build the local economy and small businesses to improve community wealth and self-sufficiency 3.1 Incorporate the co-op model for local restaurants, grocery store and housing 3.2 Attract major commercial anchors, such as grocery stores, car dealerships, office supply store 3.3 Learn from other newly successful economically thriving neighborhoods 3.4 Work with aldermen to improve local businesses by enforcing inspection standards and providing incentives for development and local hiring 3.5 Expand Austin’s Retail Thrive zone 3.6 Promote community engagement and outreach around a “Shop Local” initiative 3.7 Educate investors and lenders on the commercial opportunities in Austin

PUBLIC SAFETY GOAL We will collaborate and create programs that increase a sense of safety, community and quality of life, building a healthy and resilient neighborhood

Public Safety Strategies Strategy 1: Create high-quality prevention strategies to build a safer Austin 1.1 Increase restorative justice activities in the community, such as peace circles 1.2 Engage and connect neighbors with a website, events and door-to-door outreach 1.3 Launch peer support groups for youth at local schools that foster emotional and social c onnections 1.4 Establish new trainings for local police in community engagement, cultural humility and mental health 1.5 Create community/police engagement that bridges the divide between law enforcement and residents

Strategy 2: Promote high-quality intervention strategies to help at-risk residents and those impacted by the criminal justice system 2.1 Promote access to a trauma-informed network in the community for mental health, domestic violence, housing support and returning citizens 2.2 Create an Austin restorative justice community court 2.3 Expand outreach intervention programs that break the cycle of violence

Strategy 3: Increase displays, activities and events of culture and peace in the community 3.1 Create art/design showcase opportunities, including welcoming signage, throughout Austin 3.2 Launch beautification projects that create pride in the neighborhood 3.3 Promote community engagement opportunities for youth and schools, churches and other local institutions

Strategy 4: Establish more safe spaces in the community for youth 4.1 Organize events that reclaim parks and other public spaces for peaceful and fun uses by youth and other residents 4.2 Increase other activities to engage youth, such as coding clubs or sports camps 4.3 Establish more spaces that are valued by the community and open to youth

HOUSING GOAL We will create a stabilized housing market in Austin, with support for local homeowners and a wide array of affordable housing options.

Housing Goal Strategies Strategy 1: Increase the amount of owneroccupied housing stock in Austin by local stakeholders—people who work, live, play and stay in our community 1.1 Provide access to pre- and post-purchase homebuyer education programs to residents 1.2 Expand community “first look” opportunity and fiscal support for residents to purchase homes that have been foreclosed or are otherwise owned by the city or financial institutions 1.3 Promote and expand local use of the federal program that allows Section 8 voucher holders to use those funds for homeownership 1.4 Expand programs that help homeowners retain their homes 1.5 Educate and support the transfer of homeownership within families

Strategy 2: Allocate resources in Austin to support renters, including subsidies and affordable housing 2.1 Offer more accessible information about who owns property in Austin 2.2 Use TIF funds for housing investment in the community 2.3 Increase tenant-landlord/management communication and education 2.4 Create and advocate for a local policy agenda to address barriers to accessing affordable housing

Strategy 3: Develop a variety of affordable housing choices to serve a wide array of residents 3.1 Develop housing for residents age 55 and over 3.2 Build new quality transitional housing for populations facing specific challenges, such as re-entering citizens and women experiencing domestic abuse, with aim towards permanent housing

Strategy 4: Decrease the vacancy rate of buildings in our community 4.1 Preserve and invest in vacant buildings 4.2 Expand home-buyer assistance programs at local banks and nonprofit organizations 4.3 Increase capacity and awareness of Austin Ascending 4.4 Create a community land-trust that can buy properties and them keep affordable

EDUCATION GOAL Our local educational system and partners will provide the services, opportunities and support to help all our students stay on track and to enrich and serve their needs, from early childhood to high school to being ready for jobs and career.

Education Goal Strategies Strategy 1: Improve and expand access to quality early-childhood programs.

1.1 Improve the early learning environment in Austin by helping existing providers become accredited and more deeply prepared for child development

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

Community Narrative Goal Strategies

1.2 Make early education a more desirable and effective field by increasing salaries for staff 1.3 Increase special needs services for children in early childhood programs 1.4 Partner with CPS to align curriculum for seamless transition to kindergarten

Strategy 1: Invest in local arts and cultural spaces 1.1 Create community arts and cultural centers 1.2 Build a public/private partnership to support and expand existing funding for arts and culture 1.3 Utilize school spaces for arts shows, arts programming and cultural activities.

Strategy 2: Increase parents’ involvement in their children’s education.

2.1 Teach academic benchmarks to parents 2.2 Provide convenient programs at schools that help parents tutor and support their children academically 2.3 Improve communication to parents about existing services and agencies based at local schools 2.4 Train parents to be leaders at local schools and join and support the local LSCs

Strategy 2: Increase the number of authentic images and stories portraying the Austin community 2.1 Bridge the gap between residents’ experiences and how they are reflected by media outlets 2.2 Create a youth-led social media campaign to promote and discuss Austin

Strategy 3: Increase student access to wrap-around services

Strategy 3: Create environments that foster health and wellness in the community

3.1 Implement the Community School Model in schools in Austin 3.2 Inventory and assess services and agencies in schools 3.3 Connect comprehensive services in the community to local schools

3.1 Improve our parks and vacant lots and use the sites for healthy activities 3.2 Promote healthier food choices across Austin, from grocery stores to local restaurants to schools 3.3 Establish a proactive, healing network of trauma-informed programs, teachers and staff in our schools 3.4 Build a sense of community through activities such as creating and maintaining community gardens 3.5 Create an Expanded Mental Health Services Program in Austin

Strategy 4: Increase the number and quality of dual-credit options in our schools.

4.1 Build a pool of instructors who are dualcredit qualified and experienced in their field 4.2 Review curriculum program needs and collect current data to create profiles of all local schools 4.3 Expand programs in schools in the community

Strategy 5: Build more links to professional options for students, before and after graduation 5.1 Expose students to mentorship and internship opportunities.

5.2 Expand existing programs and add more to Austin schools 5.3 Balance capital investment in vocational and career programs with investment in programing and human development

Strategy 6: Increase student enrollment in Austin neighborhood schools 6.1 Establish a high-quality high school IB program and other options for students 6.2 Increase public safety around schools 6.3 Improve neighborhood schools communication and marketing

Strategy 7: Integrate a restorative justice philosophy into the educational environment 7.1 Establish a proactive, healing network of trauma-informed programs, teachers and staff in our schools 7.2 Implement restorative practices school-wide for staff and students

Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

Strategy 4: Restore Austin community pride

YOUTH GOAL Austin will have healthier and more engaged youth, able to reach their full potential.

Youth Goal Strategies Strategy 1: Increase positive social connections, communications and information shared among Austin youth 1.1 Involve young people in the community in the leadership of the committee to ensure a youthcentered plan 1.2 Create physical places where youth can gather and community-based organizations can offer services 1.3 Create a youth-led social media campaign to promote and discuss Austin

Strategy 2: Prepare youth for year-round employment and career opportunities 2.1 Expose youth to professionals who they can relate to 2.2 Increase youth investment in self-awareness and career-focused programs

2.3 Establish programs to build personal and professional career development and entrepreneurial training

Strategy 3: Expand supportive programs for local youth’s social, emotional and physical well-being 3.1 Expand access to trauma training for professionals working with youth 3.2 Expand the trauma support service system for youth and families 3.3 Create more supportive networks for youth programs by partnerships of schools, communitybased organizations, churches and the Chicago Park District 3.4 Create paths for youth interactions with mentors and role models

COMMUNITY NARRATIVE GOAL We will revitalize the image and spirit of Austin, from recognizing assets such as historic housing to creating a healthy community to promoting local arts and culture.

4.1 Invest in beautification and signage for Austin’s commercial corridors 4.2 Create materials that brand and market Austin and all it offers

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GOAL We will sustain community civic engagement and collaborative community involvement.

Civic Engagement Goal Strategies Strategy 1: Empower Local Voters and Elected Officials 1.1 Develop a training manual and orientation for newly elected officials 1.2 Educate voters and increase voter turnout 1.3 Promote civics classes in CPS

Strategy 2: Cultivate Local Leadership 2.1 Train parent leaders and Local Schools Councils 2.2 Identify and train community organizers between the ages of 18-35 2.3 Train community organizers to create community campaigns

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Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

Austin Quality of Life Plan Steering Committee In order to ensure that community residents will be engaged in creating a plan for Austin, Austin Coming Together has formed a Steering Committee for the plan.

Our Working Vision

An empowered and thriving Austin community.

Our Mission

To engage community stakeholders in the creation and implementation of a “Quality of Life Plan” for Austin.

Our Values

Unity, Commitment, Transparency, Collaboration, Action

Interested in joining the Implementation Task Force?

Contact ACT’s Community Organizer, Jose Abonce, at 773-403-2799 or jabonce@austincomingtogether.org for more information.

AUTO • LIFE • FIRE • HEALTH

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Larry Williams State Farm Agent Providing Insurance and Financial Services Larry and his staff are licensed and together have over 75 years of State Farm experience.

(773) 379-9009 • (773) 379-9010 fax (773) 379-0323 5932 W. Lake St., Chicago, Illinois 60644

Email: larry.williams.b0bk@statefarm.com • www.statefarm.com Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

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STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS NAME Annette Wilkerson Cassandra Norman Crystal Bell Deborah Williams Maretta Brown-Miller Mildred Wiley Natasha Smith Walker Bradly Johnson James Bowers Ruth Kimble Terry Redmond Sharon Hartshorn Vanessa Stokes Tom Drebenstedt Athena Williams Allen Van Note Crystal Dyer Dollie Sherman Marvin Austin Stephanie Bell Danielle Dixon

AFFILIATIONS 1300 N Long Block Club South Austin Neighborhood Association Ella Flagg Young Elementary Austin Coming Together, D. W. Provision Consulting Services Chicago Park District, Friendship Baptist Church ACT, Institute for Nonviolence, Austin Community Action Council Project Exploration Build, Inc. Local Civil Rights Attorney Austin Coming Together, Austin Childcare Providers Network South Austin Neighborhood Association South Austin Neighborhood Association Austin Coming Together, 600 N Lockwood Block Club North Ave District Austin Ascending Program Austin Community Action Council, GADA Gone Again Travel Austin Coming Together, 600 N Lorel Block Club Bethel New Life Hope Community Church Westside Health Authority, Good Neighbor Campaign

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2

Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

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Second Annual Summer of Opportunity: June Event Highlights the Positives on the West Side

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By Lacey Sikora

n Friday, June 22, the second Summer of Opportunity kicks off in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Beginning at 9 a.m. with a parade down Madison Street from Cicero to Columbus Park, the day of festivities will take place from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Columbus Park.

Once again, the Summer of Opportunity is led by community-based BUILD, a fortyeight-year-old, not-for-profit organization which works on Chicago’s West and South sides in youth development and violence intervention. In partnership with other stakeholders involved in the Austin Quality of Life Plan, BUILD is looking to build on the success of last year’s inaugural Summer of Opportunity, and change the narrative of the Austin community.

Bradly Johnson, BUILD’s Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, says that the anticipated attendance, “Last year. we had over sixty community organizations represented and over 3,000 West Side residents attended. This year, we hope to have over seventy community organizations and 5,000 residents attending.”

Johnson says that in making the Summer of Opportunity an annual event, BUILD had three goals. “One, we want to show residents of our community that there are resources here and people who care. Second, we want our city to see the positivity that is coming out of the West Side, and third, we want to change the national perception that Chicago and the West Side is the poster child for what is wrong with the country.”

The over-arching goal is changing a negative stereotype about the West Side and balancing negative information with a good message about the community, and Johnson says that can be delivered with a

“It is for everybody: every single person in the community.

We want to make a day about fun and levity in our community. ” BRADLY JOHNSON

day focused on showing the community the wealth of resources it possesses, alongside a healthy dose of celebrating.

To that end, Summer of Opportunity is a day full of fun for people of all ages. The parade route this year has moved to Madison Street, a change suggested by Police Commander Cato who wanted to highlight the good side of the thoroughfare. As the parade ends in Columbus Park, there will be a variety of activities, including a stage for performances and tables for the community organizations. A variety of food will be available, and there will be a tiny tot section, complete with climbing wall and trains for the children.

Johnson emphasizes that the free event is meant to bring together the entire community. “It is for everybody: every single person in the community. We want to make a

day about fun and levity in our community.”

More information about the Summer of Opportunity can be found on BUILD’s website:

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Austin Weekly News, May 23, 2018

THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 2