December 2015 Places to play Recreational facilities and playing fields are essential elements for healthy communities, and LISC Chicago for years h

   
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December 2015

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Places to play

Recreational facilities and playing fields are essential elements for healthy communities, and LISC Chicago for years has played a leading role in bringing them to underserved neighborhoods. This fall, Brighton Park residents celebrated the opening of a new synthetic turf football/soccer field in Kelly Park, built in part with a $200,000 grant from the NFL/LISC Grassroots partnership. And earlier this year, the new Freedom Field opened in Marquette Park in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, thanks to support from the Cubs Charities Diamond Project.

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The Burnham - latest development in Woodlawn transformation

In what’s becoming a regular occurrence, residents, developers and city officials gathered in Woodlawn in late October to celebrate the completion of another real estate project that’s transforming South Cottage Grove Avenue into a handsome thoroughfare. The occasion was the official opening of The Burnham at Woodlawn Park, a new five-story red and tan brick building that includes 65 affordable apartments for seniors and new offices for the Woodlawn Resource Center, which provides employment services, income supports and financial and digital literacy for neighborhood residents through LISC Chicago’s network of Financial Opportunity Centers. Read all about it...

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Launched: Chicago Plans workshops

In the same spirit that drove neighborhood-based planning through LISC Chicago's famed New Communities Program, new community leaders are now learning the nuts and bolts of planning through LISC's Chicago Plans workshops. A cohort of 10 teams from neighborhoods across the city is now engaged in a series of four intensive learning sessions. Check them out..... And stay tuned for more information on the 2016 workshop.

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BDL grads put theories to test

In addition to book-learning and seminars, graduates of LISC Chicago's first Business District Leadership class were required to design and implement projects that would enhance the business environment of their neighborhoods. In October, those 20 commercial district managers shared results with their peers and partners. The projects were as varied as the neighborhoods that the students represent, ranging from an effort to establish a “cultural hub” in South Chicago to expanded technology workshops in Chicago Lawn to building a commercial kitchen and offices in Englewood. Here's what they did...

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Save the date!

It's that time of year again, when thoughts turn to the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards and the variety of projects, architects, community developers and organizations honored at the gala affair. The 22nd annual ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2016 at the Chicago Hilton. Here are the details...

This year’s CNDA theme is about neighborhoods and perspectives. What's your perspective? Share a photo of your neighborhood with us by January 18 to be included in this year’s video. You can share by tagging us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #CNDA22. Or email awayland@lisc.org.

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We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

Speaking of that time of year, all of us at LISC Chicago want to thank the people and organizations that strive to make our neighborhoods better and stronger. This work has never been easy or fast, but after decades of plugging away at it, there are tangible signs of progress, many of which have been discussed in this newsletter over the past 12 months. We hope to have many more of them for you next year. Happy holidays!

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