Neighbor-to-Neighbor: Local Groups Are on a Mission

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by Lesley R. Chinn

The next time your neighbor says in frustration, someone should do something about that, think of our local community organization. Brick-bybrick, these groups have helped lay the foundation for strongcommunities, sometimes even literally.

Although it may seem like things get done magically, theres usually a force behind scenes making thingsmagically appear, like new businessesor disappear, like a reduction in crime. But the wizard behind the curtain could be someone who lives right next door to you or who works on behalf of the community through one of many local organizations.

Creating milestones in education, economic development, quality housing, youth programs, neighborhood beautification, civil rights, and crime, neighborhood organizations on Chicagos South Side like Chatham Avalon Park Community Council; Park Manor Neighbors Community Council; Chesterfield Community and the Greater Chatham Alliance, have made a real difference for years.

Park Manor Neighbors Community Council (PMNC), the oldest of all four, started in 1948 and was founded by a Caucasian minister when the neighborhood was predominately white. Today, Darlene Tribue, who has been president for 20 years, has a lot of hope for the community. Were still struggling, but we have some successes. Well never give up on the community and what it continues to stand for and that is integrity, dignity, and justice, she said.

The first community organization to reduce crime by encouraging residents to get involved with theCommunity Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) program, the Park Manor Neighbors Community Council is encompassed by the 6th and 20th wards. Right now, members are making plans to start a baseball league and are partnering with Nike. Other initiatives include working with St. Columbanus Church to develop a computer literacy program and holding a health fair.

Keeping residents active and involved, along with working with youth in the area, are two of the biggest challenges community organizations face said Eli Washington, chairman of Chesterfield Community Council (CCC). One of the biggest challenges is focusing on young people. Weve lost control. You

have a lot of young people having babies. They dont have the same training.While its great to be connected to a local organization, having active participants is what helps make a difference, he said.

Frank Sayre started CCC in 1952 and later became the first president in 1955. The organization was originally founded to keep Black people out of the community in the 1950s when Blacks first began migrating into the area. Today, CCC advocates for quality housing and education on behalf of residents, helps prevent crime and promotes the overall well being of the community.

The resources available to residents through community organizations are tremendous while groups like CCC can point directly to achievements like fighting community blight, educating senior citizens about computer literacy and preparing students for standardized tests such as the ACT. CCC, which recently

graduated its 1,000th student from a computer literacy program, reported that 75 percent of its students performed well on the ACT and over the past 10 years, more than a total of $15,000 scholarshipshave been awarded to students in the area.

Established in 1955, the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) led by Keith Tate was instrumental in bringing Whitney Young Branch Library to the community and was a driving force behind attracting businesses like Senior Suites of Chatham, Mathers More than a Caf and Target into the neighborhood. Working with established businesses like Izolas Restaurant, Army and Lous Restaurant, Tailorite Cleaners and Fletchers One Stop Record Shop to fight crime by using cameras promises to benefit residents and businesses alike.

For these groups, collaborative projects make all the difference. For instance, CAPCC and the Chatham Business Association (CBA) joined hands to work with Jewel-Osco and Chatham Foods which led to ensuring Blackowned products like Reggios Pizza, Baldwins Ice Cream, Grandma Maudes Red Beans and Rice were all on the shelves at the stores. Other times, members at CAPCC have helped residents keep their jobs by convincing new management at Chatham Foods to maintain 41 employees.

If strong communities are to remain viable, Tate said reaching the next generation is a part of the quation.Getting young people involved in the community has also been a major challenge for the CAPCC. If you go to any CAPS or community organization meeting, the majority of the attendees are seniors. Were not reaching the ones to alleviate some of those problems. We have some serious issues with our schools. We have a number of students in our schools being shot and killed. Clearly, we have to reach back, he stated. He hopes a new community center will help bridge the generational gap. The group has targeted a vacant lot on 83rd and King Drive next door to a local gas station for the center.

Members of Greater Chatham Alliance (GCA) are taking their cause to the streets and are looking for, No Excuses, when they get there. Formerly the Wabash, Indiana, and Michigan Block Association, the group changed its name to the GCA in 2008 and was founded in 1983.

GCA plans to launch its, No Excuses initiative this Saturday on April 25 at a Block Club Convention at Simeon Career Academy on 83rd and Vincennes at 10 a.m. Carl Lewis, the current president and founder said, its going to take more men to be more involved in helping take back the neighborhoods.

We have to get over fear and apathy. We have to get neighbors to understand that the first line of defense is themselves.

Four years ago, Chatham women were being held up on their doorsteps. Through tips from the community, three offenders were later apprehended on 82nd and Prairie. The group plans to walk the streets with walkie-talkies and get neighbors involved by becoming crime-stoppers.

GCA is also pushing for a field house at Brown Memorial Park on 85th and St. Lawrence. The future two-story facility could be used to introduce children to physical sciences, oceanography, and anthropology, Lewis said. In the summer, they can go on field trips that will take them around the world outside of their neighborhood, he added.

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