Hammond’s Promise Land Shows The Results Of Hard Work And Dedication

Tina Hammond and her husband turned a vacant lot across the street from their house into an oasis called Hammond’s Promise Land. PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISC CHICAGO.
Tina Hammond and her husband turned a vacant lot across the street from their house into an oasis called Hammond’s Promise Land. PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISC CHICAGO.

Hammond’s Promise Land Shows The Results Of Hard Work And Dedication

By Tia Carol Jones

Tina Hammond and her husband bought a vacant lot in West Englewood in 2014 for $1 across the street from their home. They fixed up the lot and created an oasis and safe space. They named the space, which is located at 6832 S. Paulina, ‘Hammond’s Promise Land’ to reflect their intention to make it a place where people can experience beauty.

With the help of grants from the Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC) Chicago, the Hammonds were able to build a pergola and fencing along the side of the lot and have artists create murals on the lot. Hammond, who also owns a day care, uses the lot as a safe and clean place for the children to play. She used her own money to buy flowers and create a garden, with benches and paving stones.

“I’m not a designer, but I knew what I wanted, so I would draw it. My husband was able to bring it to fruition,” she said.

Hammond is one of six women throughout the city who receive support from the LISC and Mars Wrigley Foundation’s Community Connection Grant. These funds help them address their community’s needs and make an impact, which will ensure growth for future generations that will be long lasting and sustainable.

Hammond sees herself and her husband as caretakers of the block. They are engaged in the community, attending meetings with the Alderman and cleaning up spaces when needed. Their desire is to hold the block together. While Hammond’s Promise Land has been a refuge for seniors and a place for the community to hold events, Hammond has been mindful of who can use the space.

“The space to us is sacred, because we know what we put into it,” she said.

The work the Hammonds have done on Hammond’s Promise Land keeps them busy. They have received compliments and won awards for the space. It also costs money for the upkeep. It is worth it for them because she cares about the community, it is where she works and lives. She wants to see it change for the better. She said what is needed is more resources and more funding.

Hammond wants to see the system to purchase the vacant lots in the community change. She believes that people who live in the community should be able to purchase the vacant lots and turn them into places that benefit the community. Hammond has used her space to host Mother’s Day and Senior Appreciation events.

“It makes me feel good that we have a space that we can use. We don’t have to go downtown or somewhere far,” she said.

While some people have said the space doesn’t look like it belongs in Englewood, she wants people to know that beautiful things can exist in Englewood and every community deserves to have beautiful spaces.

Hammond’s Promise Land also acknowledges the story of Hammond’s husband, who was raised in Mississippi and grew up picking cotton. Hammond wants people to know there are people in the community who have knowledge and have gone through things and have been able to persevere. There is a quote in the space that says, “the same little boy that picked cotton in Mississippi used those same hands to build Promise Land,” as a tribute to her husband and his dedication and hard work.

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