Accomplishments
Accomplishments of Neighborhoods within West Town
Ukrainian Village60612
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Wicker Park60622
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East Humboldt Park60647
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Potential Neighborhood Partnerships
Contact Information
Wicker Park Lutheran Church: (773) 276-0263 St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral: (773) 278-2827 Iglesia Rebaño Church: (773) 772-1141 |
Collaborations between churches
Besides being used for religious activities, churches are often used to benefit a neighborhood by organizing ethnic events, providing space for different organizations, and engaging in volunteer work. Currently, most of the collaborations between churches and cathedrals are along religious or ethnic lines. Because the general goals of those religious establishments are very similar, I propose that churches of different faiths and cultures work together to benefit the larger community. For example, the Wicker Park Lutheran Church can work with St. Volodymyr and Olha Church in Ukrainian Village and the Iglesia Rebaño Church in East Humboldt Park to organize neighborhood-wide food drives. This will not only increase the effectiveness of their work, but also connect people of different cultures and backgrounds. In addition to bringing the residents together, this collaboration will also educate people of each others' culture and struggles. I believe that a partnership such as this will create a stronger and more caring community because there will be a mutual understanding of different cultures. |
Contact Information
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art:(773) 227-5522 http://uima-chicago.org/ Polish Museum of America: (773) 384-3352 www.polishmuseumofamerica.org/ National Museum of Puerto Rican of Arts and Culture: (773) 486-8345 http://nmprac.org/ |
Collaborations between neighboring museums and art centers
Museums and art galleries are of great importance to the cultural life of West Town. These museums organize events to promote local artists and embrace ethnic cultures of the neighborhoods. Ukrainian Museum of Modern Art promotes not only Ukrainian, but artists representing other cultures of the community. I call for an increase in such cultural collaborations. Museums can exchange exhibitions; this will increase awareness of the neighborhoods’ different cultures, help promote local artists, and strengthen bonds between West Town neighborhoods . |
Contact Information
Wicker Park Fest: http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/fest Fiestas Puertorriqueñas: http://www.chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=279 Ukrainian Village Fest: http://ukrainianvillagefest.com/ |
Collaborations in the festival scene
Given the diverse festival scene of West Town, there should be a festival that unites the whole community. This community wide festival would increase interactions between cultures in the community. Residents could come together to celebrate each other’s cultures, exposing themselves to people with a wider variety of backgrounds. This would create a united, strong community. |
Existing Partnerships
West Town Bikes currently offers many youth programs to at-risk teens. They offer various programs, all of which include a vocational aspect. From resume writing workshops to improving public speaking skills, West Town Bikes offers many opportunities to participants that schools do not By providing a positive learning environment, many at - risk teens are able to make positive changes in their lives, rather than get involved in negative activity within the neighborhood.
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Contact Information
(773) 772-6523 westtownbikes.org |
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Contact Information
(312) 850-9390 westtownchamber.org |
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Volunteer Organizations
"Reason to Give is a nonprofit organization located in the Humboldt Park community of Chicago. Founded in 2007 by Dawn Hancock [owner of Firebelly Design], it was a way for her growing studio to do good in their own backyard. What began as a cool website and the dream of a do-gooder, helping a few local families, has developed into a strong organization reaching hundreds and changing lives. Our supporters have grown too, but many have been loyal from the start" (Reason to Give). Every August this organization provides 100 children from low-income families with winter coats, clothing, toys, and school supplies. Over the 9 years that Reason to Give has been running, it has raised 342,000 dollars, that served 297 individuals and 191 organizations.
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Fellowship connect is another non-profit organization that helps residents of East Humboldt Park and nearby neighborhoods. This organization helps youth, children, and adults with a variety of problems: "Our scope of services includes addressing issues that are affecting them as a whole; from gang related problems, a high-percentage of deaths related to gun violence, teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, high drop-out rates among other problems. Fellowship Connection has outstripped socioeconomic barriers through the provision of youth and adult prevention services, out of school time programs, and technical training in communications and performing arts" (Fellowship Connect).
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