Community Challeges
Community Challenges
Gentrification
References
Division Street Business Association http://www.paseoboricua.org/about-dsbda/ Ukrainian Credit Union Selfreliance https://www.selfreliance.com/ |
Starting at the end of the 20th century, the unique historical identity of West Town has been in danger because of gentrification. This process occurs when the real estate developers, trying to profit of the unique atmosphere of the area, invest in its property, raising the rent prices and displacing the original residents. The process started with rich people buying mansions at a low price. In a Chicago Reader article that dates back to 1988, when gentrification of Wicker Park was already happening, a reporter points out that “Victorian mansion on Hoyne Street that went for $80,000 in 1983, when it was practically falling apart, and sold last year [1987] for $330,000.” (Joravsky). In 2013, the same mansion was sold for $1,995,000 (Zillow.com). Right after upperclass residents moved in, the real estate companies started to invest into neighborhood property. As a result, the rent in Wicker Park went up even more. For example, Flat Iron Arts Building, a non-profit arts organization, has raised the rent from $1 per square foot per month in 1985 to $838 in 2015 (trulia.com). Following the real estate developers, higher income residents replaced the previous residents who established the neighborhood.
However, many organizations within West Town are working to combat the gentrification of their neighborhood. The Division Street Business Development Association (DSDA) focuses on “bringing new businesses and jobs that help to add to the evolving continuity [of West Town] while introducing businesses that have been here for decades to a new generation.” Their motto is “Development without Displacement”, which implies bringing new jobs and businesses to the community benefiting, not displacing, its residents. Another similar organization is Credit Union Selfreliance in Ukrainian village. Credit Union unites economical resources of the neighborhood’s residents and those interested in its development to fund cultural events, organizations, and ethnic businesses. These two successful examples of combating gentrification should inspire creation of more local business association, credit unions, and other organizations to support local business that celebrate culture of the community. Furthermore, because West Town neighborhoods face similar problems, organizations of different neighborhoods have to support each other, because it will increase their effectiveness. Collaboration is necessary, because the oppressor wants neighborhoods divided to “keep them isolated from problems of oppressed women and men in other areas” (Freire 142) Therefore, people should fight community problems together through local organizations.
However, many organizations within West Town are working to combat the gentrification of their neighborhood. The Division Street Business Development Association (DSDA) focuses on “bringing new businesses and jobs that help to add to the evolving continuity [of West Town] while introducing businesses that have been here for decades to a new generation.” Their motto is “Development without Displacement”, which implies bringing new jobs and businesses to the community benefiting, not displacing, its residents. Another similar organization is Credit Union Selfreliance in Ukrainian village. Credit Union unites economical resources of the neighborhood’s residents and those interested in its development to fund cultural events, organizations, and ethnic businesses. These two successful examples of combating gentrification should inspire creation of more local business association, credit unions, and other organizations to support local business that celebrate culture of the community. Furthermore, because West Town neighborhoods face similar problems, organizations of different neighborhoods have to support each other, because it will increase their effectiveness. Collaboration is necessary, because the oppressor wants neighborhoods divided to “keep them isolated from problems of oppressed women and men in other areas” (Freire 142) Therefore, people should fight community problems together through local organizations.
Neighborhood Schools
References
Examples of organizations that can raise funding for neighborhood schools include: Sts Volodymyr and Olha church (http://stsvo.org/) Puerto Rican Cultural Center Address: 2700 W Haddon Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Phone:(773) 342-7989 a |
The largest disparities of educational resource distribution between socioeconomic classes and races is in the 60622 postal region. Despite half of the population being white, there is a scarcity of white students in the public neighborhood high schools. Instead, higher income white families send their kids to private school or selective enrollment schools. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the boundaries of the public high school Wells Community Academy include Wicker Park, East Village, Noble Square, River West and even Navy Pier and West Loop -- all of which are predominantly white. Despite this fact, only 3% of the students who attend Wells are themselves white, with the remaining student body being half Latino and half black (Illinois Report Card). Similarly, both Wells and another local public high school, Roberto Clemente Community Academy, include many wealthy neighborhoods, but 95% of their students are from low-income households (Illinois Report Card). These statistics demonstrate the contrast between the racial and economic makeup of the communities they are supposed to serve and the actual students enrolled in these schools.
Being in a selective enrollment school expands the opportunities of those enrolled, because funding directly correlates with the resources that the school provides. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) gives selective enrollment schools substantially more funding than neighborhood schools. This is especially noticeable when looking at the 2015-2016 school year, when CPS lost 200,000 million dollars due to state budget cuts (Claypool). Because of the substantial monetary loss, Clemente’s funding decreased by $1.2 million, making it the 20th largest decrease among CPS schools, while funding of the selective enrollment school Jones College Prep increased by $700,000 (Chicago Tribune). This imbalance becomes ironic when reading the CPS guide on money distribution, which explains that schools receive money based on the special needs of students, such as poverty, limited English, and disability (cps.edu). The percentage of low-income students and those that need help with proficiency in English is significantly higher at Clemente than at Jones, but it is not reflected in the funding each school receives. This disparity in funding in turn leads to fewer student services, fewer teachers, and worse facilities.
Local organizations can raise money that neighborhood schools themselves lack. In order to do this, local organizations have to convince people, especially higher income families, that investments in neighborhood schools worth the benefit. Through collaboration with Wells and Clemente high schools, these organizations can engage in activities to promote these schools, like creating advertisement videos, launching internet campaigns, and promoting awareness during local events. These activities can change the perception of these schools, and as a result attract students from wealthy families. Engaging the upperclass in a dialogue with the community educational needs will increase investments in the local schools. With more wealthy students, higher-income families will donate to school activities, and this new funding will allow schools to improve the existing programs, create new programs, hire more qualified teachers, and improve their facilities. These improvements will help students from all backgrounds to succeed. It will be beneficial for higher income families, because their children will be in dialogue with the community, understand its diversity and problems better, and develop their revolutionary consciousness, thus breaking the cycle of oppression. Low-income families will also find these improvements beneficial as their children will get a better education that in turn will help them succeed. By attracting wealthier families and increasing donations, campaigns to promote the reputability of neighborhood schools will help unite students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to succeed.
Being in a selective enrollment school expands the opportunities of those enrolled, because funding directly correlates with the resources that the school provides. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) gives selective enrollment schools substantially more funding than neighborhood schools. This is especially noticeable when looking at the 2015-2016 school year, when CPS lost 200,000 million dollars due to state budget cuts (Claypool). Because of the substantial monetary loss, Clemente’s funding decreased by $1.2 million, making it the 20th largest decrease among CPS schools, while funding of the selective enrollment school Jones College Prep increased by $700,000 (Chicago Tribune). This imbalance becomes ironic when reading the CPS guide on money distribution, which explains that schools receive money based on the special needs of students, such as poverty, limited English, and disability (cps.edu). The percentage of low-income students and those that need help with proficiency in English is significantly higher at Clemente than at Jones, but it is not reflected in the funding each school receives. This disparity in funding in turn leads to fewer student services, fewer teachers, and worse facilities.
Local organizations can raise money that neighborhood schools themselves lack. In order to do this, local organizations have to convince people, especially higher income families, that investments in neighborhood schools worth the benefit. Through collaboration with Wells and Clemente high schools, these organizations can engage in activities to promote these schools, like creating advertisement videos, launching internet campaigns, and promoting awareness during local events. These activities can change the perception of these schools, and as a result attract students from wealthy families. Engaging the upperclass in a dialogue with the community educational needs will increase investments in the local schools. With more wealthy students, higher-income families will donate to school activities, and this new funding will allow schools to improve the existing programs, create new programs, hire more qualified teachers, and improve their facilities. These improvements will help students from all backgrounds to succeed. It will be beneficial for higher income families, because their children will be in dialogue with the community, understand its diversity and problems better, and develop their revolutionary consciousness, thus breaking the cycle of oppression. Low-income families will also find these improvements beneficial as their children will get a better education that in turn will help them succeed. By attracting wealthier families and increasing donations, campaigns to promote the reputability of neighborhood schools will help unite students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to succeed.
High Crime Rates
From April 5- May 5, 2016, West Town had 311 reported property crimes, 45 violent crimes, and 81 quality of life crimes. Most property crimes were theft. It can be concluded that there are so many thefts because residents are unemployed and need some source of income. The Division Street Business Association "focuses on bringing new businesses and jobs that help to add to the evolving continuity" (paseoburicua.org). By having an organization aiming at bringing more jobs to the community, property crime rates will likely go down, because of higher employment rates.
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Dropout Rates
West Town Academy fights against Chicago high schools dropouts.
Their contact information is 312-563-9044 534 N Sacramento Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612 http://westtownacademy.weebly.com/ - |
High school dropouts are another problem in West Town. Although dropouts rates are in decline, there is room for improvement. In 2014, Wells High School experienced 10% dropout and it dropped to 6.2%. By contrast, at the selective enrollment school Jones College Prep, the drop out rate is less than 1%. Jones receives substantially more funding from CPS than Wells. To provide better education, these organizations can raise money that neighborhood schools lack from CPS. They can also motivate students to study by offering after school activities which would promote the value of education. One of the organizations that already does that is West Town Bikes, which teaches young people professionalism and community involvement. Besides raising money and motivating students, community centers can pressure CPS into funding neighborhood schools more fairly. To do that, community organizations have to mobilize people and raise awareness about the issue during their events. People that are aware of the problem should vote for the candidates that support equal educational opportunities.
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