December 12, 2018
AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
Celebrating Austin's first ever Quality-of-Life Plan IT’S OUR TIME PAGE 3 | PLAN STRATEGIES PAGE 4-5 | INVESTING IN A BRIGHT FUTURE PAGE 7
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Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers
Directors
Larry Williams, Chair
Mildred Wiley
Director of Core Programs, BUILD
Broker State Farm Insurance
Community Organizer Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
Reginald Little
Ruth Kimble, Vice-Chair
Sharon Morgan
Executive Director Austin Childcare Provider’s Network
Director, Graduate Support & Community Outreach Catalyst Schools, Circle Rock Charter
Angela Waller, Secretary Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships The Loretto Hospital
Deborah Williams, Treasurer Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist Habilitative Systems, Inc.
Reverend Reginald E. Bachus Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church
Tenisha Jones Chief Program Officer Chicago Child Care Society
Bradly Johnson
Mortgage Loan Officer, Residential Lending Old Second National Bank
Dawn Ferencak Associate Publisher Austin Weekly News
Jack Macnamara Visiting Scholar, CURL Loyola University
Robin Pratts Manager of Health Promotions & Community Engagement Rush University Medical Center
ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A House in Austin Academy of Scholastic Achievement American Red Cross Austin Childcare Providers’ Network Austin Weekly News Be Strong Families Because I Care Bethel New Life BUILD, Inc. By the Hand Club Cara Catholic Charities Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures Chicago Children’s Choir Chicago Community Loan Fund Christ the King Jesuit College Prep College Mentoring Exeperience Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest
Erikson Institute First United Church of Oak Park Friends of The Children Friendship Baptist Church Greater West Town Community Development Project Housing Forward I.C. Stars Inspiration Corporation Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Jane Addams Resource Corporation Kids First Chicago KRA Westside American Job Center LAF Literacy Works Manufacturing Renaissance Mary Shyrese Daycare Mercy Housing Lakefront New Moms
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OAI, Inc. Oak Park Regional Housing Center Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry Positive Attitudes, Inc. Prevention Partnership Project Exploration ReDevelopment Management Resources, Inc. Sarah’s Inn South Austin Neighborhood Association St. Joseph Services St. Leonard’s Ministries The Catalyst Schools The Loretto Hospital UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work VOCEL Westside Health Authority Worldvision
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
It’s our time
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By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together
espite being Chicago’s second largest population and largest geographic area, the Austin community has struggled with a lack of investment and support, battling a prevalent image of crime and violence. But I was raised here and I know that we’re ready for change now, more than ever. The people of Austin are its greatest asset and if we work together, we can make lasting improvements to the community. In 2010, a small group of community leaders recognized a need to harness the collective power from within the community to address issues and better coordinate efforts for systemic change in Austin. With this foundation, Austin Coming Together was formed to be an advocate for unity, commitment, transparency, collaboration, and action. In consideration of these values, I’m proud to announce that throughout the last 20 months, over 400 residents and community stakeholders were gathered to specifically discuss how Austin can best move forward together. The culmination of all that hard work and dedication is a Quality-of-Life Plan (QLP) created and owned by the Austin community. We are excited to unveil Austin’s first ever QLP on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 10am-Noon at the “Austin Forward!” Community Summit at Michele Clark High School. A performance by the Austin neighborhood Children’s Choir will help us celebrate this momentous occasion, and the public will get their first look at the plan. ACT is a backbone agency for collective impact, guiding a unified
vision and value driven strategy for Austin. So when we were offered the chance to work with the community to record their vision in the form of a QLP, we jumped on board. A QLP is a proven structure with a comprehensive set of strategies for improving a community, tailored to local needs and desires. The economic development organization Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has helped facilitate 24 previous QLPs since 2000 via its New Communities Program, garnering more than $872 million in new investments aligned to support community visions in neighborhoods across Chicago. “This is how capacity building at the community level is taken to the next level. By bringing together stakeholders, residents and civic leaders, communities can define a vision for themselves in their own neighborhood, and feel empowered to take ownership over their futures,” said Jake Ament, director of LISC Chicago’s Neighborhood Network. In each neighborhood, a designated lead agency — a local community-based organization — brings together a diverse group of organizations and residents to identify priorities. Austin Coming Together (ACT) was chosen as the lead agency for Austin’s first ever QLP due to our solid track record of community involvement. As a collaborative of over 50 organizations, we were able to leverage current relationships and spearhead efforts to convene Task Forces comprised of community residents, ACT members, and leaders from local and citywide organizations. ACT’s unprecedented efforts to create synergy among community members resulted in a steering committee of 20 leaders dedicated to upholding core values of unity, commitment, transparency, collaboration and action. With support
Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
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Submitted photo
“By bringing together stakeholders, residents and civic leaders, communities can define a vision for themselves in their own neighborhood, and feel empowered to take ownership over their futures.” JAKE AMENT
from LISC and ACT, the steering committee gathered hundreds of local stakeholders at three Community Summits to listen to what they felt were Austin’s needs and priorities. With the massive planning stage now complete, it is time to release the long awaited QLP and mobilize for implementation, the structure for which is detailed on the following pages. The Steering Committee will aid the Chairs of seven Task Forces, one for each of the seven Issue Areas in the QLP. Between two and seven strategies were identified for each Issue Area and specific actions have been prioritized for each strategy. While ACT will assist with project management infrastructure for the neighborhood governance of the plan, a total of 46 local leaders are being mobilized to guide the implementation of 80+ actions over the next five years. The Austin Quality-of-Life Plan is a product of brainstorming and research, conversations and outreach, hard work and growing relationships — but in order to actualize its 23 strategies, community collaboration is critical. We ask that you join us as we move forward together and transform our community into a new Austin for us all!
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Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
Quality-of-Life Plan Task Forces and Strategies COMMUNITY NARRATIVE Task Force Chairs: Briana Shields, Briana Janeé Arts Kenneth Varner, Healthy Schools Campaign Our goal is: to revitalize the image and spirit of Austin by promoting assets such as our historic housing, creating a healthy community and building a more robust environment for local arts and culture.
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Investing in local arts and cultural spaces • Increasing the number of authentic images and stories portraying the Austin community
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Task Force Chair: Deborah Williams, Habilitative Systems Inc. Our goal is: to sustain collaborative community involvement—from community campaigns to engaging elected officials— so we can bring voices and power to the efforts to improve Austin.
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Empowering local voters and elected officials to be a voice for Austin • Cultivating local leadership to become more effective advocates for our community
• Creating environments that foster health and wellness in the community.
The people leading these strategies are:
• Lasondra Kern - Resident • Kiana Beasley - Resident, Community Organizer • Suzanne McBride - Austin Talks • Mike Romain - Austin Weekly News • Cindy Schneider - Spaces-n-Places
We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
• Help create a positive image of Austin • Increase and retain the number of families with school-age youth • Help Austin residents live longer
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Task Force Chairs: Jerrod Williams, Community Resident Thomas Gary, Community Resident
The people leading these strategies are:
Our goal is: to create economic revitalization in Austin and by Austin. We will support new and existing local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the workforce; improve our commercial corridors; and attract new investment to build a stronger, more dynamic local economy.
• Arnold Bearden - South Austin Neighborhood Association • Sharif Walker - After School Matters
We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
• Improve the amount of our residents attending public schools in Austin • Motivate people to exercise their right to vote • Increase the number of students enrolled in civics courses • Increase attendance at Chicago police beat meetings • Open up economic opportunities for
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Improving transportation infrastructure to and through Austin • Training and developing local workers and entrepreneurs • Building the local economy and small businesses to improve community wealth and self-sufficiency
students
HOUSING Task Force Chairs: Athena Williams, West Cook Homeownership Center Allison McGowan, Community Resident Our goal is: to create a stabilized housing market in Austin, with support for local homeowners and a wide array of affordable housing options.
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Increasing the amount of owner-
occupied housing stock in Austin by local stakeholders Allocating resources in Austin to support renters Developing a variety of affordable housing choices to serve a wide array of residents Decreasing the vacancy rate of buildings in our community
• • •
The people leading these strategies are:
• Yemisi Dinkins - Westside Health Authority • Joshua Brooks - Manufacturing Renaissance • Heather Sattler - Community Development Consultant • Emily Peters - Jane Addams Resource Corporation • Marvin Austin - Bethel New Life
We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
• Help bring businesses to the community that match Austin’s cultural identity • Improve how easy it is for residents to walk to local amenities • Open up opportunities for paid training at local businesses • Improve the supply/demand gap in Austin’s spending power • Attract new commercial businesses that will be anchors in the community
The people leading these strategies are:
• Shirley Fields - Hunters Realty • Dominique Davis - Mercy Housing • Rosie Dawson - Westside Health Authority • Athena Williams - West Cook Homeownership Center
We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
• Reduce the amount of vacant properties in Austin • Increase the percentage of residents who are homeowners • Attract community based developers willing to provide affordable housing • Keep more homes out of foreclosure and decrease property tax sales • Help empower residents to become homebuyers by purchasing formerly vacant properties
Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4 EDUCATION Task Force Chairs: Natasha Smith-Walker, Project Exploration Crystal Bell, Ella Flagg Young Elementary Charles Anderson, Michele Clark High School Our goal is: for our local educational system and partners to provide the services, opportunities and support to help all our students stay on track, enrich their education and serve their needs, from early childhood through high school to job and career readiness.
The people leading these strategies are:
• Ruth Kimble - Austin Childcare Providers’ Network • Pam Price - Chicago Public Schools • Michelle Burgess - Chicago Public Schools • Sean Schindl - Kids First Chicago
We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Improving and expanding access to quality early-childhood programs • Increasing parents’ involvement in their children’s education • Increasing student access to wrap-around services • Increasing student enrollment in Austin neighborhood schools
• Improve student enrollment from early childhood through high school • Help offer more college and workforce prep course options for elementary and high school students Increase the number of high-quality enrichment and support options for at-risk youth Assist Austin schools with offering wrap-around services Help parents access social services and resources at local schools
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PUBLIC SAFETY Task Force Chairs: Bradly Johnson, BUILD Inc. Marilyn Pitchford, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Our goal is: to collaborate and create programs that increase a sense of safety, community and quality of life to build a healthy and resilient neighborhood.
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Creating high-quality preven-
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Task Force Chair: Carmen Scott-Boria, BUILD Inc. Our goal is: for Austin to have healthier and more engaged youth who are able to reach their full potential.
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Increasing positive social connections, commu-
nications and information shared among Austin youth Preparing youth for year-round employment and career opportunities Expanding supportive programs for local youth’s social, emotional and physical well-being
• •
The people leading these strategies are:
• Sarah Meyer - Austin Coming Together • Deonna Hart - BUILD Inc
• Jeramie McGill - St. Joseph Services • Victoria Tejeda - St. Joseph Services • Frederica Malone - Catholic Charities • Remona Sanders - Catholic Charities • Gina Young - Catholic Charities We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
• Create job and entrepreneurship opportunities for Austin youth • Motivate all generations to participate in community engagement programs • Encourage restorative justice practices • Strengthen ties between local public schools and the community • Inspire youth to advocate for themselves and use positive coping mechanisms • Increase participation in youth programming
tion strategies to build a safer Austin Promoting high-quality intervention strategies to help at-risk residents and those impacted by the criminal justice system Increasing displays, activities and events of culture and peace in the community Establishing more safe spaces in the community for youth
• • •
The people leading these strategies are:
• Edwina Hamilton - Catholic Charities • David Cassel - Institute for Nonviolence Chicago • Bradly Johnson - BUILD Inc • Danielle Dixon - Westside Health Authority • Demetrius Brooks - Westside Health Authority
We will measure the success of our strategies by tracking how well they:
• Keep Austin youth from being arrested for non-violent offenses • Encourage all community institutions to be trained in nonviolence and trauma-informed practices Motivate residents to participate in programs that help them feel safer Help prevent shootings
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Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
Austin Quality-of-Life Plan Steering Committee These community leaders were critical to establishing the vision, mission, and values of the QLP. Steering Committee members mobilized their networks to participate in three community summits and co-led working groups. Moving forward, they will continue to be a resource with implementation over the next 5 years.
Our Vision
An empowered and thriving Austin community.
Our Mission
To engage community stakeholders in the creation and implementation of a “Quality-of-Life Plan” for Austin.
Our Values
Unity, Commitment, Transparency, Collaboration, Action
Interested in joining the Implementation Task Force? Contact ACT’s Community Organizer, Jose Abonce, at 773-417-8615 or jabonce@austincomingtogether.org for more information.
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STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS NAME Annette Wilkerson Cassandra Norman Crystal Bell Deborah Williams Maretta Brown-Miller Mildred Wiley Natasha Smith-Walker Bradly Johnson James Bowers Ruth Kimble Terry Redmond Sharon Hartshorn Vanessa Stokes Tom Drebenstedt Athena Williams Allen Van Note Crystal Dyer Dollie Sherman Marvin Austin Stephanie Bell Danielle Dixon
AFFILIATIONS 1300 N Long Block Club South Austin Neighborhood Association Ella Flagg Young Elementary Habilitative Systems Inc. Chicago Park District, Friendship Baptist Church ACT, Institute for Nonviolence, Austin Community Action Council Project Exploration Build, Inc. Local Civil Rights Attorney and Business Owner Austin Coming Together, Austin Childcare Providers’ Network South Austin Neighborhood Association South Austin Neighborhood Association, Friendship Baptist Church 600 N Lockwood Block Club Galewood Economic Development Committee West Cook Homeownership Center Austin Community Action Council, GADA Gone Again Travel, Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures Austin Coming Together, 600 N Lorel Block Club Bethel New Life Hope Community Church Westside Health Authority, Good Neighbor Campaign
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
Investing in a bright future
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By Alicia Plomin-Spitler Austin Coming Together
s a convener, connector and facilitator of collective impact, Austin Coming Together works with members in three ways: building an accessible, coordinated and responsive system of supports; creating community led plans that attract public and private investment; developing strategies to change oppressive policies. To that end, we’ve established Thrive 2025, a strategy for focusing the efforts and resources of our member organizations to improve these four critical community well-being indicators by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Living Wage Careers, Safe Neighborhoods, and Stable Housing Markets in Austin. Implementation of Austin’s first Quality-of-Life Plan will help us make an impact on our Thrive 2025 indicators, so we’re incredibly excited to be at this special moment in time. ACT, and the Austin community as a whole, are now positioned for the greatest success and outcomes. We are prepared to go beyond our engagement with the frontline direct service teams of organizations throughout Austin and convene executive leadership within our core member network to move our Thrive 2025 Implementation forward. From restorative justice peace circles and Austin Response Teams, we’ve already made progress towards our goals. In fact, we are even seeing results born out of the QLP planning process! For example, QLP’s community narrative task force was able to get Austin included in the Architecture Center’s annual Open House Chicago tour this year, the very first time our area was featured. “Since Austin Coming Together (ACT) was first established in 2010, we’ve always understood the power of collaboration. That is why we place great value on the care and time it takes to connect the dots between resources and those who need them. We remain dedicated to actualizing the vision of a thriving Austin community,” said Darnell Shields, Executive Director of Austin Coming Together. Some years ago, the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago recognized the value of our approach by selecting us to be the lead
agency for their Neighborhood Network Initiative in Austin. To date, this initiative has provided ACT with three critical opportunities for more comprehensive community revitalization: 1. Financial support to facilitate an approach of redeveloping the community in partnership with the members of the community. 2. Access to experts and experienced professionals that can help build our organizational capacity, so our efforts can be strategic and sustainable! 3. Leverage to attract additional resources to support and sustain the strategies informed and in some cases designed by the community. Over the years, this pivotal partnership with United Way laid the groundwork for ACT to make a strong impact in the Austin community — an impact that was recently recognized by MacArthur Foundation. In August 2018, ACT was chosen to receive one of their $1 million Vital Communities grants. The investment will be utilized to support the implementation of the strategies and projects outlined in the Austin Quality-of-Life Plan (QLP) developed in partnership with LISC Chicago that will debut to the public on December 15, 2018. MacArthur Foundation officials explained that the grants went to organizations “applying community-driven solutions to foster economic opportunity and equity and to increase peace and safety in Chicago in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment, segregation, and isolation.” Julia Stasch, MacArthur’s president, said a “more peaceful city requires urgent attention to people and places that are most affected by violence.” In order to confront the “root causes of violence,” she added, there needs to be long-term investment in “local leaders, organizations, and networks across the city that are tackling [racial and economic inequity, disinvestment and isolation], with passion, persistence, creativity, and effectiveness.” We have taken the necessary first steps to best position ACT and the Austin community as a whole for the greatest success and outcomes. And with the Austin QLP gaining so much acknowledgement and support from large organizations like United Way and MacArthur Foundation, we are truly moving Austin forward, together.
Help move Austin forward!
AustinComingTogether.org/donations proACTive community building
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Austin Weekly News, December 12, 2018
THRIVE 2025: 2018 QUARTER 4
Community Summit to unveil Austin's Quality-of-Life Plan
Saturday, December 15th 10am - 12pm
Michele Clark High School 5101 W. Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60644
RSVP: austinforward.eventbrite.com