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STAY INVOLVED WITH THE GPCC!  Our contact information has changed.  Visit our website at www.gpcommunitycouncil.org and click here for updated email addresses for our staff.
 
March 2015
 
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GROWING AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY LEADERS IN 2015

Participants in the GPCC's first Leadership and Empowerment Training series, held in November 2014. 
Building the infrastructure to encourage and develop resident leaders is key to the GPCC’s work in 2015.  Last November, 21 community members took an important first step by participating in the GPCC's inaugural Resident Leadership and Empowerment training.  This five-night series, led by trainer Angelique Orr, focused on community organizing principles, understanding power, and developing advocacy campaigns based on community priorities. In January, two training participants were hired as resident organizers, responsible for recruiting residents to attend monthly committee meetings and participate in a January 2015 leadership training, conducting door to door resident surveys, and attending community meetings to learn about issues important to their neighbors. 

Make YOUR voice heard!  Contact the GPCC's resident organizers and participate in a person to person meeting with one of them today! 
Sally Hamann  from NeighborSpace passes out worm compost donated by Garfield Park Garden Network gardeners at the March 7 Chicago Community Gardeners Association event.
SPRING IS COMING - ARE YOU READY? 
 
The Garfield Park Garden Network is the GPCC's original resident leadership effort and gardeners are gearing up for the 2015 growing season and an expanded Neighborhood Market schedule with new health and wellness activities. We'll kick it off with the opening of the community greenhouse on March 14.  Interested in a growing space in the greenhouse? Want to know when the Market dates are and how you can participate as a vendor or entertainer? Contact Wellness Coordinator Angela Taylor at taylor3433@yahoo.com.  And join us at an upcoming open space committee meeting: March 25 and April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Garfield Park Conservatory.  
GPCC WELCOMES NEW BOARD AND STAFF
The GPCC has welcomed five new staff and board members over the last several months. Board member Marie Cole is a lifelong West Side resident and attorney, specializing in housing and family issues. Kashanna Eiland is the founder and director of EEE (Empowerment through Education and Exposure), a youth education organization serving West Side teens.  Theron Hawk, Alberta Sanders and Brandon Smith are the GPCC's three new resident organizers.  A music educator, "Hawk" grew up in Garfield Park and is working on one-on-one interviews with residents.  Alberta, a lifelong resident of Maypole Ave., is specifically working with her neighbors, and Brandon, a community resident, is focusing on encouraging local school communities to participate. Learn more here about all our new staff and board members.

Pictured above are board, staff, and volunteers attending the Community Neighborhood Development Awards on Feb. 17.  From left, Angela Taylor, Gina Jamison, Brandon Smith, Theron Hawk, and Marie Cole.  

 
NEED HELP WITH HOUSING? 

The GPCC can provide you with information and access to a wide variety of assistance, from help with down payments for qualifying properties to rehab assistance grants available through the City of Chicago.  The GPCC's Housing Center staff also has resources specifically for landlords and tenants in need.  And GPCC staff is ready to assist local homeowners who have cases in housing court.  Our Housing Resource Page has the information to start.  For more information, call the GPCC's Housing Specialist at 773-638-1766 x19.  
HELP US WORK WITH RESIDENT LEADERS

The GPCC's work is only possible through the generosity of our funders.  Your support ensures our resident leadership, housing, and wellness efforts continue and expand in 2015.  Please make a gift  today in support of these important programs. 

Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!
THANK YOU to our generous 2014 supporters: LISC Chicago, City of Chicago, Walter S. Mander Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Albert Pick Jr. Fund, Field Foundation of Illinois, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Woods Fund, Crossroads Fund, Pierce Family Foundation, Chiditarod Foundation, The Private Bank, First Eagle Bank, Christy Webber Landscapes, Dark Matter Coffee, Conservatory Properties, and Ald. Walter Burnett.
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We have new contact information!  
Reach Executive Director Mike Tomas at mike@gpcommunitycouncil.org or 773-638-1766 x14.   Click here for updated email addresses for the rest of the staff.  
Copyright © 2015 Garfield Park Community Council, All rights reserved.


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