A NONPARTISAN, NON-RELIGIOUS, WOMEN-OWNED & GOVERNED ORGANIZATION
OUR mission
We provide an open forum for southwest side residents to voice their concerns; hear new perspectives from their neighbors; learn about existing public resources; and launch economic, educational, and recreational initiatives that bring our siloed communities together.
ARCHER HEIGHTS - BRIGHTON PARK - CLEARING - GAGE PARK - GARFIELD RIDGE - SCOTTSDALE - THE LAWNS - WEST ELSDON
ACTIVISM, DESIGNED FOR BUSY PEOPLE
Our events and programs are meant to engage our busy neighbors in ways that benefit everyone. Attend a forum, request a tree, check out our quarterly public meeting, snag some service hours at an upcoming event, fill a library box or community pantry with extras from your pantry...you can choose to do a little or a lot, and it all helps.
ARCHER HEIGHTS - BRIGHTON PARK - CLEARING - GAGE PARK - GARFIELD RIDGE - SCOTTSDALE - THE LAWNS - WEST ELSDON
OUR VISION
A southwest side where neighbors know each other, feel empowered to build their support network and are ready to "lead from where we live."
SWC'S VOLUNTEERS AREN'T TRADITIONAL VOLUNTEERS
There's volunteering - once in a while, in a totally transactional manner - and then there's what SWC volunteers do.
Dedicated representatives of SWC operate differently. Their commitment stems from a deep interest related to their lived experiences on the southwest side. ​
Our board, our team of Public Health Ambassadors and our subject matter experts volunteer frequently; however, they also manage programs funded through our various partnerships...and are paid fairly and competitively, on a contractual basis, for their time investment. They choose their schedules and conduct their work in the community; therefore, we have no full time staff or brick and mortar office space.
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We feel this modern approach to employment, volunteering and activism allows us greater autonomy and flexibility to allow those with lived experience to guide us in addressing longstanding issues regarding equity on the southwest side.
UNIQUE STRUCTURE, UNIQUE PROGRAMMING
Family Foundations
Designed for parents who need to build their village, Freebies for Families is an event where folks can swap gently used clothing and gear. Created in loving memory of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez.
Tap the pic for details.
Civic Engagement
The issues we face are big ones, all centered around equity. How we choose to tackle them is important, because the next generation is watching and learning. We visit CPS and summer programs often to engage students in the civic process, and encourage them to get involved with SWC.
Small Business Support
Starting a business is hard, so we provide technical assistance in English and Spanish to local, small, first-time and family-run businesses. This assistance provides a competitive edge to small businesses in the huge shadow of Midway Airport. Tap the pic for details.
Mental Health & the Arts
Self expression helps us name big things that stand in the way of personal progress. Our art-as-therapy and Circulo de Sanación Comunitaria are both in their second year, and provide free therapy to our communities. Tap the pic for more.
Environmental Justice
Infrastructure inequity forces us to travel outside of our neighborhood for green space, doc appointments and everything else. Our occasional free farmers markets, tree planting events and Community Boxes help us begin to bridge these gaps. Tap the pic for details.
Health Equity
Accessing food banks and pantries is hard when you have a dietary restriction, family emergency or disability. We are committed to providing fresh, nutritious food to our neighbors to help improve health outcomes. Tap the pic for details.
Transit Advocacy
We fight for safer streets for all - cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike, and that includes our Pulaski, Slow TF Down campaign. Tap the pic for more.
Little Free Library Network
We have a network of 10+ little free libraries in public parks from Gage Park to Garfield Ridge. Our friends at Mid-America Regional Carpenters Union help us keep them maintained. View the map.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Like any hardworking group of tight-knit, bad@ss do-gooders, we need to see a demonstrated commitment from new folks. Everyone on SWC's team has served as a volunteer first, which allows us to assess important things, like willingness to compromise, ability to communicate clearly, and consistency of output.
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If you want to hear more, please consider joining us at our occasional public meetings, posted above with our events.
FIND A LITTLE LIBRARY, PANTRY OR FRIDGE
You may take or leave a few small, shelf stable items in our newspaper boxes, or drop off a handful of books at one of our libraries.
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PLEASE do not leave a large bin or stack of books outside in the elements, and do not leave clothing, textbooks or other items in these boxes. They will be discarded for sanitary reasons.
CONTACT US
We are out in the community, not at an office. The best way to reach us is via email or phone.
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708-740-8914
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Mail (but not visitors) can be received here:​
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4444 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60632
