Greater Southwest Development Corporation welcomes two
New Faces
Claudia Escamilla
Latina King
In October 2004,
Ms. Escamilla joined GSDC to
coordinate trainings on
Foreclosure and Default
Counseling.
Previously, she
worked for the State of Illinois,
Department of Human Rights
as an Immigration Outreach
Specialist, coordinating trainings
throughout Illinois regarding the anti-discrimination
provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA.)
In November 2004,
Ms. King began working as
the new Activity Director for
Greater
Southwest
Development Corporation’s
Senior Living Properties. She
comes to us with a
background in developing
programs for youth and
senior populations at the Chicago Board of Education.
Housing Connections Counselor
With a Bachelors degree in business
management from Robert Morris College, Ms.
Escamilla will provide assistance to community based
organizations by assisting first time home buyers and
current home owners improve their financial situation.
Please contact Ms. Escamilla at 773-436-1000
ext. 119 with questions or for assistance.
Senior Activities Coordinator
Ms. King was a Family Advocate with the Chicago
Public Schools, Cradle to the Classroom program,
counseling teen mothers and helping to ensure they had
the resources they needed to help their children through
weekly visits, group meetings and fieldtrips.
Ms. King can be found working with the older
adults in GSDC’s Lawn Terrace and Churchview
Apartment Complexes.
Support for Home and Business Owners
Free Assistance to Prevent Foreclosure
Small Business Improvement Fund
John Marshall Law students partner with GSDC
Help GSDC petition for this grant opportunity!
For several years now Greater Southwest has
been working on various initiatives to reduce home
foreclosures in Southwest Chicago. As part of that
effort, GSDC’s Housing Resource Center launched an
initiative to assist residents affected by foreclosure.
GSDC partnered with Neighborhood Housing Services
and the Southwest Organizing Project to host a
foreclosure prevention clinic with The John Marshall
Law School Fair Housing Legal Support Clinic.
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
will provide grants of up to $50,000 for repair or
remodeling, including the installation of new windows,
floors, or roofs; the purchase of adjacent property for
building expansion or parking; the removal and
replacement of signs; the purchase of new heating,
ventilation and air conditioning systems; the addition of
improvements for disabled patrons or workers.
Several third year law students from John
Marshall are now available in the GSDC offices to meet
with Southwest Chicago residents who are currently in
foreclosure, who are refinancing an existing home loan,
or who are considering financing a new home.
This free and confidential service will be
available throughout the year. Residents should call
GSDC at (773) 436-1000 x. 100 to set up an appointment.
Eligible businesses must be located in a TIF
District; industrial companies are allowed to participate
if they have up to 40 employees, while commercial
businesses are eligible if they have up to $1.5 million in
annual sales.
If you want to participate or have any questions,
call GSDC Industrial Staff at 773-436-1000 ext. 109.
Help participate in the movement to bring the SBIF
Program to the Greater Southwest Industrial Corridor!
NCP Community Meeting cont.…
NCP Reunión de Comunitarios cont....
ready to begin simultaneous Spanish translation of every
speaker during the program. Co-chairs Edith Robles,
St. Nicholas of Tolentine and SWOP, and Jim Capraro,
GSDC, called the meeting to order while latecomers
filled the few empty seats, and staff handed out copies
of the plan summary, in both English and Spanish.
antiguo organizador de SWOP, estaba listo para
comenzar la traducción simultánea de cada presentador
durante el programa. Los dos encargados de presidir la
reunión fueron Edith Robles, de San Nicolás de
Tolentino y SWOP, y Jim Capraro, GSDC, llamaron al
orden para la reunión mientras los que iban entrando
llenaban los pocos asientos vacíos que quedaban,
mientras se entregaba a cada participante copia del
resumen del plan, en Inglés y Español.
Terri Sosnowski, Eberhart teacher, welcomed
everyone to the school, and Imelda Salazar, St. Mary
Star of the Sea, and Iman Abdul Malik Ryan, Inner-City
Muslim Action Network (IMAN), conducted opening
prayers. Following this, Edith instructed everyone to
“find someone you don’t know and spend ten minutes
getting to know them.” As one purpose of the
community meeting was to continue to build
connections and relationships, this one-to-one exercise
proved to be a very exciting part of the program.
Next, a series of speakers, residents in the
community and Taskforce Members, brought groups of
supporters on stage to highlight the eight strategy areas
included in the NCP plan. The story topics, including
leadership development, safety, education, jobs,
recreation, health care, housing and 63rd St., were very
compelling and were met by thundering applause!!
Jim Capraro and Betty Gutierrez, St. Mary Star
of the Sea and GSDC, closed the meeting with a very
dramatic “SI SE PUEDE, YES, WE CAN” chant,
bringing people to their feet with excitement. Jim and
Betty encouraged everyone to show their commitment
to the vision and plan by signing the New Communities
banner. This banner is a living testament to the power
of the community to successfully complete over 60
projects and programs that have commitments from
lead and partner organizations. Stay tuned for more
information or call Donna Stites at 773-436-1000 ext.
118 or David McDowell at 773-471-8208 ext. 12.
Terri Sosnowski, maestra de Eberhart, dio la
bienvenida a cada uno de los que se encontraban en el
auditorio, y luego Imelda Salazar de la Parroquia San
Mary Star of the Sea junto con Iman Abdul Malik Ryan,
de Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN),
condujeron la oración de apertura. Seguido de esto,
Edith invitó a cada uno a “encontrar alguien que no
conocieran y dialogar por diez minutos para conocerse”.
Uno de los propósitos de la reunión comunitaria era
continuar construyendo conexiones y relaciones, y este
ejercicio de reuniones individuales demostró ser una parte
muy interesante del programa.
Luego, una serie de presentadores, residentes de la
comunidad y miembros del equipo de trabajo trajeron
grupos de apoyo al escenario para resaltar las ocho áreas
estratégicas incluidas en el plan. Los temas de las
historias, van desde vivienda y salud hasta seguridad y
trabajos, y fueron historias muy poderosas que recibieron
una sobresaliente ovación con muchos aplausos!!
Jim Capraro y Betty Gutiérrez, St. Mary Star of
the Sea y GSDC, terminaron la reunión con un muy
dramático grito de “SI SE PUEDE, YES WE CAN”
haciendo que la gente se levantara de sus asientos con
mucho entusiasmo. Jim y Betty animaron a cada uno a
mostrar su compromiso de la visión y el plan, firmando la
pancarta de la Nueva Comunidad. Esta pancarta es un
testamento viviente del poder de la comunidad
para completar con éxito cerca de 60 proyectos y
programas en donde están comprometidos desde
líderes hasta organizaciones aliadas. Manténgase al
pendiente para más información, comuníquese con
Donna Suites al 773-436-1000 ext. 118 o con
David McDowell al teléfono 773-471-8208 ext. 12.
-Translations by Imelda Salazar
Neighborhood Housing Services
NCP and Churchview Grand Opening photos by Bob Nick.
Happy Holiday s from a ll of us a t Greater Southwest Develop ment Corporation to all o f you!
7
Greater Southwest
Development Corporation’s
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Thomas Bamford
Vice President
Marquette Bank
Vice President
Gintaras Cepenas
Attorney-at-Law
Vice President
Mark DiValerio
Manager
People’s Energy
Secretary
Timothy Herwig
Vice President
TCF National Bank
Dr. Sylvia Ramos
President
Richard J. Daley College
Industrial Business Owners
Security Meeting—the Industrial Division will kick-off a series of security workshops entitled “How to
Fortify Your Business Against Theft” in collaboration with the 8th District Police Department and
Preventive Program Services to combat the series of thefts in the Great Southwest Industrial Corridor…
Stay tuned for more in 2005!
Commercial Business Owners
Sidewalk Snow Removal Reminder, Don’t forget that to keep sidewalks next to your property free of
snow and ice! Clear sidewalks are essential in helping your customers and neighbors get around, as well as
being a provision of your business license.
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, 330 N. Wabash, Suite 2800, offers free technical assistance
through monthly open discussions and Q&A sessions on marketing strategies, tax preparation, networking
and other topics.
Call 312-494-6777 to make reservations or visit their website at
www.chicagolandchamber.org for a list of events.
Homeowners
Neighborhood Housing Services offers free homeownership classes.
Contact Lourdes Simms at 773-329-4113.
Marquette Bank offers free homeownership classes on Saturdays.
Contact Ben Liddell at 773-918-4568.
The Storehouse offers free “I Know How” workshops with industry experts who demonstrate how to
install windows or tubs, place tile, or beautify your home with new paint techniques. For more information,
please call Kim Lee at 773-921-3900 ext. 317.
Joaquin Varela
Deacon
St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Rev. Paul & Judy Anderson
New Hope Ministries
George Cvack
Vice President
First Personal Bank
Martha Valencia
Community Mortgage
Citibank, F.S.B.
The source for Commercial, Industrial and Housing News
H Winter 2004-2005 J
In this Issue
Uniting for Youth
3
Holiday Parade
5
New Faces
6
James Capraro
Executive Director
Donna S. Stites
First Deputy Director
Harry Meyer
Deputy Director
of Development
Betty Gutierrez
Deputy Director
of Services
Angel Perez
Comm. Affairs Manager
ComEd Exelon Company
James Capraro
Executive Director
Greater Southwest
Development Corp.
ReVitalize
U P C O M I N G E V E N TS
Paula M. Lewis
Deputy Director
of Property Mgmt.
2601 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60629
Karen Wilkosz
Comptroller
Claudia Escamilla
Housing Connections
Counselor
Carla Land
Commercial Director
Lenora Dailey
Industrial Director
Elizabeth Wampler
Industrial Assistant
Cynthia Perales
Office Manager
Hablamos Español
Si, Se Puede, Yes, We Can!
NCP Community Meeting Draws over 600 to Learn Strategy Plans
Over 600 community leaders and
residents jammed into the auditorium at
Eberhart Elementary School on
November 9 th to change the future of
our neighborhood. For more than a
year, over 300 leaders have worked to
create a vision and plan for Southwest
Chicago as part of the New
Communities Program (NCP). Task
Force members, who represent a rich
variety of cu ltu res, languages,
backgrounds, races and beliefs, have
crafted this vision and plan,
demonstrating our ability as a
community to embrace our love of the
neighborhood.
Más de 600 residentes y líderes
comunitarios estaban en el Auditorio de
la Escuela Primaria Eberhart el 9 de
Noviembre para cambiar el futuro de
nuestro vecindario. Por más de un año,
más de 300 líderes han trabajado para
crear una visión y un plan para el
Suroeste de Chicago como parte del
Programa de las Nuevas Comunidades
(NCP). Los miembros del equipo de
trabajo, quienes representan una gran
variedad de culturas, lenguajes,
historiales, razas y creencias, han creado
esta visión y plan, demostrando nuestra
habilidad como una comunidad que
acoge nuestro cariño por el vecindario.
Elementary students decorated
the school auditorium with posters
reflecting what they want to see in the
neighborhood, and a 30 foot-long
banner, “Building a New Community in
Southwest Chicago” covered the walls
near the entrance.
Los estudiantes de primaria
decoraron el auditorio de la escuela con
varios póster que reflejaron lo que a ellos
les gustaría ver en el vecindario, y una
pancarta de 30 pies de largo,
“Construyendo una Nueva Comunidad en
el Suroeste de Chicago” que cubrió toda la
pared localizada cerca de la entrada.
Before 7 p.m. over 280
translation headsets had been distributed,
and Juan Pablo, former Southwest
Organizing Project organizer, stood
Cont. on page 7
Antes de las 7 p.m. fueron
distribuidos más de 280 audífonos para
escuchar la traducción, y Juan Pablo,
Cont. en pagina 7
Industrial Real Estate
The following is a list of available
industrial real estate in the area. If
you would like more information
or know of any properties that
should be added to this list, please
call 773-436-1000 ext. 109.
GSIC Space for Sale/Lease
7200 S. Kostner Ave.
4.5 acres
7540 S. Western Ave.
2.5 acres
4100 W. 76th St.
850,000 SF
(Divisible to 42,000 SF)
2800 S. Columbus Ave. 200,000 SF
(Divisible to 50,000 SF)
Harlem Corridor Space
6059 S. Oak Park
5000 SF
6000 S. Oak Park
5897 SF
62nd St. and Sayre Ave. 93,693 SF
6120 S. Sayre Ave.
75,000 SF
6939 W. 59th St.
15,170 SF
Located at 6939 W. 59th Street,
this property rests on .70 acres and
inc lude s 15,170 SF of air conditioned warehouse and office.
GSDC CONNECTS YOUTH AND BUSINESSES
On Wednesday October 27th, Greater Southwest hosted a
breakfast meeting at the Nabisco Bakery on Kedzie Avenue to encourage
partnerships between schools and businesses. Attending the meeting were
commercial and industrial businesses, school administrators and teachers,
and community organizations that work closely with youth.
GSDC has been encouraging partnerships with schools for many
years. A 2001 meeting brought about eight new partnerships between area
schools and local manufacturing, commercial and community
organizations. However, the majority of these relationships are with
elementary schools, and along with New Communities Program (NCP)
taskforce members, Lenora Dailey, GSDC Industrial Director, wanted to
bring more opportunities to high school students preparing to enter the
workforce. “Community organizations and businesses working together
can have a substantial effect on a young person’s life and career choices in
the future. GSDC’s strong relationships with existing industrial companies
give us the opportunity to build these connections,” Ms. Dailey said.
GSDC invited three guest speakers to the event: Cynthia
Greenleaf, Director of Partnerships--CPS, Jill Wine-Banks, Education-toCareers (ETC) Chief Officer--CPS and John Barr, Technology Specialist,
Bureau of Technology & Industrial Competitiveness--Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Ms. Greenleaf described six ways that businesses can interact with
schools, from being a Principal-for-a-Day to participating in employee
volunteer activities to donating resources and gifts. Ms. Wine-Banks
described the purpose and function of ETC programming as both a way to
create a stronger workforce for Chicago businesses and as a “rigorous
college-prep curriculum combined with industry-recognized career and
technical skills education and hands-on, work-based training in career and
technical subjects and workplace competencies.”
Mr. Barr spoke about the State of Illinois’ High Technology
School-to-Work Program. This program funds specific projects that
businesses design and aims to increase the number of students who enter
occupations or educational programs requiring advanced skills in the areas
of science, mathematics, and advanced technology.
El miércoles 27 de octubre, Greater Southwest auspició una reunión y desayuno en la Pastelería Nabisco ubicada
en la Avenida Kedzie para animar la colaboración entre las escuelas y negocios. A la reunión asistieron negocios
comerciales e industriales, administradores y maestros de escuela, así como organizaciones comunitarias que trabajan de
cerca con los jóvenes.
GSDC ha estado animando la colaboración con las escuelas por muchos años. Una reunión que se hizo en el año
2001 trajo cerca de ocho colaboradores entre el área de escuelas y fábricas locales, organizaciones comunitarias y
comerciales. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estas relaciones son con escuelas de primaria, y junto con los miembros del
equipo de trabajo del Programa de las Nuevas Comunidades (NCP), Lenora Dailey, Directora Industrial de GSDC, quería
traer más oportunidades a estudiantes de secundaria preparándose a entrar al equipo de trabajo. “Organizaciones
comunitarias y negocios trabajando juntos puede tener un efecto sustancial en la vida de los jóvenes y en sus elecciones
para una carrera en el futuro. La estrecha relación de GSDC con las compañías industriales existentes nos da la
oportunidad de construir estas conexiones”, dijo la Sra. Dailey.
GSDC invitó a tres conferencistas al evento: Cynthia Greenleaf, Directora de Partnerships – CPS, Hill WineBanks, Jefe de Educación para Carreras (ETC)—CPS y John Barr, Especialista Tecnológico, Bufete de Tecnología y
Competitividad Industrial – Departamento de Comercio y Oportunidades Económicas de Illinois.
La Sra. Greenleaf describió seis formas en que los negocios interactúan con las escuelas, ya sea siendo un Director
por un Día participando de las actividades de los empleados voluntariamente para donar recursos y dones. La Sra. WineBanks describió el propósito y la función de ETC programado como
ambos: una forma de crear una fuerza de trabajo más fuerte para los
negocios de Chicago y como un “currículo de preparación rigurosa
para el colegio combinado con una carrera reconocida en la industria y
destrezas técnicas de educación e implicación, entrenamiento de trabajo
en temas de la carrera y técnicos y lugares de trabajo competentes.”
El Sr. Barr habló sobre el Programa de la Escuela-para-Trabajo
altamente tecnológico de Illinois. Este programa se fundamenta en
proyectos específicos que los negocios diseñan y ayudan a incrementar
el número de estudiantes que entran ocupaciones o programas
educacionales requiriendo tareas avanzadas en las áreas de ciencia,
matemática y tecnología avanzada.
Guest speakers John Barr, Cynthia Greenleaf, and
Jill Wine-Banks answer the audience’s questions.
Sister Margaret, Maria High School principal, acted quickly and
with John Barr’s help, a chemical company has begun an application for
the High Technology School-to-Work Program. The school hopes to
create a program for their Business and Technology Department during
the summer or on Saturdays.
To create long-lasting and effective partnerships, schools and
businesses must be committed and familiar with each other—only then
can we truly improve the opportunities for youth in our community.
For more information on how to create and participate in
community partnerships for youth call GSDC staff at 773-436-1000.
Winter 2004/2005 Vol. 2 Issue 1
Greater Southwest conecta Escuelas y Negocios
2
La Hermana Margaret, Director de la Secundaria María, actuó
rápidamente y con la ayuda de John Barr, una compañía química ha
iniciado una aplicación para el Programa de Escuela-para-Trabajo
altamente tecnológico. La escuela espera crear un programa para su
Departamento de Administración y Tecnología durante el verano o
en sábados.
Para crear una colaboración efectiva y duradera, las escuelas y
los negocios deben comprometerse y conocerse entre ellos, solamente
así pueden mejorar de verdad las oportunidades para los jóvenes en
nuestra comunidad.
Jim Capraro urges schools and businesses to create
relationships with each other.
Para más información en cómo crear y participar en las
colaboraciones comunitarias para jóvenes, favor de comunicarse con
el personal de GSDC al teléfono 773-436-1000.
Happy Holiday s from a ll of us a t Greater South
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE 63RD STREET HOLIDAY PARADE!
Congratulations!
Greater Southwest would like to thank Betty, Larissa, Ron, Harry and Carla
for their hard work on the 2004 Holiday parade. Congratulations on making
the 25th Anniversary another great success!
South Shore’s JROTC
salutes the American flag.
◄
The 63rd Street Growth Commission celebrated the 25th
anniversary of the 63rd Street Holiday Parade on December 4, 2004! It
was one of the largest and best attended in the Commission’s parade
history! More than 50 groups participated, including high school JROTC
units, marching bands, the Jesse White Tumbling Team, La Que Buena
radio station, equestrian teams, clowns, and floats from local businesses.
The honorary grand marshals were Gospel Radio 1390-AM’s John
Hannah and WGCI-FM’s Bionce′ Foxx. Children received bags of
goodies generously donated from Tootsie Roll, Nabisco and the 63rd
Street Growth Commission. The parade promotes the businesses along
63rd Street, the main commercial district of Chicago Lawn.
one of several programs provided by
the City of Chicago’s Department of
Planning and Development.
The
program includes complete façade
renovation, exterior lighting, new
signage and graphics, windows and
doors, certain types of passive security
and energy conservation systems.
Awning Rebate Program: Fifteen
commercial businesses can take
advantage of this great program to
receive reimbursement of up to $1000
upon the installation of an awning that
meets the program guidelines.
Crowds gathered along 63rd
Street to wave. ►►
▲
Tony’s Western Wear on horseback
►
Parade photos by Bob Nick and Harry Meyer.
Parade Poster Contest Winner: Brigette Dzialek
Grand Opening of Churchview Supportive Living
The Churchview Supportive Living Facility (SLF) celebrated its grand opening
on Saturday, October 2nd with Mayor Richard M. Daley in attendance. Residents of
GSDC’s senior living apartments joined recent tenants of Churchview SLF and members of
the Chicago Lawn community to celebrate this event.
The facility opened just after the state’s decision to lift its three year moratorium on
accepting new applications to its Supportive Living Facility program. Andrew Mooney,
Senior Program Director at Local Initiative Support Corporation, believes that Churchview’s
opening “reinforces the need to build more of these facilities across the state.”
In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony and a catered lunch, the grand opening
Mayor Daley presents flowers to featured tours of the building’s community spaces, a model studio apartment, and a one
the first Churchview SLF resident bedroom apartment of Churchview’s first resident. The building includes 86 affordable
apartments, with a community room and nurses’ station on each floor, as well as a fitness
room, library, beauty parlor, and laundry rooms spread throughout the facility. Staff, including a registered nurse, provide
residents with three meals a day, light housekeeping, personal laundry, medication reminders, and 24 hour CNA staff coverage.
Brigette Dzialek, a fourth grader at Peck School, won the poster
contest for this year’s 63rd Street Holiday
Parade. Traditionally, elementary school
children are given the opportunity to show
off their artist talents and help promote the
parade by entering a poster contest. Each
school selects their favorite poster from
among their students; a panel of judges
chose Brigette’s poster from among 19
entries. All the finalists were invited to ride
on a float, but Brigette was given a special
honor: to ride on a special float with the
parade grand marshals.
Brigette, the youngest of two
children born to Andrew and Iwona
Dzialek, is in Mr. Aguirre’s class and her
favorite subjects are math and reading.
For more information, call Kimberly Jones at Churchview Supportive Living Facility at 773-471-4444.
west Develop ment Corporation to all o f you!
If you’re interested in any of the following
programs, please contact Carla Land at
773-436-1000, ext. 113.
Façade Rebate Program: This is
Jesse White tumblers fly
through the air. ►
Everyone from Shrek to Elmo attended.
The 63rd Street Growth Commission
is the commercial division of the Greater
Southwest Development Corporation.
4
2601 W. 63rd Street
Chicago, IL 60629
Ph 773-436-1000
Business Security Incentive
Program: Your commercial business
can receive up to a $750
reimbu rsement for su rveillance
equipment and installation. New
Program!
Important Phone Numbers
Business Express
City of Chicago’s business hotline
312-744-CITY
City of Chicago, call 311
For questions on any city services
Neighborhood Relations Office
8th District Police Station
312-747-3515
For any community questions or concerns
www.greatersouthwest.org
5