Core group gives residents a new community voice in West Town

Determined to have a community voice, a group of residents, between Chicago and Grand Avenues from Damen to Western Avenues, are not only about to become an official community organization but have given neighbors a chance to meet candidates for the 26th Aldermanic Ward. 

On Valentine's day at the Erie Baptist Church, corner of Erie and Leavitt, a small band of residents gathered to talk about a process that began in early March 2014.

A core group of residents started by producing a survey of people in the area. 

With a response of over 100, they analyzed the results, which looked like this. Then they contacted neighboring Chicago Grand Neighbors Association (CGNA) and Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association (UVNA) about becoming part of their groups and reached out to the Smith Park Neighborhood Alliance (SPNA), the local CAPS facilitator and Alderman Maldonado's office. 

On June 14, 2014, with about 50 people present, they had their first meeting with the purposes being to:

• establish relationships of self-interest and reasons for desiring a neighborhood organization
• create a vision of the neighborhood organization
• review survey results, including pros and cons of joining an existing neighborhood organization or forming our own
• identify ways each individual can contribute talents and skills  
• set dates for future steering committee meetings and a larger community forum 

With a consistent participation of 30 to 50 people they had two more general meetings in addition to committee meetings. Now they are in the midst of finalizing By Laws as the West Town Neighbors Association (WTNA) and will be filing the necessary paperwork to register in Illinois.

Elizabeth "Liz" Kuhn put up the first flyers and J. W. Glass became her most enthusiastic fellow organizer. From there, others joined in taking on various tasks that have brought them to the successful conclusion of forming the organization.

Others who have been involved shared their reasons for their involvement. Tiffany Keane, an 8-year resident, said that her reasons were for socializing, having a say in zoning issues, dealing with issues that turn crazy when two wards are involved and having a more powerful community voice. 

"I am so so happy to have found this area and Mitchell School and I want to meet more people," commented Stephanie Milito, who has lived in the area for three years. Having a community where people look out for each other is important to her and she feels that a community group helps to build those relationships. 

Part of the Operation Committee, Colleen Malone, a 7-year resident, echoed the interests of others about meeting more people and having a say in community issues. 

Kuhn is happy that she is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for organizing and that the By Laws have come together with the help of others. Glass too is happy that the planning and work have led to an organized group. Most importantly, "there will be a community voice." 

Going beyond their organizing and socializing, the newly formed WTNA with SPNA put on a Candidates Forum for the 26th Ward Aldermanic race.

Editor's note: Congratulations to all who have been involved! Community organizations are how residents can build personal relationships and have a say in shaping and maintaining your environs.