A WEST ENGLEWOOD Collective

"When West Englewood thrives, Chicago thrives."

We Grow Chicago (WGC), is a trusted community-based coalition that creates a safe community space where West Englewood residents and stakeholders demand action to improve their quality of life. WGC is led by Imagine Englewood If in partnership with Growing Home, Grow Greater Englewood, Teamwork Englewood and Metropolitan Family Services.

WGC partners strategically align programs, services and advocacy efforts with the mission to empower West Englewood families to go from surviving to thriving. The coalition provides residents resources to access immediate basic needs support, family social services, empowerment programs, skill building classes and community connection.

WGC builds on the legacy and foundation of I Grow Chicago established on the Peace Campus, a block-based community center covering 16 properties. WGC aims to establish the Peace Campus as a new place-based model for uplifting Black and Brown communities that can be scaled across Chicago and in other cities across the United States.

Our Priorities and Goals

Build the capacity of We Grow to operate as a sustainable, scalable, and community-based coalition model.
Build a responsive and proactive multi-generational system of support that aligns partners and resources.
Provide holistic, multi-generational programs and services that actively engage the community.
Build community and actively engage residents in planning to ensure Peace Campus services are rooted in community needs.
Establish the Peace Campus as a space that nurtures and develops local leaders.
Establish We Grow as an organizing body that provides a platform for unifying Black and Brown collective voices about issues in the community.
Host events to increase neighborhood political power and improve representation.

membership eligibility

We Grow Chicago membership is invitation-only and contingent upon organizational mission and alignment with coalition priorities and goals. Organizations that have a credible and successful track record in serving residents in the Greater Englewood community will be considered for membership.

membership requirements

Partners are required to support and participate in annual community events: Greater Englewood Unity Day, Peace Fest, and Share The Love WinterFest.
Partners are required to attend or have designated members of organization attend monthly partner meetings
Partners are required to collaborate with other WGC partners to address critical issues in the West Englewood neighborhood

membership Benefits

Organization receives (1) seat as a coalition voting member
Access to reserve program and recreational spaces on the Peace Campus
Recognized as a coalition partner on marketing materials and at staple campus events
Public Relation opportunities to highlight organization’s work on diverse media platforms
Access to professional development trainings and capacity building opportunities for team
Opportunities to collaborate on grant proposals to secure resources for quality of life projects and programs

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