Struggle, Hope and Action in South Chicago Pt. 1

Community organizations have noticed and experienced drastic changes in South Chicago due to the economic downturn beginning with the closures of the steel mills in the '70's and reaching its crisis peak in recent years.

The recent global economic crisis has had severe effects locally evidenced by the closure of a health clinic on 83^rd and Exchange, the cutting of library staff and hours, the many vacant homes due to foreclosures and high unemployment rates.

Despite these cuts and, in part, because of them, organizations have remained a fixed presence in South Chicago and the Bush. And though all community organizations have felt the negative effects of the recession and budget cut duo, some have seen their programming expand.

Under the Weight of Demand

Centro Comunitario Juan Diego's executive director, Olivia Hernandez, lists close to 20 different services that the organization provides. Located on 89^th and Commercial Ave., the Centro provides tutoring, gas and electricity bill aid, english, parenting and health classes, civil and immigration lawyers as well as support for undocumented youth among other services.

Demand for services has increased greatly, says Hernandez, a reflection of the deteriorating economic state of the neighborhood. The Centro was forced to cancel its food depository program due the increased demand coupled with the cuts to foundation and City budgets.

Despite the long list provided, many people come to the Centro seeking help with housing, unemployment and now food, all of which the Centro cannot provide. Through referrals to Claretian Associates, the Latino Coalition for Housing, public aid and food stamp programs, Hernandez and her mostly volunteer staff are responding to the increased demands yet it is not enough she says.

“We need just housing, not expensive housing, we need a homeless shelter, we need better education,” says Hernandez.

Referencing the closure of the clinic on 83^rd and Exchange as another effect of the economic crisis, Hernandez says that South Chicago and its community are in a much deeper economic depression than she had ever experienced before. The undocumented are especially hard hit, says Hernandez, because they often do not qualify for public services forcing them to live in severe poverty.

The Centro has formed part of South Chicago for over 13 years and provides services throughout the year. For the spring, the Centro is working on two community gardens on 88^th and 89^th and Exchange.

“We are building neighborhood spaces,” says Hernandez, as a way of challenging the increased violence that poverty and unemployment incited.

Tap Dancing in the Bush

The oldest organization interviewed is the Neighborhood House in the Bush. Offering after school tutoring, lunch for seniors, boys and girls clubs, teen programs, peace circle groups for teens and young adults, exercise machines and, above all, a safe space for youth to gather, the House attempts to meet its community's ever increasing needs.

A life-time resident of the Bush and executive director of the House, Melendrez says that he has never seen the area so desolate. Growing up he remembers stores dotted every block and taverns were plentiful. After the steel mill closed “there was an exodus” of money and people.

Where once residents never had to leave the area, now only one small corner store remains. “This isn't even a shell of what the Bush used to be, its a skeleton.”

The Neighborhood House has also been affected by the economic crisis.

First opened by missionary baptists in1924, it passed into the hands of Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. In 2010, the House closed due to cuts in McKinley's funding and eight people were fired overnight.

With zero money and the need to repair the building gutted for its copper pipes, the Friends of the Neighborhood House. Spearheaded by the late Neil Bozanko, the project to reopen the neighborhood House was based off of a model that required minimal funding and the Friends ran the House for a year on a complete volunteer staff.

Melendrez says that this experience gave the volunteers a sense of collective ownership that has maintained the House open. “It put a spark and a life back into this place,” says Melendrez who remembers the House from his childhood.

The Neighborhood House still depends on volunteers although it now has four part time employees. Always searching for new ways of attaining funding and providing services through partnerships, the expansion of their arts programming has been a good source of recent funding. The House now offers tap and modern dance lessons coupled with crafts and art projects.

Although it is a day to day battle for the House, says Melendrez, “it is just amazing to see tap dancing in the Bush.”

A group of four girls aged nine to 11 waiting for dance to begin shared the same belief: without this center they would not be able to make it. From homework to personal life help, safety and birthday celebrations, it is clear that the organization is an integral part of the community. “They are like family, like uncles and fathers,” says Lashaunda Cole, 11.

Looking Forward

Focusing on education, health, housing and basic needs, these organizations are committed to the neighborhood and continue to provide services despite tough economic realities.

“The economy hasn't helped,” says Melendrez, “but its nothing new, we have always worked hard to stay here and we will remain.”