The Latest

Reflecting on the Success of Chicago’s New Communities Program and Its Legacy Through Community Organizations Across Chicago

It has now been over 20 years since the New Communities Program (NCP), the United States’ largest comprehensive community initiative began. Founded in Chicago by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in collaboration with over 20 community development partners and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the New Communities Program took a comprehensive approach to development, incorporating lessons learned from the community development corporation crisis in Chicago in the mid ’90s.

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3 Funding Opportunities to Support Community Initiatives

The Government of Canada and its partners are currently accepting applications for three major funding opportunities for communities. Through the funding opportunities, communities can apply for funding to support public spaces, improve mobility and access to digital services, provide programs and services related to financial empowerment and social inclusion of vulnerable youth, and build intersectoral partnerships to address social determinants of health and wellbeing. The three funding opportunities are described below:  

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Block Connector programs: Learning from our members

Have you ever needed to borrow a cup of sugar? Or wanted advice about your garden? Or needed someone to house sit while you were away? For these situations and so many others, your neighbours might your answer!

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Asset Based Community Development: A Resident's Guide

There are so many resources on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) for professionals. We decided to write one specifically for residents, called Asset-Based Community Development - How to Get Started.

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Social Connection Needed in Battle Against Coronavirus

In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, public health officials are warning us to practice social distancing. That seems like good advice given the contagious nature of the disease, but it is also essential that we connect.

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90+ McCauley Residents Pull Off Investment Miracle

Community development is in its prime when a community identifies an aspiration, organizes a collaborative plan, and invests local talent, time, and money in the cause. Ideally, the community will own and control what it has created; community development practitioners know, however, that community ownership of a venture or initiative is a rarity.

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