Since 1985, the Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards have recognized and championed innovative US-based grassroots organizations working to transform their communities through healthy food access and social and economic justice. “Dear 2013 Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Award winners, Congratulations again on winning the 2013 HCSRA! We’re all so excited here about the great work you’re doing, and [...]
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization Invites Everyone! “Si Se Pudo” to commemorate LVEJO’s recent four victories: 1) the shutting down of two Coal Power Plants in Chicago; 2) the westend extension of the35th Bus Route to 31st Street; 3) the planning stages of Park # 533, a 24-acres open space park on 28th and S. [...]
Sep 112012
Cick on either image for a full sized view of the proposals After 15 years of advocating for a new park in Little Village Park 553 is on its way. Last night the Chicago Park District introduced two concept ideas for Park 553. The Park will be built on a 23 acre former Superfund Site [...]
Nov 162011
The weekend of November 4th, LVEJO took a group of volunteers to Knox College in Galesburg for a conference called ‘Beaming Bioneers.’ The ideology behind Bioneers is that nature and social justice are connected. The conference addressed issues such as the future of food, education, and how these two topics relate to the overall health [...]
Nov 092011
The mood could not have been better as the Urban Land Volunteers gathered around the table on the second floor of the restaurant “La Justicia” for their joint dinner. Everything was falling into place, it seemed, as the local news channel reported on our story right before we had our first spoonful of food. Gathering [...]
Park-poor community’s first new green spaces in 80 years advance local solutions to obesity, climate change One will host soccer fields and walking trails. The other will host organic beans and tomatoes. Both are former contaminated sites that comprise the first new green spaces in more than 80 years in a community that ranks second-worst [...]
The perfect weather accompanied the perfect setting as LVEJO’s staff and volunteers hurriedly set up the makeshift venue on the 30th block of Lawndale, adjacent to what is to become a community park. Tents, tables, chairs, skate ramps, and a full stage marked the site of the organizations annual Green For The People fest which [...]
There are many things in Little Village for which we are very proud to have in large numbers. Some of those things are large number of families, gardeners, youth, murals, restaurants, businesses etc. but “open space” is not one of them. In fact our community only has one park for its 10,000 residents which makes [...]
Jun 102011
There’s more than meets the eye on the 31st block of St. Louis than just the local neighborhood bar, La Roka. In a block where squad cars and detectives are the “norm”, one might miss the beautiful gardens which bloom from behind the 2 flats homes. Nestled cozily between these dwellings is the modest neat home of Sofia Gutierrez, a familiar [...]
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime” - Unknown Author. Wiser words could not have been spoken as we relate this same Chinese proverb to the recent work our organizers have accomplished at the Gary Elementary School (3740 W. 31st). As [...]
