NCP Programs

The New Communities Program staff are committed to working on issue-driven activites and events that engage the entire community.  Our activites and events involve all age groups and include a range of programs. 

Current community council issue areas have been outlined below.

• Youth Empowerment Network, 'Green Teens': Green Teens is a unique after-school program that innovatively combines horticulture and entrepreneurship. Teens learn and apply the fundamentals of plant science and gardening to create and market natural, botanically inspired products, which are then sold in the Garfield Park Conservatory gift shop. Green Teens instills teens with marketable job skills that have value in the workplace and helps them explore new and exciting career opportunities.
• Education, 'Education Network': The Network monitors the academic and programmatic progress of our local schools.  Partnerships with Local School Councils are maintained in an effort to add accountability and parental input into educational curricula.                               
• Housing and Foreclosure Prevention, 'Foreclosure Response': Working in conjunction with the Concerned Citizens of East Garfield Park (CCEGP) and Bethel New Life, the GPCA has partnered with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) to establish a walk-in tenant counseling center to serve Westside rsidents.  Located at 4006 W Lake Street, the Garfield Park Housing Resource Center, has trained professionals on hand to provide individual counseling on rental issues, organize workshops for tenants and landlords, and to provide referrals for obtaining legal and social service assistance.  Programs for property owners facing foreclosure are also being offered.  
• Health Programs and Classes, 'Healthy Communities, Healthy People': Beginning in the Fall 2007, the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and community partners established the Healthy Communities/ Healthy People Walkforce program to encourage community residents to live healthier lives.  Funded by grants from the 'Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund' and 'Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Foundation', the program focuses on obesity and diabetes reduction, and other health conditions that adversely affect the mortality rates in our community.  We offer residents a holistic approach to preventing and managing chronic health problems while promoting community togetherness, stress relief, exercise, and fun. 
• Open Space, 'Green Spaces, Green Jobs': The GPCA continues to support local neighbors dedicated toward improving their block by creating public open space.  We have secured small grants available to help cover the costs of fencing, plant materials, tools and signage.  Local community members have established several gardens including those located on Maypole, Central Park, Walnut, Richmond and California Avenues.  We have also partnered with Safer Foundation to create a workforce development program that will provide job training and employment to 50 ex-offenders over the next two years.
• Business and Commercial, 'Garfield Park Retail and Real Estate Initiative': The Initiative is both a resource center and a community promotion platform working to leverage the community's residential growth to jumpstart local retail development. Marketing assistance, business consultation and commercial property owner services are provided to members of the Garfield Park Business Network. No-cost seminars and workshops for local organizations and businesses are held regularly.