News & Events from past year

Garfield Park vaccination forum addresses myths, fears: Igor Studenkov, Jan 29, 2021; The Jan. 25 forum was organized by the Garfield Park Wellness Collaborative and the Garfield Park Community Council.
West Side Churches Offer Coronavirus Testing: ‘We Have To Meet The Community Where They Are’: Pascal Sabino, Jan 6, 2021; Rush University Medical Center is coordinating the testing in partnership with a church network that helps address health inequities on the West Side.
Shop Local 2020: An Austin, North Lawndale, Garfield Park Holiday Gift Guide: Pascal Sabino, Nov 25, 2020; Shop local this holiday season at these West Side businesses, featuring regular vendors of the Garfield Park Neighborhood Market and other members of the Hatchery.
The Garfield Park Community Council has a new look!: Laura Wetter, Garfield Park Community Council, Nov 9, 2020; CHICAGO, IL – The Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC) is proud to announce a new visual identity, effective November 9, 2020.
For Generations, The South And West Sides Have Been Shut Out Of Housing Near Public Transit. A New Plan Aims To Change That: Mina Bloom, Sep 16, 2020; "We want to make sure that these transit-oriented projects are led by the community and owned by the community and do not displace people when they get built," one community leader said.
Public Art Installations Meet Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Anna Wolf, Intersections blog by CNT, Sep 2, 2020; Through CNT’s Climate and Cultural Resilience Program, we have had the privilege of working with Ghian, Paola, and several other incredible Chicago residents, artists, designers, landscapers, and community organizations at four sites, including Overton, within a ½ mile of a CTA train stop across the City.
Development Without Gentrification: Garfield Green Housing Plan Aims To Spur Growth, Maintain Affordability On West Side: Pascal Sabino, Block Club Chicago, Aug 19, 2020; Historically, transit-oriented development has been centered in more affluent areas. A new plan for rapidly gentrifying Garfield Park puts longtime residents first.
West Side Market Returns Outdoors Amidst Pandemic: Mariah McBride, The Real Chi, Jul 23, 2020; Despite the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, The Garfield Park Neighborhood Market has officially returned to the West Side this summer.
Arthur Watts’ barbecue helped him build a new life after slavery. Nearly 160 years later, his recipes are helping his family build a business.: Adam Lukach, Chicago Tribune, Jul 15, 2020; Arthur Watts knew his way around an open pit barbecue from the time he was just 6 years old. Born into slavery in the Kansas City, Missouri, area, his job was to manage the cooking fires throughout the plantation.
Matching transit to economic need: Roberto Requejo, Crain's Chicago Business, Jun 4, 2020; We have a new way to develop all neighborhoods without displacing people: equitable transit-oriented development.
A model to prevent a wave of evictions in the wake of coronavirus recession: Curtis Black, The Chicago Reporter, May 13, 2020; A new coalition in East Garfield Park is aiming to head off displacement, gentrification and a land grab by speculators by protecting affordable housing and heeding the lessons of 2008.
New coalition takes aim at displacement: Igor Studenkov, Austin Weekly News, May 7, 2020; The Preserving Affordability Together Garfield Park Housing Coalition seeks to hold developers accountable.
West Side Community Garden Giving Away Raspberry Bushes: Pascal Sabino, Blockclub Chicago, Apr 28, 2020; "If you can walk outside into your yard and eat a few raspberries every day, that's pretty empowering to have control over your own food," said garden manager John Perryman.
Community-led Coronavirus Response: Carolina Macias, Metropolitan Planning Council Blog, Apr 6, 2020; Groups across our city and state have mobilized in offering assistance
Coronavirus Across Chicago: East Garfield Park: Paris Schutz, WTTW News, Apr 1, 2020; All Chicago neighborhoods have been hit hard by shutdowns related to the coronavirus, but lower-income communities that rely on social service organizations are facing a unique set of challenges.
With East Garfield Park Ripe For Gentrification, Residents Draw Up Blueprint To Protect Themselves: Pascal Sabino, Blockclub Chicago, Mar 16, 2020; The community-driven plan was created over the past year in response to rising rents and new development coming to the area.
East Garfield Park residents fight rising home prices to prevent displacement as West Loop developments push west: Sarah Shulte, ABC7, Mar 10, 2020; Home prices in East Garfield Park have increased by 20% in 2018, making it the highest in Chicago.