South Chicago New Communities Program

Artist Zebedee Rivera (left) and youth from Arnold Mireles Academy celebrate the completion of their mural, whcih was created with support from the South Chicago NCP program.

Claretian Associates is the lead agency in South Chicago for the New Communities Program, a program of LISC/Chicago to support long-term comprehensive community development in 16 targeted Chicago communities, including South Chicago.

We work closely with the community to implement South Chicago’s quality of life plan that includes creating partnerships to address issues including employment, health care, housing, commercial development and education.

  • 2009 brings collaborations & successes for South Chicago

    South Chicago’s New Communities Program – led by Claretian Associates – leveraged over $420,000 in the community during 2009. Over 5,000 people attended 164 collaborative community events making an impact in the arts, community gardens, youth activities and so much more.

  • 2009 summer program employs 117 local youth

    For the second year, Claretian Associates led the Youth Ready Chicago summer youth employement program. This year, we placed 117 youth at 27 job sites including the DuSable Museum of African American History, Little Black Pearl, South Chicago Chamber of Commerce, among others.

  • South Chicago's Quality of Life Plan - download it here!

    Claretian Associates' New Communities Program is guided by its 5-year Quality of Life plan, created by the community over several months in 2007. Two task forces comprised of local leaders developed this combination quality-of-life and arts-in-action plan for South Chicago. The groups worked together to develop the strategies and projects in the plan.

  • "Nosey Neighbor" campaign supports innovative safety initiatives

    Recent performances of The 63rd Street Drummers along Commercial Avenue help to reclaim corners that are often havens for crime and gang activity. Our Nosey Neighbor campaign, an initiative of our South Chicago New Communities Program, works to decrease violence, crime and gang activity in South Chicago through block clubs, anti-gang initiatives, safe havens and other innovative methods.

  • New video captures 'History from the Mill'

    A grant from the South Chicago New Communities Program allowed Metropolitan Family Services to work with local high school students and community groups to capture retired steel workers' fascinating stories.