Today, I visited the Greater Auburn Gresham Community Development Corporation (GAGDC). Led by Executive Director Carlos Nelson, we experienced the history, architecture, culture, and needs of the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. The community, located on Chicago’s south side, is the 71st community area. GAGDC sees the development of relationships as integral to community organizing.
They focus on comprehensive community development by connecting the history of the community to its present and future. Namely, Mr. Nelson shared with us eight of GAGDC priorities in developing the community: encourage local business ownership and generate jobs for youth and young adults; promote Auburn Gresham through a broad-based publicity program; develop housing that accommodates all levels of income and special needs while preserving existing housing; focus development on 79th Street and into compact business clusters that are pedestrian-and-transit-friendly; develop a “transit village” near Winneconna Parkway; improve the quality of education for all people of all ages and help students and parents maximize the school experience, strengthen support systems for health and social services, safety and workforce development; and make enjoyment of the arts, culture and open space part of the of the Auburn Gresham way of life. Through relationships with their State Senator, Jacqueline Y. Collins, and numerous other partnerships among the community’s religious, educational, and political leaders, GAGDC seeks to fulfill all of their goals over the next five years.
The majority of our time with Mr. Nelson and the GAGDC was spent praising the assets, accomplishments, and developments of Auburn Gresham. When the south side of Chicago is presented in local and national news, it is always about the tragedies and obscenities. The GAGDC seemed to be tactically celebrating the marvels of their south side neighborhood in order to restore its reputation. By emphasizing such developments, progress does not seem hopeless, nor does the investment in the neighborhood’s progress seem a waste of time. This tactic — advertise the strengths and areas of improvement — is unique and seemingly effective in community organizing.
