ELGIN

As of the 2020 census, Elgin had a total population of 114,797, making it the sixth largest city in Illinois.

As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2023, Elgin will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years.

The Elgin Neighborhood Network has promising plans and vision for strengthening their local community, plus they have a high degree of readiness to succeed in implementing the Neighborhood Network model. 

Englewood

Englewood is one of the 77 official community areas in Chicago and is located on Chicago’s South Side.

The Englewood Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing plans and vision for strengthening its local communities, stakeholder and funder interest, and Teamwork Englewood’s high degree of readiness for implementing the model.

Far South

Approximately 98% of residents are people of color, and more than 65% are unemployed or not in the labor market.

The Far South Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing plans and vision, strong community leadership, stakeholder and funder interest, the proposed expansion of the Red Line, and the Far South Chicago Coalition’s high degree of readiness for implementing the Neighborhood Network model.

Garfield Park

A predominantly Black community with more than 50% of households in Garfield Park earn less than $25,000 annually.

The Garfield Park Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing coalition and articulated vision for strengthening the Garfield Park community.

Auburn Gresham

A predominantly Black community with many of the residents having experienced disinvestment, resulting in a 55 percent low income rate.

The Auburn Gresham Neighborhood Network is using catalytic development to jumpstart local economic growth and create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Increased access to healthcare, a growing green economy, and affordable housing will strengthen the neighborhood significantly.

Austin

Divestment & inequality in the 1960s sent real estate prices plummeting. Today, 57% of the population is low income.

Austin is moving towards its goal of providing high-quality learning opportunities to low-income children and ensuring residents have access to living wage employment and a pathway to homeownership.

Blue Island/Robbins

The two communities are 41 percent Latinx, 38 percent Black and 17 percent white. The low income rate for Blue Island is approximately 19% and Robbins is approximately 39%.

The Blue Island /Robbins Neighborhood Network is committed to creating a more vibrant community for every resident by improving household incomes, access to quality health care, and access to healthy foods.

Brighton Park

Home to about 45,000 residents, 83 percent of whom identify as Latinx. Today, 58 percent of the population is considered low income.

As a result, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Network was established in 2012. The coalition now has 40 partners that include schools, hospitals, social service providers, city departments, elected officials, and small businesses.

Bronzeville

Home to about 68,000 people, of which approximately 78 percent are Black.

The Bronzeville Neighborhood Network is addressing the community’s needs through a multi-pronged approach to reduce violence and increase healthy living opportunities.

Cicero

Home to about 83,000 people, primarily of Latinx descent.

In 2004, members of the Cicero community created the Cicero Youth Task Force (CYTF) to address the root causes of gang violence. Over the next decade, the group engaged parents, schools and the local police department in their efforts to create a safer community. United Way joined with CYTF in 2016 to create the Cicero Neighborhood Network, renaming to become the Cicero Community Collaborative. In 2018, Cicero was selected as one of four communities nationwide to receive the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.

Evanston

Median household incomes are approximately $30,000 in the least affluent areas yet more than $100,000 in the most affluent areas. 26 percent of Evanston residents are low income.

Using a “collective impact” strategy, The Evanston Neighborhood Network, with lead partner Evanston Cradle to Career, is using a “collective impact” strategy to overcome the obstacles that have created long-standing inequities by identifying gaps, challenging systems, and building trust among all facets of their community.

Little Village

Home to about 75,000 people—a largely Latinx population. Decades of systemic disinvestment have lead to a 67 percent low-income rate.

The Little Village Neighborhood Network, now composed of 33 actively participating agencies, is committed to supporting the health and well-being of residents in Little Village and Marshall Square.

South Chicago

Once a booming industrial center for immigrants, deindustrialization has left this neighborhood with a 61 percent low income rate.

The South Chicago Neighborhood Network is focused on improving the safety of the community by reducing domestic and gun violence. In partnership with local schools and nonprofit agencies, South Chicago is committed to creating a trauma-informed community that is dedicated to supporting a culture of care for residents impacted by violence.

West Chicago

Over the past few decades, many Latinx families have settled in West Chicago, and they now compose 53 percent of the population. While these are all positive indicators, 37.5 percent of the population remains low income.

Hyatt Regency Chicago,
Crystal Ballroom, West Tower
151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago

Wednesday, June 22, 2023
11:30am–1:30pm

For more information, please visit pjhchicago.com

Questions?
Please email Molly McDonald at
mmcdonald@pjhchicago.com

Emmy kickstarted her career with a BFA in visual communications from the Illinois Institute of Art, later parlaying it into a creative position in advertising at one of Chicago’s marquee agencies. There she earned her commercial stripes in branding and packaging before breaking away to pursue work as an independent artist. She’s since spent the past decade adorning public spaces across Chicago and beyond while continuing to nurture her studio practice. And with current work that includes everything from illustration, lettering, and canvas work to branding, packaging, and murals, she continues to evolve both her mediums and methods.

At the center of her eclectic and diverse portfolio are a whole host of creative partnerships with iconic brands such as Sharpie, Chicago Bulls, Lululemon, Yeti, RedBull, Delta, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Vital Proteins, Foxtrot and Soho House. They tap Emmy for her signature style, which is both extroverted and introspective. She employs fresh colors, intentional layering, and emotive line work to create one-of-a-kind elemental experiences that drive wonder, spark connection, and encourage presence.

To date, her work has lived in a host of iconic public spaces from Times Square to Miami’s Wynwood Art District and beyond. And while her scope continues to expand, so does her artistic vision. Her current studio practice is focused on the concept of the Inner Child, highlighting the joy, spontaneity, and fearlessness synonymous with our younger selves. This work serves as a visual journey back to self where our purest forms of playfulness, creative confidence, and imagination come forward.

Learn more at emmystarbrown.com