AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/quality-of-life-plan/)
In its first year, the campaign to improve Austin garnered $13 million in investments. That includes a record $10 million gift from BMO Bank. “It’s been a really momentous year. There’s been a lot of success,” said Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together. The nonprofit, launched in 2010, is the driving force behind the quality-of-life plan.
One of the experts featured in “FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence” is Jermaine Harris, a community policing sergeant in the Chicago Department’s 15th District, who talks about using social justice as a means of supporting the Austin community. The series launches Nov. 12 on WTTW.
The donadtion – the largest corporate gift in United Way of Metro Chicago’s history – will be used to help implement Austin’s quality of life plan and to support social service infrastructure and development in the city’s most-populated community area. The investment was announced last week at an event hosted by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and attended by several local elected officials.
The Project Stamp photo project, organized by the local non-profit Alt Space Chicago, documents everyday residents in their community. With help from Austin Coming Together, the group will soon be displaying the images throughout Austin.
After years of work involving dozens of West Side residents, the spotlight will be on the plan from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 15. The event – organized by Austin Coming Together – will be held at Michele Clark High School, 5101 W. Harrison St.
The seven working groups will meet from Feb. 26 through March 7 at Austin Coming Together’s offices at 5049 W. Harrison. The working groups are: public safety, youth, housing, civil engagement, education, economic development and community narrative.
Austin Coming Together invited community members to vote on initiatives for a quality-of-life plan being devised for the West Side neighborhood.
The focus should be on showing West Side residents that students can receive an equitable and well-resourced education at Austin’s existing high schools, writes resident Dwayne Truss.