Located 10 miles south of downtown Chicago, South Chicago is situated along the shores of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Calumet River. The neighborhood sits at the intersection of rail, water and road infrastructure and it boasts beautiful parks such as Bessemer Park.
South Chicago has seen its share of demographic shifts. Today, it is home to about 29,000 people, about 76 percent of whom are Black and 20 percent are Latinx. Once a booming industrial center for immigrants, deindustrialization has left this neighborhood with a 61 percent low income rate. However, the City of Chicago and community organizations are championing ambitious redevelopment plans with the announcement of the New Southworks, a 440-acre mixed-use development.
South Chicago became a center for industry in the late 19th century. During the 1893 World’s Fair, many immigrants were drawn to Chicago, the fastest growing city in America, as residents found work in the plants along the Calumet River, most notably the South Works of North Chicago Rolling Mill Company. The U.S. Steel Corporation acquired South Works in 1901 and provided steel for many high-profile construction projects, including the Willis (Sears) Tower. The plant was shuttered in 1992, and the community has faced deindustrialization.
Launched in 2016, the South Chicago Neighborhood Network is currently compromised of 20 community groups who include local block club members, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and higher education institutions. United Way partnered with Claretian Associates, a faith-based community development organization, as the backbone organization for the network.
Community development plan calls for new parks, streetscapes, community centers, and 400 units of affordable housing.
Neighborhood Network in Action
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.
The South Chicago Neighborhood Network’s focus on creating a trauma-informed community has been been amplified through key partnerships, trainings, and programs.
Select “next” to learn more about the Network’s coalition highlights.
Recognition and Partnerships
2020 Pritzker Traubert Foundation Chicago Prize Finalist.
Partnered with Advocate Aurora Health to provide health and wellness screenings within the community.
Hosted corporate partners and individual donors for community tour.
Trainings and Programs
Offered ACEs training to 177 Chicago Public School teachers and safe passage workers.
Hosted Café Talk sessions to discuss trauma in the community.
Held First Responders training to teach residents how to provide help and support until police and paramedics arrive after incidents of violence.
371 people participated in trauma-informed trainings and events.
228 people increased their awareness of
trauma-informed practices.
Created new play spaces, including a playground and a pop-up Play Streets installation.
In 2017, the Network hosted United for the Holidays, providing 480 coats, 600 toys, 100 hats and gloves, and 650 gift cards to families in South Chicago.
Target back-to-school shopping spree participant South Chicago father of two
“This is what our community needs. We need organizations that actually care for our students and are willing to provide options that we don’t have and to give us a financial lift. This helps a lot.”