NHS Hosts 9th Annual Neighborhood Leadership Awards Six inspiring Chicagoland neighborhood heroes were honored for their commitment to making a difference in their communities. Nearly 250 civic, community and corporate leaders attended the recent Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago’s (NHS) 9th annual Neighborhood Leadership Awards.
From a community center on the South Side stepping up to provide a safe space for at-risk youth, to the West Side where a persistent resident was able to get a building that was once a source of gang and drug activity vacated. The honorees’ stories are proof that together we can make a difference, block by block in communities throughout the city.
This year’s honorees represent NHS’ neighborhood revitalization efforts in the following communities:
Chicago Lawn – Keana Lindo was honored for her efforts to strengthen her community. For more than a decade she has actively supported her community as a parent mentor and recently participated in efforts to foster better police accountability.
Englewood – The P.E.A.C.E. Community Center was recognized for their efforts to provide a safe space for youth. The organization plays an instrumental role in assisting with violence reduction efforts in the community. The Peace is also known for being a full-service CEDA Energy Assistance Site under Action Coalition of Englewood Organization (ACE).
North Lawndale – North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council was honored for moving the needle on development within a community that has been overlooked for many years and spearheading the first comprehensive plan for North Lawndale in more than 50 years.
Chatham/Park Manor – Darlene Tribue, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater Chatham Initiative was honored for her leadership in establishing the Chatham Chicago Connection, a resource for businesses in the area.
West Humboldt Park – Leticia Segura was recognized for her community leadership efforts in the 11th District CAPS Program. It was through her persistence that a building that was once a source of drug and gang activity in the neighborhood has been vacated and is in the process of being rehabbed.
Woodlawn – Terrance Miller is a lifelong Woodlawn resident and pastor who was honored for dedication to his community, including the creation of a program that provides free suits and mentoring support services to men who are unemployed, underemployed and returning citizens.
Sponsors of NHS’ State of NHS and 9th annual Neighborhood Leadership Awards included: main sponsor, State Farm; drink sponsor, Revolution Brewing; community champion, Preservation for Affordable Housing; and neighborhood champion, Chicago Community Loan Fund.
3Arts awardees
Earlier this month, 3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, awarded 10 artists with $25,000 cash grants. Five out of 10 of the 3Arts Awardees were African American: T. Ayo Alston; Brittany “BrittanE” Edwards; Ben LaMar Gay; Elgin Bokari T. Smith; Anna Martine Whitehead.
Other awardees included: Leida “Lady Sol” Garcia, Sandra Delgado, Christine Pascual, Dianna Frid and Huong Ngô.
The 3Arts Awards celebration honored 10 artists with $25,000 cash grants and 10 additional artists with $1,000 grants as part of the peer-to-peer giving program, Make A Wave. 3Arts has distributed more than $3 million in total funding to more than 600 Chicago artists over the past 11 years.
