The Greater Chatham Initiative was formed in 2016 and aims to grow the Chicago communities of Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing, Avalon Park, and Auburn Gresham. The goal of the initiative is to build economic growth and neighborhood vitality to create communities of opportunity and choice.
The Greater Chatham community was known for economic stability but in recent years has been confronted with new challenges. A “shrinking” middle class, increasing violence, a “foreclosure” crisis, and the migration of lower-income and skilled populations seeing better housing and quality of life have challenged the Greater Chatham Initiative to create a plan to capitalize on its assets; a skilled workforce, thriving business and consumer services and affordable housing options.
Executive Director of the Greater Chatham Initiative, Nedra Simms Fears says the Initiative is focused on four areas include housing, business development, workforce development, and public safety.
Chicago Defender: In narrowing down these four areas, what are the goals of the Greater Chatham Initiative, and how are you working towards achieving these goals?
Nedra Simms Fears: I’m most pleased with the work we have done in the housing arena. Our housing sales are up significantly. We have 27 neighborhoods trying to attract people to their areas. To capture their attention, we hosted a variety of different housing tours and partnering with local realtors and neighborhood housing services, and other non-profits. We are still 30% below where the City of Chicago is but we have come a long way from where we were.
Chicago Defender: What are the plans for economic development in the Greater Chatham community?
Nedra Simms Fears: We are focusing on a couple of different industries. One being food packaging and processing. 50% of all businesses on the south side are food-based businesses. Two years ago we started working with about 18 restaurants that anchor our corridors such as restaurant row on 75th and King Drive. We worked with all of those restaurants, none of them closed, they are all doing well. We were able to give them access to a variety of loans and grants in addition to PPP loans.
With COVID and the adverse effects of civil unrest, we have more boarded-up retail space, especially along Cottage Grove, 29th, 87th, and 71st street. We want to create areas for more restaurants, dining, and entertainment in these areas.
Chicago Defender: I also noticed many of the larger stores are returning like Walmart and Walgreens.
Nedra Simms Fears: Yes. That was so important. 40% of the population in this community does not have a car. This made life more difficult in 2020 because banks, grocery stores, and pharmacies were closed down in our communities. We are happy the major retailers made a commitment to come back. These are important four our quality of life. The Greater Chatham Initiative is working to bring more businesses to our community.
Chicago Defender: The Greater Chatham Initiative covers a large area of the Southside. How can residents get more involved?
Nedra Simms Fears: All residents are welcome to join our committees. We have a housing committee for single-family homeowners and another for investors. We also have a public safety committee. Residents can volunteer and participate in our local events. We send out a newsletter with all of our events and activities.
We are also working with a restorative justice program through a contract with the City of Chicago. To date, we have trained over 1000 adults and children. It’s important when we look at public safety in our neighborhoods. In restorative practices, we have restorative conversations. To hear a different perspective, how to address trauma, how to forgive and become better and more empathetic listens also teaches us how to be better neighbors to one another. That type of self-regulation and reflection can transform a neighborhood.
To learn more about The Greater Chatham Initiative please visit their website.
Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer based in Chicago. Find her on social media @DanieSanders20 and @DanieSandersOfficial.
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