Samantha Happ

Asset Map Assignment

EXPL 390: Social Justice Internship
March 23, 2016
ENGLEWOOD
When researching Englewood, a south side neighborhood I hear of often in my social
services work, I found it difficult to find resources or news stories or statistics that didnt open
with phrases such as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago or murder capital
neighborhood in the murder capital city. I can see why so many associate Englewood as being
da hood, as the El map (below) illustrates for us.

The first 3 pages of google hits when I type in Englewood show news stories of murder,
gang violence and drug warfare this makes it hard to believe that anything good happens in
Englewood, no matter the time of day. One of Englewoods young residents stated in a news
story, Nothin good happens here. Never. Its not that nothing good happens after midnight,
as my suburban parents used to warn, its that the city believes that nothing positive can ever
come out of such a violent community. And while Im not a member of this community nor have
I ever been a member of a community associated with extreme violence, I cant help but imagine
that this city-wide view of whats happening in da hood negatively impacts the perspectives of
those that live in the community. And when you dont believe that your community has anything
to offer, as the young man in the news story demonstrated, its easy to let things go from bad to
worse.
But what this young resident failed to recognize, or at least mention in his news story, is that
good things do happen in Englewood; theyre happening right now. Perhaps the greatest
achievement that this community has accomplished is recognizing what it needs, and by
mobilizing its people to do something about it. Like Dr. McKnight mentions in his lecture on
Asset Based Community Development, the recognition of the problems must come from within,

and the efforts to address the problems also need to utilize the strengths and talents of the
members of the community, not outside forces.
From my research and time spent in Englewood, Ive come to recognize that Englewood
citizens know exactly what their community needs and are making strides to deliver it
themselves. Being a small neighborhood in a massive city, its almost impossible to not have
outside help, which Englewood absolutely has. But whats unique about this community is that
its residents are harnessing its weaknesses to bring change themselves. I see tremendous hope in
the Englewood community, and I think the community itself does, too. Its assets are growing,
and as the conversation shifts less from Englewood being defined as Chicagos Most Violent
Neighborhood and more towards a developing Chicago neighborhood, we can begin to see
the community as one of hope.
Ive chosen to identify the following 12 assets, surrounding the theme of access to resources.
To me, social justice and community development are inextricably linked in the area of access to
opportunity and access to resources. Research concludes that the most underdeveloped
neighborhoods and communities are some of the poorest; poverty limits access to resources and
opportunities, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty, leading to unemployment, higher rates of
incarceration and low educational attainment. I had a hard time picking just one area of assets
that belong to Englewood; instead, I chose to focus on eleven organizations, individuals and
institutions that I believe are equipping Englewood with access to opportunity and resources to
better the community as a whole.
COMMUNITY ASSETS: Neighborhood of Englewood (Chicago, IL)
1. Crushers Club
Sally Hazelgrove, a resident of Englewood, recognized that violence and drug use ran
rampant in her community. Seeing neighborhood boys some as young as 11 and 12 shot and
killed over gang affiliation and drugs, she created Crushers Club, a non-profit Boxing Club,
teaching and empowering the youth of Englewood to support at-risk kids to become
healthy, successful adults. The center began as a music project, allowing young boys to
spend their afternoons (the heaviest time for crime) in a recording studio to produce rap
music rather than partake in criminal activity. The center also provides mentorship and
counseling, tutoring and boxing lessons to channel aggression in ways other than gun
violence. Ms. Hazelgrove is also working to create a kitchen/restaurant, to train the youth in
culinary skills for potential employment, while also serving meals as a way to bring the
community together.
I had the immense privilege of meeting Ms. Hazelgrove and a few young residents of
Englewood that utilize the club. Their stories of life before and after regularly attending the Club
were evidence that Ms. Hazelgrove had given something of infinite value to her community; she
had given the youth positive mentors, an outlet for their stress, the ability to be creative, and the
opportunity to come together. She says shes seen incredible success since the Clubs inception in
terms of reduced violence among Englewood teens and a more channeled focus to make their

community better. Crushers Club, in my opinion, and in the opinion of hundreds of teens that use
the Club and their parents, is an invaluable asset to the Englewood community.
2. Teamwork Englewood
Teamwork Englewood is an organization created with the goal to unite the many
organizations serving Englewood residents and work toward the common goal of
building a stronger community ("Teamwork Englewood | About Us"). . In
2003, it drafted a Quality of Life Plan using input from its residents, which
helped create a path towards success for the community. It offers countless
programs, all that address the needs of the community, including: re-entry programs, youth
empowerment programs, computer training and digital competence, scholarships, a community
garden and community events, just to name a few.
3. Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.).
Per the description on their website, R.A.G.E. stands for the Resident Association of Greater
Englewood, a resident-driven association established to build relationships with fellow residents,
Englewoods public officials, business owners and organizations. R.A.G.E. is a grassroots
organization that strategizes to address community problems, creates tangible solutions (holistic
and block by block) and actively seeks ways to keep fellow residents informed about the latest
news in Englewood, Chicago. A need for change in Chicagos Englewood community is
apparent and a voice for the community is long overdue. R.A.G.E. is the voice
speaking out to empower, educate, uplift and motivate fellow residents and stake
holders on many of the issues that face the community ("R.A.G.E. | About.") I think
this description speaks for itself as to why the association is an incredible asset to the
community. Its bringing community members together to address internal issues and
create solutions this organization seems to epitomize Asset Based Community
Development, and Im not even sure they know it.
4. Growing Home
Englewood is currently thought of as a food desert, though that stereotype can change.
Englewood is emerging as the center of Chicago's urban farm initiative, with
farmland coming from two miles of abandoned railroad line and 100 acres of cityowned parcels. Three agricultural groups are already operating farms, one of
which sells produce to high-end restaurants downtown as well as to residents on
the South Side (Guarino, 2013). By equipping the community with the ability to
grow and produce their own healthy food, it eliminates dependency, and can contribute to a
healthier neighborhood when access to nutritious food becomes more available. This farm
initiative also has another goal - it provides 25 hours per week of paid on-the-job experience
and job-readiness training at our farms, plus the support to conquer issues like criminal records,
medical needs, child-care, and housing and deeply values self-sufficiency (Growing Home |
Supporting Healthy People & Communities). Not only is it providing the community with the
tools and skills to create healthy food options, its also providing jobs, training and support to
give the community the strength to lift itself up.

5. Englewood Community Cafe

An independent espresso bar, the neighborhood's first, used not just for selling coffee, but
also for holding art exhibits, community meetings, and other events (Guarino,
2013). Simply providing safe meeting and gathering spaces that promote
discussion, creativity and collaboration can have an enormous effect on the
development of the community. I strongly believe that by bringing an independent
coffee shop to the area, it will help the community economically and strengthen its
bonds socially, as well.
6. Kennedy-King College
This two-year community college, located on 63rd in the heart of Englewood, is an incredible
asset to the community. The sole factor of having an institution of higher education
within the community is key when determining how to increase access to
resources and opportunities within the neighborhood itself. One of the issues that
Englewood is currently dealing with is population loss; by having a college within
the community, it provides the ability for community members to receive an
education within its bounds, to hopefully then utilize that education to bring
services to the community. Kennedy-King Colleges degree programs are
expanding, and with a recent focus on primary education, hopefully more Englewood residents
will have received high school degrees and will choose to pursue higher education.
WKKC, the Kennedy-King radio station, also has launched a weekly segment called Whats
Good in Englewood to share the stories of hope and kindness that are abundant in the
Englewood community. When the media paints the image of the community as one of violence
and disorder, this is one way the community can reclaim its image to be what it wants to be
perceived as (Guarino, 2013).
7. Hometown heroes

of

Dr. McKnight suggests that the individuals are a communitys greatest asset.
Englewood has produced quite a few outstanding individuals, all of whom are
evidence that Englewood community members can do great things. Some notable
Englewood residents include Derrick Rose, Jennifer Hudson, and Chaka Khan, all
whom have maintained ties to their former neighborhood.
8. Earle STEM Academy & Lindblom Math and Sciences Academy

Both of these STEM focused schools have provided kids with access and opportunity to
science and math, two growing fields. Both schools are producing incredible students,
some who have gone on to become Gates scholars in college, receiving full-tuition
scholarships. Earle has also mobilized the community to save its clubs and after school
activities, at risk of being cut due to budget, in order to provide students with
opportunities that stretch beyond the classroom. Both schools are working to change the system
of education within the neighborhood, and better equip their students for success.

9. Englewood Community Portal

The Englewood Community Portal is a neighborhood news website, and launched a
speakers series called Shop Talk, with monthly events at Powells Barber Shop on 63rd
Street. The common goal of Shop Talk, the radio segment is connecting the South Side
communitys assets in order to discuss solutions, instead of being crippled by the steady
stream of bad news that dominates the mainstream portrayal of the neighborhood
(Gaurino, 2013).
10. Wentworth Elementary
The principal [of Wentworth Elementary] has created an open door policy
allowing for successful adult African-American men from the community to
come into the school and talk to classes, similar to a career day (Erbentraut,
2014). This provides positive images of what black community members are
going on to do; to provide hope and encourage hard work.
11. Whole Foods
I struggled whether or not to identify Whole Foods opening of a new store in Englewood
(Sep. 2016) as an asset or gentrification. But after talking to Englewood residents at Catholic
Charities, I realized that the addition of a high-end, organic grocery store was actually welcomed
by many. The grocery store intentionally chose the neighborhood, commonly
seen as a food desert, for its newest Chicagoland location. But its doing
something interesting lower prices, Englewood-grown produce, and
employing members of the community the business model does seek to
address the issues of the community. And while its an outside force coming in
I think it counts as an asset to the Englewood community, because its
providing access to resources (fresh, nutritious food at more affordable rates) and
access to opportunities (jobs, cooking classes, information about healthy lifestyles). In addition,
Whole Foods donated $100,000 to start up Growing Home, which will be the chief provider of
produce to the Englewood store (Erbentraut, 2014).. By utilizing the assets of the community, I
think that Whole Foods has the ability to benefit the community. However, it must be careful not
to create a culture of dependency and become a greater source of poverty in the community/

12. West Englewood Library

Libraries, in my opinion, are some of the best resources in communities. While this library
has negative reviews, its still a library (and also improvement can be discussed at community
forums woo!!! (Mentioned later)). Libraries offer access to computers, books, other
print and electronic resources, classes, open spaces, homework help, research
assistance, etc.
Not only can community members utilize library resources for their own interests, the
resources can also be used as tools for growth and change! A lot of community organizing

happens at libraries, and with a little work and commitment to the goal, the West Englewood
Library can play a huge role the evolution of the Englewood community.

ACTION PLAN & EXPLANATION

Disclaimer: Im not a member of the Englewood community, and I think that thats the first and
most important thing to realize when examining my role in the creation of this hypothetical
action plan. I am an outsider to this community, and while Ive conducted research, that doesnt
equate to lived experience, and I think thats important to mention. I think that the members of a
community will always be best at determining the assets for the community and what the
community needs. However, I still value the importance of an objective, outside opinion to
provide a course of action to be adapted based on how the community sees fit.
Action Plan:
1. Teamwork Englewood reexamines the 2003 Quality of Life Plan to evaluate the
progress of the community in reaching the goals set out for itself.
2. The Resident Association of Greater Englewood and Teamwork Englewood convene to
discuss engaging the community in talks about areas for growth.
3. R.A.G.E engages WKKC (radio station at Kennedy King) and the Englewood
Community Portal to publicize meetings and a community forum to discuss the
communitys goals and needs. R.A.G.E. also publicizes these community meetings on
fliers in the Englewood Community Caf.
4. Community forums are held in the West Englewood Library, R.A.G.E, Kennedy King
College and the Englewood Community Caf to get feedback from residents.
5. Schools ( ) launch a campaign for students that prompts, My wish for my community is
___. Schools can send student representatives to a Young Leaders of Englewood
community forum held at Kennedy King.
6. Crushers Club asked to write and perform a rap regarding the current state of Englewood
and their hope for their community at the Young Leaders of Englewood community
forum.
7. A community day/block party is hosted in the late summer or early Fall (post-Whole
Foods opening) that promotes local businesses and healthy lifestyles. Growing Home and
the Englewood community caf would have tents/stands, and Whole Foods would
sponsor the event. Residents can sign up for library cards, training at Teamwork
Englewood, information on Kennedy-King College, and other resources available to
community members. This would also be a great opportunity to try to have the
hometown heroes make an appearance or say something for the event. Also,
information regarding community forums and visions for a better Englewood should be
available. The students project in their schools and the Crushers Club rap would also be
a part of the days events.
8. Post-block party, another community forum would be held, hopefully with new
community members that want to be involved in Englewoods growth and

transformation. This forum would serve as a goal setting meeting, a tangible step-by-step
process of how to get the community to where it wants to be.
Explanation:
This action plan doesnt solve the injustices that Englewood is experiencing, but I dont think
that it necessarily should. No amount of research could educate me enough to tell the Englewood
community what they should do. Instead, I think this action plan seeks to get to the core of
McKnights argument that people are the greatest asset in a community. By focusing on the
individuals that compose Englewood, its taking a more permanent and holistic approach. Simply
focusing on institutions and organizations is a band-aid; change comes from reaching the people
to enact change themselves.
This action plan also seeks to do something very simple, but something that I believe the
community could benefit from: taking advantage of the resources it has available to it. Ill be the
first to admit that Englewood is denied access to many opportunities and resources; but in order
to change that, itll have to utilize the resources it already has. By joining together the
community and different resources it already has available, I think its a fool-proof (however
slow it may be) of building a stronger community. And above all, I think thats what matters
most.

Works Cited

Erbentraut, Joseph. "Dont Believe Everything Youve Heard About Chicagos Most Dangerous
Neighborhood." Huff Post Black Voices. The Huffington Post, 23 May 2014. Web.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/23/whats-good-inenglewood_n_5360688.html>.
Guarino, Mike. "Can This Chicago Community Be Saved? Hope Rises in Englewood." The
Christian Science Monitor. N.p., 22 Sept. 2013. Web. <a.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2013/0922/Can-this-Chicago-community-besaved-Hope-rises-in-Englewood>.
McKnight, J. (2011, October 10). ABCD 101. Retrieved from
http://www.abundantcommunity.com/home/videos/abcd_101.htm
"R.A.G.E. | About." RAGE. Resident Association of Greater Englewood, n.d. Web. 17 Mar.
2016. <http://ragenglewood.org/>.
Samovar, Larry A., and Richard E. Porter. "Understanding Whiteness in the United States by
Judith N. Martin." Intercultural Communication: A Reader. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth,
1994. N. pag. Print.
"Teamwork Englewood | About Us." Teamwork Englewood. Englewood Portal, n.d. Web. 17
Mar. 2016. <http://www.teamworkenglewood.org/index.html>.