2024 Annual Report | The SW Collective

A Letter from Us

In a season where divisiveness is the default, it's easy to lose sight of the reason that SWC exists: to unite neighbors in the work of increasing our quality of life on the southwest side.

Thank You

How It Works

Freebies for Families provides a safe space to pick up free necessities, like a sleeve of diapers or a few gently used onesies, connect to wraparound services and meet other parents.

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Parent Snapshot

The parents that count on Freebies for Families are from the greater southwest side, from Gage Park to Garfield Ridge and some of suburban Cook County.

Potential Partnership Opportunity

We aim to improve birth to five health outcomes for southwest side kids, by connecting parents to resources, necessities and each other.

Small Business Support

In the shadow of Midway Airport, it's hard to compete as a small business. National chains, big box stores and franchises come with big budgets and the expertise to scale. We're here to level the playing field.

Subject Matter Experts Take the Lead

Grant funding, from state and county sources, allows us to compensate subject matter experts who prefer to work on a consultatory basis. SMEs provide direct assistance, intervening before a business is forced to close its doors.

Success Story

La Chaparrita #2, Brighton Park

We stopped into La Chaparrita #2, and owner Maria shared that the building and kitchen really needed some upgrades and repair. Maria had taken out two small loans to repair the plumbing leak and electrical box, which needed to be repaired to keep the kitchen in compliance with IDPH regulations. We assisted Maria with her application for the B2B grant and she received an award to offset her costs!

Success Story

Grecia's Bakery,
Gage Park

Maria reached out for assistance with a few things, most importantly, obtaining WBE and MBE status for the bakery, since she recently became the majority owner. We helped her streamline and digitize the bakery finances, make an appointment to set up certification and answered several zoning questions related to her landlord's building. As a result of our help, she was able to purchase another building and open a second location in June 2024.

Potential Partnership Opportunity

We wish to designate our organization as a business development center or similar, in order to continue providing bilingual assistance to start up businesses in our community.

Next Gen Focus: Making Civics Accessible

Young adults have the potential to change history. We just have to light the way.

20%

Average amount of residents in Archer Heights, Brighton Park & Gage Park who are undocumented & unable to vote*

* Source: Chicago Health Atlas & Chicago Board of Elections

Civic Engagement, Modernized

Online surveys, meme-ified talking points, community walks, public forums, and visits to public school classrooms...! These elements all work together to expose multiple points of view - and facilitate respectful, invigorating debates that do not devolve into chaos or end up in an echo chamber.

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Environmental Justice

Offsetting air, noise, and other pollution in a heavily industrial community is no easy feat.

19%

Average tree canopy coverage city wide

* Source: Morton Arboretum

Education and Outreach are Necessary

Trees are a pain point with homeowners, due to the city's past shortcomings with tree pruning. Now that regular prunings are scheduled and requests can be made through 311, we aim to educate & encourage tree requests.

733

trees requested and planted on the southwest side from 2023-4

* Source: Morton Arboretum and CHI 311 entry data

Our Streets Should be Safe for Everyone

Car culture rules the southwest side - and it’s dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers

We responded to the tragic deaths of our neighbors Jiekun Xu and Charlie Mills with a campaign to improve traffic safety on Pulaski. Neighbors, elected officials, media, and transit advocates have all taken notice.

Advocating for Concrete Changes to Our Streets

Working with the Chicago Department of Transportation and local elected officials, we advocated for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure like pedestrian islands and bumpouts on Pulaski—and protected bike lanes on Archer.

Health Equity: Food Access

Our communities face deep-rooted systemic inequity when it comes to food access.

31%

Residents of the southwest side who face low food access (10% higher than the citywide mean)

* Source: Chicago Health Atlas

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Since January 2024

384

Food rescue and redistribution missions

Improving Infrastructure

We have collaborated with several FQHCs, nonprofit organizations and environmental coalitions to provide more 24/7 access points such as fridges and dry food boxes.