Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicked off Grounds for Peace, the city’s new vacant lot beautification pilot program, focused on restoring 50 vacant lots in the North Lawndale, Woodlawn, and Englewood neighborhoods, in partnership with READI Chicago and employer partner Urban Growers Collective.
Before commencing a press conference announcing the launch of the program, Mayor Lightfoot took time to greet and chat with each READI Chicago participant who will be working on the lots. Throughout the remainder of the year, work crews from each READI Chicago community will beautify and maintain lots while learning and practicing planting, landscaping, and property maintenance skills.
Each of the 50 lots, located in high-crime areas, was chosen in part based on an analysis conducted by the University of Chicago Urban Labs. The pilot program is based on research showing that beautifying and greening vacant lots can decrease violent crime.
“We have a lot of hard work to do to reclaim our neighborhoods from violence,” Mayor Lightfoot said. “Ultimately, that responsibility lies with us. We all have to be in this together, and I’m grateful to see all this hard work.”
Michael, a READI Chicago Englewood participant who will be working on Grounds for Peace, introduced the mayor during the press conference and shared some of his personal story, telling the audience how READI Chicago has impacted his life.
“I never knew that cleaning up trash would help me in the future,” Michael said. “I know how to resolve situations I get into. I know how to turn the other cheek. I know how to lead.”
Marlon Chamberlain, Englewood community project manager for READI Chicago, stressed the importance of employer partners believing in READI Chicago participants, as well as the value meaningful work brings to participants, allowing them to build up their communities from the inside out.
“Violence can only be solved with the help of employers like Urban Growers Collective, who are committed and invested in this population, to remove obstacles for people who are formerly incarcerated,” Chamberlain said. “This collaboration really represents a model to the city of what violence solutions can look like.”
