Chicago Tribune
February 9, 2011
From Chicago Tribune:
Chicago’s Loop and lakefront get all the attention, but the city’s neighborhoods are its heart and soul.
Last night, at the 17th annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, architects and others were recognized for their efforts to strengthen the city’s communities.
Community design excellence awards went to John Ronan Architects, Booth Hansen, and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture.
Here’s the news release, which was written before last night’s ceremony:
17th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards
Honor City’s Best in Community Development
1,400 Join to Honor Ten Award Winners
CHICAGO, IL – Chicago’s community development world will celebrate its present and future Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Rd.) with the 17th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, recognizing the community leaders, architects, businesses, government leaders, foundations and community development organizations that keep Chicago’s neighborhoods vibrant and strong.
Created by LISC/Chicago and now attracting nearly 1,400 leaders each year, CNDA is the nation’s largest awards program dedicated to neighborhood-based development.
A total of 10 awards were given out: seven for various aspects of community development leadership (recognizing programs, projects and individuals) and three sponsored by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for Architectural Excellence in Community Design. Many of the awards were accompanied by monetary gifts, ranging from $2,000 to $20,000.
Before the ceremony, attendees listened to a panel of mayoral candidates discuss their approaches to the city’s neighborhoods.
“Our neighborhoods continue to grow and strengthen thanks to the work and dedication of community advocates, who are committed to our city’s most important assets, its neighborhoods,” said CNDA Chair Christopher G. Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties and chairman of the University of Illinois’ board of trustees. “We know our neighborhoods are strong and will continue to grow because of the wide variety of people and organizations we have honored.”
This year’s winners are:
The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Strategy of the Year ($20,000):
The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness – The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness uses a highly-localized, grassroots approach to keep area residents healthy and informed. Since 2005, the Community of Wellness and its broad coalition of more than 200 community members and 60 organizations, including health care providers, human service agencies, advocacy groups and educational institutions, has worked to educate people and families about making healthier lifestyle choices and more proactively managing their own health care. At the same time, the Community of Wellness is focused on re-imagining the community as a whole – its schools, homes and environment – so that it can better support people in sustaining healthy choices in their lives.