Build Power
We aim to empower the Legacy Family and community members to have a direct influence on the development of our neighborhood.
The Legacy Families of West Garfield Park
Our mission is to increase the length and quality of lives in West Garfield Park by providing hope, prioritizing safety, and preventing displacement while adding valuable resources to our community.
The Catalyst for Change
Our Call to Action
The stark reality that West Garfield Park residents have lifespans 13 years shorter than those living in the Loop, just miles away, became the driving force behind the formation of the Legacy Families Committee. This devastating life expectancy gap, rooted in decades of disinvestment, institutional racism, and historical inequities, creates chronic stress that literally shortens the lives of our community members.
Our Response: The Legacy Families Committee
The Legacy Families Committee was established as a proactive response to the pressing challenges of gentrification and displacement facing our community. As longtime residents witnessed rapid changes threatening their homes and cultural identity, we came together with a crucial question: “How can we protect our community and ensure our families remain rooted in West Garfield Park?”
The committee emerged in response to proposed new infrastructure plans that posed a risk of driving up property taxes and accelerating gentrification. Our goal is to slow down or prevent these changes that could displace longtime residents and disrupt the cultural fabric of our community.
Through advocacy, strategic partnerships, and community-driven leadership, the Legacy Families Committee works tirelessly to combat displacement, promote equitable development, and lay a foundation for a sustainable, thriving future. Our work is a testament to the power of collective action and our unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy and integrity of West Garfield Park for generations to come. Join us in shaping a resilient, empowered future—because our response today determines our legacy tomorrow.
Our Vision
Chicago’s deep-seated segregation persists, echoing injustices from 62 years ago. Community action, driven by voices in decision-making, is crucial for change. Organizing locally in West Garfield Park, without waiting for government or policy shifts, empowers residents to create impact. Unity and engagement, fueled by connection and shared purpose, are key to sustaining efforts and fostering growth.
Preserve the Collaborative’s Vision
Our mission is to ensure that the Wellness Collaborative remains true to its original purpose: creating a better, resource-rich community for the people living in West Garfield Park.
Clear Communication
We stress the importance of maintaining transparent and effective communication among all stakeholders. This includes mapping out our plans, ensuring everyone is aligned with our goals, and keeping the community informed about our progress.
Building Community Resilience
This video highlights the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in overcoming systemic challenges. At Legacy Families, we believe strong communities thrive on empowered families and accessible resources. Our work in West Garfield Park focuses on creating sustainable solutions to health disparities, economic development, and overall community well-being, exemplified by the Sankofa Wellness Village— a testament to our commitment to fostering individual and collective growth.
Chicago’s Legacy of Community Organizing
Our work builds upon generations of community organizing in Chicago, continuing the fight for justice, equity, and community empowerment in West Garfield Park.
Early History (1780-1899)
From the first non-Indigenous settler to the formation of crucial social justice alliances.
1780 Jean Baptiste Point du Sable becomes Chicago’s first non-Indigenous settler.
1833 The Chicago Treaty forces concession of five million acres from Indigenous peoples.
1837 Chicago is officially incorporated after forced removal of native peoples.
1889 Hull House is founded by Jane Addams and Ellen Starr, shaping social reform.
1899 Ida B. Wells and Jane Addams form alliance for racial and social justice.
20th Century (1919-1994)
A century of struggle, resistance, and community organizing.
1919 Chicago Race Riot marks heightened racial tensions during the Great Migration.
1939 First modern community organization founded: Back of the Yard Neighborhood Council.
1965 The Chicago Freedom Movement addresses segregation and housing conditions.
1968 The Rainbow Coalition forms, uniting across racial and ethnic lines.
1983 Harold Washington becomes Chicago’s first Black Mayor.
21st Century (2005-Present)
Contemporary movements for justice and community empowerment.
2005 Elementary Justice Campaign launches to fight school-to-prison pipeline.
2015 Chicago Community Bond Fund established to support community organizing.
2019 Illinois leads with cannabis legalization including social equity programs.
2020 Community mobilization during COVID-19 crisis.
2023 Legacy Families of West Garfield Park continues the tradition of community organizing.
The Legacy Families of West Garfield Park continues this rich tradition of community organizing, working to prevent displacement, prioritize safety, and build resources within our community. Together, we’re writing the next chapter in Chicago’s history of grassroots activism and community empowerment.
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