West Humboldt Park Family & Community Development

Specialties

We’re working to revitalize West Humboldt Park with a focus on Chicago Avenue between Kedzie & Pulaski. We are forming a business association to empower business owners and improve the business environment.

Our Healthy Stores Campaign aims to help corner stores to become healthier by selling fresh produce and healthier snacks in a healthier, cleaner, and more attractive environment.

As a City of Chicago delegate agency we promote City programs including the TIF-​funded Small Business Improvement Fund, which provides grants up to 75% of project cost and up to $ 150,000 to eligible applicants to make capital improvements to their stores and commercial buildings.

Our Smart Communities program works to erase the «digital divide» by putting technology tools and resources into the hands of businesses, residents, and organizations. We offer tech action plans, workshops, and 1-​on-​1 technical assistance. As us how your business can obtain a free computer!

History

Established in 1992.

HISTORY: In the early 1990s, the Orr School Network (consisting of Orr High School, Continental Bank, and others) focused its attention on West Humboldt Park’s high level of violence — both in the home and on the streets of the community. The network formed the West Humboldt Park Family and Community Development Council in 1992, and initially the Council put together programs to combat domestic and street violence in West Humboldt Park.

As it continued its focus on community violence prevention, the Council expanded its outreach to encompass economic development, community development, and affordable housing.

Meet the Manager

Chet J.

Manager

Mr. Jackson is a dedicated community development professional with a passion for serving the needs of low and moderate income communities. He has over 25 years experience in community development with expertise in affordable housing development, organizational development, strategic and business planning.

Mr Jackson has numerous certificates in Real Estate Development & Finance, Organizational Capacity Building, Commercial Development, Construction Methodology, Project Management and Appraisal and holds an Executive Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Henry W Block School of Public Administration and Business at the University of Missouri — Kansas City.

Chet Jackson, EMBA