In 1996, a group of citizens from Austin (a neighborhood in Chicago) participated together in the Citizen Leaders Program. Their initial project was an intergenerational softball league, so teenagers and older residents could get to know each other without fear. That initiative inspired block clean-ups before the games and team barbecues after them. Ultimately, conversation among neighbors led to the creation of block clubs, community gardens, intergenerational sports programs, and a youth club. With support from a local community organization, these block leaders helped launch a neighborhood-wide program to bring residents together to collectively address important issues.

The Every Block is a Village <www.ebvonline.org> program they started is now an organization of 68 block clubs, each with resident ‘citizen leaders,’ which organizes around issues like community cleanliness, economic development, and youth opportunities. A weekly sharing of stories, about what has happened, what needs to happen and how it can happen, continually strengthens the process, while the visible outcomes and growing volunteer commitment attract other neighbors who see it is possible to make a difference.

Every Block is a Village has worked hand-in-hand with the community-based Westside Health Authority, producing networks for employment opportunities, childcare, transportation, and community health and safety. Together, they have nurtured community pride, trust, and commitment. In 2002, they created the Westside Health Authority/Every Block is a Village After-school Program. The program fosters relationships between high school and elementary school students through reading, arts/crafts, outings, and movie nights. Through EBV online, neighbors can connect to each other and citizens across the world. In all of their community initiatives, Every Block is a Village exemplifies the idea that each citizen can and must contribute to their neighborhood’s wellbeing. The practices and values of EBV are now being actively shared with at least three new Chicago neighborhoods who have been inspired by their example.