So This Is Happening In The South Side of Chicago
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2020 2:53 pm
Tara is a very close friend of a very dear friend of mine. She was an old school punker in Atlanta in the 80's but is from and lives in Chicago, achieved a doctorate and has been working for the community for a long long time. Please take a moment to share it on your social media or to help with a small or large donation.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tara-be ... EjxX2T3_9c
From Tara:
I've been looking for a building for at least two years before I happened to spot this building at 56th and State Street in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood. Washington Park is predominantly Black neighborhood that is home to several dynamic, small community orgs, at least three schools, and many wonderful stories that are not included in the larger narrative of the city.
While dreaming out loud, I posted on Facebook that I would like to get this building so I can run classes and events and possibly host guest residencies for people who would like to do work in the neighborhood at what will become The Whirlwind Center. I'm also planning to partner and share this space with other community orgs and individuals that have already invested time, energy, and resources in the South Side. I was surprised and excited to see how many people believe and trust me to begin what will be an exciting development for a city that I love dearly. Although I have been working in the arts for young people and people of color for 20 years, I think it's time for me to start a space that addresses needs with a new, more inclusive vision of, for, and with long-time South Side residents.
Here are some of the things that I'm envisioning:
-writing workshops and book clubs
-literacy classes
-cooking demos
-dance classes
-tax prep sessions
-doula training
-technology education for young people (coding, building computers, etc.)
-and a space that would be available for small, intimate cultural events and family celebrations.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tara-be ... EjxX2T3_9c
From Tara:
I've been looking for a building for at least two years before I happened to spot this building at 56th and State Street in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood. Washington Park is predominantly Black neighborhood that is home to several dynamic, small community orgs, at least three schools, and many wonderful stories that are not included in the larger narrative of the city.
While dreaming out loud, I posted on Facebook that I would like to get this building so I can run classes and events and possibly host guest residencies for people who would like to do work in the neighborhood at what will become The Whirlwind Center. I'm also planning to partner and share this space with other community orgs and individuals that have already invested time, energy, and resources in the South Side. I was surprised and excited to see how many people believe and trust me to begin what will be an exciting development for a city that I love dearly. Although I have been working in the arts for young people and people of color for 20 years, I think it's time for me to start a space that addresses needs with a new, more inclusive vision of, for, and with long-time South Side residents.
Here are some of the things that I'm envisioning:
-writing workshops and book clubs
-literacy classes
-cooking demos
-dance classes
-tax prep sessions
-doula training
-technology education for young people (coding, building computers, etc.)
-and a space that would be available for small, intimate cultural events and family celebrations.
