Read All About It!

Woodlawn Youth Solutions was recently the subject of two published news pieces. These can be viewed here and here!

We did it!

Looks like we successfully completed our mission, despite obstacles and challenges at every turn....



PLEASE JOIN US to celebrate the exciting and triumphant completion of our summer project!

Friday, August 8th
Noon-2pm
@ 62nd & Kimbark
(the playground across from Christ Way Church)



Thanks again to all our sponsors, supporters, and everyone who encouraged us along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only One Week Left!?!?!?

With a week remaining, we are moving along, but we still have much to do before we can take a deep breath and celebrate.
***We URGENTLY need a SIGN PAINTER or MURAL ARTIST who can help us by doing some well-designed LetterinG on our planters.
***We are about 80% done with the rest of the PAINTING....
***...but we still have to do some planting!!!!!!!

PLEASE leave a comment below if you are/know a painter , as described above, who can help us complete this wonderful community project (compensation available), or email Renee at : reneeuna@gmail.com

So we got the planters moved yesterday, and we had a blast filling them with soil today - in their new locations!

Thanks to ALL who came out to volunteer for today's Workday - we couldn't have done it without you (no, really!)!!!
Special thanks to the Harold Washington College Horticulture Club, who have been helping us coordinate the landscaping aspects of our project - they also put us in touch with Larry Asimov Landscaping, who donated some much-needed soil to our project!

A note from Cushman & Wakefield:
"Cushman & Wakefield appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community and would like to commend the work of Woodlawn Youth Solutions' team, for being able to organize and motivate so many people. We are grateful to participate in this enrichening experience and to be able to contribute to this great community project!."

Finally, - WE RAN OUT OF SAUSAGE PIZZA!!!!!!!!!

End of Week Four

Today we began practicing with our logo stencil by painting large panels in teams, which is how we intend to paint the planters.
The Alderman's office has come through, and the planters are being sandblasted as this is published; on Monday, July 26th, the planters will be painted green, our chosen background color. The plan is to begin relocating them to their new(adopted) locations on Tuesday, and then we could begin painting by mid-week, next week.

Also, PLEASE NOTE:
WYS Workday w/ Cushman & Wakefield
Wednesday July 30th...
(leave a comment below for more info...)

We spoke with the Alderman's office and it appears we may be able to begin moving the planters this week!

Last week architreasures hosted their Jewels in July event. We attended; here are Kishon's thoughts about the event:

"...architreasures' Jewels in July was a great experience for me. I met some great people. Since I'm pursuing a career as an architect, it was good for me to talk to other famous architects. All in all it was a wonderful event!"

Next Wednesday, July 30th, will be a work-day in collaboration with one of Supporters, Cushman & Wakefield (see link in the sidebar); we invite any and all volunteers and interested parties: more information forthcoming!

Week Three

As we approach the midpoint of our summer adventure, we still have some obstacles to overcome. But we have made progress:

-We have six (6) commitments to adopt our beloved planters.

-We have developed a couple of design templates which we are pleased with.

-Before our Advisory Committe meeting earlier this week, we splashed right into painting one of the planters! Check it out!

Progress!

Yesterday's outreach was quite successful: three different groups have already started applications for our planters. Outreach continues today.

Early in the morning, Arthur L. Jackson, the pastor of Holy Trinity Church, came and spoke to the group about the role of community leadership and character development.

We have made critical aesthetic decisions regarding the planter design.
We are getting much closer to having finished models of the future designs.

Check out our Woodlawn logo!

Also, please note:
Advisory Meeting
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 10:30am
Christ Way M.B. Church

Community Meeting
Christ Way M.B. Church
62nd & Woodlawn
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 6pm

Mid-Week Two

Yesterday we went to the Field Museum. We talked about New Zealand's culture.
We also spoke about natural disasters. Demetria never knew how a tornado was formed. We took a lot of pictures of the Sears tower and the CNA building.
Today the teens split up into two groups. One team went into the neighborhood asking people to adopt the planters, while the other group made stencils for the mini planters.

Sketching Designs

Things are moving fast, and we are starting to create some graphics for our project.

Monday, Week 2: We designed a Woodlawn logo which we expect to use in our project.

Today we took some photos around the community (especially the beach!), sketched some ideas

and began to create maquettes (miniature models of the planters we are seeking to beautify!!!!!!!).

A group of representatives went to the Alderman's office to clarify our plans and secure assistance as promised.

Also, please note:
Advisory Meeting
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 10:30am
Christ Way M.B. Church

Community Meeting
Christ Way M.B. Church
62nd & Woodlawn
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 6pm

Week One Finished

Our first week had many highlights, including:

A group trip to the Smart Museum.


Group and individual blog creation...

The group watched presentation from a banking representative to help educate the group about money management.

An English Professor from Kennedy-King College came and we did an interactivity:

We outlined "The Perfect Community"

DAY Two

Our participants continued to explore the history of the Woodlawn Community and its relevance to them... They also created their own personal blogs, which they will be updating regularly. Click a name below to go visit one of their blogs...:

Kishon Beard
Desmond Bell
Demetria Bonner
Darien Boyd
Toveyah Brazelton
Tiffany Dukes
Stephanie Pearson
Dalisa Sims
Attavia Streeter
Angel White
rodney's...

Day One

We decided that the planters at 62nd and Ingleside:

-should be moved
-should be planted nicely
-should be painted/designed/colorful/site-specific
-need to be taken care of
-should have a purpose/meaning

El problemo....

Teen participants will use the mediums and principles of art, design, horticulture and landscaping to transform large concrete plant containers that have been neglected for years into living pieces of artwork radiating with vibrant colors, scents, textures, sounds and living organisms. By the end of the summer these concrete containers will be completely transformed and will become a new, beautiful and visible community asset. The opportunity to participate in this unique project will help these young adults make and implement planning decisions about their community as well as to see a purpose in education and consider new career options in the future. There will be a heavy focus on using state of the art technology.

template editing by Rodney Lee Jones Jr.