Impact & Scale
Theory of Change
Our Theory of Change centers around building a resilient and thriving community in Southwest Chicago. Focused on four core pillars—Environmental Sustainability, Economic Vitality, Community Health & Wellness, and Community Learning & Engagement—we work to address systemic injustices while fostering opportunities in green jobs, urban agriculture, and education. Together with our partners, we aim to create long-term environmental and economic resilience, ensuring equitable growth and generational prosperity for all.
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Our research and evaluation process ensures that every initiative is impactful and continuously improving. By asking critical questions and analyzing both short-term and long-term outcomes, we track progress in areas like community health, job creation, and environmental sustainability. This framework helps us refine strategies, overcome challenges, and contribute valuable insights to the broader community development field, ensuring lasting, positive change for Southwest Chicago.
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Our Vision for Scale
Our vision for scale is to share the innovative, place-based model we've developed to address social and environmental challenges. Through The Institute, we offer residencies, conferences, consulting services, and research initiatives to help other communities adopt our proven strategies. Our goal is to promote sustainable development and equity by empowering communities worldwide to implement programs in areas like social justice, green job training, food security, and environmental sustainability.
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