GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY COUNCIL (PRC Oral Storytelling Project)

In this episode, listeners will hear from the Garfield Park Community Council Executive Director, Mike Tomas, Wellness Coordinator Garfield Park Community Council, Mike Tomas, and Wellness Coordinator Angela Taylor.

Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC) is a community-building organization comprised of residents and allies. GPCC is working to meet the needs stipulated by the West Side of Chicago: housing, wellness, business development, and resident leadership. GPCC integrates these priorities into planning efforts to increase the adaptability and resilience to climate impacts in Garfield Park. Based on community feedback, GPCC developed community garden networks to increase local food options in the neighborhood and increase community ownership of spaces. Building a network of community gardens will improve green infrastructure in the area and create the opportunity to increase the urban tree canopy - the number of trees in a given space. Both of these benefits reduce flooding from water run-off after heavy rain events and lower heat to reduce the impact of urban heat islands. GPCC educates community members on utilizing community gardens to increase environmental and social resilience, supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP and other food justice initiatives. GPCC has started the Garfield Park Resilience Project. This project focuses on working with residents to build a resilient planning process to address climate impacts in Garfield Park. One of the main focuses is increasing community education on zoning, or how land is identified and used. GPCC continues to connect with residents to offer ownership in projects that reduce energy costs through renewable energy like community solar, increase access to affordable and green housing, and increase access to healthy foods. GPCC works as a bridge between residents, other organizations, and government officials in Chicago to help achieve the resilience plan that Garfield Park Community Council members have developed.