A big congratulations to Austin Coming Together, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the Austin community for being awarded APA-IL’s first-ever Opportunity & Empowerment Award. We are so proud to be part of such an inspiring project and an amazing, award-winning team.
Project Partners · Austin Coming Together · LISC Chicago · By The Hand Club for Kids
A Plan for the People by the People
The Austin Quality of Life Plan effectively weaves together non-profit, private sector, and government partnerships. The plan was led by Austin Coming Together with support from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to galvanize support for specific goals and strategies that would bring jobs, secure housing, and youth and education advancement for the Austin community. Following the adoption of the Plan, Austin Coming Together, alongside Westside Health Authority, By The Hand Club For Kids, and Teska, began fast-tracking priority projects from the “Austin Forward. Together.” Quality-of-Life Plan.
Design charette for Austin's Aspire Initiative | Source: Teska
To date, 30% of the actions recommended in the plan have been initiated and over $13 million in investments have been made.
As part of this initiative to make change happen in the community, Teska facilitated a series of design charrettes focused on giving residents the tools to envision their dreams. In total, over 500 people participated in the planning process representing 43 local partner organizations.
Over 500 people participated in the planning process representing 43 local partner organizations.
As a follow-up, Teska facilitated a youth-led planning process to create a new fresh food market in Austin. In just 10 weeks the ideas of local teens had sprouted into reality. Thanks to the collaborative efforts and leadership of By The Hand Club For Kids, professional football player Sam Acho, and many other Chicago pro athletes, Austin Harvest, a pop-up fresh food market now sits on the site of a former liquor store.
Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) with Austin teens | Source: Teska
Keith, Austin resident, selling produce at the Austin Harvest grand opening | Source: Teska
Check out the full highlight reel below to learn more about these efforts, along with the APA-IL Daniel Burnham Award-Winning Your Future, Your Frankfort Comprehensive Plan, and the 2020 ILASLA Award-Winning Fountain Square Plaza.
Congratulations to our Project Partners