Amount: $25,000 / Spring 2016
Nancy Aardema, Executive Director
Website: http://www.lsna.net/
Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA) began in 1962 as a committed group of neighbors motivated by the emergence of community redlining. Today, LSNA is a multi-issue, multi-generational community organization, directly serving over 6,500 residents and impacting tens of thousands more through nationally-recognized issue campaigns and programs. LSNA has had great success transforming local troubled schools, building strong relationships with teachers and administration and introducing restorative justice programs to replace zero tolerance policies. With a one year $25,000 Trustees renewal grant from Hazen, LSNA will organize youth members and allies to address the growing issues of gentrification and displacement in Northwest Chicago communities and to develop policy solutions and culturally-affirming responses. Specifically, LSNA will organize for property tax relief in the form of a rebate program for longtime residents; for an affordable housing teardown fee ordinance; to repeal the state law that bans rent control; and to create of a local youth-led Impact Fund for the affected Logan Square, Humboldt Park and West Town neighborhoods.