In 2019, Chicago was a finalist for the Cities of Service Engaged Cities Award for its program to work with residents to install and maintain a variety of new green spaces that reduce flooding. The award elevates city-led strategies that most successfully engage citizens to help create and implement solutions to pressing local problems. The city worked with residents through an extensive community planning process to generate ideas, design projects, and ensure that they will be maintained by the community.
Many Chicago neighborhoods require better access to city services. Chicago is one of 10 cities that took part in the Cities of Service Resilience AmeriCorps program. Through this program, the city engaged with citizens to build and sustain resilience in low-income neighborhoods by updating its existing Clean and Green initiative.
Chicago has been a member of the Cities of Service Coalition since 2009, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel signed the Declaration of Service.
What's Happening in Chicago
“Getting neighbors out together, having them meet city staff, and cleaning their neighborhoods will help strengthen connections and social cohesion in these neighborhoods, while reducing blight.”
Resilience AmeriCorps VISTA Alumnus Johannes Dreisbach