NHS of Chicago will paint the streets in North Lawndale and Englewood neighborhoods to support CPS Safe Passage program

CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Chicago public schools prepare to reopen, many students will be attending new schools and that change has created community-wide concerns about student safety. Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, which focuses on community revitalization and affordable housing, has created an innovative strategy to support the Chicago Public Schools Safe Passage program and is engaging many community partners to ensure the success of the effort.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110714/DC35474LOGO)

WHAT: NHS will apply creative designs and literally paint the streets of routes designed by the CPS Safe Passage Program from closed schools to receiving schools in the North Lawndale and Englewood communities. The effort is a partnership with NeighborWorks America®, the City of Chicago Mayor's office of Public Engagement, Chicago Department of Transportation, Allstate Insurance, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Target Area Development Corporation, Teamwork Englewood, local artists, children and safety patrols.

WHERE & WHEN: The painting will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following days (weather permitting) and will be completed in stages, utilizing the following schedule:

North Lawndale – to Johnson Elementary School
8/15                 15th Street, between Kedzie and Albany
8/16, 17            Albany, between Douglas and 15th Place
8/18                  Albany, between 15th Place and 16th Street
8/19-21             Albany, between Ogden and 19th Street

Englewood – to May Elementary School
8/20                 Normal, between 66th Place and 67th Street
8/21                 66th Place, between Normal and Parnell Avenue
8/22                 Parnell Avenue, between 66th Place and 67th Street

WHY: "Safe neighborhoods are integral to the fulfillment of NHS' mission and continue to be a vital component in our programs and services as we search for innovative ways to meet the changing needs of Chicago's residents," said Ed Jacob, executive director of NHS. "These projects will involve important community engagement activities as NHS mobilizes volunteers, residents, school staff and community partners with the goal of creating a positive, welcoming image in these neighborhoods, altering the negative narrative that has developed around school closings and building excitement among children and parents around returning to school on August 26."

Established in 1975, NHS of Chicago is the city's largest nonprofit community development organization committed to providing Chicago, Kane County and South Cook County residents with affordable resources so they can buy, fix, and keep their homes. Since its creation, NHS has created over 4,161 new homeowners.  NHS also works to stimulate community reinvestment through a partnership of residents, businesses, and government.  With this help, NHS has leveraged investment of more than $1.1 billion in Chicago's neighborhoods. NHS Chicago is part of the NeighborWorks® America network, which includes 235 independent, community-based nonprofit organizations serving more than 4,500 communities nationwide. For more information on NHS, call (773) 329-4010 or visit www.nhschicago.org.

Contact: Mary Carlson, NHS of Chicago
(773) 329-4129, 773-837-8388 (cell)
[email protected]

SOURCE Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago