THE NEW COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

Read here to learn about the New Communities Program and the role that Near West Side Community Development Corporation plays in helping to shape West Haven into a NCP community.

  • Safe Summer Basketball League Honored Victims of Violence

    After three highly competitive games, Near West Side Community Development Corporation (Near West Side CDC) named three winners of its West Haven Safe Summer Basketball League Championship Tournament, held yesterday at Malcom X College. Crane Future, comprised of Crane Tech High School’s incoming freshmen, Bogan from Bogan High School, and the The Village, hailing from Roosevelt Square, won the elementary, high school and young adult division games, respectively. While the games featured some of the best athletes in the area, the event focused as much on the fairness, courtesy and ethics rewarded through “Sportsmanship” awards, as on the intense competition.

  • Music Video "Make's it Happen"

    "OOO Multimedium" & "Near West Side Community Development Corp." bring together 12 kids from a Music class with "After School Matters" at "Crane High School" to write, produce, record and shoot a music video for an uplifting song titled "Make It"! These young men and women prove that counting them out is not an option, by displaying hard work and long hours to pull off an incredible project!

  • Get your green thumb on in the garden.

    Building upon last summer’s successful cleanup of the Mable Manning community garden, Near West is proud to announce the garden revitalization and preservation plan of the site for an interim basis. We are looking for anyone interested in volunteering over the summer.

  • Youth paint school mural, explore selves

    The West Haven “Phoenix Rising” mural on the back wall of Victor Herbert Elementary School facing Touhy Herbert Park looked faded, chipped, warped and slumped over earlier this summer, but soon it will rise again and look just like new.

  • Music Video Practica: West Haven Dance Team

    A music video of the dance team preparing for West Haven Day.

  • West Haven Giants deep in the playoffs

    A warm congratulations to the West Haven Giant’s Little League Team for winning their first playoff game. Last Saturday the West Haven Giants defeated the Black Senators 9 to 7 at Altgeld Park. Includes slideshow.

  • Community Dance Team

    The West Haven community dance team warming up for practice over the summer at Crane High School's auditorium. Over 30 dancers are participating over the summer and will be performing at the upcoming West Haven Day celebration. YouTube video.

  • Near West Side CDC Provides Over 100 Youth Internship Opportunities

    Near West brings 119 youth summer internships to the West Haven community. Youth and young adult interns are facilitating activities at local community centers, providing customer services and facilitating purchases to patrons at local retail outlets. These interns are gaining valuable work experience and weekly life skill training throughout the summer.

  • West Haven Sports Club: Participants of Crane Programs

    The West Haven Sports Club was founded by the Near West Side CDC. This year-round youth development program uses sports and creative recreational activities as a tool to provide life skills and leadership training to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 19 years old. Includes pictures of participants.

  • Slideshow: Safe Summer Kick-Off 2009

    A brief slideshow of the the West Haven Sports Club kick-off celebration. Program activities include: the West Haven Giants (Little League Baseball), Boys & Girls Intramural Basketball League, Young Entrepreneurs Program, Community Dance Program, DJ Program, Referee Certification Program and Community Fitness/Wellness Program and much more. Kick-off celebration took place June 22nd, 2009.

  • Get Ready for the 2009 West Haven Safe Summer Kick Off!!

    The West Haven Safe Summer 2009 Kick Off will be Held June 20th from 11am-4pm at Crane High School. The day will be complete with exciting activities, entertainment and food for all in attendance. Come and cheer on local youth as they compete in a dunk contest, jump shot competition, and skills competition (open to youth between the ages of 10-18). Entertainment will be provided by 'Da Mill' and The Bucket Boys (seen at Chicago Bulls Games).

  • Near West CDC—On the Field with the Chicago White Sox!!!

    Near West Side CDC staff had an opportunity to grace the green grass of US Cellular Field to accept a grant from Chicago White Sox Charities; White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Team Manager Ozzie Guillen was on hand to issue the Check to our staff right by the third base line. The funds will go to enhance the West Haven Giants summer 2009 season! What a great season it will be!!

  • LET'S PLAY BALL!!—AGAIN!!

    Alll youth, come participate in the West Haven 'Spring Swing' Home Run Derby. Come show your baseball skill and win cash and prizes!

  • Slideshow(S): Spring Into Sports Activities

    A slideshow of Spring Into Sports activities at Crane High School. Hosted by Near West, SIS is a series of fun activities for kids to do during spring break.

  • West Haven E-Tour

    Near West is often asked to give a tour of the West Haven community by local (and out-of-town) academics, community organizations and the media, etc. What are recent developments? Community amenities? Near West's projects? The history of the community? Taking advantage of google maps, you no longer have to be on the bus to see some of the highlights. Includes pictures, commentary and YouTube videos.

  • New After-School Programs Launched

    Near West Side CDC is providing a variety of after-school programs facilitated at Crane High School for West Haven boys and girls, grades 4th through 12th. Details enclosed.

  • Complete Quality-of-Life Plan "West Haven: Rising Like the Phoenix"

    West Haven's recently completed Quality-of-Life Plan

  • Safe Summer Kick-Off Ceremony

    Opening day for the West Haven community's safe summer basketball league. June 14, 2008 at the United Center. Includes Videos.

  • A Breath of Fresh Air

    The West Haven Sports Club starts with you. Includes Video.

  • Crystal Palmer and Keith Jackson named "Community Heroes"

    West Haven activists honored for their community improvement efforts

  • West Haven community schools forge network

    By unifying the West Haven community schools and their principals, the West Haven School Network works to identify and solve common challenges facing children and schools in the community.

  • Mural honors elders who fought stadium plan

    Nearly 100 residents turned out August 8 for a mural unveiling at Victor Herbert School, 2131 W. Monroe in West Haven. The mural was dedicated to 30 senior citizens who led opposition to a Bears stadium in the 1980s.

  • Touhy-Herbert Park Sees Improvements

    Touhy-Herbert Park, the central open space for the West Haven community recently has made some small strides; helping to transform its appearance, redefining its image and restablishing its presence in the West Haven community.

  • Gazette applauds Near West for funding success

    The Near West Gazette published an article about West Haven's success in gaining $1 million in support through a funding campaign for its upcoming supermarket construction.

  • Planning Magazine story details NCP process

    An article in the July issue of the American Planning Association's Planning Magazine says "neighborhood planning" has often been done without much involvement of the neighbors themselves, instead being a function of city hall, a private developer or a powerful local institution. The New Communities Program tries to break that tradition by involving local residents in a structured "quality-of-life" planning process. Download the article here.

  • Near West CDC enjoys multiple partnerships

    Near West Side Community Development Corporation (NWCDC) is engaged in a variety of partnerships with organizations ranging from workforce development agencies and neighborhood health centers to private sector development firms and entertainment center operators. It is committed to working with strong and experienced partners in order to create a viable, mixed-income community.

  • Grand slam for children of West Haven

    On April 22, Touhy-Herbert Park transformed from just another underutilized public park to the grounds of a well-received youth baseball skills competition. More than 40 community children participated in the West Haven Pitch, Hit & Run Event.

  • West Haven Baseball Initiative receives cleats

    West Haven youth received Nike athletic cleats thanks to U.S. Congressman Danny Davis, Nike Corporation, NAACP Westside Chapter and Wallace's Catfish Corner.

  • 2007 Summer Season To Kick-Off

    Read this to find out more about the West Haven Youth Baseball Program, and learn how you can register your child for the 2007 Summer Season.

  • What's NCP? Serious response to big challenges

    The New Communities Program is a serious, long-term response to urban challenges, and it is ambitious. The program seeks to bring together the resources needed to revive stagnant neighborhoods, stabilize those facing decline and lessen the displacement that gentrification can bring.

  • Photo exhibit highlighted NCP neighborhoods

    Thousands of Chicagoans saw the building blocks of strong, healthy neighborhoods during a recent photo exhibit featuring the New Communities Program neighborhoods. Historic greystones, a commercial strip, street vendors, new retail space and children at play were among the 50 images hanging in the lobby of the Daley Center, Randolph and Clark in Chicago, from Dec. 5 through 16, 2005.

  • 'Fit 4 Life' Boot Camp Hits West Haven Community

    'Fit 4 Life' Boot Camp is a new program with the goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle to West Haven community residents; activities including physical fitness, nutrition awareness, and positive attitude enhancement. TNT Personal Training will provide customized training for each participant and UIC nutrionists will provide healthy eating options including on-site cooking demonstrations! ALL FOR FREE! CASH PRIZES and gift cards will be rewarded to engaged participants. M and TH 3:30-6pm and Sat. 12pm-2pm-Crane Tech, room 114/115.