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ARCHER HEIGHTS - ASHBURN - BACK OF THE YARDS - BRIGHTON PARK - CHICAGO Y WEST LAWN - CLEARING - GAGE PARK - GARFIELD RIDGE - SCOTTSDALE - WEST ELSDON

ACTIVISMO, DISEÑADO PARA PERSONAS OCUPADAS

Únase a un grupo que se alinee con sus intereses, reúnase con ellos solo una vez al mes y realice cambios reales que pueda ver.

WHAT WE DO

The Southwest Collective was created in an Archer Heights basement in 2019. Born out of a need to connect with neighbors outside of the traditional means, such as a neighborhood watch or civic association, SWC quickly gained momentum by "meeting people where they're at" - and tailoring programs and outreach around the busy lifestyles of young families.

OUR EVENTS

  • 3rd Annual Latin@ Small Business Summit
    3rd Annual Latin@ Small Business Summit
    jue 31 de jul
    Moraine Valley Community College
    31 jul 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 College Pkwy, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA
    Are you a business owner or future entrepreneur looking to network & learn about resources & strategies to take your business to the next level? Join the 3rd Annual Latina/o Economic Summit in Chicago on 7/31 - Register now in English: https://bit.ly/4kwO3yD or Spanish: https://bit.l
  • Bead Workshop at the library
    Bead Workshop at the library
    vie 01 de ago
    Chicago Public Library - Sherman Park
    01 ago 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Chicago Public Library - Sherman Park, 5440 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60609, USA
    Join us Friday, August 1, 2025, 11:00am–2:00pm, Sherman Park Library, 5440 S Racine, to make solidarity bands! Ages 6+ please.

OUR WORK TO FEED FOLKS

Everyone's gotta eat, so that's a great place to get engaged

The OGs of mutual aid had this one 100% correct: if you help someone address an immediate need, like hunger, it frees up their focus. We've been feeding folks twice a week for five years, and we have learned a lot from each other.

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OUR MUTUAL AID WORK

Helping young families "find their village"

We started our popular Freebies for Families event in memory of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, a young expectant mom who was tragically murdered while trying to obtain free baby clothes. This is a safe space for families to share with each other, arrange playdates and learn about resources available to them.

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OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK

Small businesses in the shadow of Midway Airport need an ally

Very few chambers or business associations exist in our communities, and when they do, they do not often have the ability to assist with start-up guidance or language translation. That's where we come in.

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OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVOCACY

Yes, you can bike or walk there - and we'll help you stay safe along the way

We fight for safer streets for all - cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike, and that includes our Pulaski, Slow TF Down campaign.

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OUR WORK TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT

Too many industrial parks. Not enough green space.

With so many semi trucks and factories embedded in our communities, it's critical to ensure we have a solid tree canopy. Since 2023, we have planted almost 900 trees across the southwest side, among many other important initiatives.

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BOARd

of Directors

Mayra Avila, Board Chair

Adriana Vargas, Vice Chair

Jaime Groth Searle, Founder

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OUR
mission

We provide an open forum for southwest side residents to voice their concerns; hear new perspectives from their neighbors; learn about existing public resources; and launch economic, educational, and recreational initiatives that bring our siloed communities together.

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OUR
VISION

A southwest side where neighbors know each other, feel empowered to build their support network and are ready to “lead from where they live.”

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recent

Press

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SWC 101

2020

REPORTE ANUAL

Southwest Collective es una organización 501 (c) (3).

4444 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60632

(708) 740-8914

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