Best Wishes for the New Year<\/p>\n
We begin the fifth year of operation of the Central Austin Neighborhood Association.<\/p>\n
2015 Activity Schedule<\/p>\n
2015 Objectives<\/p>\n
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Next Meeting:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 301 N. Mayfield<\/p>\n
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If you need a refresher on the impact of CANA read the following summary of our work.\u00a0\u00a0 Please feel free to share with your network.<\/p>\n
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CENTRAL AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In December of 2010, Austin Weekly News published an article about the Central Austin Neighborhood Association, CANA, on its front page. The article presented the activities and objectives in an introduction of the newly formed CANA to the Austin community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Central Austin Neighborhood Association, having entered its fifth year of operation, has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments and awards related to its stated mission. The impact of CANA has been visible on the Austin landscape and felt in other parts of Chicago as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Public Safety<\/p>\n In 2010, in preparation to learn more tactics for civic engagement, members attended Watchdog Training provided by the Better Government Association. Employing tactics learned there, CANA members were able to expand their work on behalf of their community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ACLU of Illinois and the Central Austin Neighborhood Association (CANA) in 2011 filed a lawsuit in Cook County court asking the City to deploy police officers more equitably to serve all communities across Chicago. Thanks to a ruling in 2013, the city must now hand over all data requested by the Central Austin Neighborhood Association in our lawsuit alleging that 911 response times are slower in predominantly African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods than in mostly white areas in the city.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beautification<\/p>\n Our slogan is \u201cWe make Austin look good\u201d. We\u2019ve established our reputation of making Austin look good in a number of ways.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CANA members have conducted an average of five street, alley and vacant lot cleanups per year since it began. For each event, we worked on our entire 16-block area. In addition we \u201cPolished the Jewel\u201d, Columbus Park, by conducting a cleanup led by a park historian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joyce Charmatz, President of Keep Chicago Beautiful Inc.,\u00a0presented its\u00a0Keep Chicago Beautiful 2011 Neighborhood Beautification Vision Award to the Central Austin Neighborhood Association on September 27, 201. CANA received the award in recognition of its completion of planting 19 corner gardens in our target area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The National Black MBA Association, Chicago Chapter, worked with CANA members on a beautification project. Together we chose a family in need, purchased the materials and provided the labor and tools to design and install a new front yard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Collaboration<\/p>\n CANA has been able to bring together a large, diverse set of volunteers to assist with our work in Austin. For two years, Duke University alumni chose CANA projects as their annual Chicagoland family project. Christ the King high school has included CANA projects on its list of options for their family\/student\/teacher volunteer day for three years. Since CANA\u2019s inception, Third Unitarian Church has provided a consistent meeting space, set of volunteers and operating support.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CANA was the first community group to join and volunteer with Austin Coming Together at its inception. Other groups that have assisted CANA include the Loyola Graduate School of Business, Safer Foundation, Brick Yard Home Depot, National Black MBA Association and the Oak Park Synagogue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Community Engagement<\/p>\n Within the area that has been CANA\u2019s primary focus, CANA has strived to build a greater sense of community and establish connections between neighbors. CANA has touched close to 1,000 Austin residents. At least 200 have identified each other as neighbors and established personal connections.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CANA\u2019s annual Neighborhood Festival has brought together volunteers from inside and outside the Austin community. Connections among families made here might not have otherwise taken place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CANA\u2019s work to increase community engagement has been visible, varied and recognized.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Expanding Cultural Options<\/p>\n CANA sought to help increase participation by Austin residents in the full spectrum of cultural options available around the city of Chicago. We accomplished this objective in a number of ways including;<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today, in its fifth year, the Central Austin Neighborhood Association enjoys a reputation for effective programming and thoughtful involvement. We have heard many complimentary comments from residents including:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Central Austin Neighborhood Association looks forward to what has become possible due to the foundation it has laid. We value partnerships and look forward to working with more Austin stakeholders in the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Best Wishes for the New Year We begin the fifth year of operation of the Central Austin Neighborhood Association. 2015 Activity Schedule Six Visible Action Events Ten CANA meetings 2015 Objectives Increased civic engagement Celebration of achievements Positive impact on quality of life Next Meeting:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 301 N. Mayfield If…<\/p>\n\n
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