The purpose of this investigation was to find out how organizations are helping out in their area, no matter what they might work with: food, students, or even the community as a whole. I chose R.A.G.E (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) as the organization I would study. What they do is simple: they try to establish a more positive change in the Englewood community. Englewood may not be the most popular neighborhood right now, but that’s why R.A.G.E is there. I learned that some people do care, despite the fact that Englewood still isn't at its best. We don’t pay enough attention to those who do care. We went on a field experience to Englewood, walking around, counting liquor stores and vacant lots, and meeting with Growing Home, an organization that provides fresh produce for the Englewood community. Overall, I loved this investigation, and how much I learned throughout the whole unit.
"Englewood Community." n.p. Web. 20 Sep. 2013.
I chose R.A.G.E as my organization. R.A.G.E is also known as Resident Association of Greater Englewood. I chose the Englewood community because in the last month alone, 5 homicides were committed, and because it's my neighborhood and i wanted to see what people were doing to stop the violence (Chicago Tribune). I chose R.A.G.E also because I wanted to know more about my hometown and I wanted to address the Englewood problem. The reason I’m interested in the Englewood community is because I want to see what people are doing to prevent the crime in Englewood. I also want to know who actually cares about the poverty levels on the south side of Chicago. I am also kind of concerned because I live in the Englewood community.
What R.A.G.E. does is provide resources for people to mobilize themselves and help force a change in the Englewood community. This means that they break down problems in the Englewood neighborhood, creating positive solutions to them, preventing violence and reducing poverty rates. Established in 2010, R.A.G.E. has been working towards making Englewood a better place and looks forward to big things in the future. They increase access by providing programs for those in need of jobs and education, they're widely open to the environment and increase access to needs and wants of the people, needs and wants that they may not be able to provide for themselves. The finders of R.A.G.E are in many departments of business such as home owning, stakeholders, business owners, professionals, students, parents, and grandparents, all fighting towards a better environment.
I learned there are actually people out there that care about the Englewood neighborhood. I also learned that R.A.G.E’s presence in the community is rapidly growing. On Maslow's Hierachy of Needs, I would say that this most relates to Employment and self-esteem. I think the change they are trying to make in the community is great. A woman named Asiaha Butler explained the variation of assets and resources in the Englewood community. She says that R.A.G.E. launched an Englewood tour of some such, touring many parks in the area. They came across Sherwood, Hamilton, Lindblom, and finally Ogden Park. Keeping R.A.G.E. members busy, the tour became a hit of the summer.
I can go volunteer at the organization to help out. The target my organization addresses is: to achieve full productive employment and decent work for all, including younger people. Even though the organization is based on Poverty (MDG1) and developing a new community, it is somewhat helping out with Primary Education (MDG2) too. To help out my organization, I can do many things, such as attend one of the events, spread the word, or contribute to the cause. They have certain events where people can come and participate, such as cookouts and tours. These events only grow the organization, putting the word out there can attract the attention of anyone, including any big corporations looking to sponsor.
To conclude, this investigation has taught me much about the depths of the Englewood community. It has taught me about who actually fights for peace inside the community. Walking the Englewood neighborhood was actually better than I thought. Directions are a bit confusing there, but it’s a jungle, if you have ever been in the Englewood community there is so much opportunity. The extreme vacancy there is fascinating. Who will buy the free space? Why was it abandoned? What will be made out of it? All fascinating questions, for a fascinating, developing place.
References:
"About." rangenglewood.org, n.p. Web. 15 Sep. 2013.
Asiaha Butler, In person 11 Sep. 2013.
