Reimagining Chicago’s South Side by Collaborating with Others

Margaret’s Village is finding innovative solutions and collaborating with others to bring systematic change to Chicago’s south side

• Advocates to address issues that cause homelessness with All Chicago and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the City of Chicago Department of Family Support Services.
• Partners with community officials on area improvements that will attract employers, jobs and amenities to the community
• Ensures neighborhood safety by working with local clergy, the Alderman’s Office, the Chicago Police – CAPS program and community organizations such as Teamwork Englewood.
• Collaborates with Foundations and organizations such as University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, to develop its sustainable long term strategy

The philosophy of Margaret’s Village is to serve our residents with humble compassion using a humanitarian approach to address their challenges. Angela Hicks, executive director, welcomes each new resident with love and compassion by reminding them that “Your current condition is not your conclusion.”

We continually explore ways to achieve better outcomes. For example, locating affordable housing is difficult in Chicago. Our case managers have gone out into the neighborhoods and cultivated relationships with landlords who offer our residents less than market rate rent. Sometimes residents move in together and share expenses and child care.