21st WARD BLOCK CLUBS

Reasons Why You Should Have A Block Club:

• If you are interested in keeping your block and community SAFE, SECURE & CLEAN.
• If you  are interested in programs for your FAMILIES, CHILDREN & SENIORS.
• If you are interested in improving blocks streets, sidewalks, and or alleys.
• If you are interested in stopping burglaries, car theft, home invasion, loitering and more… 

A block club can help ensure that our families have the services they need to lead safe fulfilling lives.

A block club can help our children travel safely to and from school, so that they have every opportunity to learn and succeed.

A block club can improve the environment by planting and maintaining new green spaces.

And it’s the BLOCK CLUB who acts as the eyes and ears to the community and assist with keeping the community safe.

Block Leaders can host caps meeting in their home, they help build long lasting relationships with community leaders, such as Alderman, CPD, State Representatives, etc… These relationship are necessary to help ensure that their block or community area is provided necessary services. It is through the working of the Block Clubs in the community (because people have to come and work together) that provide a strong deterrent to gangs, guns, and drugs. I.E a decrease in violence and crime in our communities.  

So over all, Block Clubs allow everyone in the community to help take better care of THEIR community by ensuring that the community thrives and not dies…

For more information on starting a Block Club, please contact Kweli Kwaza  at 312-315-0652

How Do I Start A Block Club? 

A good first step in starting a block club is to recruit two or three people on your block who are interested in helping to organize your neighbors. Once you have identified these interested neighbors, pick a date and time for your first meeting. There is no hard and fast rule on where you should hold your meetings. Some people prefer to meet on their block, rotating the location among participating neighbors. Some people prefer to find a neutral location, such as a park, library, church or police station to hold their meetings.

Once you have picked a date and location for your first meeting, create a simple flyer that you can give to or leave for your neighbors. Then you and your helpers are ready to recruit other neighbors. It is always better to have one-on-one conversations with your neighbors so you can introduce yourself and explain why you are interested in forming a block club. Always revisit homes where no-one was available at least twice to try and make that personal connection before merely leaving a flyer.

Keep a list of all the neighbors you contact, indicating those who plan to attend and participate. Also keep a record of what issues they identify during your initial conversation that are of interest or concern to them; this will help you later on to decide what types of projects or activities the majority of your neighbors will be interested in undertaking.

For More Information on Block Clubs, please contact Kweli Kwaza  at 312-315-0652 or 773-881-9300