Greater Chatham Initiative

The Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI) is a community-based collaboration that seeks to revitalize five contiguous neighborhoods on the South Side of Chicago (Avalon Park, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, and Greater Grand Crossing). Support is provided to GCI's efforts to develop a corridor plan for the Mahalia Jackson Cultural District, a one mile segment of 79th Street on Chicago's South side. The Mahalia Jackson cultural district seeks to elevate the community's cultural legacy while developing an arts-based economy and attracting tourism to strengthen the business community within Chatham. 

The Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI) is a comprehensive community change initiative that seeks to revitalize five contiguous neighborhoods on the South Side of Chicago. Support is provided to GCI’s efforts to make the community known for both opportunity and choice by connecting resident job seekers and businesses to sources of regional market opportunities; by revitalizing and upgrading housing; and by enhancing the community’s array of retail, support services, and other amenities. CGI also promotes public-sector investments in safety, schools, and parks to attract private-sector investment and middle class residents.

Over 250 individuals and organizations have joined together to form the Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI), a comprehensive community change initiative that seeks to revitalize five contiguous neighborhoods on the Southside of Chicago.  Support is provided to GCI’s efforts to make the community one of both opportunity and choice by connecting resident job seekers and businesses to sources of regional market opportunities, by revitalizing and upgrading housing while restoring market activity, and by enhancing the community’s array of retail, support services and other community amenities.  The initiative also seeks to leverage public-sector investments in safety, schools, parks and other infrastructure to set the stage for attracting, growing and sustaining private-sector investment and middle class residents.