South Shore lies on the citys South Side along the shores of Lake Michigan, roughly between 69-79^th Streets from the Lake to Stony Island. The area has experienced major transformation over the years. During the 1960s the area went through a period of extreme disinvestments as many former resident left the area in a mass exodus. Revitalization efforts have been moderately successful, as many residential and commercial buildings have been restored.   The structural landscape and demographics of the area present many challenges. Nearly 70% of the housing units are rental units as many of the multi-unit buildings cater to mainly low-income groups. Although there are relatively a small percentage of homeowners in South Shore, many of those who do own homes are upper middle class black professionals. The area referred to as the Highlands has been designated a historical landmark area contains many elegant homes. South Shore can be viewed as a community of extremes, having a large number of low-income residents, but also a smaller group of affluent middle-class homeowners.  Originally built in 1906 as a private club, the South Shore Cultural Center serves as one of the citys premier cultural centers. Listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places since 1975, the center is one of the most significant historical sites in the entire city. Once a playground for Chicagos elite, today it provides a variety of cultural programs, professional performances, exhibits and arts oriented educational and leisure activities for the area residents.

WEST TOWN

Geographically West Town lies just west of the Near North Side and east of Humboldt Park. It loosely runs from Halstead to Western, between Division and Grand Ave, encompassing the smaller more popular areas of Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village and Bucktown. The 1^st Ward Ald. Manny Flores and the 27^th Ward Ald. Walter Burnet, are located in West Town. The areas ethnic makeup, which had been predominantly Eastern European, has changed drastically over the past 30 years. Within the last 5-7 years virtually the entire area has undergone major development. Trendy restaurants and coffee houses now exist along with a rising number of newly built condos. The new development has come at a price of displacement of long time residents who can no longer afford the areas escalating costs.  For over 130 years Erie Neighborhood House has empowered individuals to achieve the fullest potential through a broad spectrum of services tailored to meet the challenges and aspirations of Chicagos low income families and resident immigrants. Established in 1870, Erie House has developed into one of the first comprehensive social service agencies in Chicago. The T.E.A.M. program at Erie House was started in 1984 to provide a positive response to low educational attainment among the youth of greater West Town. Through weekly sessions, T.E.A.M. mentors work with students to improve academic performance and to guide participants in life skills and life choices.

NEAR WEST SIDE

The Near West Side lies just west of the Loop running vaguely from Kinzie St. south just beyond Roosevelt Rd., between Halstead and California. The area has a rich history and has been home to many ethnic groups. The landscape of the community has undergone constant change as expansion of the UIC campus killed the historic Maxwell St. Market as vendors were pushed out of the area to make room for major redevelopment. With its close proximity to the Loop, the area has attracted many young professionals interested in living near downtown. Many of the areas industrial warehouses have been renovated and converted into lofts.  For years the Near West Side Community Development Corporation has been involved in efforts to maintain affordable housing in the area. It has been instrumental in the areas redevelopment, creating and implementing a community redevelopment strategy that focused on providing opportunities for existing residents.

WOODLAWN

The community of Woodlawn lies on the citys South Side just south of the campus of the University of Chicago, extending south to 71^st St., it includes Jackson park, which lies along the shores of Lake Michigan and extends westward to King Dr. The area came to be represented by high unemployment, which breeds poverty and crime as it began its downward spiral of deterioration and neglect. However in the 1990s things started to change for as the city approved a redevelopment plan for the area. The elevated train along 63^rd St. was demolished clearing the way for the city to make much needed improvements. The citys efforts seemed to attract many private developers to construct homes in the area. Lately there has been an emphasis placed on making Woodlawn a mixed income community as several upscale areas have been created.   As thousands of African-Americans migrated from the Jim Crow south to northern cities like Chicago expecting a better life many were met with the harsh realities of the big city. In many ways the overt racial discrimination they faced was as worse as it was in the South.  The restrictive housing covenants that were in place forced many blacks to live in highly segregated areas and severely limited opportunities for economic advancement.  Formed of a coalition of over 100 neighborhood associations, churches and civic organizations, The Woodlawn Organization (TWO) became the vehicle by which area residents could voice their grievances, which previously had been ignored.

LOGAN SQUARE

The community of Logan Square is located on the citys Northwest side extending roughly from Armitage north to Diversey, between Western and Pulaski. Per Census 2000 the area was over 65% Hispanic, housing the largest Puerto Rican, Cuban, South and Central American communities in the city. During the last 10 years the effects of gentrification can be vividly seen throughout the community as significant numbers of young urban professionals have since relocated to the area. The enormous growth in the Hispanic population over the last 20 years has had the effect of stabilizing the areas total population, which was 82,715 at the time of the last census. The Logan Square area has transformed into a trilingual community as signs above stores and taverns advertise in English, Spanish and Polish. Also many of the areas Catholic churches hold mass in all three languages to accommodate the multi-ethnic community.