May 16, 2012
With countless needs and constant questions lingering regarding underdeveloped communities society has failed to ask the tough questions. 1) Why are some communities struggling and others flourishing? (2) If the world is tired of the same results why do they continue to use the same methods? 3) Last but not least why aren’t communities gathering to come up with their own solutions?
Human
Capital is one of the most valuable resources along with time. What amazes me is that most
of today’s society doesn’t have a clue about true value. Some say true value is power,
religion, politics, money, and material riches. Human capital is an age old
resource that many have forgotten. Kingdoms have been won and conquered using
human capital. Countries have been built and developed on human capital. In fact
the wealthiest and most prosperous corporations rely on human capital to stay afloat.
Currency
loses value but human capital is priceless. Every human being was created with
great potential. Every human being has the ability to positively impact the
world with their gifts, life experiences, and time. We never know how our presence
and stories can help other people until we make ourselves available. There are
people in this world who are relying on us to put our witty ideas and
inventions into action.
Unfortunately many of us are too busy seeking selfish
ambitions to care about others.
When we fail
to help others we fail to help ourselves. The gift in giving and serving others
is a reward in itself. Recently, I discovered an amazing young lady by the name
of Ay-Sha Butler doing amazing things in the Greater Englewood community. As president and a founding member of
R.A.G.E Aysha along with her team are truly
making a difference in their community.
This is a
perfect example of concerned residents who have decided to be the change they
desire. By working together, planning, strategizing, sharing ideas, and
implementing those ideas R.A.G.E is starting to be recognized as a catalyst for
positive social change. They understand the power of mobilizing people and utilizing
human capital to impact the community.
by Ade
If you are interested in joining the heal the hood movement please email us @ cloudnationmedia@gmail.com or healthehoodblog@gmail.com.
The Mission
The mission of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood is to mobilize people and resources to force a
change in the community by breaking down barriers in communication and
promoting positivity through solution-based approaches.
Background
Residents in Englewood feel enraged: We are upset about the ways our
community is portrayed in the media and we are frustrated with the current
conditions of our neighborhood, despite the abundant presence of churches,
non-profits, and social service agencies. In late 2010, several residents
living in Greater Englewood decided to take matters into their own hands.
Through their fellowship, R.A.G.E. was soon created.
The Resident
Association of Greater Englewood represents new leadership within the community. This
resident-funded and resident-led association consists of members who reside in
all 6 wards of the Greater Englewood area. R.A.G.E. members are homeowners, stakeholders, business
owners, professionals, students, parents and grandparents fighting against the
stereotypes that often stigmatize Englewood.
RAGE members (L to
R): Phil Sipka, Asiaha Butler, Eric Wallace, Lindsay Coleman, Corrinn Cobb
Although R.A.G.E. seeks to holistically empower the community,
there are currently several areas and issues that R.A.G.E. seeks to
address. With the recent release of the 2010 Census data, R.A.G.E. has been at the forefront of the redistricting
process – working to help re-draw the boundaries of Greater Englewood and
pushing for at least one ward office in the neighborhood.
At the beginning of
the year, R.A.G.E. hosted three aldermanic candidate forums for the six wards in
the election (Wards 3, 6, 15, 16, 17, and 20) in Englewood. The forums were
created to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the candidates,
who in-turn were able to share what their goals are for Englewood.
Residents listen
intently to aldermanic candidates at Part II of the "Who's Running?"
Summit series.
When R.A.G.E. is not hosting forums, attending community
events, or just simply being regular-everyday folk – they meet monthly to
discuss current events in the community, share information, fellowship,
and seek concrete plans and actions steps to ensure that R.A.G.E. is always
working towards a tangible goal that benefits Greater Englewood. R.A.G.E. is action-driven, goal-oriented, and
dedicated to representing the good in Englewood.
R.A.G.E.‘s
presence in the community and the media has rapidly grown. R.A.G.E. members have made appearances on The
Sanita Jackson Show on WVON 1690 AM, The Munir Muhammad Show on CAN-TV Channel
25, and First Business Chicago on WCIU.
Check out R.A.G.E.’s very own, Asiaha Butler, as she discusses the vast array of assets
and resources in Englewood
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