Community Corner

What We're Learning Six Community Corners have already shown us something important: Park Forest and the Southland aren't empty of resources, knowledge, talent or ideas. Much of it simply isn't connected yet. Again and again, our conversations have returned to several themes: CONNECT people to resources they may not know exist. SHARE knowledge already living within our community. CREATE opportunities for jobs, youth, families, businesses and neighborhoods. ENGAGE residents differently instead of expecting everyone to participate in traditional programs and meetings. ACT on ideas that can improve our communities. That's why Community Corner is different. This is more than a meeting. It's community infrastructure. People don't have to bring anything—but we want everyone to leave with something: a resource, an idea, a connection, an opportunity, encouragement, or perhaps even someone they can help. And as more people participate, something powerful happens: Community itself becomes the resource. Join the Next Community Corner Every 1st & 4th Wednesday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 200 Main Street | Park Forest, IL In Person + Online Come with something you need, something you know, something you'd like to see changed—or simply come to listen. Everyone is welcome. If you're not a resource seeker, you are a resource.

August 26, 2026 | From Resources to Economic Opportunity This Community Corner brought the conversation strongly toward jobs, economic opportunity, skills and community culture. What We Heard From the Community Participants discussed: -The need to attract more industry and economic activity to the area. Concerns about household income and economic conditions within the changing community. -Bringing people together around advancement rather than simply identifying problems. -Improving security and cleanliness in downtown Park Forest. -Sharing more of the knowledge that already exists among residents. -Financial-assistance programs becoming exhausted or unable to meet growing demand. -Creating more local employment opportunities as a longer-term solution. -Barriers to job accessibility and workforce participation. -The need for job-readiness, professionalism and workplace-skills training. -Creating stronger pathways for residents to develop marketable skills. -The need for more Southland-focused job sites and employment connections. -Greater support for people experiencing homelessness, including overnight shelter, mobile showers and laundry access. Reaching the Next Generation The conversation also explored how technology and media could be used to shift culture rather than simply advertise programs. Ideas included: -Youth-focused social media campaigns. -Residents becoming local content creators. -Social media monetization and entrepreneurship. -Youth-led fashion and appropriate-attire conversations. -Youth sports tips and educational content. -Using platforms such as Nextdoor to strengthen neighborhood connections. -Geofencing and other location-based technology to connect residents with relevant local information. -Creating media that addresses real community challenges while simultaneously creating skills and potential employment opportunities. The larger idea: Don't just market to the community. Give the community the tools to tell its own stories. Resource Shared The LiveUp Community Resource Center provides a growing collection of community resources residents can explore and share. www.liveupnetwork.org

August 5, 2026 | Even the Storm Couldn't Stop the Conversation Severe weather resulted in a smaller Community Corner, but the conversation continued. Participants discussed leadership changes within Park Forest and returned to one of the questions that has followed Community Corner since its launch: How do we meaningfully engage Park Forest's approximately 22,000 residents? Instead of measuring success only by how many people attend a meeting, we're continuing to explore ways to meet residents where they already live, work, learn, worship, shop and gather. Resource Spotlight: Participants also connected with the Park Forest Maker Lab, located at 208–214 Forest Boulevard. During the visit, community members were using equipment including a sewing machine and laser cutter—another example of a valuable local resource residents may not know is available led by expert resident Phil Perkins.

July 22, 2026 | Community Corner Goes on the Road Community Corner doesn't always have to happen around the same table. This Corner became a community field trip to explore one of Park Forest's local media resources. Participants visited WVTC Gospel Radio Network and learned more about local radio, television, film, podcasting and media opportunities. Resource Discovered: WVTC Podcast & Media Services - http://www.wvtcradio.com/ The visit also reinforced a larger Community Corner idea: Our community has resources that many residents may walk or drive past every day without knowing what's available inside. Community Corner can help open those doors.

July 1, 2026 | Putting UNITY Back in Community This Community Corner became a much larger conversation about what UNITY could look like throughout Park Forest and the Southland. Community Needs Discussed Residents identified a need for: -More electric, gas and water utility assistance. -Greater awareness of existing assistance programs and eligibility requirements. -More employment opportunities that help families become financially stable. -Stronger cross-generational communication. -Greater emotional intelligence and critical-thinking development. -Additional educational and literacy support for young people in an increasingly technology-centered environment. -More opportunities for residents to move from identifying problems to participating in solutions. Ideas Born at the Corner -A major conversation developed around using arts and public spaces to tell Southland stories. -Participants discussed public-art concepts seen in other communities—including benches and other everyday public features transformed into community artwork—and considered how Park Forest could create its own signature project. Ideas also included: -A Southland traveling farmers market. -Community growing spaces where youth could grow and sell produce. -Youth agriculture and entrepreneurship. -Raising chickens and selling fresh eggs as part of a youth enterprise. -Greenhouses for year-round growing. -Increasing volunteers for community resources such as the Veterans -Closet and Tool Lending Library. -Community games and shared experiences that bring different generations together. -Cross-community art projects. -Identifying common causes that people across backgrounds can rally around. -Exploring creative fundraising models that support community-serving organizations. The UNITY Conversation Several powerful questions came out of the discussion: What is keeping people up at night besides bills? What is one major concern people throughout the Southland share? How do we move people from complaints to solutions? How do we encourage residents to participate in opportunities available to them? What issues cross generations? How can faith and prayer serve as another point of unity for people who choose to participate? The discussion led to an emerging idea: clearly define what UNITY means and develop Community Ambassadors representing the different parts of community life: Parents • Students • Neighbors • Businesses • Organizations • Schools • Municipalities Resources Shared & Discovered Food-assistance options were discussed, including Rich Township Food Pantry and local Park Forest food resources, including Victory Christian International Ministries and Catholic Charities-associated food assistance. Dark Hole to a Diamond was also shared as a resource focused on mindset and financial coaching

June 24, 2026 | Connecting People Before Crisis Our second Community Corner continued the conversation about the gap between having resources and people actually knowing how to use them. What We Heard From the Community The conversation included: -Township services exist, but many residents don't fully understand what services are available or how to access them. -Municipal zoning and development policies may need to evolve more quickly alongside changing business, entertainment and community needs. -Concern about access to trauma-level medical care in the Southland and the distance residents may need to travel for certain emergency services. -Concerns about healthcare quality, affordability and accessibility. -The impact substance abuse and trauma can have on families. -The ongoing challenge of getting people connected to resources that already exist. -An important question: How do we find and reach the people who need services instead of waiting for them to find us? -Challenges establishing partnerships with schools throughout the Southland. -Using creative engagement—including talent shows, plays, television, storytelling and community theater—to reach residents differently. Resources Shared & Discovered -Southland Readiness Project — Student coaching and readiness support. -Elite Treatment — Housing resources in Chicago Heights, including housing opportunities discussed for people returning from incarceration. -Southland Ministerial Alliance — A network where people can exchange information and build relationships; community participation was discussed as being available beyond formal membership. The Bigger Question How do we stop waiting for people to walk into programs and begin taking information, relationships and opportunities to where people already are?

June 10, 2026 | Our First Community Corner Our first Community Corner began with an important conversation: resources may already exist in our community, but too many people don't know about them, don't know how to access them, or aren't being reached. What We Heard From the Community Residents and participants discussed: The need to improve how Park Forest communicates and promotes its existing community resources. -Low community participation in surveys and other public engagement opportunities, including concerns that some voices, age groups and current residents may not be adequately represented. -The need for a local laundromat. -More affordable and reduced-rate transportation options. -Exploring a hotel with indoor/outdoor waterpark amenities, potentially through multi-community partnerships that could provide resident discounts. -Greater investment in arts and cultural opportunities throughout the Southland. -Exploring community-centered membership models that create tangible benefits for residents. -More collaboration among schools and youth organizations, including opportunities to unify certain sports, cheerleading and extracurricular programs. -More affordable commercial rent to support local businesses. -Teen programs focused on positive development, behavior, mentorship and stronger school partnerships. -More parenting resources and support. -Greater emphasis on housing and home stability. Resources Shared & Discovered: Participants shared several resources already available within the Southland: -KHOVF Free Clothes Closet — 274 Main Street, Park Forest. Clothing assistance and opportunities to donate items. -Veterans Closet Furniture Giveaway — 351 Founders Way, Park Forest. -Southland Coalition — A recurring opportunity for organizations and community members to exchange information and resources in Chicago Heights. -OAI Training & Career Resources — Training opportunities discussed included clean energy, healthcare, electrical, construction, HVAC, nursing pathways, RN apprenticeships, solar/NCCER certification and professional development. A Question We're Continuing to Explore Park Forest has approximately 22,000 residents representing different generations, backgrounds and life experiences. How do we effectively reach, engage and connect more of them?

Community Corner: Conversations, Resources & Community Solutions Where Community Becomes the Resource The Community Corner is a unique community conversation where neighbors, organizations, businesses, and community leaders come together to connect, share resources, explore needs, and develop solutions for Park Forest and the Chicago Southland. Community Corner launched on June 10, 2026 and meets every 1st and 4th Wednesday from 6:00–8:00 PM, in person at 200 Main Street, Park Forest, IL, with an option to participate online. This isn't just a place to hear about programs. It's a place for the community to talk to one another. At each Corner, we ask: Who are you? What do you need? What can you offer? From there, the conversation grows. Some people come looking for a resource. Others bring knowledge, connections, experiences or ideas that may become the resource someone else needs. If you're not a resource seeker, you are a resource. Below is our growing record of what the community has shared, the resources we've discovered, and the ideas we're exploring together.

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