Block: 3100 S. Lawndale Ave.
Their first meeting was on August 22nd. Some members of the neighboring 3200 S. Lawndale Block Club also attended. Our list of priorities include:
Ø Traffic
Ø Security
Ø Hygiene and health
Due to the fact that these blocks are right next to each other, we have the same concerns and have made the decision to work together on these issues. We will have meetings to work out the details of how we will divide the different tasks, activities, and keep each other informed. Each block will vote on a committee to represent us.

Blocks 2800 & 3000 S. Millard Ave:
Both of these blocks have also joined in the project. This started when neighbors of these blocks decided to have a Block Club Party.
Our first meeting was on August 28th: The first objective was to discuss the celebration and how the block could better unite to improve the neighborhood. The participation of everyone on the block was great with 80 people from both blocks attending.
After having completed the different steps for the authorization by the Alderman, of the block club celebration, the party was a great hit. There was a lot of block participation and it was very positive and orderly. It was decided to have another meeting soon, to continue the dialogue among neighbors on the list of activities and concerns for the area.

Saturday, 18th of August - Block 3200 S. Lawndale
Based on the decision from the August 1st meeting, the first activity, as an Independent Block Club was to have a Cleaning Day. We would like to congratulate all the neighbors for participating in their own way in creating a clean and beautiful looking block. They also held their block party that day!

INDEPENDENT BLOCK PARTY
Saturday, 22nd of August - Block 3000 S. Millard
To get to that point the neighbors had to:

• Collect signatures for the petition because laws of the City of Chicago require that 75% of the neighbors on the block be in agreement for the block party. We are pleased to announce that 100% of the neighbors agreed and signed the petition.
• In the meeting on the 5th of September it was agreed to ask for a $40 donation by each family to cover the costs of the block party.
  
• A congratulation for the total amount of money collected was $1,600. This means that 40 families contributed and the money went to:
  

On the day of the Party:
Cleaning
In order for the party to be a great success the neighbors made sure that the block was completely cleaned. Most got up very early to sweep and clean the street. Thank you to everyone for making sure that the streets where also cleaned after the party.
Entertainment for the kids
A moonwalk was rented so the kids and youth had the opportunity to jump around all day.
As many of you know, Eliceo Acosta who lives on this block is a Mexican artist. He created three elaborate piñatas, which brought a lot of fun and smiles to the kids and adults.
Four ponies were also rented which brought happiness to everyone.
Parents had the opportunity to take pictures of their children on the ponies.
That evening gifts and sweets were handed out to all the kids who came regardless if they lived on the block or not.
Music
A professional DJ was hired, who got all the kids and adults to dance. During this time, a neighbor who is also a DJ brought out his equipment and also started playing music, which helped to get everyone dancing. Thank you neighbors!

The whole day was great and safe fun not only for the adults, but also for the kids and youth who had their first chance to play freely on the street with roller blades, bikes, and basketball.
Please note: this is the first party ever for this block!


Saturday, 29th of September - 2800 S. Millard Ave
On this day, this block held their first Independent Block Club Party.
First we would like to thank the neighbors of this block for their understanding and cooperation because it was decided at the September 5th meeting that the block party would be held on the 15th of September. But due to the tragedies in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania on the 11th of September that affected us all, the block party was canceled. We later had a meeting on the 24th of September, and decided to reschedule the party for the 29th of September.

To get to this point the neighbors had to:

• First collect signatures for the petition,
  
• They meet on the 28th of August, 5th, 10th, and 24th of September.
  
• We also collected a total of $910 for the party with 30 families participating.
  
  On the day of the Party:
  
  Cleaning: The neighbors got up very early to clean, move their cars, and decorate the street.
  1. Entertainment: A moonwalk was rented from the City, where the kids and youth had the opportunity to jump around all day.
  2. Piñatas: The neighbors purchased three piñatas for the kids and youth to enjoy.
  3. Decorations: Balloons were passed out to all the kids and the walkways of the houses on the block were also decorated with balloons.
  4. Snow cones: which are very popular refreshment in Mexico, were passed out to all the kids after we ran and jumped around.
  5. Educational toys: were passed out to all the kids who attended the party, regardless if they lived on the block or not.
  6. Corn on the cob: was passed out to all the kids and adults with their choice of toppings: mayonnaise, cheese, butter, and chile.
  7. Music: The services of a professional DJ were contracted so that there would be entertainment. The adults enjoyed the music and danced, and the party ended at 10 p.m.

The whole day was great and safe fun not only for the adults, but also for the kids and youth who had their first chance to play freely on the street with roller blades, bikes, and basketball.
Please note: this is the first party ever for this block!

As you can see these events were carried out with order, respect, participation, voting, contributions, and with the consent of everyone. We believe this is how everything should be, not only in events like this, but everything that effects our community from the most important issues to the most simple. This is a call to all the local, national, and global authorities to listen to our voice and respect our right to make our own decisions for ourselves. Only in this way will we live in a world where there is Peace, Harmony, Tranquility, Social Justice, and the well being of all.

Thank you and Acknowledgments:
To the Acosta-Chavez Family, for having coordinated the event on the 3000 S. Millard Block from beginning to end, for collecting the petitions and money, for having contacted the local Alderman, and having contacted the different entertainment companies.
Thank you To the Gil, Roman, Palma, Ramos, Carrasco, Ehrman, and Toledo Families, for having helped in the coordination of the events on the 2800 S. Millard Block from beginning to end. A special thank you to Gil Family for having worked on the street decorations, and for having cooked all the corn that we enjoyed. To Ms. Irma Jimenez for her help in collecting the petitions and part of the money.
To the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) for having coordinated and designated Juan Miguel Turnil to work with this project full time, and for making resources available to us: the copier, computers, telephone, and fax machine

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