Hermosa's Dog Park Committee - Get Involved + Sign Up for Updates

THIS COMMITTEE IS TEMPORARILY PAUSED

If you’d like to participate, please contact info@ourhermosa.org or text 773-295-7790 to find out more about reviving this committee

---

(May 2021) The Hermosa Neighborhood Association has just launched a new Dog Park and Fundraising Committee based on community interest in pursing a city-sanctioned off-leash space for our furry friends to mingle, get exercise and play. Hermosa does not have an off-leash area, which means all dogs must be on a leash outside of your own property. See City of Chicago guidelines.

The goal of the committee is to scout locations, plan a design, fundraise and implement a dog-friendly space. This is an effort that will take numerous volunteers, community engagement and significant fundraising. If other communities can do this, Hermosa sure can!

Sign Up for Dog Park Updates!

To learn more about being on the Dog Park + Fundraising Committee, please sign up for volunteer orientation.

Hermosa Community Meeting Recap - Safety, Vaccinations, Masks + Getting Help

On April 6th, 2021, volunteers from the Hermosa Neighborhood Association’s Community Outreach Committee presented topical community information to support Hermosa residents. Below are the resources, videos and support materials for residents.

Thank you to Hermosa residents and HNA volunteers Alfonso Vinaja, Connie Hernandez, Janette Pacheco, Alma Kreuser, and Lee Helmer for their research and time to help better support our community.

Take the Hermosa Community Survey // Responda nuestra encuesta comunitaria

For the HNA's Hermosa Community Meeting on April 6th at 6pm, we would like to answer questions on current topics such as safety, vaccinations, masks and volunteering.// Para la Reunión de la Comunidad Hermosa de HNA el 6 de abril a las 6 pm, nos gustaría responder preguntas sobre temas actuales como seguridad, vacunas, máscaras y voluntariado.

HNA in the Press - Diaper Drive for Hermosa Mutual Aid

Block Club Chicago reports on Hermosa Leaders Seeking Donations of Money And Diapers For Families In Need

Read on Block Club ChIcago

HNA - "What we do" sponsored by IL State Rep Will Guzzardi 39th District

State of Illinois Representative Will Guzzardi, a Democrat representing the 39th House District in Illinois introduces President Rupert Medina of the Hermosa Neighborhood Association and 39th District staff Emily Melby in a discussion about the work that the HNA does in the 20th Chicago Community in Chicago.’

Below are some image highlights or you can watch the full video below.

Watch Video + Like on Facebook

Thank you to State Rep. Will Guzzardi - 39th District + staff for highlighting some great organizations that are doing...

Posted by Hermosa Neighborhood Association on Monday, December 21, 2020

Links: https://www.repguzzardi.com/

Leadership Opportunities with the Hermosa Neighborhood Association

Volunteer! Join an HNA Committee

The Hermosa Neighborhood Association is seeking energetic neighbors and business owners to help strategize, in our action-based committees and neighborhood board. If you would like general information about volunteering, please visit our volunteering page, or make an appointment with one of our coordinators.

The HNA is structured as a voting membership of not more than 10, then an extended network or volunteers, donors and neighborhood advocates who join committees aligned by specific goals of the organization. Volunteers can join HNA Committees anytime, and the HNA Board is by application and annual election.

Current HNA Committees

Committees meet monthly. To join a committee, contact us and we can include you in our meetings, the committee calendar and goals

Marketing + Community Outreach Committee
This committee focuses on engaging with the community in various ways including events, HNA advocacy, volunteering, as well as social media and promotion of Hermosa-focused news

Safety Committee
By listening and engaging in community, ward and policing activities, committee members take on HNA Safety Committee goal-oriented tasks and initiatives such as reporting and publishing CAPs meetings, promoting ward and community policing engagements and collating crime and traffic data for special interest initiatives. Learn more

Fundraising + Dog Park Committee
This committee is dedicated to donor outreach, whether it be community members in small donations, as well as corporate donors and grants. Fundraising may take place online through social media, at events or personal phone calls with potential business donors.

Or, find out more information about pets and dog park progress.

Beautification Committee
This committee focuses on creating a greener and cleaner Hermosa. Seasonal planting, tree management and advocacy, as well as block and park cleanups are all part of this direct-action committee.

Time Commitment

2-10 hours a month depending

Ages

16+ to 100 (teens can acquire service hours for school requirements)

Interested? Please register to talk to our volunteer coordinators

HNA in the News - WTTW PBS Interviews Rupert Medina during Coronavirus at Kelvyn Park

WTTW PBS reporter Brandis Freedman interviews Rupert Medina, of the Hermosa Neighborhood Association, on the COVID-19 pandemic, July 2020 in Kelvyn Park, Hermosa in Chicago.

Rupert Medina-Hermosa Neighborhood Association

Watch Video + Like on Facebook

HNA in the News - Covid-19 Top 4 Zip Codes in Illinois are Chicago Latino Communities (Copy)

Maria Inés Zamudio of WBEZ.org interviews HNA’s Executive Director Lee Helmer in response to April 2020’s high Covid rates as the top four zip codes in the state of Illinois. Transcript below.

Four zip codes in mostly Latino neighborhoods have the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Illinois a WBEZ analysis of state data shows. WBEZ’s Maria Inez Zamudio reports: 

Three of the top zip codes include majority Latino neighborhoods in Chicago like little village in Chicago Lawn the highest number of cases were found in Belmont Cragin and Hermosa. Lee Helmer is with the Hermosa Neighborhood Association. “We will be getting signs made to put in the parks in English and Spanish to remind people that they shouldn't be playing on the playground or playing, let's say, in Kelvyn Park at a volleyball match.” Helmer said she doesn't want to report people who aren't following social distancing guidelines instead she wants to focus on educating them. Maria Inés Zamudio,  WBEZ News.

Listen on WBEZ.org

HNA Affordable Housing Statement for 4K Diversey Partners LLC

Recently there was a story regarding a zoning amendment for The Fields development located at 4000-4180 West Diversey Ave. 

You can read that story here :

 https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170711/avondale/the-fields-paul-fishbein-4k-diversey-partners-4000-w-diversey-avenue

HNA was mentioned in the story as it pertains to writing a letter to the Alderman. Here is that letter in its entirety here: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B86BIFyJYGvsZHhfSVRTOFJzXzQ/view?usp=sharing

TIF Illumination recap

We had a really great conversation on TIFs and where the money is going in Hermosa earlier this month with The TIF Illumination Project.

There is over $10 million trapped in TIFs in Hermosa that could be going to improving our parks, schools and streets TODAY.

Over the past 30 years some $76 million has been spent on TIF related projects in or near Hermosa, including $26.5 million on the Brickyard Mall and over $6 million on building two Home Depots in, or near, Hermosa.

Educate yourself and then ask the question.... are your tax dollars being spent in an ideal way?

Below is the presentation deck and the podcast 

Presentation

The TIFs of Hermosa from The CivicLab

Podcast