Our neighbor Michelle remembers what Archer used to look like: “There was once a time when Archer had so many businesses that it was mostly pedestrians walking up and down the street to hit multiple businesses—not driving, parking, going into one, and going back into their car and going home.”

If you have been looking for a no-cost option for therapy, or just a way to connect with others, our monthly Circulo could be a good fit for you! Each month, we conduct a virtual session - one in Spanish and one in English - to help folks stay connected in these trying times.

ICYMI, this is a good recap of Amazon’s plans for the former Central Steel & Wire plant—a staggering 16 square city blocks right next to the Kedzie Orange Line station. What a wasted opportunity to build something community-oriented for Gage Park, Brighton Park, and the entire southwest side.

Next Saturday—stop by the Moving Archer Forward open house at McKinley Park to share what you love about the southwest side, and what the city can do better. 🌳 Moving Archer Forward Open House 📆 Saturday, Feb. 28 🕐 1-3pm (drop in anytime) 📍 McKinley Park Fieldhouse (2210 W. Pershing)

Save the date so you can join us for our next Freebies for Families events. This month, Edwards Elementary will host us once again, 4815 S Karlov, Door 2. Thanks, Eagles!

Before the Kedzie safe streets infrastructure went in, we would have ✨never✨ felt safe biking underneath I-55 and over the Sanitary & Ship Canal. But earlier this week, we took the new lanes for a spin up to 26th St. and saw first hand what connected communities look like 💛🚴🏽‍♀️💚

What do YOU want to see on Archer? The city is doing a corridor study and they want input from everybody who lives, works, plays, and travels in the area. 🌳 Moving Archer Forward Open House 📆 Saturday, Feb. 28 🕐 1-3pm (drop in anytime) 📍 McKinley Park Fieldhouse (2210 W. Pershing)

Is that 41st & Pulaski or…

In case you missed tonight’s community meeting, Amazon presented their plans to develop the Central Steel & Wire site into a delivery station, which would serve as a hub for package delivery in the area. Here are the deets, according to the company:

Jesse Jackson’s impact was felt all over the country, including on the southwest side. Here he is at age 24, helping to lead the 1966 Chicago Freedom Movement march in Marquette Park—a brave and righteous collective action that still reverberates 60 years later ✊

Today, make sure you stop into a local bakery for your paczki! There are many great options along Archer Avenue, such as Shop& Save Market, Pticek & Son Bakery, Racine Bakery and Weber's Bakery.

Check out our letter in today’s @chicagotribune.com. Supporters of the Archer/Kedzie redesign are hopeful that this project will make it safer to get around the neighborhoods we call home: Brighton Park and the surrounding communities of Gage Park, McKinley Park, Archer Heights, and Little Village.

Israel wants to tell you to get ready to vote on March 17. If you will turn 18 before the November 3 election, you can vote in the upcoming primary. Hit the link in our bio for registration info and polling place locations.

Okay, which one of y’all did this? 😂🍑

“Many local families have had to pay legal fees and costly bonds for a detained loved one, or they’re saving money in case a loved one is detained or they decide to leave the country. Amid these challenges, organizers and business specialists are encouraging neighbors to shop local.”

If last Saturday was a good day to support A Cup of Joe, then this Saturday is a good day to support A Cup of Joe. Swing by 6806 W. Archer and show them some love 🤎

We have an important election coming up! Vote here ——> www.chicago.gov/city/en/dept...

A few unique & cool local options for ❤️ gifts - unroll that thread 🧵

With safety upgrades on Archer, “if you live a few blocks from your kids’ school, maybe you’ll feel comfortable letting your kids bike to school, or walking with them—trips you wouldn’t have felt safe doing before. If the project achieves that, it’s a boon for quality of life in the neighborhood.”

Terrible news. We are keeping the family in our thoughts, and encouraging anyone with information to please report what they know.

The Central Steel & Wire site is big. Really big. 16 square city blocks big. What does Amazon have planned for the southwest side? We’ll all find out together next Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Las Brisas Del Mar, 3207 W. 51st St., at 6pm.

Good doggos ❤️ safe streets

Drop in at the next Moving Archer Forward open house at the McKinley Park Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 28—anytime between 1-3pm. This is your chance to let city planners know what YOU want to see on Archer, from zoning and land use to transit and housing. More info: chicago.gov/archer

Our neighbors are showing up to support A Cup of Joe today! Come through—they’re open until 3pm at 6806 W. Archer and 50% of today’s sales will be donated to the Street Vendors Association of Chicago! The southwest side doesn’t take kindly to bullies ✊

This is big news for Gage Park, and for the entire southwest side. We'll be learning what Amazon has planned for the large Central Steel & Wire parcel they bought back in 2021—and how the city plans to manage any neighborhood impacts 👀

Welcome to the neighborhood 🧡 Coming soon to Archer & Lawndale, in the old Gem Electric building.

From some of the folks behind the weekly rallies in support of the Archer traffic safety project: A bike ride to buy some non-ICEd coffee to support a Gage Park cafe that's reportedly experienced MAGA harassment. 🚲 ☕️ ✊ www.facebook.com/groups/45642...

Our neighbor Julie shared her story of being hit by a car while riding a Divvy bike on Archer Avenue. “If I’m in danger, I think about how much danger there could be to children, and elderly people, and people who are maybe not able-bodied.”

Meet the seamstress who has made banners for United Center legends for 40 years. Maria Estela Parra, a South Sider and Mexican immigrant, made Derrick Rose’s newly retired No. 1 banner — and virtually all others hanging from the stadium’s rafters — alongside her coworkers. blockclubchi.co/3NSm9BV

Thank you to WGN’s Spotlight Chicago TV for inviting us to the studio yesterday. We appreciate the chance to talk about the work we’re doing across environmental justice, small business advocacy, transit safety, mutual aid and civic engagement.

Our neighbor Marimar shares her story of being shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in Brighton Park last October. “I could show you all my wounds,” she told 60 Minutes. “I want to show you, because I want people to see what happened that day.”

Thanks to Healing Illinois, we will begin offering virtual, bilingual mental health therapy in a webinar format monthly. We are polling folks to see what time works best, on Fridays: 🌞 Morning: 10-11am 🍕 Lunch time: 12-1pm 📲 Afternoon: 2-3pm

In case you missed the robocall, Chicago Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 23 due to extreme cold 🥶 Stay inside if you can, and stay warm—temperatures are expected to stay below zero until midday on Saturday.

Archer Para Todos 🧡

Every year, we collect & distribute books that have received the Coretta Scott King Award, in honor of Dr. King’s birthday.

🎅🏽 Iceman 🤝 Iceman 🐻

Go VOTE. If you need help registering or updating your registration, we got you. And if you would like to reserve our squad for a community event, hit the links below. — ¡VOTA! Si necesitas ayuda para registrarte o actualizar tu registro, te ayudamos. Y si quieres reservar a nuestro equipo para un

Shout out to everybody who came out to support safe streets last night—and to our neighbor Oscar who pulled up with some incredible elotes 🌽 After we had our fill, our friends at CyclingxSolidarity bought out Oscar’s cart for distribution in the community.

Hundreds of people have packed into Chicago's Thalia Hall tonight for a community listening session on CPD collaboration with ICE/CBP. Police district councillors who gathered petition signatures required to hold tonight's hearing are opening by thanking the community for showing out.

Please join us on Monday, January 19 for a day of service in honor of Dr. King's legacy. You can participate by picking up a bundle of books, dropping them at the assigned library box, snapping a photo & sending to us. And yes - you can add your own books, etc!

New Year’s Resolution: Don’t take threats to safe streets projects lying down 💚💛

Hey NBC Chicago, why'd you do a report on a "Protest over bike lanes," about a handful of anti-Ald. Ramirez folks... www.facebook.com/reel/2076330... ...Without mentioning the much larger group rallying in support of the Archer traffic safety project next to them? www.facebook.com/reel/8532620...

IYKYK

This is what traffic looked like on Archer at 5:44pm last night—similar to what it’s been the past four weeks. Nobody likes congestion, but maybe we should wait until construction wraps up so we can judge this project based on the results.

✨please✨

We’ll need to measure the real life impact of the Archer and Kedzie redesign—and make whatever fixes need to be made. We’re sharing information about this project in the hopes of inspiring an honest and productive conversation about what southwest siders need.

Our neighbors have raised good questions about how the new Archer will function IRL. We’re sharing information about this project in the hopes of inspiring an honest and productive conversation about what southwest siders need. See all four infographics: www.swcollective.org/archer-kedzi...

The city’s redesign of Archer and Kedzie is about way more than bike lanes. We’re sharing information about this project in the hopes of inspiring an honest and productive conversation about what southwest siders need. See all four infographics: www.swcollective.org/archer-kedzi...

Why is construction happening on Archer and Kedzie—and when will it end? We’re sharing information about this project in the hopes of inspiring an honest and productive conversation about what southwest siders need. See all four infographics: www.swcollective.org/archer-kedzi...

"I went down to the demonstration to get my fair share of abuse." 🎵 Most people at last Monday's 2nd chilly dueling Archer protest were Safe Street supporters. We interview 10 people who live in or near Brighton Park about why they're backing the plan. @betterstreetschicago.org @bikegridnow.org