Cultivating a Bright Future in Little Village

Little Village, or La Villita, has a long history of welcoming immigrant communities, starting with the German, Czech and Polish residents who flocked here in search of factory work after the Great Chicago Fire. More recently, the Southwest Side neighborhood has been an important point of entry for Latine immigrants to the region. Centered on 26th Street, one of the city’s strongest economic engines, it’s a place teeming with culture, commerce, cuisine, creativity, and above all, a deep sense of community.

From 2005 to today, three quality-of-life plans have helped guide residents as they transform their aspirations into actions, resulting in improved amenities, resources and coordination. With a clear roadmap for continued growth, Little Village remains fiercely committed to the bright future it is forging. The Trust, alongside partners, is proud to support projects that are moving this dynamic neighborhood forward.

“Little Village is a strong community because neighbors come together to support one another. We invite everyone to come and be a part of our community’s success. That’s how we’ll keep Chicago strong.”

Cesar Nuñez
Co-Executive Director
Enlace Chicago

Little Village Snapshot

The following are just some of the nonprofit organizations making a difference in Little Village:

• NEW LIFE CENTERS connects young people through mentoring, education, sports, and street outreach. In 2024, the Trust supported New Vecinos, a program launched in 2023 to assist families newly arrived to the community. Supported by the Trust’s Critical Needs funds, Illinois Immigration Funder Collaborative (a grantmaking collaborative co-founded by the Trust), and the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (a collaborative fund housed at the Trust).
• ENLACE CHICAGO convenes, organizes and builds the capacity of Little Village stakeholders to advance a wide range of community priorities. With Trust grant support, Enlace led the creation of the neighborhood’s most recent quality-of-life plan, building on two previous plans that have helped coordinate community-led efforts to improve local amenities and opportunities. Supported by the Trust’s Community Wealth funds, Nuestro Futuro (an affinity fund of the Trust), Illinois Immigration Funder Collaborative (a grantmaking collaborative co-founded by the Trust), and Bridges to Brighter Futures (a collaboration between the Trust and Kinship Foundation funded by the Searle Funds at the Trust).
• MARSHALL SQUARE RESOURCE NETWORK is a coalition of 60-plus organizations that engages the collective strengths of Little Village residents and institutions to create systems, tools, connections, and capital to support community ownership. Supported by the Trust’s Community Wealth funds.
• THE RESURRECTION PROJECT builds trusting relationships in Little Village to help residents achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. Supported by the Trust’s Household Wealth and Policy Change funds.
• BORDERLESS MAGAZINE NFP is a nonprofit news outlet that tells the stories of the immigrant communities it serves and provides critical information to residents in Spanish and English. Supported by the Trust’s Collective Power funds, 3C (Connecting Capital and Community), and Press Forward Chicago (a collaborative fund housed at the Trust).

Projects Supported by We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery

We Rise Together is a Trust-led funder collaborative that works in partnership with community members to make investments in long-underinvested Chicago neighborhoods, which strengthens the region for us all.

• LATINOS PROGRESANDO HQ: A long-vacant public library branch transformed by the community into a thriving hub for immigrant legal services (Latinos Progresando), mental healthcare (Esperanza Health Centers), and youth programs (Lincoln Park Zoo). Doors opened in August 2023. Since Latinos Progresando HQ opened, businesses within a half-mile have seen a lift of at least $2 million in consumer spending, based on Mastercard data alone.
• CAROLE ROBERTSON CENTER FOR LEARNING: Extensive building upgrades will enable this vibrant and vital organization to provide expanded access to care and learning for hundreds of young children each year. Work will be completed in 2025.