Lowe's Sponsors Neighbor Works Day

Kailar Vorise
Published: June 20, 2012

On June 2, 2012, the Auburn-Gresham/Englewood Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) office partnered with Lowe’s and Genesis Housing Development Corporation for a major improvement project on the 7800 block of South Aberdeen. The project was sponsored by the Lowe’s store at 79th and Cicero. The 7800 block of Aberdeen is a key block in the Auburn-Gresham Micro Market area. The Neighbor Works Day is an annual event that promotes community building and beatification. Improvements and beautification enhances the marketability of an area making it more attractive to new homeowners while encouraging current homeowners to invest in and remain in their neighborhood: BUY. FIX. KEEP.

As one enters Aberdeen from 79th Street, the visual communicates that they have entered a striking, well maintained block with caring residents. Most apparent are the beautified trees surrounds, freshly painted fences and/or porches and the lovely professionally done landscaping, accomplished with the help of numerous partners, volunteers, and local residents. As a result of the 7800 Aberdeen transformation, other blocks in the area may be inspired to incorporate beautification as part f their block club activities.

If you are impressed with the transformation of Aberdeen, two single family homes in the area are currently for sale: 7934 S. Aberdeen is a newly renovated 3 bedroom 1 bath bungalow on sale for $99,000 with up to $10,000 available in buyer subsidies. To view this home, contact Rhonda Prichett at 773-341-3177. A second home at 7801 S. Aberdeen, a 3 bedroom 1.5 baths home, is also on the market. The asking price for this home is $120,000 with up to $20,000 available in buyer subsidies. To view this home, call Toi Robertson at 312-925-1765.

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) is a non-profit, HUD certified Housing Counseling organization committed to helping homeowners and strengthening neighborhoods throughout Chicago & Elgin. Neighborhood Lending Services (NLS), an NHS-affiliated corporation, is Illinois’ largest nonprofit lender for homeowners and new home buyers. For the local residents of the Auburn Gresham/ Englewood community the local Neighborhood Housing Service office is located 449 w. 79^th street. Feel free to stop in or call 773-488-2004.

Special thanks to our partnerships with Lowe’s, who donated all landscaping and painting material and other merchandise including tents, tables and tools, and both trained and supervised volunteer teams and in proper painting, planting, and tree edging. Thanks to Genesis Development Corporation, who brought a team of make home improvements from installing handrails in bathrooms to cleaning and improving gutters. Thanks to AmeriCorps-Vista Volunteer Ericka Hall for working closely and developing a rapport with the residents and all of the 110 volunteers who made the project successful.

Keywords: Auburn-Gresham/Englewood Neighborhood, Englewood, HUD, Lowe's Sponsors NeighborWorks Day, Neighborhood Housing Services, Neighborhood Lending Services