Our Impact & Supporters
Every block cleaned is a step toward transformation, funded by people and organizations who believe in North Lawndale. Here's the progress we're making, together.
Live Progress
Blocks Cleaned
Active Workers
Total Raised
Sponsors
Our Honor Wall
Major sponsors ($2,000+) putting real money behind cleaner streets — every donation, of any size, is in the full supporter feed below.
Partner Spotlight
A partner rooted in the same block.
The University of Illinois Chicago’s Office of Community Collaboration describes its mission simply: to be “a catalyst for place-based investment,” directing university resources and expertise toward shared prosperity on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Of every neighborhood in the city, OCC has chosen to focus its work on exactly two — Auburn Gresham, and North Lawndale.
That’s not incidental to us. It’s the same six blocks from Dr. King’s 1966 apartment that GCC calls home.
In 2026, OCC backed GCC’s 100-block pilot goal with a $2,000 gift — real money, allocated toward the goal the same way every GCC sponsorship works: before the first shovel touches a block it funds, with before-and-after documentation to follow as that work is completed.
OCC’s own programs read like a partner list for exactly the kind of work GCC does: Neighborhood Centers puts physical community space directly in the blocks it serves; Participatory Research insists that residents — not just researchers — drive the questions being asked; and Dual Enrollment opens a college pathway for local students.
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Supporter Tiers
Platinum
$10,000+
Gold
$2,500+
Silver
$500+
Bronze
< $500
The Science of Clean Streets
The “Broken Windows Theory” demonstrates that visible signs of neglect—litter, graffiti, abandoned debris—signal that an area is uncared for, inviting further disorder. But the opposite is equally true: well-maintained spaces signal pride, care, and community investment.
Published in PNAS and JAMA Network Open. Bars show percent reduction in treated lots relative to untouched controls over the 18-month trial.
−40%
Crime rate in neighborhoods that score high on collective efficacy — whether neighbors feel any agency over their block — compared to similar-income, similar-disorder neighborhoods that score low. — Robert Sampson, Chicago research
Reduced Crime
Studies show that clean, well-lit streets experience significantly lower crime rates. When people see a cared-for environment, they're less likely to vandalize it.
Environmental Health
Litter doesn't just look bad—it contaminates water, harms wildlife, and creates health hazards. Clean blocks mean healthier families and a healthier planet.
Property Values
Clean neighborhoods attract investment. When streets are maintained, property values stabilize and grow—building generational wealth for homeowners.
Four Pillars of Transformation
Economic Empowerment
Every dollar stays in the community. Workers earn fair wages that support their families, pay local bills, and circulate back into neighborhood businesses.
Inspiring Our Youth
Children raised in clean, beautiful environments develop higher self-esteem and greater aspirations. Beauty nurtures creativity and shows kids they matter.
Community Bonds
Shared pride in clean streets brings neighbors together. When we invest in our blocks, we invest in each other—building trust and collaboration.
Local Business Growth
Clean streets attract foot traffic, encourage shopping local, and signal to entrepreneurs that this is a neighborhood worth investing in.
Every pillar above has a face behind it — neighbors on a freshly cleaned North Lawndale block.
Our Pay Promise
100% of every sponsorship goes directly to workers. No administrative fees. No overhead deductions. A $100 block sponsorship means $100 in a worker's pocket. This is radical transparency in action.
Partnerships
Organizations and businesses supporting our mission
Partner With GCC
We're building partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and foundations who share our vision for cleaner, safer neighborhoods. Corporate sponsorships include branding, impact reports, and community recognition on this page.
Be Part of the Transformation
Every clean block is a vote for the future we want. Whether you clean, sponsor, or spread the word—you're part of something bigger.
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