Renters have a bad reputation that causes local homeowners to push back against building new apartments in their neighborhoods. They're accused of being transient residents who take from a community's resources without giving anything back. They're only in the area for a short while and don't feel it's necessary to get involved in local events. They may not have money to donate to local causes.
This sort of attitude is detrimental to all renters. When owners see renters as unwelcome second class citizens it makes it harder for all renters to find housing. It fosters segregation and discrimination. Renters need to make an effort to get involved in the neighborhood activities around them.
Most renters are in town for a least a year and have some spare time on their hands. Here are some inexpensive, short-term ways that renters can fight back against the bad reputation that follows them around.
1. Attend CAPS meetings
The Chicago police have a system called CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) which allows civilians to assist with the policing of their neighborhood. Each beat has an open meeting with police officers from their local department present on a regular basis.
In some neighborhoods these meetings could occur as often as once a month, in other neighborhoods they may occur every quarter. Attending these meetings will give you insight into criminal activity in your area and allow you to speak directly with local officers about concerns you may have about your own safety.
The CAPS program also runs a court advocacy group. Members of this group attend trials of criminals to serve as a voice for the community.
You can find out more about CAPS at chicagopolice.org.
2. Help with local street festivals
Almost every neighborhood in Chicago has a street festival each summer. Most of these festivals are staffed by volunteers from the community. Volunteers man the gates and the beer tents. It's a great way to get to know your neighbors.
Volunteers for Chicago festivals are coordinated by the city's department of Special Events Management.
3. Run for your Local School Council
Every Chicago public school has an elected Local School Council which functions sort of like a PTA in other districts. These councils are made up of not only parents and teachers but also members of the local community. Two community member positions on each local school council must be filled by residents who do not have children attending the school, so they're great positions for renters.
These councils are involved in hiring principals, approving the school's budget and creating the educational goals for the school. Each term is two years long, so it does require you to be in town for a little longer than most of these options, but it's still a worthwhile thing to consider. Find out more about Local School Councils.
4. Help with local parks and community gardens
Chicago has many public parks, and the Chicago Park District works together with volunteer advisory councils made up of local residents. You can join one of these councils or help out with the activities that they sponsor. A list of parks with advisory councils can be found here. More information about what advisory councils do can be found here.
If you'd rather stay closer to home, many blocks have active block clubs that work together to maintain gardens on the corners of each block. Other neighborhoods have community gardens with plots available for residents. Every gardening group is different so there's no central point of communication I can provide here, but if you ask around on Everyblock you're sure to turn up something. (The Chicago Police website is supposed to have a map of block clubs, but that portion of their site is broken.)
5. Help with a feral cat colony
Cook County has a law that protects the those who want to care for the many outdoor feral cats that roam through its streets and alleys. Those who help to feed and protect feral cats can apply to the county through a local pet shelter to be approved as a feral cat colony caretaker. They can then participate in Trap-Neuter-Return programs to help control the cat population.
Many local shelters work with feral cat colony caretakers including PAWS Chicago, the Anti-Cruelty Society and Tree House Humane Society.
6. Join in a neighborhood cleanup
Some local civic groups sponsor events where local residents get together to pick up litter and debris around the area. This is a great way to improve your surroundings and meet your neighbors.
7. Help with political campaigns
A lot of residents choose to keep their voter registration in their state of origin and mail their ballots back home. However, it's worth registering in your temporary home, especially if you want to see more pro-renter politicians in office. The political policies of one neighborhood can spread to others, especially through the judicial system.
If you're not going to be in town long enough to vote, you can still contribute time to help with the campaigns of local politicians. You could also help as a poll watcher on election days to make sure voting is handled in a fair and legal way.
8. Attend meetings of your local civic group
Some Chicago neighborhoods have groups of residents that work together to improve the neighborhood. Getting involved can help you to meet your neighbors and learn about issues that affect everyone in the area.
9. Organize a progressive dinner
This is a good way to support your local restaurants! Assemble a list of 5-6 places and a group of friends. Move through all of them across the course of an evening, having one course at each place. You can choose fancy restaurants or cheap ones depending on your budget. You can even go from house to house pot-luck style if you prefer.
10. Help shovel your neighbor's walks and clear storm drains.
Chicago has a “Snow Corps" of able-bodied residents that volunteer to help clear the walks and driveways of those who are not able to do so, such as senior citizens and the disabled.
During warmer months, drains along the side of the road can get clogged with leaves and litter. This means that heavy rains can cause the streets to flood, damaging cars and making driving impossible. Taking a moment to walk over to your drain with a rake or broom and clear it out will make for a lot of grateful people next time it rains.
Can you think of other ways that renters can get involved with their Chicago neighborhoods? Let us know in the comments!
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