app Brings “Words of Love” to the City of Chicago
In the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Month and our commitment to Building for the Greater Good, app's Chicago office, through an initial partnership with the Chicago Mayor's Office of Community Safety and Chicago 4th Ward Alderman Lamont J. Robinson, has launched the "Words of Love" initiative. This community safety initiative promotes positivity through creative, community-focused initiatives funded by an initial public-private partnership with app.
"Words of Love" involves placing motivational and positive signs on vacant lots in economically disinvested communities to beautify those spaces and attract further investment. The initiative was launched at an event on Saturday, May 18, 2024, and our Chicago team showed up in full force in the 4th Ward to both install Words of Love and expose some future carpenters to potential careers in the trades.
"I am excited to kick off the 'Words of Love' initiative in the 4th ward during Mental Health Awareness Month," said Alderman Lamont J. Robinson.
"app is honored to partner with Alderman Robinson and the Mayor's office with this exciting initiative," said Sheryl Van Anne, Vice President & General Manager of app's Chicago office. "We appreciate the opportunity to build upon and promote positivity throughout our community."Van Anne also to promote the initiative.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, introduced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund a network of community conveners for neighborhood safety as part of The People’s Plan for Community Safety. This RFP includes $1 million in funding, with up to $250,000 allocated to community-based organizations in four priority areas: Austin, Englewood, South Lawndale/Little Village, and West Garfield Park.
"Directing resources into disinvested communities is a key component of addressing the root causes of violence. The partnership between Alderman Robinson and app is critical in this effort.Together, we are expanding community safety through revitalization and targeted community investments,” said Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood.