Ravenswood

Ravenswood Community Council

What is the RCC?

Ravenswood Community Council is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, 501-c-3 tax-exempt community organization serving the north side of the city of Chicago. RCC was founded in 1958 to fight problems of crime and blight. These and other quality of life issues have remained the organization’s primary focus throughout its history. RCC’s service area boundaries extend to Bryn Mawr Avenue (5600N) on the north, Addison Street on the south (3600N), Clark Street on the east (~1500 E varies) and the Chicago River on the west (~2900W varies), an area of about 4 square miles with a population of more than 65,000. RCC has a full time community service office with a staff of four: an Executive Director, Community Organizer, Housing Program Assistant, and Administrative Assistant.

Member Benefits

RCC Reporter newsletter
Community meetings on current issues
Full-time service office
Free notary service
Free alley address numbers
Used book exchange
Free on-line house and apartment searches
Special events
Garden View Contest and Luncheon
Raven Award community service recognition banquet
Winter Holiday Party
Holiday Lighting Contest
Business Members—advertising, sponsorship and referral opportunities

RCC Programs

HOUSING & BUSINESS PROGRAMS.........

PROBLEM BUILDING INTERVENTION
Addressing issues such as: code violations,landlord/tenant disputes, gangs and drugs,and Housing Court proceedings.

BALANCED DEVELOPMENT AND TAXES
Seeking ways to balance rental and ownership, affordable and market rate housing along with property tax relief for long-time residents
MEANINGFUL RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
Working with North Center, Ravenswood and Lincoln Square Chambers of Commerce to attract new retail businesses to Ravenswood
ON-LINE APARTMENT SEARCHES
Providing computerized searches for affordable apartments


YOUTH AND SENIORS PROGRAMS........

YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
Supporting school service hour requirements through community improvement projects

PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS..........

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY LIFE LINE
Free CELL phones (911 only) for seniors & the disabled
CITY SERVICE REQUESTS
Assisting residents/businesses to file requests
COMMUNITY POLICING
Supporting CAPS by encouraging beat meeting attendance, distributing community crime alerts and facilitating problem solving activities

Email us
ravenswoodcouncil@sbcglobal.net

About our association

RCC - serving Ravenswood for 48 years

Founded in 1958 to fight problems of crime and blight, RCC was one of the first urban conservation commissions in Chicago. RCC has dealt with many major community concerns over the years: helping prevent closing of the Ravenswood (Brown) el line; supporting expansion of community institutions; encouraging the development of needed neighborhood stores; supporting community clean-up, beautification and graffiti removal efforts and targeting problem buildings and businesses for improvement. RCC has also worked continuously to keep the community focused on the causes and prevention of crime problems by sponsoring workshops and forums on personal safety, gangs, and violence and by supporting crime victims in court.
Today RCC is doing more than ever: operating a full-time community service office with a Housing Resource Center; CAPS community outreach; programs addressing senior citizens, youth and businesses and to encourage balanced and affordable housing reasonable property taxes, and new retail development.

RCC's Mission, Vision and Values

RCC’s mission is "building a stronger Ravenswood community".

It is our vision "to expand advocacy and citizen involvement while maintaining relevant services to the community.

We hold as core values:
- caring for all residents
- a shared community identity
- an emphasis on working together and consensus buildings
- a proactive approach to community challenges
- confidence and perseverance in seeking solutions to community problems

For More Information...

We're easy to find - we're at 2200 W. Lawrence Avenue, Suite 205 - on the corner of Leavitt & Lawrence. The office is open Monday thru Friday from 9am to 5 pm. It's best to call first just in case we all had to go to an event or meeting.

You can call us at 773-784-0400 or send a fax to 773-784-7841

Be sure to check out the other Ravenswood Community Council pages and information in our site.

To join RCC just go to the Become a Member heading on our homepage. For specific questions or for information on how to become active in RCC and participate in forming the future of your community, click on the link below and send us an email.

Email us
ravenswoodcouncil@sbcglobal.net