Coat And Food Distribution | December

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

This morning, Impact Church and God’s Heritage Full Gospel Church in Maywood hosted it’s monthly food distribution! This month’s included coats, gloves, hats, and scarves in addition to all of the food. Every third Saturday of each month, the two churches join forces to make this awesome event possible. It is something special to help out the community and all of the families in Maywood. They also offer prayer for those who choose to be prayed over and everyone is incredibly kind and welcoming. It is an honor for TFD to be there to support and document something like this through photography. To check this out for yourself, you can stop by next month to God’s Heritage Full Gospel Church!

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway & Prayer Walk

Photo Credit: Mya Rose

This past Saturday, Impact Church hosted their monthly prayer walk, as well as Thanksgiving meal giveaway near the Maywood Peace Garden on 17th & Madison. Impact Church does this prayer walk every month at different locations to pray over the community of Maywood for growth and a successful, healthy future. It is a very important part of what the church aspires to do to help their community and to support people within. TFD sent out Mya Rose and Saffron to document this through photo and help support the community. This prayer walk was a little different since they also had a food giveaway. They provided food and supplies that can help families for the upcoming holiday. They had a great turn out and were able to provide for so many people within Maywood. Even with the cold weather, everyone was bundled up and ready to help their community as well as being there for those in need. We can’t wait to join them for the next one!

Photo Credit: Mya Rose & Saffron Hurt

Maywood Mural Unveiling

Photo Credit: Saffron Hurt

On Sunday, October 24rd, Maywood Youth Mentoring, had it’s unveiling of the new murals for the peace garden. Teens and young adults within the community were selected to create beautiful artwork that will be displayed at the garden on the topic of” Community Love.” One of the selected youth was Dakota Lopez, who created a beautiful piece on continuing growth. TFD had a previous mentee, Saffron Hurt, photograph this event and show off the great work these individuals have created. Saffron says, “It was a warm homey experience. Everyone was so nice and to see them take pride in improving Maywood through the garden warmed my heart".

At TFD, our goal is to center Maywoodian led organizations and residents who are working constantly to improve the community.

Photo Credit: Saffron Hurt

Black Panther Event

Photo Credit: Ross LaSalle

On October 15th at the Fred Hampton House, people from all across Proviso Township celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. This event was hosted by The Hampton House, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. and Akua Njeri. This event was not only to celebrate the 55 years of the party but also to unveil the new “People’s Bench”(the refurbished Hampton family bench), official Little Free Library, and the updated Community Fridge & Pantry via ribbon cutting ceremony.

The hopes for the new space is to teach the younger generation of the impact of Fred Hampton’s life and legacy had and continues to have in Maywood, the Proviso District, and American History.

The collective of organizations involved included Save the Hampton House, Black Panther Party Cubs, Best of Proviso Township, Engaged Berwyn, Suburban Unity Alliance, Maywood Fine Arts Association, Immanuel Lutheran Church and No Child Goes Hungry.

We sent a spring mentee, Ross LaSalle to document this event through photos and video. What an honor it was to be a part of such an inspiring ceremony. We can only hope to continue to grow in our partnership with The Hampton House, and Fred Hampton Jr.

“It was inspiring and amazing being in the presence of such historical black individuals.”

- Ross

Photo Credit: Ross LaSalle

Video Group Project

Photo Credit: Mentees

This workshop led by Jeremy, is a collaboration with the Quinn Center in highlighting stories of the seniors within the community. The Quinn Center is a community partner that TFD has the opportunity to collaborate with from time to time. The mentees learned how to prepare for a video shoot and interview. They also had the chance to film and lead the interviews themselves. One of the best ways to grow and learn is by doing, which the mentees did a lot of in this project. We can’t wait to share with you the completed project, and stories of our in our community!

Photo Credit: Mentees