Maywoodian Families | Bustamante Family

Photo Credit: Cristal Andrade

How long have you lived in Maywood?:

9 years

What are you loving about Maywood?:

The community atmosphere is really nice on our block. All of the neighbors look out for each other and each other's kids. I love the history that some of our neighbors carry about Maywood, and their excitement towards seeing Maywood grow and thrive once more.

Favorite memory in Maywood?:

When I was 9 months pregnant with my 4th child, me and my family would walk up and down the neighborhood at night. All of the neighbors would wave, cheer me on, and encourage us as the due date came closer and closer. It was one of the things that helped me get through that last month!

What opportunities has Maywood brought to your family?:

When we were looking for a home, we didn't qualify for very much. We looked all through Chicago and suburbs but everything in our price range was complete junk. When we found our home in Maywood we were so skeptical. We wondered what's the issue? Why is this house so inexpensive? This house has only gained equity over the years and has allowed us to expand, dream bigger, and get ahead. We've also been able to house roommates who have gone on to change careers, get debt free, prepare for marriage, and buy their own homes. It has blessed us and our growing family, as well as many around us.

What hopes do you have for your Maywood community?:

I hope for Maywood to thrive. To see the beautiful people of the community get ahead, not just one family here or there, but unified together. We have all the potential, we have an amazing location close to everything, we have incredible neighbors, teachers, and professionals in all fields, but we need our leadership to see the potential and walk Maywood towards that. Cause it's here, it just needs to be uncovered.

What is something that your family enjoys doing together?:

We love taking "adventure" walks. We go all around the neighborhood imagining fun crazy scenarios all year long and make up all kinds of silly things that could be happening.

Photo Credits: Cristal Andrade, Suha Kassar, Mya Frank, Jasmyn Scavella, Houmam Kassar

Maywoodian Families | Hurt Family

Photo Credit: Suha Kassar

How long have you lived in Maywood?: 

42 years

What are you loving about Maywood?: 

I love the block that I live on because it's quiet and I have neighbors that have lived on this block my entire life.

Favorite memory in Maywood?: 

I remember playing double dutch sun up to sun down and riding bikes with my sister and friends.

What opportunities has Maywood brought to your family?: 

This is my childhood home where my mom and dad brought me from Panama City Florida at 6 months old. I am very blessed to have lived in one house my entire life. This community has allowed me and my family to get a good education for grade and high school as well as taught me and my sister dance. We have lifelong friends in the community as well.

What hopes do you have for your Maywood community?: 

I hope that this community can get back to what it used to be, which is a peaceful place that is great for raising children.

What is something that your family enjoys doing together?: 

We enjoy hanging out at the neighboring movie theatre, as well as going to the Maywood library. We love to have barbeques in the back yard with friends and family just enjoying each others company.

Photo Credit: Suha Kassar, Mya Frank, Cristal Andrade, Jasmyn Scavella

Maywoodian Families | Arteaga Family

Photo Credit: Mya Frank

How long have you lived in Maywood?:

About a year and a half.

What are you loving about Maywood?:

We love seeing small businesses come to life and thrive like the delicious Italian Ice shop down the street from us. We also love how friendly our neighbors are. We have felt welcome in our neighborhood since day one. People usually smile and wave as we take walks; it's been nice to enjoy that with the kids. There's also a community garden a few blocks away that my family gets fresh veggies from occasionally. My daughter takes drama classes at Maywood Fine Arts and it has been awesome to see her grow in her talents. We are also so grateful for everything that The Firehouse Dream is doing for the young people of the Proviso District. I like that there are opportunities to get involved in the community as well, like when my daughter and I participated in the neighborhood clean up.

Favorite memory in Maywood?:

Hmmm, I'd have to say it's a tie between the day we purchased our home and celebrated with kids inside of it and when I went on an 'Equity in the Arts' march with my daughter through Maywood Fine Arts. Buying our first home was a big deal and I also loved seeing my daughter flex her social justice muscles for our community.

What opportunities has Maywood brought to your family?:

We would not be able to afford a home this beautiful if it wasn't for Maywood. The previous owners took immaculate care of the place and were such beautiful people; we felt honored to be the next owners. It has been a blessing to have a yard for the kids to play in and space for them to run around. We lived in apartments previously. It has also been a privilege to work for The Firehouse Dream. The fact that they pay their contractors a living wage is huge for us and has allowed us to stay afloat even during the pandemic.

What hopes do you have for your Maywood community?:

I have a lot of hopes for Maywood. I would love to see more families move in. More playgrounds would be amazing too, as we don't have any that are upkept near us, which is really unfortunate. Also, an end to the gun violence that can sometimes terrorize our neighborhoods, and just an overall decrease in crime, would be a blessing. I would like to feel safer walking by myself or with my children. I'd also love to see the downtown area revitalized with shops and restaurants, for our residents to enjoy but also to bring in revenue from surrounding areas as well. A grocery store would be an answered prayer too.

What is something that your family enjoys doing together?:

Our family enjoys taking the kids to the park, going on nature walks in forest preserves, and having crazy, sometimes superhero-themed, dance parties at home :)

Photo Credit: Mya Frank, Suha Kassar, Cristal Andrade, Jasmyn Scavella, Houmam Kassar

Making the ask

Sarah from Yo Soy Ella came in and talked to our summer mentees about the importance of self advocating. The mentees learned that speaking up when they need help whether it be mental or physical is super important for their wellbeing. Sarah talked the mentees through 5 scenarios about making the ask.

Thank you Sarah for talking about self advocacy!

EDITING IN LIGHTROOM

Our Executive Director Jasmine led a workshop where she showed our mentees how to use Adobe Illustrator. The mentees had several pictures that they had previously taken and they were eager to learn how to edit them!

Thank you Jasmine!