Fall 2019 at The Commons has been jam-packed with weekly events, educational programming, and a steady stream of visitors. This October, SWF welcomed a new cohort of Urban Ecology Apprentices for the fall Sweet Water Academy session, engaging young adults in project-based learning that spans art, agriculture, carpentry, design, and ecology.

This summer has been one of the busiest yet at The Commons. In July, SWF launched the pilot program for Sweet Water Academy, welcoming new apprentices, fellows, and humans-in-residence for 6 weeks of programming. The group spent their time learning about SWF's practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development and engaging in every aspect of Urban Ecology. On Saturday, July 13, the Sweet Water community gathered at The Commons to hand-raise a modular, timber frame pavilion known as the RND House. The house is inspired by the original Chicago Worker Cottage House and will be part of the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial.

This summer has been one of the busiest yet at The Commons. In July, SWF launched the pilot program for Sweet Water Academy, welcoming new apprentices, fellows, and humans-in-residence for 6 weeks of programming. The group spent their time learning about SWF's practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development and engaging in every aspect of Urban Ecology. On Saturday, July 13, the Sweet Water community gathered at The Commons to hand-raise a modular, timber frame pavilion known as the RND House. The house is inspired by the original Chicago Worker Cottage House and will be part of the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial.

On Saturday, June 22, Sweet Water Foundation hosted its Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration. The Commons was activated with music, performances, food, and arts + crafts as SWF welcomed hundreds of people to create, build, and celebrate freedom and community. This Juneteenth, SWF introduced The FIFTH Star to the Chicago flag. The star represents the many untold histories and truths as a reconciliatory platform for new beginnings (Learn more).

From an apprentice-led, Fractal Workshop at Kalamazoo College to an exploration of the Fifth Dimension of Citizenship with an international audience to end-of-year field trips and the onset of the harvest season, May was an exciting month for the Sweet Water Foundation team.

Spring has sprung! Despite a few rainy (and snowy) days, daily activities have begun to shift outdoors and The Commons is welcoming more and more visitors daily. During the month of April, SWF hosted its first farm-to-table dinner of the season in the Lightbox Theater + Gallery and also began hosting volunteers every Wednesday to help on the farm and in the Work-Shop. The SWF team continues to prep The Commons for upcoming events and finalize summer activities. 

With spring in the air, the Sweet Water team is working hard in preparation for the upcoming season. Renovations are in full swing in the [Re]Construction House, the farm is being readied for the growing season, and seed starting in underway in the greenhouses. The Work-Shop is abuzz with Apprentices perfecting their carpentry skills and fulfilling orders for dance floors and fractals. 

In February, the Sweet Water Foundation team began preparing The Commons for the quickly approaching growing season. While there is still prep work to do, The Commons is becoming more activated each day. Sweet Water Foundation also launched Sweet Water Academy - a neighborhood development demonstration site and living, learning laboratory that will reach thousands of youth, educators, and professionals in nonprofits and community-based organizations across Chicago. Take a moment to read about the happenings at The Commons

Happy New Year!  The Sweet Water Foundation team hit the ground running in 2019 with a focus on launching new initiatives and growing relationships. This year will bring the official launch of Sweet Water Academy, a neighborhood development demonstration site and living, learning laboratory that will reach thousands of youth, educators, and professionals in nonprofits and community-based organizations across Chicago. In this month's issue, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on 2018 and the many achievements of the SWF Team + Family.

The growing season has come to an end, and the Sweet Water Foundation team has moved indoors for the winter to generate new ideas and projects. We invite you to take a moment to read this month's edition of Sweet Water News. Learn about groups from across the globe who have visited The Commons this fall to engage in [de]construction, [re]construction, and [re]connection alongside the SWF team. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the SWF team is grateful for each person who visited The Commons this past year to engage in the practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development. 

Fall is upon us. As the growing season slows and the seasons change, the SWF team shifts its focus to art, design, carpentry, and cultivating our relationships with people and partner organizations across the nation. In this month's edition of Sweet Water News, we welcome you to read about the connections activated at The Commons via group tours, events, and collaborations.

The summer flew by - from developing new initiatives to strengthening existing relationships, there was never a dull moment at The Commons. Summer interns have returned to school and the harvest season is winding down, but The Commons is still buzzing with life and new opportunities. This edition of Sweet Water News features some of the new relationships formed and programs developed over the summer and images from the beautiful harvest season thus far. 

Summer continues to be in full swing at The Commons. This season has been busy and exciting, with plants flourishing on the farm, new and returning college interns leading projects and mentoring high school students, and the SWF team welcoming a steady stream of daily visitors.

Summer is in full swing at the Commons with daily visitors and tourists, group tours, and plants ready to harvest every day. Sweet Water Foundation is excited to welcome new and returning college interns and high school youth enrolled in the Re[CREATE]Ed Spaces Program. Take a moment to read more about happenings at the Commons. We hope you'll visit us this summer to help GROW the neighborhood.

This month welcomes not only the onset of summer but also the beginning of new traditions as we launch the First Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Commons. OnSaturday, June 16, 2018, Sweet Water Foundation will host a family-friendly event that focuses on the theme of Radical [Re]Construction; Radical, meaning of or restoring to the root, and [Re]Construction, the rebuilding and healing of our community. 

Warm weather ahead! The weather in April was cooler than anticipated, but we're finally peeling off our winter coats in preparation for the busy, summer months ahead. The energy at Sweet Water Foundation has been building as we see plants beginning to sprout in the greenhouse, seeds being sown in the farm, and more and more activity each week.

Spring is upon us! Although it's still chilly, the Sweet Water community is already preparing the Commons for bountiful growing season. There is never a dull moment during spring! From mentors and apprentices building shelves for the weekly Farmers' Market stand-to-staff and volunteers prepping the soil for planting.  
 

It may still be cold outside, but Sweet Water Foundation's work of regenerative development continues on. At the onset of winter's cold weather, the team turned its attention to planning, design, carpentry, and conducting education and community workshops.

Make New History is exactly what Sweet Water Foundation accomplished on Saturday, September 23, 2017 with the raising of Sweet Water Foundation's Thought Barn, which, upon completion, will bring a visual and performing arts, reflection, and community gathering space to the heart of the Perry Ave Commons. 

With the last month of summer upon us, the Perry Ave Community Farm is flourishing and the Commons is bustling with visitors. This summer, we have welcomed nearly 1,000 visitors from down the block, across the city and around the world. Our dedicated staff and interns have worked tirelessly to continue transforming the Commons and the fruits of their labor include new built projects, a revamped website, and a more bountiful harvest than ever before.