SILVER (Skating in Little Village and Earning Reputation)
This project's parent organization is Enlace Chicago
It operates in United States
It uses Skateboarding
More about SILVER (Skating in Little Village and Earning Reputation)
SILVER was founded in 2007 with the goal of developing a skate park in the community. Thanks to our community organizing, the SILVER Skate Plaza opened this summer.
We focus on:
1. Developing leadership and a positive image of skateboarding in the community. Youth are involved in all aspect of planning and decision-making, and they work closely with adult allies and partners to make big ideas into reality.This process of collaboration has increased understanding between skaters and other community stakeholders, creating successful and sustainable change.
2. Offering positive alternatives and a sense of belonging for youth. The skateboarding culture provides a support structure that some young people lack or may find by gangbanging. By offering programming and building a haven for skaters we not only strengthen this structure, but also give outlets for positive expression and develop ownership of community space.
3. Increasing and improving much needed park space. We converted two tennis courts into a plaza that is designed for skaters, but is also a community space with multiple functions. We also applied as a garden group with the park district so that we could build our own native plant garden elements – skate-friendly of course – in the plaza.