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A Profile of the Areas We Serve
The collective population of all nineteen communities that comprise Proviso and Leyden Townships is approximately 343,502. This number is based on the 1996 Census estimates. The 2001 forecast projects this area will grow another 0.7%. Since 1970, the Townships have experienced continued growth in the overall population. Maywood and Bellwood have a combined population in excess of 50,000 residents.
From an ethnic perspective, these communities have high concentrations of ethnic minorities. The Cook County Department of Health Community Report ("The Report Card") for 1999 reports the western suburbs to have a population that consists of 11.8% African American and 22.7% Latino residents. These numbers are comparatively higher than Cook County with 12.6% and 10.9%, or the state of Illinois with 14.9% and 9.6%.
On average, at least 10% of the households in all of the communities have incomes below $15,000, with Maywood having the highest percentage at 19.1%. Approximately 30-40% of all household incomes fall between $15,000 and $34,999. In addition, the unemployment rate for these communities is high. According to The Report Card for 1999, the unemployment rate for these communities was between 3-10.1%.
Answering the Needs of Those We Serve
Based on Head Start Community Assessment Surveys as well as the Weed & Seed planning process, the residents of the Proviso and Leyden Townships identified several needs that have since been incorporated into our strategy. Having received Official Recognition from the U.S. Department of Justice as a Weed and Seed site, PLCCA, has focused its work in the community to address the issues of:
- Increased programming for substance abuse
- Youth development activities including gang intervention
- Increased economic development including supportive services for residents seeking to transition into the workforce through Welfare to Work
- Increased housing for senior citizens
- Housing counseling and the creation of additional affordable housing units
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