On August 16th, 2025, the Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Reclaiming Southwest team, alongside dedicated volunteers, came together to show some extra love to the neighborhood we’ve been investing in. The team hosted a beautification project across several blocks where SWOP has sold homes, including areas on Maplewood, Campbell, and Talman.

Together, volunteers and organizers rolled up their sleeves to clean the streets, pick up trash, and plant fresh greenery, helping enhance the beauty and curb appeal of the community.

“These days are about more than just planting flowers or picking up trash,” said Dantay Williams, a Diverse Developer Fellow with SWOP. “It’s about reminding ourselves and each other that this is our home. When we take the time to care for it, even in small ways, it transforms how we feel about where we live. A little bit of love and attention can go a long way in showing the beauty that’s already here.”

By the end of the day, the blocks reflected the team’s vision: cleaner streets, greener corners, and a renewed sense of pride among neighbors. The project highlighted SWOP’s ongoing commitment to reclaim homes and also restore the vibrancy and livability of the southwest side of Chicago.

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