By: Ashmar Mandou

The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council announced their plans to construct a new multi-service community center during a press conference on Monday. The community center will become a new headquarters space for the organization and will house a plethora of violence prevention, financial services, and youth development programs. The facility will be fully accessible to all in the community. This new center is an opportunity to expand the organization’s programming and services even further into the community.  “The planning for this center began ten years ago. With a growing need for services and youth programming in Brighton Park and on the southwest side, the center will greatly expand our capacity to provide further support for families in our community” explains BPNC Executive Director, Patrick Brosnan. 

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council received the support from various legislators, including Representative Aaron Ortiz, Representative Theresa Mah, Senator Celina Villanueva, and Senator Tony Muñoz, who fought for capital dollars in Springfield, has been instrumental in making BPNC’s dream a reality. The four elected officials will be present at the unveiling of the community center plans. Through previous capital grants, BPNC awarded nearly $2,000,000 in funds. BPNC has partnered with Juan Gabriel Moreno from the award winning architectural firm, JGMA, to design the new community center.  Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) is a community-based, grassroots organization on Chicago’s southwest side, a predominantly Latinx and immigrant community. BPNC empowers community through school and community based services and programs as well as engaging leaders in social justice organizing campaigns.