The Chicago Green Initiative

History and Background

The Chicago Green Initiative was founded in the summer of 2023 in response to the worsening food desert situation in Chicago. Inspired by personal connections and the pressing needs of friends and family on the forefront of this crisis, our team was motivated to make a tangible difference. The initiative was born out of the success of Operation Illuminate Ukraine, a project where many of our current members played a pivotal role in delivering 17 tons of humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukrainian cities. This experience demonstrated the impact that dedicated youth can have on global issues, leading us to realize the potential for making significant changes at home.

Our direct goal from the outset has been to alleviate the food desert situation in Chicago and ensure that everyone has access to fresh, healthy food. As our founder, Andrew Lazovski, passionately stated, “Fresh food is a human right.”

Since our inception, we have made meaningful strides towards our mission. One of our early successes includes volunteers building and donating raised beds to the El Paseo Community Garden, integrating these resources into nearby schools as part of our youth education program. The positive feedback and support from the community have been overwhelming, reinforcing our commitment to this cause.

Looking ahead, our long-term vision is to establish a robust network of community gardens across Chicago. This network will collaboratively work towards alleviating food deserts and combating climate change, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all.