Happy New Year everyone, I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season! A fresh new year is upon us. It’s the time to be thankful for the blessings of the past year and to take stock of all our achievements. 2017 is a brand new year to start afresh and to start strong.
The BAPA staff and board are ready to continue to empower our “back to basics” approach of working for our residents and businesses every day. I look back on our accomplishments in 2016 with great pride – and you should, too. BAPA can only do its work because of supporters like you. Here are some of the highlights of our work this year:
Established the Parent Mentor Program, bringing trained volunteers into classrooms at Barnard School.
Opened the BAPA Business Center, providing office resources and mentoring opportunities to small businesses.
Launched the Ridge Run 5K training program at local schools, engaging hundreds of families in the benefits of clean eating, regular exercise and team work.
Launched the BAPA Card, providing discounts and specials from BAPA business members to all neighbors who support BAPA with membership donations.
Gave away 400 rain barrels through the Chicago Water Reclamation District
Announced “makeover” plans for the Beverly/Morgan Park Home Tour, and more exciting changes for the Ridge Run, including a new finish line and post-race festival. We broke recent attendance records for the Home Tour, Ridge Run and Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade.
Created neighborhood-wide beautification efforts including Weeding Wednesdays and re-landscaping the 103rd and 107th Street hills.
Launched the Love Where You Live campaign.
Established the Ridge Park Advisory Council, which stepped right up to provide improvements such as painting and to testify at the Chicago Park District budget hearing for much-needed repairs to the field house.
Partnered with Little Company of Mary Hospital and Beverly Bank to present free Family Fun nights.
Rocked the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic by reimagining it as the Bikes and Brews festival of craft beers, food trucks and family fun.
Were awarded a $10,000 matching grant from the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust.
Launched new user-friendly www.bapa.org.
Finalized the fall Openlands tree planting grant, replacing 50+ trees on neighborhood parkways.
Co-sponsored the Shop 19 and Earn Neighborhood Rewards program, a month-long campaign promoting local shopping.
As we end 2016 celebrating with family and friends, we look forward to ringing in 2017 and the 70th anniversary of BAPA. We are grateful for your past support and rely on your input and ideas as we continue our important work, responding to the ever-changing needs of our amazing neighborhood.
All the Best,
Margot
