Great Neighborhoods Summit-The Folded Map Project

211 North Main Street,Rockford IL 61101

27 October, 2022

Description

About the Event:There are a number of characteristics that contribute to the making of a neighborhood. Some of those things include schools or lack of schools, investment and disinvestment, redlining, and more. These characteristics have created differences and have even disconnected neighborhoods and people from one another, specifically those that are racially and economically different.Great Neighborhoods has partnered with the faith community and the Rockford Park District to reconnect these neighborhoods using a resource called Folded Map. Folded Map is a process where you connect 2 areas of a city based on where they land on the map when it is folded. Tonika Johnson, Founder and Creator of the Folded Map Project, based out of Chicago, started as a visual art project and became the way she combatted social injustice. She connected people from corresponding addresses on opposite sides of Chicago, help them understand the difference between their neighborhoods, the structural reasons behind those differences, to make new connections to an area of the city where they’ve never been or where they’re understanding is limited, and to challenge everyone to consider solutions. Great Neighborhoods has piloted this project with pastors from Mount Zion Baptist Church and Our Savior's Lutheran Church, along with 8 volunteers, in a process of neighborhood discovery and relationship building. Our purpose is to further our region's goal of increasing our community’s sense of belonging and connection, and to capitalize on our similarities and commonly shared values and aspirations. Come join us for a night of free food, networking, and learning more about the Folded Map project. You will hear from guest speakers Tonika Johnson and Maria Krysan from the Folded Map Project and Pastor Marvin Hightower Sr from Mount Zion Baptist Church. Event Details:Date: Thursday, October 27th, 2022Registration: 5:30pmTime: 6:00pm-7:30pmVenue: Veteran's Memorial Hall RAFFLE!!! We will be raffling off (2) $250 gift cards from MembersAlliance Credit Union to use towards a neighborhood project or activity. ***Must be Registered and Present to Win ***About the Speakers:Tonika Johnson-Folded MapMaria Krysan- Folded MapPastor Marvin Hightower -Mount Zion Baptist ChurchThank You to Our Sponsors!