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ONE LAWNDALE:
Building a Bold
Future Together
Course
TOPICS
Course
TOPICS
Course
TOPICS
Recreation Center
Trade School
Campaign Overview
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) is proud to launch a bold and transformative $57 million capital campaign designed to drive lasting impact across North Lawndale. This comprehensive effort is more than a fundraising initiative — it is a call to action to restore equity, fuel economic mobility, and reaffirm the power of community-led development.
Anchored in the principles of faith, justice, and dignity, the campaign will invest in three cornerstone projects that reflect the needs and aspirations of North Lawndale residents:
- A world-class Community Recreation Center that will promote health, wellness, and intergenerational connection.
- A cutting-edge Trade School to expand access to workforce development and entrepreneurial pathways.
- A dynamic Small Business Incubator to support local enterprise, cooperative economics, and sustained community wealth-building.
Rooted in a legacy of advocacy and care, LCDC believes that true transformation is only possible when the community is both the architect and the beneficiary of the change it seeks. North Lawndale is rich with talent, culture, and resilience—but decades of disinvestment have created deep disparities in health, housing, education, and employment. This campaign aims to reverse that history by creating vibrant spaces where residents can learn, build, grow, and thrive—together.
This campaign is also a model for collaborative philanthropy, engaging a cross-section of donors, civic partners, institutions, faith leaders, and residents. It is a long-term investment in people, place, and potential—one that speaks to a future where equity is non-negotiable, opportunity is shared, and every neighbor has what they need to flourish.
Now is the time
The momentum is here, and the need is urgent. With the support of committed partners like you, we can build the infrastructure and ecosystems that North Lawndale deserves.
CAMPAIGN
projects
One Lawndale Recreation Center – $38 Million
One Lawndale Recreation Center will be a transformative wellness and gathering space that prioritizes the health, safety, and development of young people and families.
This project reflects LCDC’s belief in economic self-determination—and that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not.
This state-of-the-art community facility will house:
- Six multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball
- Two flexible indoor turf fields for soccer, football, and baseball
- Boxing gym, wrestling room, and fitness training space
- A large community and events space
- Spectator lounge, concessions, and nearly 100 parking spaces
- Multi-use rooms for specialized programming such as arts, entrepreneurship, leadership, tutoring, and community connection
TRADE SCHOOL AT 2711 W LAKE
In partnership with Kennedy-King College, ReConstruction West Trade Center at 2711 W Lake Street will serve as a high-impact workforce development hub for youth and adults.
The school will focus on skill -building for the 21st-century economy, empowering residents with the tools and certifications needed to access high-wage, sustainable careers.
PROGRAMS WILL INCLUDE TRAINING IN:
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Renewable energy
- Masonry
- Plumbing
- Welding
- HVAC systems
This project reflects LCDC’s belief in economic self-determination—and that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not.
1600 Lawndale Business Hub – $10 Million
The 1600 Lawndale Business Hub will be a shared entrepreneurial ecosystem offering affordable co-working space, technical support, incubation, and cooperative business resources for the neighborhood’s next generation of leaders, innovators, and small business owners.
Features will include:
- Incubator and accelerator programs
- Access to capital and cooperative ownership tools
- Legal, financial, and marketing support
- Creative studio and maker space
- Retail pop-up space and e-commerce platforms
This hub will catalyze homegrown business growth, elevate generational wealth-building, and redefine what local entrepreneurship looks like in historically divested neighborhoods.
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Story Arch
The campaign narrative will be structured to speak to three distinct but connected audiences:
1. Local Stakeholders & Residents
Telling the story of reclaiming the narrative, celebrating our resilience, and honoring our legacy.
2. Regional & National Philanthropic Partners – Framing the campaign as a model for urban revitalization led by faith, justice, and economic development.
3. Corporate, Institutional & Government Allies – Demonstrating the return on investment and social impact metrics aligned with DEI, ESG, and workforce development goals.
North Lawndale Today
The Disparities We’re Addressing
The challenges facing North Lawndale are stark but not insurmountable. LCDC’s campaign is a direct response to persistent disparities that have long hindered the community's ability to thrive:
WHY
LCDC
and Why Now
For more than 30 years, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) has stood as a trusted anchor institution in North Lawndale. LCDC’s mission-driven approach—integrating affordable housing, economic development, and holistic wellness—has yielded tangible, community-led results. LCDC doesn’t just build buildings; it builds trust, leadership, and pathways to opportunity.
LCDC has developed over 500 units of affordable housing, launched community wellness initiatives, and led commercial revitalization efforts that breathe new life into once-vacant corridors. With a team rooted in the neighborhood and a track record of collaborative success, LCDC is uniquely positioned to lead this next chapter of transformation.
Here's Why now!
Because the urgency has never been greater. North Lawndale stands at a critical crossroads. The talent is here. The leadership is in place. The vision is clear. This campaign represents an opportunity to scale what works, disrupt systemic inequities, and build a future where everyone—regardless of zip code—has a fair shot at thriving.
We invite you to stand with us in this generational moment—because North Lawndale is not just worth investing in.
North Lawndale is the future.
Projected impact
Over the next five years, these three initiatives will:
Send us a message
Whether you’re considering a contribution, seeking partnership opportunities, or simply curious about the vision, we’d love to hear from you.
Email Wilonda Cannon directly at wcannon@lcdc.net or fill out the form below.