Summer 2023 was jam-packed with weekly rituals, special events, visitors from across the globe, and a lot of labor, love, and community. The Communiversity was in full swing welcoming seven 2023 Urban Ecology Global Fellows, hosting urban ecology programming with students from the Beasley Garden Club, and hands-on immersions and tours with university and high school groups from across the City of Chicago and the world. In June, we hosted our Sixth Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Civic Arts Church - welcoming more than 200 neighbors and partners from across the country and continued weekly rituals with Wellness Wednesday and Friday Markets all summer. Each week, Wellness Wednesdays featured delicious farm-to-table meals prepared by the fellows and team, reflecting a wide range of cultures and the abundance of the farm.
As we reflect on the fruitful summer and prepare for fall, we invite you to read about the summer happenings at The Commonwealth!
On Saturday, June 17, SWF celebrated its Sixth Annual Juneteenth Celebration. For the first time, Juneteenth was hosted at Civic Arts Church, which SWF opened in June 2022 after a years-long transformation from an abandoned church to a community design center. This year’s celebration welcomed 200+ neighbors, community partners, and friends from around the globe to celebrate freedom and community. Read more.
2023 URBAN ECOLOGY GLOBAL FELLOWS On Thursday, August 17, the 2023 Urban Ecology Global Fellows delivered their capstone presentation to a global audience of more than 50 Values-Based Partners, community members, academics, and family members. The fellows’ presentation offered an in-depth overview of their hands-on experience over the 10-week fellowship and an analysis and critique of city planning and policy documents, including an examination of Chicago’s new mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition report. Read more.
2023 SUMMER AT THE COMMONWEALTH Summer 2023 was jam-packed with weekly rituals, special events, visitors from across the globe, and a lot of labor, love, and community. Over the months of June, July, and August, Sweet Water Communiversity was in full swing, welcoming a new cohort of Urban Ecology Global Fellows and delivering hands-on arts, culture, and Urban Ecology programming to 100+ students from across the Chicagoland area and the world. Read more.
EVENTS
What's Happening at The Commonwealth?
WEDNESDAYS
THROUGH
SEPT
27
WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS
SWF hosts Wellness Wednesdays each Wednesday until the end of September from 10:00 - 1:00. Wellness Wednesday is a day dedicated to promoting wellness in the community through nourishing connections to one another and the land. Join us in farm and garden work during our morning routines as we cultivate The Commonwealth.
This summer, the SWF team and fellows prepared meals each Wednesday for Wellness Wednesday volunteers using ingredients directly from the Community Farm. Recipes ranged from Collard Dumplings to Curried Cauliflower Soup, to Greek Briam. Meals also featured lemonade flavored with various fruits from the Community Farm. All of the recipes were delicious and fresh - especially after a busy morning of hands-on work.
We invite you to try Papas con Calabaza y Rajas - Potatoes with Zucchini and Poblano Peppers - a simple and hearty dish that is great for large groups!
