Finding Common Ground: Little Village Navigates New Arrivals and Community Change through BECOME’s Catalytic Evaluation

This report delves into the dynamic social landscape of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, exploring resident perspectives on the influx of new neighbors seeking asylum. Utilizing BECOME‘s unique approach to evaluation, known as Catalytic Evaluation, and in partnership with Enlace Chicago, one of the primary community organizations and service providers in Little Village, the study moves beyond traditional data collection to activate community members as leaders in driving transformative solutions. This participatory research model, centered on in-depth relationships and capacity building, unveils a mixture of compassion, anxieties, and calls for equitable resource allocation. While younger residents expressed greater acceptance, long-term community members voiced concerns about job security and resource scarcity, underscoring the need for policy solutions addressing immigration reform and equitable resource distribution. Ultimately, the report emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive training and community dialogues to foster understanding, bridge cultural divides, and build a more inclusive Little Village for all.