Alliance Matters is an editorial collaboration between Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) members, focused on their audiences in Chicago’s diverse communities. This collaboration builds on Chicago’s rich tradition of collaborative, community-driven storytelling.
With support from the Field Foundation and insight from CIMA newsrooms and organizations, Alliance Matters is designed to elevate the role of independent media in informing, engaging, and empowering our city’s diverse communities while growing our pool of trained freelancers. Its robust programming schedule includes print, podcasts, partnerships, news, arts, research, video, photography, and more.
This summer, we had the opportunity to perform a “Temperature Check” on the health of our community through Alliance Matters via a mini-grant funded in part by the Field Foundation. Enchúfate was one of the fourteen outlets selected to present a project in support of this theme. We are honored!
We decided to create a radio presentation titled La Villita: In Community Through Chaos, in addition to asking independent artist Hector Ivan García, creator of The Polygoons, to collaborate on this project by creating a zine, one for adults and one for youth, focused on dealing with chaotic times. His zine is titled Walk Around McKinley.
Walk Around McKinley
Walk Around McKinley is an autobiographical account by Hector Ivan García, vocalist of the band [.DESCARGA.] and creator of The Polygoons, and his experience with overwhelm and anxiety. It is a personal journey into and through big emotions… as well as the observations which lead to their expression in a healthy way. The results are a song and accompanying zines.
The song was used as part of the radio program La Villita: In Community Through Chaos. The zine is designed to be accessible to readers not only through its language but also in its design and reproducibility.
Hector Ivan García took the photos at McKinley Park over the course of two years. During this time, he took daily walks and utilized the calming effects of bilateral movement while connecting with the various states of the trees and landscapes.
Please note: For free paper copies or a PDF version of the zine, please send an email to enchufatechicago at gmail
La Villita: In Community Through Chaos
This is a special, hour-long experimental radio program that focuses on the community thriving and surviving through the chaos in La Villita, especially those affected by the current immigration crisis. It includes conversations with residents, music by Chicago artists, and field recordings made throughout the neighborhood.
The program was broadcast on Friday, September 26, at 4:00 p.m. CST on 105.5 FM (WLPN-LP, Chicago).
La Villita: In Community Through Chaos, Through The Eyes of Sandra A. Treviño
This zine was created as a personal project that allowed Sandra A. Treviño, founder of Enchúfate, to find a way to express the angst, the beauty, the colliding feelings that change daily as life in La Villita feels the effects of the inhumane raids and kidnappings happening in the community, as authorized by the current regime.
When this project began, things weren’t as dire as they are today. Every single day, we leave our homes in fear that one of us will be snatched up by violent masked men who refuse to identify themselves and continue to viciously profile and abuse us. All of this is inhumane. All of it.
As this entire project progressed, we realized there is so much more that needs to be documented and archived. There are so many stories we have yet to tell.
We hope this project expands and allows us to continue gathering stories from our neighbors to highlight not only the negative effects of what is currently happening, but also the stories of valor, success, and hope.
I am thankful I was able to shine some light through this darkness.
This work was made possible in part by funding from the Alliance Matters campaign, an initiative of Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) and the Field Foundation.
