1970s

• WSCO worked to bring new group homes for community-based treatment to the neighborhood and ensure they were adequately staffed. They organized and hosted a citywide conference with group home program operators, community groups and government staff. WSCO also created a scorecard to evaluate future proposed homes. 
• Through a competitive process, WSCO secured an Identified Treatment Area for Sydney Street, running from Robert Street to Lafayette Freeway. The road was paved and street lights installed, and homeowners were offered low-interest home rehab loans. 

1971

• Citizens for Action in Riverview Education (CARE) began meeting, calling for a strong community role in local public education. They later formed the West Side Area D Planning Committee, an official body of the school district.
• West Siders organized to save Humboldt High School from demolition. This movement played an important role in bringing folks together who would later organize WSCO
• Riverview Media Project organized by people who would later form WSCO. They began publishing the West Side Voice newspaper.

1973

• WSCO’s founding meeting at Riverview Library held in October 
• WSCO was named the official advisory group of the West Side Team Police

1974

• WSCO organized a working group of residents including chemical health professionals and neighbors dealing with addiction, and established the first Spanish-speaking Alcoholics Anonymous group in Minnesota
• WSCO members began organizing to create  Douglas Park, including collecting 600  neighborhood signatures in 1976. The park was inaugurated three years later. Altogether, WSCO helped create five official parks — Douglas, Castillo, Kidd, Prospect, and Bluff — by using public funds, private contributions, tax forfeiture land, lots of volunteerism, and pressure on City Hall. 

1975

• In July 1975 WSCO’s Peoples Park committee, including Gilbert de la O, Judy Oliver, Elsa Perez, Vera Reyes and Jackie Lange worked to transform a vacant acre into what is now Parque Castillo, which was inaugurated in 1979. 
• WSCO’s Articles of Incorporation signed. Our original name was “West Side Citizens Organization.”
• WSCO was recognized as the first official district council in the City of Saint Paul, bridging residents and local government to ensure West Siders’ voices are heard.

1977

• WSCO volunteers created a 40-page bilingual human services directory, a 104-page Community Background Report, and a 52-page district plan 
• WSCO held a two-day regional conference at Humboldt High School called Juvenile Crime vs. Justice. 
• In June 1977 the city planning department called for linking I-35E and Lafayette: I35E was going to be diverted from Crocus Hill to Lafayette Freeway through the West Side, a move endorsed by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. The proposal called for razing Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and 135houses around it. In November, WSCO and Guadalupe pastor Rev. Monsour organized a rally at the church with 500 attendees, kicking off the “Guadalupe shall not perish” campaign. This included large rallies, issue research, pressure sessions with elected officials, and public speeches. [add conclusion]

1978

• West Side Food Co-op opened on the corner of George and Ohio streets. WSCO provided organizing support, and Neighborhood House provided funds.

1979

• WSCO helped Neighborhood House expand its reach by leading the effort to create Baker Community Center at 209 Page Street W.
• WSCO provided start up funds for Twin Cities Neighborhood Press Association