Mission
The West Side Community Organization powers the people of the West Side to work together to create a vibrant and thriving neighborhood for all.
Vision
We envision a just, united, self-reliant and bold West Side where all our people a connected, safe, healthy and successful. We are West Side Proud. We are West Side Strong.
Intentions
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Host and amplify the powerful voices of the people of the West Side on issues of equity and justice
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Grow, protect and promote West Side assets and resources
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Build economic and cultural bridges across the West Side and with other communities
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Promote communities where all persons thrive
Growing out of a movement of successful grassroots activism in the 70’s on the West Side to ward off the placement of a Metal Shredder in our neighborhood along the Mississippi Rivers Edge, and to save the only public High School at the time, on the West Side from permanently closing its doors. (Humboldt High School) The West Side Community Organization emerged. Today WSCO remains committed to its activist roots, centering equity and using organizing principles as a foundation for all of its work.
The organization works to increase the civic participation of residents by initiating organizing campaigns, providing leadership development opportunities for youth and adults and by educating and building the power base of residents to tackle civic issues. WSCO works on issues of racial, economic, social, and environmental justice towards systemic change.
WSCO also acts as a vehicle to inform and shape issues concerning the “built” environment through community economic development planning, organizing resources to clean up urban blight and advocating for equitable development. Finally, the organization works to promote a healthy natural and social environment by addressing food security issues, promoting urban agriculture, recycling and residential energy efficiency.