A Place For All.

Together with our partners at Wicker Park Lutheran Church, we are raising funds to improve, restore, and make better use of the community space in the building. WPLBF endeavors to aid in only the non-religious aspects of this campaign and appreciate any support you are willing to provide.

History.

Throughout the construction, the historic building envelope will remain unchanged and there will not be any structural additions to the building. Minor modifications may be made to entrance sizes improve A.D.A. accessibility. All work will comply with the best practices for historic development as indicated by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic properties along with all historic preservation standards and requirements in Chicago and the Wicker Park historic district.

Inclusion.

Phase II of the campaign has a large focus on inclusion by providing an A.D.A. accessible entrance to the building as well as greater mobility throughout the building. 
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An accessible bathroom will be added to the main floor and family friendly, all-gender restrooms will be added to the lower floor.

Community.

All improvements made to the building are being done with the community and neighbors in mind. 
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Changes to enhance the interior spaces have been planned with current and future community use in mind. The phasing of the construction has also taken into account the current space use groups to ensure community use of the building can continue during the construction phases of the campaign. 

The Campaign Thus Far.

Phase I of the capital campaign included two primary enhancements to the building and exterior space:
  1. Upgrading the water line
  2. Construction of the Gathering Garden
​The water line upgrade was performed to allow for future improvements to the building to proceed and meet city requirements. The opportunity was then taken to improve the exterior of the building to encourage community and provide a gathering space for the community.

The Current Phase.

Phase II of the campaign includes three primary improvements to the building:
  1. Welcome diversity with an elevator and ADA-accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms
  2. Preserve and restore the historic architecture including our Rose Window, and
  3. Enhance community spaces.
Work will include:
  • An accessible at-grade entrance,
  • A new ADA-compliant staircase,
  • An elevator,
  • An accessible main floor restroom and family-friendly, all-gender, private restrooms on the lower-level.
  • Restoration of the lower-level windows and historic Rose Window
  • Waterproofing the basement and reworking the sewer to better seal the building’s envelope to create more efficient community spaces and preservation of the historic building.

The Future of the Campaign.

Future phases of construction will focus on enhancing the current spaces used by the community, including both distinct and flexible meeting spaces. It will also include a commercial-grade kitchen and a central hallway. The central hallway will act as an art gallery space for local artists, better support our community closet to provide free items to those in need, and will have a variety of gathering nooks before larger meetings and events in the meeting spaces.

Our Progress.

 

Donate to A Place for All. 

WPLBF is a not-for-profit corporation that has filed for IRS recognition of 501(c)(3) status. Upon such recognition, which is currently pending with the IRS, your donation will qualify as a deductible charitable contribution to a tax-exempt organization.

Cash, Check, Money Order
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Make payable to “Wicker Park Lutheran Building Friends,” and mail to Wicker Park Lutheran Building Friends; 1500 N Hoyne Ave.; Chicago, IL 60622. Please note “A Place for All”to appropriately direct your funds.

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Zelle​

Send money through Zelle searching for “[email protected].” For a donation receipt at the end of 2024, please email your name and address to [email protected].

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