The former water tower above the Swedish American Museum on Clark St.

The former water tower above the Swedish American Museum on Clark St.

About

West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) is a neighborhood organization whose boundaries are the north side of Foster Ave. to the south side of Bryn Mawr Ave. and the west side of Clark St. to the east side of Ravenswood Ave.

WANT’s purpose is “to develop, encourage and promote neighborhood beautification, education, school-community relations, city service, physical and mental health programs, youth programs, senior citizen activities, community social activities, and property rehabilitation and to do whatever may be necessary for the betterment of the area and its people through community education, involvement of community members and development of community spirit.” Its bylaws can be found here.

 

Our Boundaries 

Located in West Andersonville, we are bounded:

From the south side of Bryn Mawr Ave. to the north side of Foster Ave.

and the east side of Ravenswood Ave. to the west side of Clark St.

 

Our Committees

  • The board is elected annually each Autumn by the General Membership. The board meets quarterly (or more as necessary) to attend to the business of maintaining the block club and addressing matters of interest to WANT.  Board members also regularly liaise with community partners to remain current on issues impacting the residents and businesses within our boundaries.

    President | Suzanne Flemens

    Vice President | Dennis Hensley

    Secretary | Paul Colson

    Treasurer | Madelon Rasz

    Members at Large | Bert Fox, Mike Coutre, Vacancy

  • What started in the 1990's as cleanup projects, became one of the first GreenCorps projects.  Every day, people walk through our very own strolling garden featuring trees which are seldom seen in the city such as Kentucky Coffee, Gingko and Paper Bark Maple. Our community volunteers and the support of WANT have always been and continue to be what make West Andersonville Gardens a place of beauty for all to enjoy.

    Leads | Madelon Rasz, Suzanne Flemens

  • Appointed by the board, the LUZ Committee evaluates proposed projects and issues related to land use and/or zoning in our neighborhood.  It is common practice for the Alderman to request the community's input on proposed projects and LUZ represents WANT in this function.  Committee members have backgrounds and interest in these areas.

    Chair | Jean Dufresne
    Members | Shiela Adams, Dennis Hensley, Nikki Kuehl, Dorothy Nygren, Debby Pope, Thomas Simms, Miguel Trullijo
    Board Member | Mike Coutre

  • WANT organizes a much anticipated neighborhood yard sale each year.  The organizing committee takes care of permits, maps, advertising, etc. 

    Co-Chair | TBD
    Members | TBD

  • This annual event is hosted each October by WANT in the Gardens along Ravenswood. The path is decorated for Halloween and and volunteers hand out cider and treats--It's a favorite among our youngest residents!

    Chair | Cameron Krieger

    Board Member | TBD

  • As required by WANT's by-laws, a member in good standing is tasked with liaising with potential candidates for election to the Board.

    Monitor | Thomas Simms