Blocks Together was started by a group of residents in the West Humboldt Park community that were working to address crime and safety issues. From their victories around increased safety measures, the organization began to work on other issues impacting the community, and now has grown to a multi-issue organization working to create new policies and practices to improve the conditions of the community. Since 1995, Blocks Together has helped residents empower themselves to work together for systematic changes that bring concrete improvement in their lives. Some of this work has included getting school reform legislation passed in the state of Illinois, participatory budgeting of their local tax increment financing (TIF), creating a TIF Toolbox to help residents across the City of Chicago understand this use of public funds, and innovative educational programming for youth both in-school and after school that develop leadership skills and facilitate healing.