Rosecrance Lakeview: Community Support for Upcoming Hearing

Rosecrance Lakeview was a proposed residence for people in recovery from 

substance abuse. The organization, headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, was facing local opposition in its efforts to rezone the Lakeview neighborhood property in Chicago. Rosecrance needed strong community support for an upcoming hearing with the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals. To gain community support we:

• CSG built a local movement of support prior to the hearing, using media relations, marketing, grassroots advocacy and social media to identify and engage supporters.

• Support was shared with media and local decision makers, including the aldermen and the Zoning Board of Appeals members

Results

• The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved the Rosecrance Lakeview project

• Secured hundreds of local supporters, all of whom were neighbors, friends and members of large, influential Chicago-based community groups; those relationships continues today