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Chicago's Englewood children deserve a break

By
Real Estate Agent with Wayne M Martin

This is my second entry to the June challenge sponsored by Debe Maxwell, CRS and Anna "Banana" Kruchten on spending points from the Active Rain points store for some imaginary vision.

My first entry had me spending one million points to restore and customize a car. So, I did spend some of my the points doing something for me. That said my second entry is also doing something for me.

If it were truly possible I would spend two million of my points to improve the quality of education in Englewood where children have received a poor quality education for many years and it has affected their ability to pursue a higher education.

I would be sponsor tutorial sessions after school with a program that would take children off the streets and accelerate their learning at the same time.  Removing the program from the control of the Chicago Public School system would enhance the probability of success and assure that the teachers would be dedicated to education and employed based on performance.

Why Englewood? My Dad had an automobile frame and body shop repair business there in the 50's and 60's. The existing housing stack had good bones and many of the home were well taken care of by their owners. The schools were poorly maintained and had aged and worn equipment. From a public school standpoint it is still very much the same in comparison with other neighborhoods in the city.

I have the points and have watched as community leaders are working hard to turn the neighborhood around. Economic infusion would help.

Maybe as I am writing this I should consider spending more points in a separate entry providing college scholarships for those who utilize this program to help themselves and the possibility of a better future.

May someone with the real dollars pick up on this idea and help the dedicated community leaders of Englewood make this a reality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(17)

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Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Hi Wayne, You have presented a compelling case for spending a large amount of your points for the good of the children living in Englewood.

Jun 12, 2025 12:24 PM
Wayne Martin

I hava a lot of points and likely will spend more for scholarships. If you are going to dream, dream big.

Jun 13, 2025 05:37 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Wayne Martin  You are a kind and wise man who will spend his points wisely. Things will not change in our world without the youth learning how to make a living. Kuddos to you .. I missed your last post I will go back to read it as I love restored cars 

Jun 12, 2025 12:48 PM
Wayne Martin

Not supporting education is a huge loss of potential brain power. 

Jun 13, 2025 05:38 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Wayne,

What a great way to spend those Active rain points! Education is so important and we have to up our game in our public schools as we are getting left in the dust!

Jun 12, 2025 12:53 PM
Wayne Martin

Not providing quality education is junking brain power before you test drive it

Jun 13, 2025 05:39 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Education in all walks of life so very important.  I found myself getting ready to hit a soap box so will leave it at that Wayne.  Excellent choice on spending.  Mark

Jun 12, 2025 01:45 PM
Wayne Martin

I can only wish the points could truly help. In the case I would spend the rest in my account. 

Jun 13, 2025 05:41 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing this heartfelt post, Wayne Martin. I really appreciate your insights and the way you highlight the need for better opportunities in Englewood. It’s inspiring to see your passion for making a difference, and I hope your ideas inspire others to step up as well 😊

Jun 12, 2025 02:37 PM
Wayne Martin

Englewood is a high crime gang infested neighborhood with so much potential. We are beginning to see some neighborhood organizers beginning make a difference but the public schools haha very long road to go. 

Jun 13, 2025 05:43 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wayne this is exactly what many cities and towns could use these days.  Count me in on this project!  We need to get our kids educated properly and enough of all the nonsense that has been preached for years now at every level of education.   I remember it started back in the late 70's with a few of my college professor and I thought they were so out of it and one a very strange path. It is far past time for change.  The time is NOW!

Jun 12, 2025 03:55 PM
Wayne Martin

Well put. There are a few community organizers currently making a valiant effort but our politicians have only paid lip service for the last 50 plus years and the current mayor has the soap box but is a talker not a doer 

Jun 13, 2025 05:45 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Wayen- you hit the nail on the head. It takes a grass roots group that sincerely wants to make a difference without regard for who gets credit.  And yes, scholarships for those students who go through one of the programs. 

And why not pay some of the students  who go through the program to teach some of the other children? 

Jun 12, 2025 06:39 PM
Wayne Martin

Bing Bango. Maybe another post where I spend my points providing scholarships for those who benefit from the program and are willing to give back by teaching. Like your thinking

Jun 13, 2025 05:47 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Wayne - the points in this post are well-taken.  And a worthy gift too.  

Jun 13, 2025 03:09 AM
Wayne Martin

The real life would be if it were true rather than a dream. And there are some hints that some community organizers are having some success.

Jun 13, 2025 05:48 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Oh my goodness, Wayne... what a wonderful way to use your points. I loved reading about your connection to Englewood. 

Jun 13, 2025 04:33 AM
Wayne Martin

My Dad would hire some young guys seeking tot make a break from the gangs and I was witness to what a potential loss of brain power was present there and still is. 

Jun 13, 2025 05:50 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That would be a wonderful way to spend your points!

Jun 13, 2025 05:23 AM
Wayne Martin

Seeing the potential, more to come.

Jun 13, 2025 05:50 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good cause to support and I would be happy to add some points.

Jun 13, 2025 06:38 AM
Wayne Martin

Thank you! Thinking of spending more for college scholarships. 

Jun 15, 2025 06:37 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Your wish to help those in this downtrodden area speaks to the largeness of your heart, Wayne Martin 

Jun 13, 2025 09:49 AM
Wayne Martin

Somehow Englewood and the conditions there are burned in my mind.

Jun 15, 2025 06:38 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

I commend you on investing your points in Englewood and I know that area. Unfortunately, in Chicago, I learned many of the teachers sent their children to private schools including Culver Academy where one year's tuition was more than Notre Dame. Unions have been very bad for education as had the involvement of the federal government. 

Jun 14, 2025 08:26 AM
Wayne Martin

In an effort to remain polite, I am going to agree with you and move on. If I rant I will likely be asked to leave the platform.

Jun 15, 2025 06:39 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Jun 14, 2025 06:30 PM
Wayne Martin

Thanks!

Jun 15, 2025 06:39 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
Semi Retired Real Estate Agent

Wayne Martin - Now that's the best idea I heard of for this June Challenge. I don't recall Englewood being gang infested when I lived in Chicago or when my parents were still alive. You are a man with heart and soul. 

Jun 15, 2025 04:13 AM
Wayne Martin

Patricia Feager - Gangs have been problem there since the early 60's! I have some knife scars to prove it. Wrong place at the wrong time! That said, the neighborhood environment spawned the behavior. Change the environment and the behavior changes. 

Jun 15, 2025 07:02 AM
Patricia Feager

Wayne Martin - I'm so sorry you have knife scars. That's terrible. I guess in the 60's I was too focused on other gangs on my side.  

 

Jun 15, 2025 07:26 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

This is a wonderful, self-less idea!  Lifting youth with proper education would pay benefits for generations to come.  Smart idea!  

Jun 18, 2025 12:01 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Wayne! What an incredible way to honor your father’s legacy and uplift a community that clearly means so much to you. Investing in education and creating opportunities for children in Englewood is such a powerful vision—one that truly plants seeds for lasting change. I can’t wait to read your next entry about expanding this even further with scholarships!

Thank you for another great entry in this month's Point Store challenge!

Jun 27, 2025 10:02 PM