A lot can happen when the people working to serve a community have a chance to sit down together.
That is exactly what is happening at the Chicago Ridge Public Library, where the Chicago Ridge Community Partnership brings local organizations, government agencies, schools, social service groups and community leaders together roughly once a month.
The meetings, held at the library at 10400 Oxford Ave., began with a simple question from Programming and Marketing Coordinator Lori Lysik-Forney: Why couldn’t Chicago Ridge have something like the community partnership meetings she had seen in Oak Lawn?
“Seeing everyone come together, I thought, ‘Why can’t Chicago Ridge do this?’” Lysik-Forney said.
The idea grew from Oak Lawn Community Partnership meetings started by SD 123 Community Liaison Officer Larry Fetchko. Chicago Ridge Public Library Director Dana Wishnick and the library’s former adult services manager had attended those meetings for several years. When Wishnick could no longer attend in 2026, Lysik-Forney began going in her place.
It did not take long for Lysik-Forney to see the value of bringing that same type of collaboration to Chicago Ridge.
“After just a couple of meetings, she came to me and said we needed something similar here,” Wishnick said. “I gave her the go-ahead, and she took it from there, reaching out to organizations and local government and building the partnership from the ground up.”
What started with 16 organizations represented at the first meeting has continued to grow. The most recent meeting included representatives from 25 organizations.
The group now includes Worth Township, the Lions Club, Boy Scouts, Advocate Children’s Hospital, CEDA, Pathlights, Arab American Family Services, the Chicago Ridge Park District, Chicago Ridge School District, Chicago Ridge Fire Department, Chicago Ridge Police Department, OSF HealthCare, Beds Plus, Chicago Ridge Village Hall, Moraine Valley Community College, Chicago Ridge Public Works and Metro Family Services, among others.
The meetings give each organization a chance to talk about upcoming programs, events and initiatives while learning what other groups are planning. Just as importantly, they create an opportunity for people who may serve the same residents in different ways to know one another and understand what resources are available.
“We network, share resources, and work together on community outreach to help get the word out and connect residents with the organizations and services available to them,” Lysik-Forney said.
Wishnick has seen the difference that kind of communication can make.
“This effort has strengthened our coordination with local government (the Village, Schools, Parks, Police, Fire, etc.) and area social service organizations,” she said. “We’ve built a network that lets us respond more effectively to residents’ needs and direct them toward the right resources when they’re looking for help.”
That may be one of the biggest benefits of the partnership. When a resident needs assistance, the answer may not always come from the organization they initially contact. Established relationships between agencies make it easier to point people toward someone who can help.
The partnerships can also lead to larger community projects.
Lysik-Forney points to the 250 Block Party as a prime example. Relationships developed through the meetings helped the Chicago Ridge Public Library and Village Hall work together to plan a community celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary.
“Because of the relationships built through these meetings, the Library and Village Hall were able to come together and plan a huge celebration for our community in honor of America’s 250th anniversary,” Lysik-Forney said.
The event brought together ideas and resources from both organizations and demonstrated what can happen when community groups move beyond simply sharing information and begin building something together.
Lysik-Forney said that collaboration is what makes the meetings worthwhile.
“What I love most is that everyone gathers around the table for the same reason: to make their organization and, ultimately, our community better,” she said. “Everyone brings something different to the table, and there is always an opportunity to learn from one another, share resources, and find ways to work together.”
Wishnick said the growth of the partnership is a reflection of Lysik-Forney’s commitment to making the idea a reality.
“This partnership is a testament to Lori’s leadership and drive,” Wishnick said. “She saw a need, took the lead, and made it happen.”
The partnership continues to welcome organizations that serve Chicago Ridge and the surrounding community.
Lysik-Forney said the meetings are about much more than filling a calendar or making announcements.
“To me, that is exactly what these meetings are all about,” she said. “It’s not just about sharing what each organization has coming up; it’s about building relationships that turn into real collaboration and create something bigger for our community.”