Project Overview: On May 28, 2022 the Utopia Connect Foundation will bring  community and other non-profits together to take a united stand for the value of life in Chicago.

 

We recognize that none of us are exempt from stray bullets; none of us are exempt from the pain that’s felt when mothers mourn; and we are not exempt from the fear we feel within the confines of our own city due to the reckless disregard for life.  Our hope is that as we plant seed bombs in neighborhoods across the city that we can bolster the value of life. Beautification: Seed bombs have the potential to create vibrancy to crime infested areas and help to diminish crime since overgrown or unkempt property becomes an invitation for crime.

 

A by-product of this project, while in essence, a direct product, is the repopulation of wild flowers which will attract wildlife such as butterflies and bees that are essential to a healthy environments that support the space for crops to grow.

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We did our first Spring for Life event in May of 2017 and have felt inspired to do it each year. Here is what transpired during our first run.

 

Scope of Project: The spring for Life Project allowed for multiple touch points and opportunities for impact on Chicago’s communities. Seed bombs can serve a strategic-green and sustainable purpose. Particularly when coupled with a plan to help revitalize communities that are impacted by blight and crime, it can only help to bolster the welfare of those communities and make them more vibrant places to live. Our goal is to engage as many stakeholders that we can to support and help us to honor and promote life in Chicago with the aim of decreasing violence across the city. We believe that through the intentional efforts and investments like this, we can make our city a safer place to dwell.  

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1. The first touchpoint was launched this when the project was introduced to teens and they begin to build seed bombs to be packaged for planting and project description.

2. The second touchpoint took place at the unveiling of The Hacking the City 4 Good event on November 17, where teens shared the project details to the audience and the impact they will make across Chicago through this project 

3. The third touchpoint occurred over the spring session when teens and adults  continued to build seed bombs and do the research about various areas of the city that could become best recipients of the seed bombs 

4. The fourth touchpoint took place when seed bomb pouches are made available to those invested to help support this project. They tossed the seed bombs in respective areas of the city that are impacted by blight or crime; and ultimately became contributors to building safer communities in Chicago. In addition to tossing the seed bombs, we invited the community to throw their loved ones names into our bowl of life. The bowl of life is incorporated as a symbolic act and pronouncement on life.

5. The fifth touchpoint allows communities to become beneficiaries of greener, safer, and more invested neighborhoods. During the month of May, using various mediums we advertised and announced our intention for our city and asked each seed bomb holder to toss their seed bomb on the assigned lot to help build a safer Chicago 

6. The sixth touchpoint takes place when the seed bombs worked their magic and transformed select Chicago communities.

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We truly hope you will join us and bring your friends along to our next Spring for Life Event!

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