Edna White Garden Announces Launch of Partnership Monday Morning; Public Welcome

The Edna White Community Garden organizers will announce Monday the official “launch” of a new partnership with Greencorps Equitable and Transformative (G.E.T.) Solutions and 811 Chicago, an initiative and program of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).

“Edna White Garden is so proud to be chosen for this alliance to raise awareness to the importance of Call Before You Dig," said Kathy Figel, executive director of the Edna White Garden.

Local officials have been invited to be on site Monday, August 11, 2025 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Edna White Garden, 1812 West Monterey Avenue in Morgan Park.

Welcome & Overview of G.E.T. Solutions

9:10 - 9:25am

Overview 811 Chicago

811 Partner Remarks - Community Impact -Damage Prevention Community
9:25 - 9:50 am

Impact of the Garden Partnership

• 46th Street Community Block Club
• Artists' Garden

9:50 -10:10 am

Edna White Garden & History

• Future Planning & Next Steps

10:10 -10:15 am

Closing & Announcement of Activities
10:15 -11:30 a.m

Garden Tours & Refreshments

This year, 811 Chicago celebrates its 50th Anniversary on August 11, which is 811 Day, a national initiative to remind communities to be safe before digging by calling 811 to avoid damage to underground utilities.

To commemorate this special day, 811 Chicago – in partnership with G.E.T. Solutions – will launch its third partnership garden. Edna White Garden joins in this union along with 46th Street Block Club and Community Garden and SkyArts’ Artist Garden.

The shared goal is to increase the awareness of the importance of “calling before you dig” while beautifying public spaces and neighborhoods. The event is open to the public. The outdoor event includes ample free parking in adjacent parking lots and along Monterey Avenue.

Greencorps Chicago NFP, doing business as G.E.T. Solutions is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to promote access to sustainable, environmental and economic solutions for individuals and communities that have been historically impacted by systemic barriers and inequities.

G.E.T. Solutions partners with Greencorps Chicago, CDOT’s green industry job training program. The Greencorps Chicago program engages in individuals with barriers to employment, providing job training that is reinforced on community and local projects.

“Greencorps has been on site since this partnership was announced and has used its resources to make a dramatic difference in the look and functionality of our garden,” said Figel.

“Launch is appropriate for a number of reasons as we look ahead to vast improvements, which will be announced in the coming months,” said Figel.

“The Edna White Garden has from its beginning lifted the spirits of those who volunteer, so the Greencorps training program and overall mission is in sync with our vision,” said Figel.