In response to the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, our communities were overwhelmed with anger and looting occurring throughout the nation. On July 5th, 2020, alt_ took action and distributed  650+ care packages on the west and south side of Chicago. We mobilized 100 volunteers and raised over $1,000 for care packages in a single day. While this act of hope was refreshing, our communities needed more, we needed sustainability. In response, we decided to create a sustainable artistic gesture, an open sourced idea.

We are consistently humbled by the community that shows up as an act of service - an act unto themselves, their community and their environment. The work completed by volunteers in 2024 assisted us tremendously with our plastic redemption efforts; namely in a sorting capacity. We have enjoyed connecting with so many redeemers from all over the country and all walks of life. 

How we serve is largely based on community need, input and data. We have become integrated with our surroundings and often reference city-distributed facts and statistics to help shape our work.

In 2024, we began an initiative led by our Cohort Fellows via alt_ SHIFT to learn more about our community members and their relationship to plastic, recycling and sustainability. As we prototype this model of data collection and community outreach, we have supported local businesses as a means to provide a reward to survey participants.

In the summer of 2025, we had the privilege of taking our first published book—and its authors—on tour across six Chicago Public Library branches. We explored the themes of plastic and redemption, engaging in meaningful conversations with fellow redeemers throughout the CPL community. It was an incredible experience, and we're deeply thankful for the library’s dedication to integrating culture and sustainability into its programming.

After years of dreaming, creating and serving alongside our Austin community, alt_ turned 5 years old AND officially opened the doors to our permanent home in the historic Austin Bank building (5645 W. Corcoran Place). This achievement is a testament to what's possible when we believe in the power of art, faith, and community to transform neighborhoods from the inside out.

Check out images from our Open House, Film Screening with One Earth, Market Day and Worship Gathering.

In Collaboration with the One Lawndale Children’s Discover Center Youth Advisory Council, we initiated a plastic collection program to create functional art for the forthcoming children’s museum. This program consisted of about 10 members over a 2 month period of time during which the youth engaged in over 100 hours of plastic collection + service. The youth also engaged in product-oriented presentations, design and prototyping.

In July 2025, we celebrated the official naming of Chicago’s first city-designated Safe Zone! Through the hard work of partners Aisha Oliver and ASAP/Root2Fruit our community is notably safer and now recognized by the city. Root2Fruit’s ASAP initiative is a youth-led public safety model focused on healing, mentorship and community action.

We welcome Alderman Taliaferro into the space to honor members of the initiative and introduce the official resolution.

Based on available funding and projects at hand, alt_ has been engaging in 2-6 month long cohort mentorship sessions. Led by Co-Founder Jordan Campbell and infused with staff and contractors with varying different perspectives and technical experience, alt_ engages individuals and attempts to enhance their knowledge and understanding of SELF, COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENT. All participants of these programs are provided fair wages for their participation.

Disinvestment is visible. One of the signifiers of disinvestment is trash. The problem lies in the lack of resources resulting in a lack of access to trash bins in black and brown spaces.

Our first rendition of the alt_ bin utilized recycled pallet wood and donated Plexiglass and we have since migrated to using redeemed plastic. These bins serve as an investment both in people and in the environment as a functional art installation. We all deserve the right to live in a safe and clean community and these bins are created as tools of independence.

In Collaboration with Justus Cornelius Pugh, Plastic Patrol and Real Ballers Read, we held our 2nd book yalk event since publishing Lake Stool at the Austin Branch Library in celebration of their 95th anniversary. This was a full circle moment as the authors of this book are 4 young men from Austin, Chicago.

In 2024, we were excited to collaborate with the One Earth Collective and 290 IPO to Form the Westside Environmental Justice Alliance [WEJA]. Each meeting welcomes about 50 advocates, appreciators and leaders in Environmental Justice related fields who live, work or are invested in Chicago’s West Side. Meetings include guest speakers, activations, information sharing and collaborative planning.