Community
Engagement
Honeycomb Project
Project Leader
Program Development / Event Production & Coordination
The Honeycomb Project is a family-oriented volunteer organization that builds strong and connected communities through service. From 2018-2020, Lauren supported the Honeycomb Project as a Project Leader, leading monthly efforts such as Making Cards for Veterans (fall and winter months) and Protect a Prairie and a Wetland (spring and summer months).
Making Cards for Veterans
In partnership with the Education and Program Manager at the National Veteran’s Art Museum (NVAM) in Chicago, Lauren led groups of families through a series of card making workshops. Each workshop began with group discussions that were aimed at building empathy and strengthening community connections. Family members of all ages discussed questions such as: What is a veteran? What challenges do veterans experience when they return home? Why is important to show community support for veterans? At this time, families also heard from a NVAM resident veteran artist and participated in private tours of current NVAM exhibitions. After engaging in the dialogue and being inspired by the artwork that surrounded them, families participated in making bespoke block print cards to send to, and support, veterans that were receiving treatment and services at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
Collaborator: Moki Tantoco
Protect a Prairie & Wetland
Visual Training / Software Training / Communication Training
In partnership with the Chicago Park District and The Nature Conservancy, Lauren led groups of families through a series park stewardship efforts to protect and improve Palmisano Park in Chicago. The brownfield project—now a restored prairie and wetland—was a limestone quarry, then a landfill for construction waste. To learn more about the importance of preserving urban open space, protecting pollinators, and increasing biodiversity, family members of all ages discussed topics such as: Do you have a favorite park or outdoor space? What do you like about this space?Why is it important to take care of parks and natural spaces? After the conversation, families learned about the removal of invasive species and participated in planting native species and park clean up efforts. After their work, the families reconvened to host a potluck picnic at the top of the park’s hill and enjoyed a beautiful view of Chicago’s skyline.
