Walk in to Forward Chicago’s Craft Circle and the first thing you notice is that everybody is smiling.
Then you notice that everyone gets right to work. There is a motion, an energy in the room. Propelled by forces as old as time and as recent as this very second: First the fact that work is always better when you’re doing it with people you like.
The visitor asks, “Why are you here?” And the answers bubble up in that kind of tone that only happens when a group is really a group. “It’s a social thing,” or maybe “keeps me out of trouble!” These are the kind of laughing answers offered up by group members. But the answers come fast as the group organizes itself for today’s meeting.
“Sew? Knit? Crochet? Something else? We like it all! We originally called ourselves The Sewing Circle. But we now have so many different skills in this group that we changed it to The Craft Circle.”
Watch the group move together. Watch them include new members. Somebody misses a stitch and then someone else says, “You can always correct a mistake.”
But what makes this grassroots, self-led group most unique is there sense of a practical, shared purpose. The social part is enjoyed by all. But this is a group that knows how to make the most out of every piece of fabric. They are working on hand sewn hand bags that they will be donating to the Lincoln Square Friendship Center Food Pantry. A wonderful example of one community group helping another in serving a greater need—hungry neighbors.
And as you watch this constantly moving group of community members of all ages, you see how the work connects the generations. How it blends the wisdom of age, the energy of the young at heart and does the work of building a community where everyone is included, active and influential.
You see a group where everyone matters.
Please join the Craft Circle at two final “sew-in” sessions will be held at the Lincoln Square Friendship Center (2733 W. Lawrence) on Wednesday, January 15th and Monday, January 20th from 10:30 am -1:30 pm.
The Forward Chicago Craft Circle meets the third Wednesday of each month from 11am – 12:30 pm at Sulzer Public Library. All ages and all crafters are welcome. Please check the website for more information www.forwardchicago.org or call 773-633-8312.
Forward Chicago 
