Our Partners
Ridgeville works with two primary partners to help bring a variety of arts, cultural and community events to south Evanston—the Ridgeville Foundation and the City of Evanston.
The Ridgeville Foundation is dedicated to providing engaging and accessible cultural experiences at Ridgeville Parks.
The Foundation is a 501(c)3 separate from the Ridgeville Parks District, the local governmental body. As such, the Foundation works to assist community members to participate in district-organized programs, such as camps and classes, as well as provide free and accessible cultural programming in the Park District areas.
Each year the Foundation supports Ridgeville events, like:
The Foundation also provides financial assistance for Ridgeville programs through scholarships available for youth and adults. Your contribution to the Ridgeville Foundation Scholarship Fund helps ensure that our classes and camps are available to everyone. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Thank you for supporting the arts at Ridgeville.
Ridgeville works with the City of Evanston to provide and promote community events in south Evanston. Although Ridgeville is a separate entity from the City’s parks and recreation department, we work together to serve our community. In recent years, the City partnered with Ridgeville to provide new playground equipment at Brummel Park through the Community Block Development Grant program.
The City and Ridgeville coordinate to bring annual events like:
Bike the Ridge
Elks Park Food Truck Festival
Starlight Concert Series
The Ridgeville Park District incorporates all of the 8th and 9th wards, and part of the 2nd and 4th wards. We are proud to work with Evanston elected officials.
For additional information about the City of Evanston, visit cityofevanston.org
Additional Partners
In addition to our primary partners, Ridgeville works with several other organizations, including the public schools, the library and our local hospital. Our partner list is extensive and ever-growing, but we highlight an important few below.
Ridgeville Park District participates in a sub-committee of the Community Leadership Board at AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital to help develop programming for the south Evanston community. In 2020, we will work with St. Francis and other local organizations to provide mental health first-aid training to our Summer staff.
Evanston Public Library is a valued partner of Ridgeville. EPL brings their summer “book bike” to the Ridgeville Farmers’ Market and works with our campers on their summer reading program. Ridgeville has also been a discussion hub for EPL’s Community Wide Read program.
Most Ridgeville programs correlate with the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 calendar. We offer workshops on school improvement days for grades K–5, and winter/spring break camps during the school year. In the summer, we run a series of camps for kids age 3–15. We also work closely with the local PTAs to engage youth and support families however needed.
Ridgeville looks forward to working with the Evanston Township High School whenever we find opportunities. We hire our summer staff from the Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program held at ETHS, and recruit volunteers at the ETHS Volunteer & Civics Fair. Ridgeville is also active in ETHS events that support young talent in the arts and athletics.
There are many community organizations with who we work to promote community events and programming. Each of these partners helps Ridgeville deliver on its commitment to the residents of south Evanston.
Partner Programs
Chicago Action Sports/Character Skateboards
Arts Organizations
Mudlark Theater Company raises the expectations of children’s theater and keep it there. By holding children to a higher standard and empowering them to make strong artistic choices, we create the possibility for great theater—vibrant, funny, compelling shows that erase the boundary between youth and professional theater.
The Arc Theatre utilizes the specific talents of intelligent artists in order to creatively present honest stories; productions which, by their nature, are germane to and appreciated by a diverse and modern audience. The Arc mines common themes from seemingly unrelated stories to reveal new conclusions about the ever-present “arc” in all of us. Generating process from the archetypal stories that reach across all time periods, locations and ethnic backgrounds, The Arc’s resulting productions illuminate story and relationships in a non-traditional way.
School of Rock is a music school for all skill levels, ages, and musical aspirations. With students ranging from toddlers to adults, School of Rock is where music students grow into real musicians through a music school that is reimagined. Their music programs are designed to encourage learning in a supportive environment where students of all skill levels are comfortable and engaged. It takes the music school concept to the next level for kids, teens and adults.
Sports Organizations
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is a nonprofit and the oldest national youth soccer program in the United States. Beginning with only nine teams by a handful of soccer enthusiasts, AYSO was established in 1964 in Torrance, California, in an effort to ensure that American kids are introduced to the beautiful game of soccer. More than 50 years later, AYSO now has thriving programs for kids and adults in nearly 900 communities all over the country.
Evanston Baseball and Softball Association (EBSA) believes that community baseball and fast-pitch softball should be open to all boys and girls. Their no-cut programs ensure that all registered players will have the opportunity to fully participate. EBSA makes every effort to keep the game in perspective, insisting that players, parents, coaches, and umpires treat one another with respect.
Social Services Organizations
Center for Independent Futures is an Evanston not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities live full and more independent lives. They create sustainable solutions through community living options, personal networks, and lifelong planning and education, tailored to support individuals and families, as well as schools and agencies.
North Shore Senior Center strives to foster the independence and well-being of older adults, enhance their dignity and self respect, and promote their participation in and contribution toward all aspects of community life.
Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) serves over 1,600 youth and reaches over 4,000 family members each year through after-school and summer learning programs, clinical counseling, street outreach, and family engagement. These services have a powerful, positive impact on youth’s academic, social, and emotional growth and development.
YWCA Evanston/North Shore has roots stretching back to the 1930s. It started as a place that provided safe housing and support for young women coming to the city to work. Its programs and services have continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities they serve in their mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
State Agencies
Illinois Arts Council Agency serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services, primarily geared to support Illinois' arts sector, advance arts education and foster creativity and working artists.
Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) is a nonprofit service, research and education organization that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation, municipal park and recreation, and special recreation agencies. The association advances these agencies, their citizen board members and professional staff in their ability to provide outstanding park and recreation opportunities, preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois.
Interested in partnering with Ridgeville Park District? Contact Natalie at programs@ridgeville.org.