Chicago Community Tools

North Chicago Community Partners and Abbvie Week of Possibilities!

The Chicago Tool Library Inventory Is Tripling — And Needs The Community's Help Finding A Bigger Space The organization is growing thanks to a merger with Chicago Community Tools. Library leaders say their ideal space is on the South Side and more accessible to public transit.

We got tagged on Monday. It's unfortunate that someone would deface a charity with their name. I tried to remove it with Krud Kutter Graffiti Remover but it bubbled up the dark blue paint. I wiped it down as best I could and painted over it. Any bets on if it will flake off, look ugly or entice another round of graffiti?

We're looking for an artist who can do a mural on it. Please call if you know of anyone that can do it for little or no compensation?❤️

This pandemic has been hard on everyone. Chicago Community Tools lending was not what we hoped as everyone sheltered in place. We were still able to lend 1720 tools worth $81,000 across Chicagoland. Saving our members nearly $75,000 over the retail cost of the tools. The savings were even greater when you consider the cost of securely storing and maintaining these tools to have them ready for our members' projects.

We are most proud of how we used our tools, with donations from Lowe's Home Improvement, The Home Depot, Fortune Brands and Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago volunteers to build 250 desks for remote or hybrid learning across Chicagoland.

Life Quilt Foundation

using our tools! Chicago Community Tools

Grandkids activity center

Getting the last 50 desks ready by adjusting each one to make sure the legs fit, sanding each top and finally sealing with clear polyurethane. These desks used mostly scrap lumber for the tops with the rest of the costly lumber supplied by Lowe's Home Improvement and The Home Depot Foundation. Special thanks to David Gemperline, Gene Kocian and the rest of the team from Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago for the many hours they spent creating the desks.

We know there are smiles under those masks. One mother reported back to us that since her 13-year-old son got his desk, he only leaves his room to go to the bathroom and eat.

We built and gave away over 200 desks across Chicagoland thanks to Life Quilt Foundation, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, NCBA Trainees, many volunteers, corporate sponsors Fortune Brands, Lowe's Foundation and other Angel investors. There is still great need and we started round three thanks to a donation from Home Depot Foundation. Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago
Lowe's Home Improvement Life Quilt Foundation The Home Depot Life Quilt Foundation