Did you know that we started off as just a Twitter handle to curate and share neighborhood information seven years ago? Over the course of LoganSquarist’s life—thanks to founder and publisher Kate Hamilton—we have grown tremendously in the community and made lasting connections. As Logan Square continues to change and experience new residents, businesses and local issues, LoganSquarist has remained a steady organization covering the neighborhood, working with the community and meeting our neighbors.
From local news to monthly meetups, special events and an extensive calendar (that anyone can submit events to!), LoganSquarist continues its mission of socializing the neighborhood.
A Little History Lesson
As we gear up for our seventh annual fundraiser, we want you to know a little bit more about us, what we do and why we ask for your support once a year. Especially as we and the neighborhood expand, here’s a quick LoganSquarist history lesson.
We are a 100 percent volunteer organization of about 30 individuals who dedicate their time and skills to serving the neighborhood. That service encompasses both news reporting, information dissemination and event coordination—all in an effort to connect businesses, neighbors and the community overall. Our articles cover a wide variety of neighborhood topics and we are always looking for more people eager to get involved and gain clips, exercise a passion or learn a new skill. 2017 was a big year for us—check out our progress by the numbers.
Why We Fundraise
Because we’re a volunteer organization, we depend on the community to help us accomplish our mission. Each year, the fundraiser sets out to cover our annual expenses, which include website maintenance, hosting and organization costs. Supplemental revenue allows us to do more throughout the neighborhood, including our annual Earth Day Pick-up Party, give-back events and more. Additionally, every year we choose a charity partner to give a little back to the community. This year, we’re supporting One Tail at a Time.
Who Are We
With almost 8,000 fans on Facebook and Twitter, we have made a lot of friends over the years. And speaking of friends, we have made many internally, too. Take a look at the staff that makes our wheels turn and learn why they love being part of LoganSquarist!
“To say LoganSquarist has been a humbling experience for me would be an understatement. I have been incredibly blessed by this amazing project that so many volunteers and neighbors have responded positively to. Together, we’ve been able to build something unique for our community that everyone can be proud of. Personally, I’ve learned so much from everyone who has contributed over the years. It’s been a truly awe-inspiring opportunity that amazes me every day.” — Kate Hamilton, Founder and Publisher
“I love being a part of LoganSquarist because it helps me feel like I’m more engaged with my community and neighborhood. As a self-professed homebody, LoganSquarist has helped me come out of my shell (and apartment), and I’m so thankful because now I know how much fun this neighborhood is, and how many great people there are.” — Tiffany Breyne, Events Manager
“I have so much joy and fulfillment planning the LoganSquarist fundraiser. I want to grow stronger ties with my fellow volunteers as well as connect with new contacts in the neighborhood. Being a part of something bigger than me that affects my community has given me such a sense of purpose and love for the neighborhood.” — Kari Messenger, Events Director
“LoganSquarist gives me a unique opportunity to not only practice my skills as a student journalist but also connect with an awesome community of people who call Logan Square home. I cannot think of a better environment to grow and create than that of the one LoganSquarist provides for me.” — Zachary Keltner, Photographer
“I love being a staff writer and photographer for LoganSquarist because I have so much freedom in exploring what I value about Logan Square and sharing that with others. LoganSquarist gives me the opportunity and platform to learn more about exciting events and openings in the neighborhood while also helping me feel more connected to the community. Logan Square is my favorite neighborhood of Chicago and I am happy to be part of such a hyperlocal publication!” — Shanti Ism, Staff Writer and Photographer
“Being a part of a team as open as the LoganSqaurist allows me to focus on writing that really matters to me. Choosing to write for the community I love and speak about the people I know allows me to truly understand Logan Square and why I love it here so much.” — Caroline Pejcinovic, Staff Writer
“I’ve enjoyed making new friends and gaining new experiences while working with LoganSquarist. I’ve learned a bit about photojournalism while working on my photo stories, too! A quote I like about taking photos that I think about often is: ‘If you see something that moves you, and you snap it, you keep a moment.'” — Kris Donaker, Photographer
“I got involved with LoganSquarist because, in my home, we want to do all we can to make it a strong, united, inclusive and informed community. LoganSquarist—through hyperlocal journalism and community-building events—provides important access to do so.” — Kelsey Kamp, Events Manager
“I majored in journalism in college and while I work at WBBM Newsradio, it had been about two years since I last wrote a story until I joined the team this year. LoganSquarist has given me the opportunity to write and tell stories again and I’m so grateful for it!” — Emily Markanich, Staff Writer
“I joined LoganSquarist because I was looking for a way to combine two things I love: writing and food. But I stayed because being part of this organization makes me feel more connected and invested in this amazing neighborhood and community.” — Kristina Alto, Food + Drink Writer
“I joined LoganSquarist because I wanted to become more involved with my neighbors and have the opportunity to learn about and share community news and events.” — Katie Fletcher, Staff Writer and Photographer
“Working with the LoganSquarist team is one of the best excuses to explore the neighborhood, broaden my horizons and then write about it. Name-dropping LoganSquarist has opened a lot of doors for me and gotten me out of my shell. I’m now more confident about my writing and my photographs and I have a Flickr account full of photo albums.” — Erik Island, Staff Writer and Photographer
“The intersection of hyperlocal journalism and community storytelling is incredibly vital in our modern democracy and having an outlet such as LoganSquarist that can do this makes me so proud to be its editor (and happy to be using my college degree skills daily!). Biking around Logan Square and knowing the latest neighborhood or business news, meeting friends on the street or catching a new story idea connects the dots for a strong, thriving and personal community that would not be possible without LoganSquarist.” — Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Editor-in-Chief
Thank You Logan Square
Thank you to the neighborhood, our volunteers and business partners for supporting us all these years; we would be nothing without you. We hope to see you at our fundraiser event to celebrate local businesses and a community we love!
Great article, Ariel! Thanks for capturing the essence of LoganSquarist!