A community newspaper tells us everything to know about its community. It is representative of the people who lived and live there. It tells stories about its residents, recent happenings in town, and plans for events ahead. The editorials speak to issues we’re facing, and its viewpoints share voices of those with something to say.
In Oak Park, Wednesday Journal is our connection to everything — the people who live here, local events, neighbors in need, problems to solve, resources to find, and the support systems we crave. It tells us about the YMCA after-school program, the library, our church communities, Farmers Market, parades, Porchfests, community meetings, school concerts and sports, historic Oak Park celebrations and opportunities to get involved, finding solutions and creating change when and where necessary. We can see signs of a great community in Oak Park through the pages of Wednesday Journal.
It’s so easy to take for granted the hard work and resources needed to produce this weekly one-stop-shop we know as Wednesday Journal, as well as the other three community papers published by Growing Community Media: Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, and Landmark. They all serve as vital hubs connecting residents and fostering informed engagement on local issues.
This is community-supported journalism at its best. And as a nonprofit organization, Growing Community Media relies on the support of readers.
I encourage you to consider the key role community news plays in your life and in the vitality of our communities. Please consider making a financial contribution to ensure its sustainability and to fuel its mission (oakpark.com/donate) — especially now as we ready for a new year when our voices will be needed more than ever!
Robyn Ziegler
Member of the Growing Community Media
Development Steering Committee