Thank you for supporting Open Communities' Walk/Roll the Redline this year!
On Saturday, September 13th, 2025, from 10am-1pm, our community will gather at the Evanston Ecology Center then walk the loop around the channel to raise funds, awareness, and activation for fair housing in our communities.
Background on redlining and info on the event:
Redlining was a historical practice where officials drew maps in red around neighborhoods of color and denied housing investment there. This discriminatory practice caused segregation and disinvestment in Evanston’s 5th ward that still impacts us today, decades after redlining was made illegal with the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.
At our community event, participants will walk, roll, or stroll along a 1 or 2-mile educational loop to learn the impact discriminatory housing policies had on our community and how they continue to show up in harmful new ways. Educational displays along the route will also celebrate ways to support welcoming communities today.
Your generosity supports our mission to:
- Stand up for people experiencing housing discrimination
- Increase housing accessibility and affordability
- Help neighbors keep stable homes and prevent homelessness
- Advocate for welcoming neighborhoods and housing rights
- Create communities we can all call home
You can create your own fundraising page and gather sponsors for your walk or form a team to raise more funds and awareness about the need for fair housing in our communities.
Our mission: Open Communities works to eradicate housing discrimination and unjust practices that perpetuate segregation and inequity. We foster thriving, inclusive communities through fair housing enforcement, housing counseling, education, outreach, and advocacy.
Together, we can create communities where we can all live and thrive.
Thank you for your support!!
- The Open Communities Team
www.open-communities.org