In 2014 the question was asked, what were the churches doing in response to what was happening in the community? Alderman Delores Holmes volunteered to ask the churches in the 5th Ward to respond, and Pastor Kenneth Cherry volunteered to help by calling the first meeting. It was determined in those initial meetings, that what happens to one person in Evanston happens to all. Thus the "OWN IT" spirit was born to engage everyone who LIVE, WORK, PRAY and or PLAY in Evanston that you should OWN IT. So that is how we formed "Evanston Own It!" Since our beginning to this year, have been blessed through our congregations and supporters to have given the City of Evanston $78,000 to support youth employment and other community initiatives to better Evanston. In 2021 Evanston Own It received the Key to the City of Evanston in recognition of our community support.