Taking a major step to strengthen the 10th Street Corridor, where Waukegan and North Chicago meet, the Urban Muslim Minority Alliance (UMMA) acquired a 22,000-square-foot, one-time Catholic school with plans to locate nearly all of its programs in the neighborhood.
After opening the Harvest Market — a free grocery store featuring fresh produce — in August at the northwest corner of 10th and McAlister Avenue in Waukegan, the former school gives UMMA a presence nearly a block long going west from McAlister.
Known as a low-income area requiring a strong police presence, UMMA founder and board chair Ashfaq Mohiuddin said the 10th Street Corridor has the potential to become a place where, “affordable housing, education and health care can create thriving, interconnected communities.”
“Our vision for 10th Street is to transform it from a boundary to a bridge of opportunity, uniting Waukegan and North Chicago as a shared path to prosperity,” Mohiuddin said. “By 2030, 10th Street can become a beacon of possibility, symbolizing the strength of shared growth and collaboration.”
On Oct. 18, UMMA acquired the new building next to the Harvest Market in the 500 block of 10th Street in Waukegan, celebrating its 20th year with plans to renovate it into the centerpiece of its UMMA Center for Community Prosperity.
Though prosperity is often defined by an individual’s financial net worth, for Mohiuddin the meaning is more complex and diverse. UMMA’s educational programs, both now and in the near future, are geared to do more than help people earn a good income.
“Our vision for prosperity is more than economic security,” Mohiuddin said. “It’s about enabling people to thrive in health, relationships, personal growth and purpose.”
Already growing, the Harvest Market has more than tripled the amount of food it is able to give to anyone who walks through the door. Hamaas Ibrahim, UMMA’s executive director, said people are getting additional groceries at a more frequent pace.
“When we opened, people were able to get 15 items every two weeks,” Ibrahim said. “Now they get 25 items every week.”
Ibrahim said plans for the renovation will start early next year, with hopes to commence work by late 2025 or early 2026. He estimates completion in 2028. Meanwhile, the market continues to provide groceries and other UMMA operations will continue at its current downtown Waukegan location.
Above the market are four large apartments that are part of UMMA’s Uplift affordable housing program. Ibrahim said three houses — one in Waukegan, one in North Chicago and one in Beach Park — comprise the rest of Uplift.
Classes and other programs now take place in downtown Waukegan including financial literacy, Spanish, English as a second language, job readiness, financial literacy, job readiness and computer use, including major software programs.
Along with the existing programs, Ibrahim said with the renovation of the former school, new programs will be added such as Living Well with an obesity clinic, nutrition classes and fitness opportunities.
“We want to place an emphasis on living well,” Ibrahim said. “Things like obesity and diabetes are serious health issues in minority communities.”
There will also be training in trades like plumbing, electrical, carpentry and nursing.
Another program is artificial intelligence. Ibrahim said AI is already changing lives for people from young school students to older adults. Everyone can benefit from it, but they need to understand how they can use it.
“AI is necessary for the future,” Ibrahim said. “We want to help the community get a leg up into it so individuals can take advantage of what it offers. It will strengthen someone in any work they do. I use it several times a day.”
With all of the existing classes moving to 10th Street, Ibrahim said the Living Well program will be there as well. The gym with its basketball court will stay. There will also be a community bent.
“We’re going to refinish it,” Ibrahim said. “We hope to have basketball tournaments and open gym.”
While the former school will become the centerpiece of UMMA, Mohiuddin said the downtown location may be repurposed to become the AI Growth Academy. The 10th Street location is best suited to help the organization fulfill its mission.
“We believe a central location at 10th Street will bring a deeper sense of community, and make it easier for our clients to access multiple services under one roof,” Mohiuddin said. “Our vision for prosperity is more than economic security. It’s about enabling people to thrive in health, relationships, personal growth and purpose.”
