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Thomas Ivey was born and raised for most of his younger life in the Hervy Projects o the North side of Chicago. He lived there in the early 1960's. He said those were the best times of his life. Times were much different back then, than they are today. Back in those days Thomas and his friends were able to play outside, mainly in front on their porches and had to be in by the time the street lights came on. As some may know your neighbors were like another set of parents. They were able to tell you anything and punish you just like your biological parents could. They believed in the saying "It takes a whole village to raise a child". Growing up in those times people were really family oriented. Thomas family was real big on family nights. Everyone would get together and go bowling. Yes times have changed but not that much. As far as the buildings in the Hervy Projects, there would be about ten vacant homes out of forty to fifty. Windows were not busted out but the doors were blocked off. People would break in the vacant homes but almost never busted out any windows. As far as violence, people believed in using what God them instead of what mad did. Thomas said he remembered a lot more fist fights and stabbings but hardly ever remember any shootings. For entertainment the older boys would stand in the middle of the and pitch pennies. Thomas said he didn't remember in gangs. Yes they were around but not as bad as they are now. In the year 2009 we have to worry about how to get public housing back to the way it use to be if not better. To do this we need your help. The question is are you wiling to help?