Stanley Hallett facts for kids

Stanley James Hallett (October 6, 1930 – November 24, 1998) was an American urban planner. He was also an expert in community development. He helped start many new and clever projects and organizations.

Most of his work was in Chicago. Hallett first worked in church civil rights. Later, he focused on making communities strong and environmentally friendly. He and his friends created the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). They also started South Shore Bank (later ShoreBank). He also helped create Northwestern University's Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research.

During his career, he worked with many important people. These included Martin Luther King Jr., Saul Alinsky, and Studs Terkel. Dr. Hallett believed in the idea of an "economy of neighborhoods." This means that money flows in and out of neighborhoods, just like in a city.

Early Life and Education

Stan Hallett was born in New Hampton, Iowa, on October 6, 1930. He was one of five children. His parents were Reverend Reveley and Stella Hallett. His family moved around Iowa. They finally settled in Rapid City, South Dakota.

During World War II, many young men were in the military. Hallett began leading church services at age 14. This was in Wall, South Dakota. At a church conference, Hallett shared a room with James Lawson. Lawson later became a leader in the civil rights movement. They roomed together for four years.

Hallett earned his first degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1950. In 1954, he got another degree from Boston University's School of Theology. He studied the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston. There, he met Martin Luther King Jr., who was also a theology student. Hallett was inspired by Dean Walter George Muelder. Muelder believed in equal rights for women and strongly fought against racism.

From 1957 to 1959, Hallett was a pastor in Newark, N.J. He led a campaign against a new industrial park. This park would have forced 10,000 people to leave their homes. He learned a lot about racism during this time. From 1961 to 1962, Hallett studied urban planning at Harvard University.

Working for Change in Chicago

In 1962, Hallett moved to Chicago. He became the director of research and planning for the Church Federation of Greater Chicago. Rev. Edgar Chandler became his mentor. Chandler helped organize a big rally for Martin Luther King Jr. He also helped organize a march against segregation.

Hallett taught organizing skills to civil rights activists. These activists were heading to the Southern states. He taught them to plan ahead. He encouraged them to think about their goals and how to reach them.

In 1963, Hallett earned his Ph.D. from Boston University. That summer, he visited Mississippi. He went at the invitation of his friend Ed King. King told him that civil rights workers were being killed. Hallett reported this news back in Chicago. He helped organize a group of religious leaders from northern cities. They went to Mississippi to help stop the violence. This helped get the news out to major newspapers.

In 1965, Hallett helped bring religious leaders to the Civil Rights Movement. He and others marched in Alabama with Martin Luther King. A magazine article quoted Hallett. He said it was a "breakthrough into a whole new spirit." He felt a deep sense of community.

In 1968, Hallett's church in Chicago helped protesters. They stayed there during the Democratic convention.

Starting New Organizations

In 1971, Hallett met Ron Grzywinski, Milton Davis, and Mary Houghton. Together, they started the South Shore Bank. This bank focused on community banking. Hallett was a founding board member for the bank. He also served as vice-president during its important first five years.

In 1973, Hallett led the effort to save the South Shore Country Club.

In 1974, Hallett joined Northwestern University's Center for Urban Affairs. He studied how money flowed in and out of city neighborhoods. He also taught at the Kellogg School of Management.

In 1976, Hallett helped start the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). He co-founded it with Scott Bernstein and Dr. John Martin. CNT looked at ways to use technology for city neighborhoods. They studied food production, solar energy, and conservation. Hallett believed in finding new solutions. He served on the CNT board until he passed away.

That same year, Hallett helped launch the Woodstock Institute. This group focused on community issues. He was a founding board member until his death.

In 1978, Hallett became a teacher at the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He taught about ethics and the church's role in cities.

Hallett also helped lead a group against the Deep Tunnel Project. He felt that very large projects were often not well planned.

In 1985, Hallett and his brother Tom started Pathfinder Systems, Inc. This company worked on a new personal rapid transit system. Hallett believed cars were too harmful to the environment. He dreamed of cities where streets could become gardens.

From 1986 to 1993, Mayor Harold Washington appointed Hallett to the board of Metra. Metra is a commuter rail system.

In 1998, Hallett started a Masters program in Community Development. This was at North Park University in Chicago.

Stanley Hallett passed away on November 24, 1998.

See also

• Asset-Based Community Development
• Community development
• Sustainable development