Welcome to 15 West
Learn more about us and develop your first story idea!
Hi, Reporter!
Welcome to your first day at 15 West! This onboarding tour will help you understand who we are, what we do, and how to start thinking like a community journalist.
Your Mission Today:
As you explore each station of our newsroom, you'll learn about 15 West's approach to journalism and start building ideas for your first story. By the end of this tour, you'll have:
- A clear understanding of our mission and values
- Initial thoughts on potential story topics
- Questions to guide your first reporting
- A rough concept to discuss with your supervisor
Click the button below to begin.
Our Mission
Every great newsroom has a north star. At 15 West, our mission is to provide community-centered journalism that serves the West Sides of Chicago and neighboring suburbs.
What Makes Us Different:
- Hyperlocal Focus: We cover stories that matter specifically to West Side neighborhoods
- Community-Centered: We center the voices and experiences of community members
- Solutions-Oriented: We don't just report problems—we explore solutions and community initiatives
- Accessible: We write for our neighbors, not for awards or insider audiences
- Trust-Building: We're not parachute journalists—we're committed to ongoing relationships
Our Core Values:
💭 Think About It:
What does "community-centered journalism" mean to you? How is it different from traditional news coverage?
Our Stories
Let's look at what we cover. We organize our journalism around seven key coverage areas:
Our Coverage Areas:
- NextDoor Happenings: Hyperlocal news, community stories, plus local artists, venues, and cultural events
- Modern Literacy: Learning gaps, digital divides, educational equity, and when tech moves faster than schools
- Creative Solutions: Innovative approaches to community issues and grassroots problem-solving
- Criminal Justice Reform: Policy changes, community programs, and justice system improvements
- Civic Participation: Local government, voting, community organizing, and how to get involved
- Health Empowerment: Community health resources, healthcare access, and wellness initiatives that put residents in control
- Aging/55+: News, resources, and stories related to older adults
What to Look For in Great Community Journalism:
Click each element to learn more:
Strong stories let community members speak for themselves. We use substantial, meaningful quotes, not just soundbites. We capture people's voices, not just their information.
We don't just say "West Side", we name specific neighborhoods, streets, and landmarks. We help readers see and feel the place we're describing.
We clearly explain the impact on real people's lives. Why should our readers care? How does this affect their daily experience or their community?
💭 Story Brainstorm #1:
Looking at our seven coverage areas above, which ones spark your interest? Pick 1-2 areas and jot down what draws you to them or what questions you have.
Our Community Focus
The West Side of Chicago isn't one monolithic place; it's a diverse collection of neighborhoods, each with its own character, history, and stories to tell.
West Side Neighborhoods We Cover Include:
- Austin
- North Lawndale
- East Garfield Park
- West Garfield Park
- Humboldt Park
- West Town
- Near West Side
- And dozens of others..
Understanding Your Beat:
As a reporter, you need to understand the neighborhoods you're covering. This means:
- Walking the streets - Notice what businesses exist, what gathering places attract people
- Talking to residents - What do they care about? What changes have they seen?
- Learning the history - What shaped this neighborhood? What stories live in this place?
- Identifying leaders - Who organizes, who speaks up, who brings people together?
- Seeing the systems - How do transportation, schools, services, and institutions work (or not work)?
💭 Story Brainstorm #2:
Think about a West Side neighborhood you want to explore. What would you want to learn about it? What questions do you have? What might be happening there that deserves coverage?
Our Source Network
The most impactful stories in journalism are possible because of the commmunity you build with others. We prioritize building authentic relationships with community members who become trusted sources and collaborators.
Types of Sources You'll Need:
- Community Residents - Everyday people with lived experience
- Local Leaders - Organizers, activists, block club presidents
- Business Owners - Shop owners, entrepreneurs
- Service Providers - Teachers, social workers, librarians
- Experts - People with specific knowledge or skills
- Officials - Aldermen, commissioners (but not only these voices!)
Building Trust, Not Extracting Stories:
The difference between exploitative journalism and community-centered journalism is relationship:
✅ DO:
- Introduce yourself and explain your purpose clearly
- Listen more than you talk
- Respect people's time and boundaries
- Follow up and maintain relationships
- Share your story with sources before publication
- Give people agency over how they're portrayed
❌ DON'T:
- Show up only when you need something
- Make assumptions about people or their experiences
- Rush through conversations to get quotes
- Disappear after the story publishes
- Portray people as victims without their input
💭 Story Brainstorm #3:
For the story idea you're developing, who would you need to talk to? List 3-5 types of people whose perspectives would be essential.
Our Pitch Desk
You've learned about our mission, studied our coverage areas, explored West Side neighborhoods, and thought about sources. Now it's time to start shaping your first story idea!
Elements of a Strong Story Pitch:
- The Hook: What's the story? (1-2 sentences)
- Why Now: Why does this story matter right now?
- Why Us: Why is this a 15 West story? How does it serve our community?
- The People: Whose voices will we center?
- The Reporting: What will you need to do to report this?
- The Impact: What will readers learn? How might this story help the community?
Start Developing Your Idea:
💭 Your Story Concept (Draft):
Based on everything you've explored, describe a story idea you'd like to pursue. Don't worry about getting it perfect—this is just a starting point for discussion with your supervisor!
🎯 Next Steps After This Tour:
- Review your notes from each section
- Do some initial research on your story idea
- Identify 2-3 sources you could potentially reach out to
- Reach out to us to share your concept
- Be ready to refine and develop the idea further
Congratulations, Reporter!
You've completed the 15 West newsroom tour! You now have a foundation for understanding our mission and approach to community journalism.
📝 Your Story Development Notes:
Save these notes! They'll be valuable as you continue developing your first story with your supervisor.
🚀 Ready for the Next Step?
Now that you've completed this tour:
- Save your notes from this tour
- Continue with your Week 1 onboarding
- Attend a community event to gather more observations
- Email us to share your story idea
- Start building your source list