Collaborating within the community to enable residents by fostering vision, teamwork, and dedication for transformation in our neighborhoods utilizing real estate and community development practices.

a city street lined with parked cars next to tall buildings
a city street lined with parked cars next to tall buildings
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Real Estate Development

Workforce Development

Community Engagement

About The Village Project

The Village Project (operating under Mainspring) is a hyper-focused community development organization dedicated to transforming neighborhoods through integrated strategies that combine real estate development with community empowerment.

Mission Statement: The Village Project (TVP) is committed to empowering historically underserved communities across Chicago by fostering economic development, workforce opportunities, and equitable housing solutions. Rooted in the strength and resilience of neighborhoods such as Roseland, Englewood, Austin, and North Lawndale, we work collaboratively to dismantle systemic barriers, amplify community voices, and drive sustainable change. Through strategic partnerships and community-led initiatives, we strive to build a future where every individual has access to the resources, education, and opportunities needed to thrive.

Vision Statement: We envision a Chicago where historically disinvested communities, including Roseland, Englewood, Austin, and North Lawndale, are transformed into thriving hubs of economic growth, educational excellence, and community well-being. The Village Project aspires to be a catalyst for systemic change—building pathways to prosperity, ensuring housing stability, and fostering inclusive economic development. Through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment, we seek to create a city where every resident, regardless of zip code, can achieve their fullest potential and contribute to a vibrant, equitable future.

An aerial view of a developing urban area featuring several high-rise buildings under construction. The surroundings include a network of roads, greenery, and scattered residential and commercial structures.
An aerial view of a developing urban area featuring several high-rise buildings under construction. The surroundings include a network of roads, greenery, and scattered residential and commercial structures.

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Community Impact

Trusted Leaders

Our Leaders

The Village Project thrives at the intersection of real estate development and community transformation. Michael Altheimer contributes decades of expertise in building and redeveloping physical spaces, while Dr. Forrest Moore ensures these developments are aligned with the social, educational, and workforce needs of communities. Their collaboration—grounded in both professional excellence and lived experience—represents a new model of community development that transforms not only buildings, but also lives.

photo of white staircase
photo of white staircase
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white concrete building during daytime
white concrete building during daytime

Visionary Leader Profile

Dr. Forrest Moore, Ph.D.

Dr. Forrest Moore serves as a Senior Policy Fellow at the University of Chicago, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in youth development, systems reform, and the translation of research into practice. His areas of expertise encompass policy analysis, implementation science, and the crafting of community-driven solutions for at-risk populations. Dr. Moore has collaborated nationally with agencies that support youth to tackle inequities within child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Along with his policy and research knowledge, he also possesses practical real estate experience gained through community development initiatives and partnerships with Michael Altheimer. This distinctive blend enables him to integrate evidence-based social strategies with actionable development efforts, ensuring that projects foster both community empowerment and economic viability. Throughout his career, Dr. Moore has held significant leadership positions, such as Executive Vice President of America’s Promise Alliance and Deputy Chief Officer at Chicago Public Schools. He is recognized as a published thought leader and keynote speaker addressing topics related to equity, youth empowerment, and the use of evidence.

Michael Altheimer

Michael is an experienced real estate developer with more than two decades of leadership in transforming vacant land and distressed properties into sustainable residential and commercial investments. Launching his career at the age of 19, he quickly became a trusted voice in real estate development in Chicago, particularly on the South Side. His work spans large-scale housing projects, commercial revitalization, and affordable housing initiatives. Michael has been recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40, underscoring his entrepreneurial leadership and impact. Michael’s strengths lie in his ability to identify undervalued assets, build efficient construction and development teams, and foster partnerships with community organizations to ensure development projects meet both market and neighborhood needs. He remains a strong advocate for holistic community development that ties together housing, workforce opportunities, and local economic growth.

Our Services

Empowering communities through real estate, workforce development, youth programs, and family stability initiatives.

Multiple high-rise residential buildings under construction are surrounded by a mix of cleared land and other construction activities. The area is partly developed with a combination of dirt and concrete surfaces. Nearby, several smaller buildings and construction equipment can be seen, with green netting on some structures indicating an ongoing project.
Multiple high-rise residential buildings under construction are surrounded by a mix of cleared land and other construction activities. The area is partly developed with a combination of dirt and concrete surfaces. Nearby, several smaller buildings and construction equipment can be seen, with green netting on some structures indicating an ongoing project.
An aerial view of a residential area under development. Multiple multi-story apartment buildings dominate the scene, aligned in a row along a newly constructed road. Surrounding these structures are patches of green forested areas and open fields. A mix of construction sites and completed buildings is visible, along with some smaller houses with orange rooftops. The landscape extends into the distance with clear blue skies above.
An aerial view of a residential area under development. Multiple multi-story apartment buildings dominate the scene, aligned in a row along a newly constructed road. Surrounding these structures are patches of green forested areas and open fields. A mix of construction sites and completed buildings is visible, along with some smaller houses with orange rooftops. The landscape extends into the distance with clear blue skies above.
Community Development

Transforming neighborhoods by integrating housing solutions with community empowerment and sustainable practices.

Youth Empowerment

Fostering youth growth through programs that enhance skills, confidence, and future opportunities.

A modern multi-story glass building with balconies extends along an urban street, displaying a sign about upcoming condominium availability. Several people are walking on the adjacent sidewalk, some with dogs, and new construction seems underway. The sky is partly cloudy, and surrounding buildings indicate a dense city setting.
A modern multi-story glass building with balconies extends along an urban street, displaying a sign about upcoming condominium availability. Several people are walking on the adjacent sidewalk, some with dogs, and new construction seems underway. The sky is partly cloudy, and surrounding buildings indicate a dense city setting.
Community Housing

Affordable homes for community empowerment and stability.

A tall residential building stands prominently against a bright blue sky. Surrounding it are several other apartment complexes in the background. The foreground features a newly constructed road and a roundabout with little traffic. The area appears to be under development, with bare soil patches and few green trees.
A tall residential building stands prominently against a bright blue sky. Surrounding it are several other apartment complexes in the background. The foreground features a newly constructed road and a roundabout with little traffic. The area appears to be under development, with bare soil patches and few green trees.
An urban landscape featuring a large residential building with multiple windows and balconies in the background. Several construction cranes rise into the sky, indicating ongoing development or construction. The foreground shows a rooftop with industrial equipment, including vents and ducts.
An urban landscape featuring a large residential building with multiple windows and balconies in the background. Several construction cranes rise into the sky, indicating ongoing development or construction. The foreground shows a rooftop with industrial equipment, including vents and ducts.
Youth Empowerment

Spaces designed for youth development and engagement.

Real Estate

Transforming neighborhoods through sustainable real estate solutions.

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Workforce Development

Properties that support workforce training and job placement.

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Aerial view of a residential complex featuring multiple uniform apartment buildings with flat roofs. The buildings are arranged in a row alongside a newly paved road. Surrounding the complex are areas of lush greenery and fields, with a few scattered houses visible in the distance. The overall landscape combines urban development with natural elements.
Aerial view of a residential complex featuring multiple uniform apartment buildings with flat roofs. The buildings are arranged in a row alongside a newly paved road. Surrounding the complex are areas of lush greenery and fields, with a few scattered houses visible in the distance. The overall landscape combines urban development with natural elements.
Aerial view of a residential area with a series of connected white buildings forming a housing complex. The complex is surrounded by a mix of paved roads and open green spaces with a few scattered houses nearby. A water tower is visible in the background, alongside other residential buildings.
Aerial view of a residential area with a series of connected white buildings forming a housing complex. The complex is surrounded by a mix of paved roads and open green spaces with a few scattered houses nearby. A water tower is visible in the background, alongside other residential buildings.
Aerial view of a sprawling urban development with a mix of commercial and residential buildings. Central open space with a circular design, surrounded by brick facades and multiple streets with cars and greenery. Highway visible in the distance along with a dense tree line.
Aerial view of a sprawling urban development with a mix of commercial and residential buildings. Central open space with a circular design, surrounded by brick facades and multiple streets with cars and greenery. Highway visible in the distance along with a dense tree line.
Family Stability

Housing options that promote family well-being and growth.

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Integrated Solutions

Real estate that combines development with community needs.

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Community Development

Investing in neighborhoods for a brighter future.

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Get in Touch

Connect with us to empower your community today.

An aerial view of a suburban area under development with several houses under construction, surrounded by a mixture of paved roads and dirt areas. Visible are wooden frameworks of partially built houses, completed roofs, and various construction materials scattered around. Several vehicles are parked along the roads, including trucks and cars.
An aerial view of a suburban area under development with several houses under construction, surrounded by a mixture of paved roads and dirt areas. Visible are wooden frameworks of partially built houses, completed roofs, and various construction materials scattered around. Several vehicles are parked along the roads, including trucks and cars.
Empowerment

Transforming neighborhoods through community development.

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info@avillageproject.org

312-777-9311

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