This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Five Minutes with One of Evergreen Park's Business Leaders

Helen Cuprisin, a woman wearing many hats as she helps build a better village

Many of the things that make Evergreen Park a great place to live, work and raise a family are things taken for granted by most folks.

But longtime village advocates like Helen Cuprisin know better. She understands that community improvement usually doesn't happen automatically; and that it often is the result of struggle.

The owner of Alphabet Soup took time out from her daily whirlwind (wife, mother, grandma, business leader and community activist) to reflect and offer a few words of wisdom. 

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Tell us about Alphabet Soup as it exists today. What services does it offer and why is it a good choice for prospective customers?

Alphabet Soup offers graphic design services. I design layouts for newsletters, brochures, directories, business stationery, etc. All designs are original, as I do not work with templates. I believe in setting high standards and offering professional services.

Give us a little history behind Alphabet Soup. When was it founded? How has it evolved over the years? Why did you choose that as your career path, as opposed to any other occupation?

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Alphabet Soup was founded in 1993. I started as a typesetter for a commercial printing company in Chicago and eventually became head of the prepress department. When we transitioned to Mac-based operations, I realized that I could set up a Mac, scanner and printer in my home office. I enjoyed the interaction with various clients and the efforts involved in working on their projects. My staff and I worked with various political campaigns, labor unions and area businesses. The many aspects of the printing industry was challenging and satisfying. That’s why I continued in that field after I retired from the printing company. 
  
Tell us about yourself. 

I grew up in Chicago, around 55th and California, and attended Gage Park High School. Because I couldn’t afford to go away to college, I got a job at Lapham-Hickey Steel Co. in the accounting department. When I left six years later, expecting my first child, I had become the comptroller’s assistant. I am married, with three daughters and five grandchildren.

Among other things, you're known for your civic involvement. How did you become involved? What was the issue at the time?

Over the years, I was busy at the printing company and occupied with my daughters’ various activities. After my third daughter left home, I felt that I had time to become more involved in my community. So in January, 1990, I appeared at the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting and asked why we didn’t have curbside recycling in Evergreen Park. I thought it was a reasonable question, but I was surprised at the Board’s unwillingness to consider my request. I persisted, meeting after meeting, to bring information as to why the Village needed to recycle. After a few months, I found out that there was to be an incinerator built in Robbins. Then I had to switch gears and focus on fighting the incinerator.

What was the high point? The most exciting or rewarding issue or cause you were involved with?

The high point was that we did finally get curbside recycling, and I convinced the Board to not send their garbage to the Robbins incinerator. Another victory was preventing commercial development in the Evergreen Cemetery. We had over 6,000 signatures on petitions to stop the development, thanks to the efforts of so many residents who agreed a cemetery was not a location for big box stores. The developer eventually gave up and sold the 33 acres to the Village, where residents now enjoy walking paths, ball field, skating rink, farmers market, as well as a new firehouse.

What was the low point? The most frustrating or fruitless effort?

The low point was that the Robbins incinerator did get built, despite many area organizations efforts to stop it. After over 700 violations, the Illinois EPA finally shut it down.

How and when did you get involved with Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce? Why is that important for you as a local business owner and as a village resident?


Back in 1997, after I joined the EPCC, former Executive Director Robin Fullarton asked me to assist her in producing the Chamber directory. I feel that businesses should be part of a Chamber of Commerce because that proves they are part of the community and are willing to work together for the good of the community. Any town will prosper when officials, businesses and residents work together to achieve good things.

What's ahead for you? Future plans?

I sometimes feel like that kid who’s not sure what she wants to do when she grows up. I have so many interests, and not enough hours to enjoy them all. Perhaps more activism, an effort to make a difference?

If there's one thing you want everyone in the village to know and remember, what is it?

Evergreen Park will prosper when our administration, businesses and residents work together to achieve good things. People should attend the Village Board meetings and make their feelings known. Compliment the Board when they deserve it, and let them know when improvements are needed. Always do so in a respectful manner.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?