Strengthening Low-Income Families: COFI Community Organizing
COFI, a Chicago-based non-profit founded in 1995, empowers low-income families, particularly mothers and grandmothers of color, to advocate for change at all levels of society. Through training and support, COFI fosters leadership, community organizing, and policy engagement among parents, driving collaborative efforts for systemic change.
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Presentation Transcript
Community Organizing & Family Issues (COFI) Community Organizing & Family Issues (COFI) Chicago based non-profit; founded in 1995 Our mission is to strengthen the power and voice of low-income and working families at all levels of civic life from local institutions to the city, state and federal levels We have trained and supported more than 3,400 low-income parent leaders, mainly mothers and grandmothers of color, in our Family Focused Organizing Model
Started out of the recognition that many parents in particular low-income mothers and grandmothers of color weren t part of public policy decisions that affect their families COFI believes: Parents are natural leaders as experts on their families and their communities Leadership starts from within Day-to-day struggles are often rooted in public policy, systems or practices Collective leadership Collaboration and partnership COFI believes:
PHASE 1: Orientation and 6 Team Building Process (3 PHASE 1: SELF, FAMILY & Orientation and 6 wksps Team Building Process (3- -6 months) SELF, FAMILY & TEAM wksps (2 TEAM hrs each) 6 months) (2 hrs each) PHASE 2: COMMUNITY OUTREACH & 5 workshops (2 Outreach and Action COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ACTION 5 workshops (2 hrs Outreach and Action (6 PHASE 2: ACTION hrs each) (6- -9 months) each) 9 months) PHASE 3: POLICY & SYSTEMS CHANGE Building Leadership Ex POLICY & SYSTEMS CHANGE Building a a Parent Policy Leadership Structure; Ex: POWER PHASE 3: Parent Policy Structure; PAC, Parents Peer : POWER- -PAC, Parents Peer Trainers Trainers
Aurora Austin Chicago East St. Louis Elgin Englewood Chicago Evanston Pilsen and Little Village Chicago West Chicago Parents at collaboration tables Parent-led efforts Ambassador programs Parents shaping policy
Relationships - Develop relationships and trust with parents Support - Provide parents with logistical support childcare, refreshments, convenient meeting times, full translation, welcoming atmosphere and transportation Decision-making role - Include parents in planning from beginning and incorporate their input Parents leading/teaching other parents
1436 W. Randolph, 4th FL Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 226-5141 www.cofionline.org cofi@cofionline.org
