The post appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

The post appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

The post appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

Good news: The good times are back — bigger and better than ever! This year we are merging two of your favorite KOCO events — the Karl Jackson Back 2 School Jam and the Lawrence Ratliff Senior Cookout — into a single day of celebration — so set your calendar for Saturday, August 19 from 12 pm to 5 pm for the FREE event. And this time, it’s at our community’s own Mandrake Park, 3838 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Check out the live performances from local blues, hip-hop, and house music artists, with a variety of food trucks, games, horseback riding and much more. Don’t miss the updates about KOCO’s programs and campaigns so you can stay in the know and elevate your voice as a leader in our community.

New School Year Supply Giveaways

Receive one of the 300 FREE backpacks filled with essential items like notebooks, pens, and art materials to support students as they start the new school year. We’re accepting online donations to help us acquire more school supplies. Every dollar you donate goes directly toward providing students with supplies.

The post The Return of KOCO Fest! appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

What We are Facing
With the increase of land values, opportunistic developers and investors are making housing unaffordable and putting longtime residents at risk. Last year, 32% of properties were bought in South Shore by profit-driven investors, a 15% increase since the Obama Center was announced in 2015.

A Sad Reality: Being Forced Out of Our Homes
A recent example of what we are up against is , which left tenants without heat for a month in the winter and forced them into unaffordable apartments.

Why a Community Benefits Agreement?
While we understand there are benefits of the Obama Center, a CBA will protect the people of South Shore keeping housing costs down, stopping unfair evictions and ensuring that longtime residents aren’t forced out by high rents and property taxes. The CBA would also provide funding for home repairs, relief from high taxes, measures to prevent evictions and a ban on unfair fees.

Overwhelming Support
Recently, in a non-binding ballot question.

Holding Our Representatives Accountable
Alderman Desmon Yancy . The community reminded him this past month when they came together to share stories of being forced out and demanded unwavering support for the CBA.

What are We Asking For?
We propose a set of specific benefits that will address the needs of South Shore residents:

1. Preserve city-owned vacant lots for the development of affordable housing.
2. Reserve 60% of new housing for extremely low-income households.
3. Convert new developments into public housing.
4. Invest in rent assistance, home rehabilitation loans and homeownership initiatives.

To learn more, go to .

We Must Move Quickly
While efforts have been made to preserve affordable housing in neighboring Woodlawn, South Shore remains vulnerable. Investors have already bought 32% of homes in the community, more than any other neighborhood in the city. To join the fight against displacement, email us at info@nullkocoonline.org, or call (773) 548-7500.

The post Obama Center ‘Yes,’ Displacement ‘No’ appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

Recognizing the pressing issues faced by the residents, he extended the church beyond Sunday and championed initiatives such as affordable healthcare, access to nutritious food, youth services and recreational activities that became cornerstones of his ministry.

Little did he know that Kenwood United Church was one of the founding churches that helped create the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. Rev. Sanders served on KOCO’s board for over a decade continuing to advocate for fair housing practices, opposing the displacement of the Black community from its lakefront neighborhood and collaborating on Back to School and Summer programs.

One of Rev. Sanders’ notable contributions to the Kenwood community includes founding the Norma Jean Sanders Health Clinic in 2001. The clinic, located at , offers free, personalized medical care to all individuals. Open on Fridays from 9 am – 2 pm, it addresses various health concerns prevalent in the community, such as asthma, hypertension and heart disease, assists with referrals for dental, eye care and other specialty services and conducts Back to School exams. Call the clinic at (773) 624-8987.

While the clinic temporarily closed after the passing of its former Medical Director, Dr. David Stewart, in 2022, the clinic is now reopened under the leadership of its new Medical Director, Dr. Maurice ‘Mo’ Brownlee. Please help spread the word to ensure that the community can take advantage of its vital services.

Norma Jean Sanders Free Clinic Re-opening. Rev. Boyd, current pastor at Kenwood UCC, Dr. Maurice ‘Mo’ Brownlee, Current Clinic Medical Director, Rev. Dr. Sanders, Pastor Emeritus at Kenwood UCC, and Jaribu Lee, Deputy Director at the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization.

In reflecting on his work, Rev. Sanders emphasized the importance of the community asserting their wants and needs and demanding the resources and opportunities that have too long been denied. “We must address the disparities in education, the lack of community facilities and the challenges faced by our youth. If you don’t speak out, ain’t nothing gonna happen.” says Rev. Sanders, a reminder to us all that it is our duty to use our ideas and talents to improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities.

At KOCO we are grateful for the opportunity to honor and celebrate Rev. Sanders on his 90th birthday as he celebrates 45 years of ministry. We appreciate having worked with Rev. Sanders and Kenwood United Church over the last 4 decades.

We need more principled, honorable, and ethical community pillars like Rev. Sanders. Rev. Sanders has laid a foundation that can be built upon for the next 40 years and beyond. KOCO works to develop new generations of African American leadership that will build stable, viable, and just communities where opportunity is not denied based on race or economic status.

The post Celebrate the Life & Legacy of Rev. Dr. Leroy Sanders appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

Mayor Johnson, a former organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, credited his “multicultural, multi-generational movement” for carrying him from relative obscurity to the fifth floor of City Hall. He promised to create a government that truly belongs to the people of Chicago. “It’s more than voting,” Johnson said in his victory speech. “We’re building power.”

It is imperative that more young people actively participate in the decision-making in their communities and the city including voting and ongoing civic engagement, advocacy, policy development and implementation. KOCO believes in building the power of the people every day. From community organizing, leadership development, education, and training, we empower our young people, senior citizens, and the entire family. We aim to show young Chicagoans how to participate in their own rescue by actively engaging in the community and advocating for the changes they want to see in their city.

When young people are truly empowered and encouraged to use their power they create real positive change in our communities and the city overall. This process of investing in young people benefits everyone right now and into the future. As KOCO continues to work toward developing the next generation of leaders, the role of youth in Chicago’s politics and communities will undoubtedly remain a force for positive change.

While the city seeks to partner more authentically with community organizations, churches and other stakeholders to keep young people safe over the holiday weekend, KOCO will continue to advocate for year-round investment in our youth. Below are some youth-led, community-supported events and activities designed to engage young people, create safe spaces and advocate for policy change.

The post Building Power: Supporting Chicago’s Youth as They Shape the City’s Future appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

For Black and Brown children, Zero Tolerance is often standard practice within schools. Unfortunately, this set of practices frequently pushes Black and Brown children into the prison system. Restorative Justice is a different approach, one that the Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) are based upon. When practiced, Restorative Justice is able to empower students and build community by promoting empathy and understanding.

Circle Experiences run by KOCO Restorative Justice Coordinators are an integral part of the Restorative Justice Program at both schools. At Dyett High School, they are conducted with 9th and 10th graders, and at Drake Elementary, they are conducted with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. The plan is to expand Restorative Justice programming school-wide and eventually district-wide. In these Circles, students, teachers, staff, and administration come together to build relationships, create a safe space for discussion, and respect each other’s differences. The goal of each circle is to foster a sense of community and understanding among the participants, making them less likely to harm each other.

Haki McLaurin, Restorative Justice Coordinator for Drake Elementary explains the difference at Drake since the program was introduced, “Now, when you walk into Drake, it is a family. Now we know each other and understand each other a little bit more.”

The programs at Dyett High School and Drake Elementary were born out of the 2019-2020 teacher strike, when teachers negotiated for more support services in their contract and won sustainable community schools provisions, which include Restorative Justice programs. This represents a shift in perspective on how schools engage with students, and the impact has been significant. Suspensions have decreased, and the overall school culture has shifted from a zero-tolerance policy to one that is more restorative and supportive.

Instead of solely relying on punishment and discipline or criminalizing students, we are now creating an environment where students feel comfortable and respected. Another benefit of the program is how the school community views the students. “They see that students can have a positive impact on their school,” says Ashleigh Thompson, Restorative Justice Coordinator for Dyett High School.

The goals of the program are many, including reducing violence, improving academics, creating a safe space for solving problems, enhancing communication skills, and allowing students to be themselves and find their own purpose.

Restorative Justice is an innovative approach to discipline and conflict resolution and there are powerful examples across the city and the country that shows what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its students. We’ll never stop!

The post Restorative Justice: A Path to a More Equitable School Community appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

Ms. Banks first got involved with KOCO when she was living in a senior building and was facing eviction by disrespectful management who chose to retaliate against her when she made demands for basic rights. At about the same time, she and a friend were invited to a KOCO meeting where they shared their issues and concerns and KOCO assisted the seniors in developing a strategy to help them change their conditions. stepped in to help. “I was stunned when KOCO said they could do something to solve our problems,” says Ms. Banks. “I was even more stunned when they followed through – even going so far as to stand by me in court.” This experience led Ms. Banks to become a KOCO member and recruit other seniors. Together they formed Involved Seniors for Justice (ISJ), which has since grown to include 14 senior buildings.

Involved Seniors for Justice of KOCO has been a powerful tool in amplifying the too often ignored voices of seniors in our communities. Their tireless efforts have shown that seniors not only have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, but also to exercise their fundamental 1st amendment right to free speech without fear of retaliation or eviction. Through their advocacy work, Involved Seniors for Justice has created a community where seniors feel empowered and supported, where their voices are heard and where their concerns are taken seriously. Ms. Banks is one of many who have inspired countless seniors to stand together and fight for their rights.

Most recently, the Involved Seniors for Justice created the Senior Bill of Rights. “We wrote a Bill of Rights that gave us the right to speak,” says Ms. Banks. “We, as seniors, feel like we cannot raise our voice – like we have no right to respond to injustice. But KOCO taught us how we could respond to injustice.”

Over the past year, ISJ has worked diligently to get input from seniors across ��ѻ��ýand across the city to contribute to the Bill of Rights. The Seniors have met with Alderman Taylor to get it presented to the City Council as an ordinance. The Senior Bill of Rights includes 10 points, which start with the most important one: All seniors deserve to be valued, respected, treated fairly and with dignity.

In the coming months, KOCO will expand our services for seniors with the addition of the Silver Fox Café – which will provide affordable and delicious meals, not only to seniors but to the community at large, in a safe and welcoming environment. Seniors need a safe space where they can sit, relax and connect with other community members. “Social isolation is a huge problem for our seniors,” says Ms. Banks. “It will be great to have a place where we can come together, socialize and not worry about anything else.”

Ms. Banks was proud to be a part of the campaign to reopen Dyett High School when it was voted to be phased out in 2013. “Young people came asking for help because the Chicago Public Schools was phasing out and closing their school. They wanted to graduate from the school. They wanted their siblings and other youth in the community to attend the school in the future. We sat down and we listened to the young people.” she recalls.

Everything in society tells Black people not to fight and to just accept the conditions that have been provided to us. KOCO’s very existence directly challenges this narrative. By inviting people to come together to identify and organize around issues they care about, we can develop the strategies and campaigns to improve the quality of life of the community. Ms. Banks’ level of commitment reflects that spirit. “KOCO is involved in so many areas where Black people are used and abused,” she says. “We always fight for our community. And when we fight we win”

Click to watch a 90-second video of Ms. Banks speaking about a few of the lessons she’s learned as KOCO member.

The post Honoring a KOCO Champion of Social Justice and Community Empowerment appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.

Originally intended to target 300 area seniors, KOCO Serves now provides care packages to more than 200 seniors on a weekly basis. Since April 2020, over 15,000 separate households have received care packages and/or hot meals.

We appreciate your help in amplifying KOCO’s work. Thank you all for your support of KOCO! Your financial support makes our work possible.

The post Intergenerational Leadership in Action appeared first on ��ѻ��ýCommunity Organization.