Through youth activism and grassroots organizing, the Community Organizing Initiative aims to increase the voice and power of those directly affected by oppression and bring them into a movement for racial and economic justice and gender equality. Generation Y, recognized as a leader among the few youth organizing projects in Chicago, has demonstrated the power for positive change that young people can be. The Community Organizing Initiative also coordinates the young women's organization, Sisters Organizing for United Leadership (SOUL), Families Organized for Real Change and Empowerment (FORCE), and advocacy efforts of the Community Justice Initiative.

Generation Y Youth Activist Organization

Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org

Sisters Organized for United Leadership(SOUL)

Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org

Community Justice Project

Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org

Families Organizing for Real Change (FORCE)

Contact: Eliza Solowiej, eliza(at)swyc.org

Audy Home Campaign

Contact: Jessie Belton, jessie(at)swyc.org

Live In Peace: No M4s Campaign

Contact: Christian Bufford, chris(at)swyc.org

Black Men & Boys Initiative(BMBI)

Contact: Jonathan Peck, jpeck(at)swyc.org

Education Rights Coalition

Contact: Laura Ramirez, laura(at)swyc.org

Summer Youth Liberation Institute (SYLI) Freedom School

Based on the Mississippi Freeom Schools Movement of the 60s, the SYLI Freedom School is an intensive
7-week internship focused on developing intergenerational, multi-racial, and gender balanced leadership for social justice and institutional change around issues affecting youth and families.

Summer only. Registration will open in May 2009
Contact: Laura Ramirez, laura(at)swyc.org