community organizing

Hip Hop & Youth Empowerment Summit

dmarques — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:27:42 -0500

Students from SWYC's University of Hip Hop helped organize the 2007 Hip Hop & Youth Empowerment Summit on November 29, 2007.

Held at Depaul University, the objective of the Chicago Hip Hop and Youth Empowerment Summit was to provide a space for:
· the celebration of youth and hip hop activism in Chicago
· the exposure of culture in context of the themes and issues that are being tackled in the larger community
· unity through the exhibition of talent and community building.

Hip Hop after school programs, organizers, political action committees and various allies convened on November 29th for an evening of speak out sessions, panel discussions, performances, art, information distribution and speeches. This evening served to reconnect to the root of Hip Hop, educate youth on the different actions being taken in the name of social justice, and inspire more positive action.

Featured at this event:

-Speak out sessions: Hip Hop organizers, social justice activists, elders and youth program representatives speaking on initiatives, themes, issues and positive action affecting the Chicago Hip Hop community.

Media Panel: Representatives from different groups were a part of a panel discussion on Hip-Hop in the media.

Info Tables: 15 organizations and allies held info tables; distributing information and resources on positive action

Interactive Mural: A canvas and supplies were provided for participants to artistically express their empowerment, vision and action as members and allies in Hip Hop. This mural will be displayed and added upon at following Chicago Hip Hop events.

Keynote Speaker: Cashus D of the Universal Zulu Nation Cashus presented on the Balance Campaign addressing issues of Hip-Hop in the Media

Performances included Ang13 and open break dancing, MCing, DJing and aerosol displays by youth.

Involved Organizations: Alternatives Inc (Connect Force, Girlworld), Southwest Youth Collaborative (Gen.Y, Univerity of Hip-Hop, SOUL) Hip-Hop Congress, Build, Little Village High School, Howard Area; Batey Urbano; Hip-Hop Political Action Commitee; Zulu NAtion Chicago; Chi-Rock All- Stars; STOP (Cabrini); Hip-Hop Filmmakers Caucus; Chicago Freedom School; World Can't Wait, Chicago Hip Hop Initiative, Blocks Together, Multi-Cultural Youth Project (CMAA, VAI,), CIWorkers Chicago, etc.

Joining Forces with the U.S. Human Rights Network

dmarques — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:06:40 -0500

On December 7th, 2007 at 4pm youth from around Chicago held a press conference to confront Cook County and City of Chicago government for violating the Convention on the Rights of a Child.

Youth from Fearless Leading by the Youth, Cabrini Green, Southwest Youth Collaborative's Generation Y, the U.S. Human Rights Network and other testified about:

* The school to prison pipeline - Kids are getting sent to jail for fighting and talking back in violation of Article 40 of the Convention on the Rights of a Child which states: "Prison sentences should only be imposed if a child is convicted of a most serious offense" and Article 28 which states "Governments should ensure that school disciplinary practices do not violate a child's dignity"

* The violation of the right to a quality education – Youth are not receiving quality education, violating Article 29 "Governments should ensure that a child's education allows him/her to develop to his/her fullest potential."

* The violation of the right to a decent standard of living – Youth have to move every time their families are displaced by gentrification and are often trapped by poverty, in violation of Article 26 and 27 which provide for the right to "social assistance… [such as] housing assistance" and the "right to a standard of living that fosters physical, emotional, social, moral and spiritual development."

Youth delivered toe tags representing the youth whose lives have been taken by these and other Human Rights violations to the members of the Cook County Board and the Chicago City Council along with letters demanding Chicago and Cook County sign on and implement the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"I think it is long past time for our Human Rights to be respected. We're sick of being locked up, sick of being moved around," says Damian Turner of Fearless Leading by the Youth.

"You would think our country cared about its future (youth) but they don't. Now it's time they take us in consideration and respect our Human Rights," says Cozy C.Y. Hendrix of the Coalition to Protect Public Housing.

On December 9th, the U.S. Human Rights Network hosted SWYC youth for the 2007 Human Rights Conference at the Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.

They experienced human rights training workshops, guest speakers from around the country and networked with national, regional, and local grassroots organizations that are utilizing the human rights framework in their day to day work. The conference's cultural opening was held at SWYC's Amandla Center the night before, where attendees shared their artistic talents, music, and energy with a unique group of youth and activists in town for the conference.

Generation Y

dmarques — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:00:20 -0500

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

dmarques — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:58:55 -0500

SOUL Children's Clothing & Bake Sale

dmarques — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:27:59 -0500

Start: Dec 1 2007 - 12:00pm

End: Dec 1 2007 - 5:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Children’s Clothing & Bake Sale

12-5pm
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Southwest Youth Collaborative
6400 S. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60629

The Young women of SOUL have become aware of the immediate need to help clothe children this winter on the Southwest side of Chicago. To meet this need, SOUL will be selling children's clothing for nominal prices on Saturday, December 1, from 12-5pm, in which 100% of the proceeds will go towards directly funding the young women's group.

*SOUL is a multi-cultural youth-led organization that allows young women to take control over their lives and use their powers to create positive changes.

This event will coincide with University of Hip Hop's Open Session

Black Men & Boys Town Hall Meeting

dmarques — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:03:56 -0500

Start: Dec 8 2007 - 9:00am

End: Dec 8 2007 - 4:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Black Men & Boys Town Hall Meeting, Dec. 8

Saturday December 8, 2007 8:30 AM
UIC Lecture Hall
805 South Morgan
(Halsted and Harrison)
*Enter through student center

Registration Begins at 8:30 a.m.

Join us as we unite in creating a strategic plan of action to counter the American public policies that have declared war on Black men and Black boys. In essence, policies that have targeted Black family, Black community and Black culture. We invite our most talented and wiling brothers and sisters to redefine and change our current condition. We call on all social change agents, members of the faith-based communities, entrepreneurs, community based organizations, scholars, elected officials, educators, students, media professionals, artists, law enforcement, health care providers, the formerly incarcerated, family members and anyone who is concerned about the future of Black people to participate in a one day Town Hall small gathering in an effort to improve our quality of life in the 21st Century. Break out sessions will develop necessary skills to implement political and social change. Action Councils will provide opportunities for each participant to effect change based on one's own passion.

For more info, visit www.bblac.com or call 773.290.2313

Youth & Human Rights Conference

dmarques — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:53:13 -0500

Start: Dec 8 2007 - 10:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

On December 6th-9th, 2007, USHRN will be hosting the HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE 2007 at the Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.

Come and take full advantage of all that the Human Rights Conference 2007 has to offer, including:

Full day Human Rights Training Institutes

Full day Youth and Human Rights Summit

Workshops led by community based activists on the Human Rights framework

Networking with national, regional and local grassroots organizations that are utilizing the human rights framework in their day to day work.

Bus leaving from SWYC at 9:30AM Saturday for this event and returning by 5PM. Spots are still open for youth and adults! Contact dmarques(at)swyc.org for details.

www.humanrightsconference2007.org

SOUL Party/Fundraiser at the Funky Buddha!

dmarques — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:49:23 -0500

Start: Nov 8 2007 - 9:00pm

End: Nov 9 2007 - 2:00am

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Jammin for Justice & the Southwest Youth Collaborative bring you:

Kitchen Sink @ Funky Buddha

Get together at the Funky Buddha Lounge this thursday to benefit SWYC's youth organizing initiative, SOUL (Sisters Organizing for United Leadership).

Featuring Chi Hip Hop: the Knomads, Lee Foss, and Blakish LIVE.

Nov 8th
9pm-2am
Funky Buddha Lounge
728 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL
21+ only

$10 cover goes to programming for our young women's projects. Be sure to say "SOUL" at the door- that's how we get the donations!

Spread the word!

Anti-Violence Youth Conference & Resource Fair

dmarques — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:12:36 -0500

Start: Nov 9 2007 - 4:00pm

End: Nov 9 2007 - 7:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

007th District C.A.P.S & Region 5 Youth Council Present

Anti- Violence Youth Conference & Resource Fair

At The New Kennedy King College
746 W. 63rd St.
The Great Hall
Friday, November 9,2007
4:00pm—7:00pm
(For Mature youth 12 years & older)
Featured speakers include

Real Talk By Keepin’ it Real & In my Shoes
(Please note explicit language and mature content may be used)

For more information contact:
Officer Buie 312.747.8489
Or
Rollie Jones 773.493.1306 or rjones(at)hullhouse.org

Resource literature will be available from supporting agencies:
007th District Neighborhood Relations
Region 5 youth Agencies
NIVEK Home Health Care Agency
Chicago Police C.A.P.S.

LOS Annual Dinner Dance

dmarques — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:53:11 -0500

Start: Nov 16 2007 - 6:00pm

End: Nov 16 2007 - 10:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Flyer:

The Latino Organization of the Southwest

Cordially invites you to its 9th Annual Banquet Dinner Dance

Friday, November 16, 2007
6pm
Polish Highlanders Banquet Hall
4808 S. Archer Ave. Chicago, IL

Doors open at 6:00 PM
7:00 PM Dinner
Cash bar

Ticket $40.00
L.O.S. students $25.00
To purchase a ticket visit us at 6507 S. Kedzie,
Or call. (773) 925-0397

La Organización Latina del Suroeste

Lo invita cordialmente a su 9no Banquete Anual
Viernes noviembre 16, 2007
Seis de la tarde
Polish Highlanders Banquet Hall
4808 S. Archer Ave. Chicago, IL
Por favor Reservar antes del 27 de octubre 2007

Puertas abren a las 6:00 PM
7:00 PM Cena
Cash bar

boleto $40.00
estudiantes de L.O.S. $25.00
Para la compra de boletos acuda a las oficinas ubicadas en el 6507 S. Kedzie,
o llame al tel. (773) 925-0397