Community organizers mobilize both grassroots leaders and service providers to develop, lead, and implement advocacy campaigns and policy solutions in Chicago and across Illinois.
Community Organizing
Organizers build CCH’s membership base through outreach at shelters, housing programs, and tent cities across Chicago and 15+ suburban and downstate communities. We educate people on their rights and options, connect them to resources, and engage those interested in advocacy.
Our State Network organizers also develop and mobilize a Homeless Prevention Coalition made up of housing and homeless service providers across Illinois.
”As organizers, we see our role as preparing people to go through a door and building the power to open it.
Wayne RichardDirector of Organizing
Leadership Development
Organizers develop and train people with lived experience of homelessness to become grassroots leaders tasked with leading CCH advocacy. Our leaders guide strategy, speak to the media, provide testimony to elected officials, and serve on leadership committees overseeing CCH’s many initiatives.
People with lived experience serve on several decision-making bodies, including Bring Chicago Home, the Reentry Project, the Edrika Fulford Mutual Aid Fund Governance Committee, the CPS Focus Group, a State Grassroots Leadership Table, and the Speakers Bureau. Leaders also participate in our creative writing program, Horizons. Three grassroots leaders serve on CCH’s Board of Directors.
CCH’s Organizing Department hosts an annual two-day Community Organizing Training for leaders, new staff and interns, service providers, and community allies.
”I know that if I’m at the table with CCH, my voice, my story, what I have to say – it means something. It matters.
Maxica WilliamsBoard President and long-time grassroots leader
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is now Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness (CCH).