For 38 years, the Institute for Community Empowerment has taught residents of Chicago the skills of community organizing to ensure that they can participate fully in addressing the issues that matter most in their communities and their lives.
The institute believes that all residents in a democracy have the capability and right to Initiate change, Combat injustice, and Empower themselves and their communities.
AT THE INSTITUTE, MAJORITIES MATTER IN MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK:
INSTITUTE PROJECTS
The Institute is currently helping to pioneer three very different projects to help strengthen citizen engagement, civil society, and democracy in Chicago.
Logan Square, Avondale, and Hermosa resident speaks on the impact of community mental health centers created by the Coalition and the Institute in Chicago.
See the progress of the Institute’s work with the Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers to create Expanded Mental Health Services Programs across Chicago:
See an evaluation of the Institute’s most recent 2024-25 Citizens Now Program’s classes for 5th-8th grade students at William Penn Elementary School:
The institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has helped strengthen democracy in Chicago for 37 years thanks to its generous supporters. Your support can help the institute:
Hire and train effective community organizers in a new Chicago COMMUNITY;
Develop civics education after-school Classes for 12 weeks in Chicago Elementary Schools;
Teach leaders in all COMMUNITIES how to use The institute’s TESTED leadership model to build majorities and win issues That matter most to their residents.
“The strength of free peoples resides in the local community.”