Southwest Organizing Project
Image taken from http://www.swopchicago.org
The Southwest Organizing Project; also known as SWOP, was originally formed in 1996. Their goal is to build a variety of schools, churches, and other institutions in Southwest Chicago. Through this they hope it will allow families to come together with common values, and allow them to choose their own futures while connecting with each other to improve lives in their neighborhoods.
SWOP has dedicated themselves to building relationships.
With ethnic, racial, and faith differences, they try to bring together common concerns into the public community. SWOP is known for their work on reducing violence, efforts on ending predatory lending, fight for the rights and civil liberties of immigrants, and their dedication to achievement in public schools.
SWOP has dedicated themselves to building relationships.
With ethnic, racial, and faith differences, they try to bring together common concerns into the public community. SWOP is known for their work on reducing violence, efforts on ending predatory lending, fight for the rights and civil liberties of immigrants, and their dedication to achievement in public schools.
We had a chance to meet with one of the SWOP members. In the video you will see Joel Rodriguez (member of SWOP), Carrie Sill (NEIU student), and Richard Rienhart (NEIU student). The video was recorded by Anita Pauly (NEIU student), and then edited by Ania Kotlinska (NEIU student).
Mission Statement
"Recognizing the diversity of our community, we are building a broad-based organization of churches, mosques, schools and other institutions in Southwest Chicago, which will enable families to exercise common values, determine their own future and connect with each other to improve life in our neighborhoods." (swopchicago.org)
Leadership Development
SWOP works to develop leaders through a process of pre-planning, action, and evaluation. This allows for experiential learning in public life, which then also allows leaders of all levels to learn from each other.
Education
The Education Team turns the culture of schools into a relational culture where parents feel connected and students, teachers and principals feel supported.
They accomplished this through four strategies targeted toward increasing parent participation, developing student leadership, enhancing teacher preparation and developing integrated services inside schools.
They accomplished this through four strategies targeted toward increasing parent participation, developing student leadership, enhancing teacher preparation and developing integrated services inside schools.
Carrie Sill and Richard Rienhart meeting with Joel Rodriguez from SWOPPhotographer: Anita Pauly
Southwest Organization Project
2609 West 63rd Street
Chicago, IL 60629
Phone:(773) 471-8208
Fax:(773) 471-9008
2609 West 63rd Street
Chicago, IL 60629
Phone:(773) 471-8208
Fax:(773) 471-9008
