$30,000 /2012, 2013
Chicago, IL
Jenny Arwade, Executive Director
Website: www.apncorganizing.org
In 2010, Albany Park Neighborhood Council (APNC) and allied groups were successful in having the Illinois DREAM Act enacted into state law. APNC also worked to gain support from key state level officials for campaign priorities to address racial disparities in school discipline. As part of the LIFE coalition, APNC successfully organized to secure youth employment programs and a commitment from the Governor’s office to allow undocumented students who receive their work permits through Deferred Action to apply for state-funded jobs. APNC has also worked in collaboration with other groups through the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to successfully push for a statewide policy change that would allow undocumented immigrants in Illinois to obtain a Drivers’ License. One year $30,000 renewal grants in 2012 and in 2013 will help APNC to continue its organizing work to end out-of-school suspensions for minor offenses and arrests for misdemeanors, ensure the implementation of the Illinois DREAM Act and DREAM Fund, increase state funding toward youth employment, limit CPS use of high-stakes testing and counter CPS school-closings strategies, preserve affordable housing for low-income families of color and push for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.www.apncorganizing.org