$30,000 / 2014
Chicago, IL
J.Brian Malone, Executive Director
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/Kenwood-Oakland-Community-Organization/136261786529384
This $30,000 renewal grant will enable Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) to organize youth and adults in low-income and predominantly Black residents in the Mid-South neighborhoods of Chicago to improve the quality of neighborhood schools and increase high school graduation rates. KOCO parent and youth leaders organize for the creation of an elected school board, stronger local school councils, and community driven school transformation processes. Over the last year, KOCO provided capacity-building and technical support assistance to 12 local elementary and high schools Local School Councils (LSC) in the Mid-South Chicago, making the Councils better equipped to fulfill their duties at their respective schools and to challenge the actions of their school administration and district representatives. KOCO has also provided leadership and expertise to build community support for Illinois state legislation proposed to resist the impact of the proliferation of charter and contract schools while strengthening traditional public schools. Over the next grant year, KOCO will continue to work locally and nationally to address three issues in education: transforming the Chicago Public School system to be more responsive to the needs of communities of color; impacting the US Department of Education to reform its market-driven approach to school reform; and building youth voice in the decision-making process in their schools and communities. KOCO is a member of the Chicago Teachers Union community board, an active member of the Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO), Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE), Journey for Justice National Alliance and the LIFE campaign, a coalition with 12 community based organizations to advocate for affordable housing, youth investment and public safety issues