Strengthening Chicago’s Neighborhoods 

Through Action

 Nothing offers a greater chance for raising a child who shares society’s values than a neighborhood where everyone works together in a positive, cooperative way to care for the children growing up in their community But how do you mobilize a neighborhood? How do you get people to work together? Can a child survive the complicated urban problems our inner-city neighborhoods face?

The answer lies in tapping the natural leadership and concern for community found within each neighborhood. While some delinquency prevention programs try to impose outside policies upon local residents, the Chicago Area Project’s philosophy is to encourage the people who lice in the neighborhood to seek their own solutions. This is done by forming a community committee as the primary force for change. The committee consists of local citizens who encourage participation and effective representation in decisions affecting their neighborhood.

Chicago Area Project is dedicated to
advocacy on behalf of youth and
other resident concerns.

CAP provides direct service
for youth and adults.

CAP facilitates community organizing
directed toward improving
the quality of neighborhood life.

The Chicago Area Project has over 40 affiliates and special projects throughout the city. Over the years, the programs and issues have changed, just as the neighborhood change. But the democratic ideals of self-determination and self-improvement remain the same and these key principles of the Chicago Area Project continue to serve its neighborhood.

Affiliates

An Affiliate is a community organization formally accepted by CAP to become part of its organizational structure.

Acceptance is based on commitment to adhere to the CAP program model. Affiliates are an integral part of Cap's contractual arrangement with funders.

Resources from CAP are detailed in bilateral agreement documents between CAP and each affiliate.

 Programs

A program is an organized activity or set of activities, designed to provide constructive outlets for addressing social, economic and other needs that have a direct or indirect influence on the quality of life of participants.

Under the CAP model, programs are a means toward the end of getting those affected to take steps that will remedy their problems by getting to their root causes. Within the context of "community" members' involvement in the process is key.

A further aspect is the utilization of community resources as a definite strategy, as well as the development of community organizations to orchestrate this process. 

Special Projects

Special Projects are assigned to departments within CAP, and are designed to address specific problems within a specified timeframe. The departmental director has the responsibility for project management, as well as insuring that the project is implemented in accordance with CAP's policies.

CAP special projects include African American Male Rites of Passage (ROP), Mentoring, Training & Employment (MTE), The Open Book Program, Statewide Youth Advisory Board (SYAB), and Youth as Resources (YAR).