Families Allied Against Educational Inequity in Chicago
About
Chicago Families for Equity in Education (CFEE) brings together families from Chicago neighborhoods and schools that have been hard hit with school closures, high suspension rates, and cuts in resources. These families all want the best for their children, and they are motivated to learn and engage. Many have already participated in public action to demand equity for schools in their neighborhoods.
Our team’s work began in the fall of 2017, months before the school-closing moratorium in Chicago was to be lifted. Incubated by the Vincentian Endowment Fund at DePaul University, a group of DePaul faculty, staff, and students, in partnership with several community partner organizations, have convened parent leaders and engaged parents for a series of public events and discussions. We have also sponsored storytelling projects to build solidarity among parents and document how and why parents advocate for their children and neighborhood schools.
COFI is family-focused community organizing and resource center that equips parents with the skills they need to effect change both in their own lives and in their communities. Driven by a commitment to social justice and informed by strategic action, COFI aims to ensure that all parent and family voices are heard.
Faculty from several of DePaul University’s departments and colleges are involved in CFEE, including African and Black Diaspora Studies, the College of Education, Latin American and Latino Studies, Women and Gender Studies, and Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse.
The Monsignor John J. Egan Office of Urban Education and Community Partnerships exists to create long-standing partnerships with community schools and nonprofits through the support of scholarships, mentorships and technical and programming assistance.
Enlace Chicago is a grassroots organization that aims to organize and support the stakeholders of the Little Village community, with a focus on community development, education, advocacy and violence prevention.
KOCO is an organization that serves the Kenwood – Oakland area residents through leadership and organizing programs aimed to increase quality of life and access to resources for all by empowering and engaging middle and low-income families.
The work of CFEE is ongoing: if you want to organize for educational equity in Chicago, please reach out to our Project Assistant, Sol Logsdon, or come to one of our upcoming events!
