Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI)

09/11/2026

At COFI, remembering 9/11 is about remembering bravery and unity, and compassion for immigrants and reinvestment in our communities.

In 2001, the moms in our communities worried about inequality, community violence, and immigrant discrimination. Consider some quotes we captured after the attacks on 9/11:

“As scary as the fear of terrorism, for me, is the fear of people in this country who are intolerant of those who look or act differently.”

“Since the attack, I am seeing that the immigrant community is worried about what the changes mean to them. They have been told that anyone speaking up for change could be deported. People are frightened.”

The reflections of these parent leaders remind us that true patriotism includes the courage to look inward.

As our nation pauses in somber remembrance of that dark day, we carry both the grief of a shared tragedy and the quiet resolve to build a more just, tolerant, and compassionate society for our children—one where no family lives in fear of violence or division, at home or abroad.

09/07/2026

As we celebrate today, let us take a moment to remember the day's roots in union and labor organizing. It is because of these efforts that we have the opportunity today to rest and reflect on the work that keeps the country going.

Today, we recognize that organizing can have lasting effects on us all and, at COFI, we are proud to be a part of that tradition. Happy Labor Day!

09/04/2026

Last month, the COFI Center for Action and Learning welcomed and hosted trainees for our Train-the-Trainer/Train-the-Organizer workshop for Phase 3 of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘖𝘍𝘐 𝘞𝘢𝘺, 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺 & 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦!

In the final and ongoing phase of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘖𝘍𝘐 𝘞𝘢𝘺, COFI builds off the first two phases to implement powerful policy and systems change. Participants discussed the details of working across communities and cross-cultural lines and with professional and governmental allies inside and outside the system in order to win policy and systems change that affects the lives of families everywhere.

COFI also teaches groups how to create organizational structures fueled by parent power to sustain their ongoing development of new leaders and campaign organizing work.

Music: bensound.com
License code: 99IJVGVERZ1CAIXS
Artist: Benjamin Tissot

09/03/2026

Slashing program support won't help our families! The recent Head Start NPRM proposes cutting administrative spending from 15% of the program to just 5%. This will mean reduced support for local programs that result in reduced compliance and safety, less training and family support, and reduced program quality. Call your state representative and tell them to vote NO on the propopsed changes. For our families, less means less - not more - and we can't sacrifice anything else.

09/02/2026

COFI seeks an experienced organizer to build parent leadership and policy campaigns and to help push our agendas forward. If you know experienced organizers who cares deeply about children and families, please share this post!

09/02/2026

For the past six years, POWER-PAC IL, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Whole School Safety Steering Committee, has worked to develop the Whole School Safety Implementation Guide.

Now our collective vision is a reality! Read this article in the Austin Weekly News featuring the West Side Branch of POWER-PAC IL in accomplishing this victory: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/31/whole-school-safety/

Chicago Public Schools released an implementation guide for Whole School Safety restorative practices and social-emotional learning

09/01/2026

Our children and early educators deserve investment, quality, and strong support—not lowered expectations!

Under the recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs," federal oversight is being framed as an administrative burden. But removing federal performance standards creates serious risks for our children's safety and educational foundation. Contact congress and tell them you don’t want to see these changes in our program.

08/28/2026

It's with heavy hearts that we say 'farewell' to a beloved Chicago restaurant and community partner. For the past 30 years, Wishbone has been the go-to place to cater COFI board meetings - COFI launched its board there - we have hosted several COFI events there and more than a few staff and POWER-PAC IL meet-ups.

We are sending our love and a HUGE THANK YOU to the owner, Joel Nickson, for opening his doors to us - as well as for being a loyal friend and donor to POWER-PAC IL.

08/07/2026

COFI-POWER-PAC IL Elementary Justice Campaign parent leaders are celebrating that on July 30 - the Whole School Safety Steering Committee, of which we are member, presented a new Whole School Safety Implementation Guide to the Chicago School Board and the broader CPS community. We are excited to share this new tool with parents, communities and schools to ensure ALL Chicago schools develop a Whole School Safety Plans over the next 3 years that address the holistic needs of our communities and center parent and youth voice!

COFI/POWER-PAC IL parent Cye Cye spoke at a press conference on 7/3...