We voice our solidarity with young people acting to resist oppressive policies and power structures right now. There are so many ways to be active whether you are in the streets or building resistance and community in other ways. 

CFS continues to support young people and adult co-strugglers with tools, space, and community with which to reflect, imagine, and enact change. We hope you will join us over the next few months for workshops and events to continue fighting oppression and building just communities. Please check out our list of upcoming workshops below, including Organizing Strategies for Black Liberation which starts on February 13th. 

As we celebrate Black History Month, we hope you will also join us for a powerful look back to history and lessons for today at the Chicago SNCC History Project's annual conference: "From Civil Rights to Black Power" at Roosevelt University on February 17th and 18th. 

Also our RevUp training to support youth activism and organizing is coming up on May 18-21, 2017 in partnership with the UIC M.Ed in Youth Development Program. 
This year, we are also very excited to celebrate our 10th Anniversary!! Check out our commemorative logo by Jireh Drake from For the People Arts Collective. 

So many brilliant, dedicated people have been part of creating CFS over the years. As part of our 10th Anniversary celebration, we are thrilled to feature monthly interviews with some of them. Through this we aim to reflect not only on CFS's journey as an organization but also on lessons we can learn to inform organizing and activism in the present. 

Thank you to all of you who are creating a world that is more peaceful and more just. 
 
Want to continue supporting us? Donate today!


In peace and solidarity, 

CFS Board and Staff

CFS in Action
Welcome 2017 Youth Leadership Board

It's a new year and we are excited to welcome the 2017 Youth Leadership Board (YLB)! YLB members are Freedom Fellowship alumni ages 15-19 who play a crucial role decision-making role in developing CFS's youth programming and leading workshops. 

This year's Youth Leadership Board members are: 

Ana Amaya, Kayden Byard, Anderson Chaves, Anaya Fraizer, Jasmine Grace, Cesar Hernandez, Sammy Sanchez and Celia Soto

They will work closely with Tony to design the 2017 Freedom Fellowship curriculum. They will conduct outreach to recruit and select the 2017 Fellows. They will gain workshop facilitation skills and help lead workshops in the community on topics like healing justice and the school to prison pipeline. 

Congratulations YLB!!!
CFS History Spotlights

From the very beginning, the idea for CFS was a community effort. We are honored to share the stories of some of the incredible trailblazers who have been a part of CFS's history. 

For our January Spotlights, we are proud to feature:
Mariame Kaba, Co-Founder and Founding Board Co-Chair, 2004-2013

"Make sure you have a community of people you are traveling with in this journey. It makes it so much more joyful. We need to build power together." 

Keep reading here
Cesar Hernandez, Freedom Fellow 2013 & 2014, Youth Leadership Board 2014-2017

"When youth are out in the streets, it shows that they want to make a change. It is beyond beautiful. If you want to make a change, you gotta get with the young people."

Art by Chicago ACT Collective
Resources:

Resources to Teach the Black Radical Tradition 

A massive PDF with readings. Repost from libcom.org .



Upcoming Workshops
Register for Winter/Spring 2017 Workshops


Organizing Strategies for Black Liberation
Part 1: Feb 13  6-9pm   Part 2: Feb 27, 6-9pm

Understanding Adultism
February 25, 10am-1pm

Identity, Power & Oppression
February 25, 2pm-5pm 

Smashing White Supremacy (POC only)
March 4, 1pm - 5pm

Positive Youth Development
March 11, 10am to 1pm

Popular Education Facilitation
March 11, 2pm-5pm

RevUp 4-day Institute May 18-21, 2017

Please save the date to attend our RevUp Institute May 18-21, 2017 offered in partnership with the M.Ed. in Youth Development Program at University of Illinois-Chicago. 

RevUp is for youth workers, organizers, educators, social workers, and adults who work closely with youth and who are seeking to incorporate social justice practices into their work. 

Participants will: 
  • Explore the role of identity as an essential component of youth leadership development
  • Develop holistic leadership development practices that empower youth to lead social change while addressing  social-emotional needs
  • Learn practical organizing and movement-building skills
  • Network with youth development professionals from across the nation
Workshop topics include: 
  • The Role of Identity in Youth Leadership Development
  • Developing Anti-Oppression Practices
  • Understanding Adultism & Building Partnerships with Youth
  • Developing Issue-based Campaigns with Youth
  • Working with Youth with Disabilities
  • Working with LGBTQ Youth
  • Understanding Harm Reduction
  • Building practices for wellness and self-care
Want CFS to lead a workshop at your organization? 

We can come to your organization or school to facilitate a workshop for youth ages 14 and older, adults, and intergenerational groups. Check out our workshop options on our website,  fill out in inquiry form  or call us at 312-435-1201. 
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