Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI)

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...

08/06/2026

We appreciate the courage and stance of our friends Shannon L. Rudisill and Keami Harris at the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC), who are declaring that “Philanthropy Cannot Be Neutral. This Moment Calls for Bold Action.”

ECFC is introducing their “BOLD Framework” as a way to name, connect, and amplify the ways in which philanthropy can respond to the threats that families and communities are facing to healthcare and food programs that they depend on. ECFC is calling on funders to Build collective power, Organize for systems change, Leverage influence, and Double down on equity. Click the link below to learn more about their efforts.

https://ecfunders.org/bold-framework/

08/04/2026

Over the weekend, COFI/POWER-PAC IL proudly brought Parent Leaders and their children from across Illinois to the first-ever National Child Care Convention hosted by Community Change Action.

Alongside more than 1,500 parents, child care providers, organizers, and advocates from across the country, our leaders attended workshops, connected with families, and learned new strategies to build power for Universal Child Care.

It was inspiring to see fellow Illinois organizations come together in solidarity with COFI/POWER-PAC IL leaders including Workers Center for Racial Justice, SEIU, and other statewide partners. Our Parent Leaders returned home with renewed energy to organize for Universal Child Care in Illinois.

Thank you, Community Change, for creating this space for parents, providers, and organizers to learn, grow, and build this movement together.

What do we want? Universal Child Care!
When do we want it? NOW! ❤️💪🏾

08/01/2026

The FRESH program is launching today! It is not enough to replace all of what was cut by the federal government in food assistance, but at least Illinois is stepping up to help families - thanks to the lobbying efforts of COFI-POWER-PAC IL parent leaders and their partners in the Save Our SNAP campaign - with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and others.

Illinois is launching the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program to help eligible Illinoisans who lost SNAP benefits due to recent federal work requirement changes.

Beginning August 1, eligible individuals can automatically receive a one-time $400 benefit per eligible household member – no application required.

Learn more about eligibility, benefit timing, and available resources in this press release: https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/governor-pritzker-launches-fresh-program-to-support-up-to-175000-illinoisans-the-trump-administration-kicked-off-snap

07/31/2026

Yesterday, as part of the CPS Board Meeting that led to the passage of a nearly $10 Billion budget for Chicago’s schools, COFI/POWER-PAC parent leaders Cye Cye and Lisa spoke out about the importance of implementing the Whole School Safety (WSS) policy, including the release of a new Implementation Guide for schools.

Lisa testified during the Board Meeting that years ago, her twin boys “felt like their voices and needs were not being heard” at school when they were struggling after her husband died, a message that lifted up the need to prioritize relationships and social-emotional supports within CPS, key goals of the Whole School Safety policy. Click the following link to view the video of Lisa testifying. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D0xhgdLcYU

COFI/POWER-PAC parent leaders, along with BUILD, Mikva Challenge and VOYCE, have been leading the Whole School Safety process for years, where student and parent voices determine their schools' wholistic safety priorities and this initiative cannot fall through the cracks despite budget struggles!

Parent leaders will continue to advocate for progressive revenue at the state level that will enable Illinois to fulfill its promise to fully fund our public schools and close the $5.7 billion Evidence Based Funding gap so Whole School Safety and other important initiatives can thrive!

07/29/2026

Yesterday, COFI Policy Director, Aida Palma Carpio, participated in a panel discussion to release the report “Roadmaps to Power: How Education Justice Organizers are Building Co-Governing Power, Affecting Community Safety Nets, and Transforming Systems.” This report, released by Communities for Just Schools Fund (CJSF) in partnership with The Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the USC Equity Research Institute, examines the power of grassroots education organizing, highlights the role of the co-governance model, and explores the part funders must play in sustaining this work for the long haul. One of the key organizations who informed this report, COFI/POWER-PAC IL was highlighted for the work parents are leading on the “…continued reduction of police presence in schools through the Whole School Safety Framework, an alternative model of safety that prioritizes the emotional and relational needs of students.” COFI parents were also recognized for their efforts “defending access to holistic healthcare through the Mental Health Justice and Equity campaign.” Check out the report!

https://www.cjsfund.org/building-governing-power/

07/28/2026

It's not too late to join the webinar launch of the "Roadmaps to Power" report from Communities for Just Schools Fund. It examines how grassroots organizers are building co-governing power, the role of community safety, and the part funders must play in sustaining both for the long haul. COFI's Aida Palma will be on the panel.

Tomorrow, we release Roadmaps to Power.

This report is the result of deep, collaborative work with CJSF’s grantee partner network and partners — The Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the USC Equity Research Institute — to map what co-governance really requires: the conditions, the relationships, and the shifts in power that make shared decision-making possible in our schools and communities.

If you're an organizer, educator, funder, or system leader who believes communities should be co-authors of the policies that shape their lives — this conversation is for you.

📅 Tuesday, July 28
🕐 1PM ET | 12PM CT | 10AM PT

There's still time to register. We'd love to have you join us: https://cjsfund-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yaT1-UnCTl6_o8PmCWQL2w

07/21/2026

Today, Austin Weekly released a feature article about Dexter Leggin, who sadly passed away last month. It highlights his work with COFI and POWER-PAC IL, his relationship with his foster children, and his experience in the fashion industry. Rest in peace and power Dexter!

https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/07/20/dexter-leggin/

07/17/2026

We wanted to take the time to offer our special thanks to the elected officials (and candidates) who took the time to come to and/or support COFI’s 30th anniversary gala last month! We appreciate their willingness to go out of their way to support children and families and to stand side-by-side with COFI parents over the years. Their dedication to equity, grassroots organizing, and transforming communities with parent leaders reminds us why policy and systems change takes a village. With allies, policymakers, and supporters like them, we can break down barriers together and make sure those most impacted by policy decisions are at decision-making tables advocating for families and children.

In attendance were Elgin City Councilman Corey Dixon, Alderperson candidate for the 45th Ward Leah Cunningham Pouw, and of course, State Senator Karina Villa, who represents Aurora Illinois and gave a fantastic speech at the event that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/2lKD3rcYp8Q

Also, a special thanks to Representative Delia Ramirez for sharing a video message celebrating the work of COFI parents: https://youtu.be/qr6ItR4B-lo

07/09/2026

As we continue to celebrate 30 years of COFI, we wanted to share a message from Congresswoman Delia Ramirez affirming the wisdom, voices, and experiences that COFI-trained parents use to "build networks of care, foster environments of mutual protection, and encourage student leadership." Thank you, Congresswoman Ramirez!