ASE (pronounced “a” “s” “e” in English, and “ah-say” in Spanish) is the culmination of nearly two years of work by the Alianza Leadership Institute to change its mission according to the needs of the community. Many residents and church leaders realized that the southeast region was one of the only parts of Chicago without a permanent coalition of community-based institutions working together for change. In fact, every quadrant except this region has some such collaboration. Southeast Chicago, it seemed to many, might benefit from a permanently staffed organization to meet the needs of churches, schools, businesses, and nonprofits. They would bring a voice to South Chicago, where the Southeast Side is almost always the region hat is neglected, often even unheard of to the rest of Chicago. This coalition would also work for positive change locally through asset based community development.
