Vision

To empower communities of color in the Chicagoland region through equitable access to resources, education, and opportunities in art and technology, fostering lasting positive change and improved quality of life.

Mission

To address social challenges in communities of color by providing tailored programs and services that uplift individuals, promote social development, and encourage community engagement.

Goals & Objectives:
Enhance Educational Programs

Objective: Develop 5 new programs annually that integrate art, technology, and literacy.

Action Steps:

– Conduct community needs assessments to identify gaps in existing education.
– Collaborate with local artists, educators, and technologists to design curriculum.
– Launch pilot programs at community centers and schools.

Goals & Objectives:
Expand Resource Access

Objective: Increase the number of resources available to community members by 50% by the end of 2025.

Action Steps:

– Establish partnerships with local organizations and businesses to share resources.
– Develop an online platform for resource sharing and discovery.
– Host bi-annual resource fairs connecting community members with available services.

Goals & Objectives:
Strengthen Community Engagement

Objective: Boost community participation in programs by 30% through effective outreach and engagement strategies.

Action Steps:

– Implement a social media campaign to raise awareness of available programs.
– Organize community forums and workshops to solicit feedback and ideas.
– Train community leaders to facilitate outreach efforts within their networks.

Goals & Objectives:
Measure Impact and Progress   

Objective: Develop a robust evaluation framework to measure program effectiveness and community impact by mid-2025.

Action Steps:

– Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for each program
– Utilize surveys and data analysis tools to assess outcomes.
– Share findings transparently with stakeholders to foster accountability.

Goals & Objectives:
Advocate for Policy Changes

Objective: Engage in advocacy efforts to influence local policies impacting communities of color by aligning with 3 policy initiatives by the end of 2025.

Action Steps:

– Identify key policy issues through community engagement and research.
– Develop a coalition of like-minded organizations to amplify advocacy efforts.
– Organize lobbying events and campaigns to raise awareness and influence decision-makers.

Implementation Timeline

– Q1 2025: Conduct community needs assessments; finalize new program designs.
– Q2 2025: Launch pilot programs; initiate outreach campaigns; implement resource-sharing platform.
– Q3 2025: Host the first resource fair; develop evaluation framework; begin advocacy initiatives.
– Q4 2025: Analyze program impact data; refine programs based on feedback; report findings to stakeholders.

Funding and Resource Allocation

– Seek grants from government agencies, private foundations, and local businesses.
– Create a crowdfunding campaign to engage the community in supporting initiatives.
– Allocate a budget towards technology for data analysis and program development.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

– Number of new programs launched
– Percentage increase in community participation
– Amount of resources accessed by community members
– Data collected on program impact and community feedback
– Number of successful community-driven policy changes