The Chicago Project

The Chicago Trip

2008

Front Row: Bryanna Riley, Charmise Salmons, Mary Hess, Michelle Easterling, Kiri Youngblood, NaTasha Smith, Robbie Binder, Trenton Story  (Brianna Williams not pictured) 

Back Row: Casey McCall, Paul Campbell, Victoria Wright, Timothy Lawson, Brian Talty

What is The Chicago Project

“The Chicago Project” is a one credit, year long course that examines the economic, political, and social forces that create and maintain urban poverty and suburban prosperity in the United States.  The course is a combination of ninety hours in class and independent study hours and ninety hours of field experience in at least three historically poor urban communities, including North Lawndale Chicago (from where the project gets its name).

The civil rights movement started over fifty years ago when ordinary people were transformed by extraordinary events. In the same manner, The Chicago Project takes ordinary students and provides them with extraordinary experiences in the hope of instilling them with a burden to stand up for all people in their school and community.

Goals of The Chicago Project

1. To educate students on the history and current status of poverty in Ohio and the United States.

2. To help students understand the causes of poverty and strategies to support people and communities in sustainable prosperity.

3. To encourage students to examine their own attitudes and beliefs about poverty and prosperity.

4. To instill a passion for social activism in the area of personal and community development.