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This is the space to find out all of the latest news and developments from the Community Organisers programme. For more updates from the Community Organisers, Hosts and Partners click here.
Last day in Chicago
Posted by Jess Steele | 4th Feb 12I can hardly believe it’s taken me so long to write this. I suppose it’s cos I didn’t want my trip to the US to be truly over. But until it’s finished I can’t write anything else so…
That last day in America I had almost no pages left in the notebook I’d been filling for 10 days. I didn’t think it would matter because it was Saturday, I had to...
Chicago 5: Generations of organizers
Posted by Jess Steele | 13th Dec 11
Friday 18th November 2011
Jim Field (left), Director of Organizing at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, says he’s from...
Chicago 4: Grounded Theory
Posted by Jess Steele | 6th Dec 11This is my public apology for not yet having emailed to thank all the wonderful people I met in Chicago (I’ve started it on the train home tonight).
The last two days of my trip (18/19th Nov) involved even more rushing around, but thankfully more of it on the brilliant El trains/subway rather than Shanks’ pony.
First up, Phil Nyden at the Centre for...
Chicago 3: All kinds of walking
Posted by Jess Steele | 28th Nov 11I’m back in the UK now but determined to finish this blog account of my trip to the US to explore community organising. I ran 3.5k on a treadmill today and all the way I was thinking about my much more exciting (and exhausting) Thursday in Chicago
A/D/J – Congress Plaza...
Chicago 2: Oodles of inspiration
Posted by Jess Steele | 22nd Nov 11Weds 16th November 2011
After a misleadingly warm day yesterday, now it’s sunny but cold like Chicago’s meant to be.
Today’s dollops of inspiration come from
- Jeff Pinzino at National People’s Action (NPA)
- Joanna Brown, Logan Square Neighbourhood Association
- Malcolm Bush, formerly of Woodstock Institute...
Chicago 1: The South Side & Regina
Posted by Jess Steele | 20th Nov 11Tues 15th November 2011
A beautiful sunny, warm day in ultra-civilised Chicago began with a wander in Grant Park. Everything takes just a bit longer than you expect because of waiting to cross the enormous roads. So then I hurried to the Metra to head southwards only to discover one of those things that everyone knows and no-one tells you: while the CTA El...
Detroit 3: The Funders
Posted by Jess Steele | 19th Nov 11On my last day in Detroit I spent the morning exploring the regenerated riverfront. A lot of effort, good intentions and money has gone in and there are some lovely touches – the framed artworks, the bird-filled wetland area and especially the beautiful maps integrated into paving and shelters. But overall it was a typical example of physical regeneration that goes no way towards...
Detroit 2: Grace Lee Boggs & the Angels
Posted by Jess Steele | 18th Nov 11Sunday, 13th November 2011
I was so delighted to get a call on Sunday morning from Rich Feldman of the Boggs Centre for Nurturing Community Leadership. He had received last night’s email and could meet me today and hoped that Grace may also be able to meet me. He sent over some reading, including a YouTube link to...
Detroit 1: Motown
Posted by Jess Steele | 17th Nov 1110pm, Sat 12th November 2011
Never let taxi drivers influence your view of a place! Their livelihood depends on scaring you out of your wits.
I already knew Detroit was a strange place but I was determined to give it a chance. As Jerry Herron, Director of American Studies at Wayne State University puts it “Nowhere else has American modernity...
NYC 3: Training Day
Posted by Jess Steele | 16th Nov 11Friday 11th November 2011, Veterans’ Day
Up early to make my way to East Harlem where the Center for Neighborhood Leadership/Public Allies training would take place at the sparkly new Hunter School of Social Work building. The bright white atrium – incongruous in its scruffy, colourful surroundings – is due to become a gallery...
