HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR URBAN PLUNGE?

1. DIGNITY AND JUSTICE FORURBANAMERICACenter for Social Concerns at Notre Dame Malik S. Nevels, J.D. Executive Director Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention December 8, 2013www.ilaacp.org

2. HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGINTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SHAPED MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE? HOW HAS MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE SHAPED MY QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE? HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE GUIDED THE MISSION WORK OF THE ILLINOIS AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION FOR PREVENTION? HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR URBAN PLUNGE? Q&A

3. QUEST FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE PERSONAL NARRATIVE • Dignity & Social Justice Lens • HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGINTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SHAPED MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE? HOW HAS MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE SHAPED MY QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE?

4. Dignity & Social Justice Lens • AmeriCorps Public Allies • 1995 • Catholic Education • 1975 -85 • 1960s Civil Rights Movement 4 Life Experiences That Shaped My Dignity & Social Justice Lens • Urban Gentrification • 1978 - 1980

5. HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE GUIDED THE MISSION WORK OF THE ILLINOIS AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION FOR PREVENTION? VISION Safe, healthy, and resilient African American children, families, and communities. MISSION Established in 2005, the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP) is a statewide, membership-based charitable organization that strengthens prevention systems, policies, and programs in underserved communities through culturally-relevant research, training, and advocacy.

6. PREVENTION OF WHAT?

7. 4 PILLARS OF OURWORK Raise public awareness and consciousness about the social and health disparities negatively affecting Illinois’ African American communities. Identify, assess, and promote effective and culturally competent prevention initiatives/programs, policies and strategies. Build the capacity of African American organizations to provide high quality prevention and early intervention services through training, coaching, and evaluation. Increase funding and resources for ILAACP members by educating Illinois’ legislators, taxpayers, and others about the cost-effectiveness of prevention and early intervention.

8. 4 PILLARS AT WORK

9. HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR URBAN PLUNGE? 1. Research your host organization’s mission and its service population. 2. Manage your “footprint” expectations. 3. Acknowledge your privilege. 4. Don’t underestimate what you have to contribute.

10. “What unites our work is a deep and abiding belief in human dignity. We believe every individual has a right to dream, and then to have the opportunity for those dreams to be realized – particularly the dreams and aspirations of poor people, of women, of people who are often left out and left behind. We have a commitment to those people, those communities, and we hold ourselves accountable for that commitment. “ Darren Walker, President Ford Foundation Ebony Magazine Dec. 2013/Jan. 2014

11. “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” Nelson Mandela

12. Q&A Facebook.com/ilaacp Twitter.com/#!/ILAACP www.ilaacp.org