Organizing, Power and Hope

Course: THEO 33965/CSC 33965

Location: Chicago, IL

Date: Winter Break January 2008

Application Deadline: Nov. 02, 2007

Registration: Nov. 19 - Dec. 5, 2007

Registration Deadline: Dec. 5, 2007

Learning Agreement

Read about the seminar in CSC News & Reflections.

This six-day winter seminar is an opportunity to experience the gospel in action on the streets of Chicago:

• Learn from local church, school, not-for-profit leaders, and unions about community organizing initiatives to improve life in Chicago neighborhoods.
• Experience the hope, the disappointments, and the moments of grace in community organizing and social change work.
• Challenge your perceptions of power and powerlessness, service and action.
• Capture the Spirit found in building diverse relationships.

Participants are invited to experience this faith-based program, and to be open to developing new perspectives on the role of neighborhood churches and organizations responding to social needs. This seminar is intended for students with previous urban experience eager to sharpen their social analysis, and to learn new forms of ministry for adults committed to social justice.   Because of the unique partnership between the Sinsinawa Dominican Apostolic Volunteer Program and the Center for Social Concerns, there will be an emphasis on spirituality and community participation by all in the seminar.

The six days will include conversations and social action with diverse leaders throughout Chicago's organizing community, working through local organizations devoted to overcome situations of injustice and poverty afflicting members of their constituencies. The evenings will be spent reflecting about these experiences at Dominican Volunteer's House of Connections in the North Lawndale community.   Local members of the community may be invited for evening reflections.   There will be a strong emphasis on spirituality and social analysis throughout the evening reflections, which may also include a celebration of the Eucharist. Each day there will be an opportunity to explore hope in Chicago neighborhoods that are often considered to be hopeless.

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