Community Accountability Project

Quarterly Convenings

Since 2003, dozens of individuals and organizations across Chicago have engaged in a dialogue around community accountability and community organizing as alternative models to approach interpersonal and state violence against women. These conversations aim to reconnect antiviolence efforts with communities, to expand community engagement, organizing, and accountability as methods of ending violence against women, and to re-center social justice in anti-violence work.

Rethinking/Expanding the Antiviolence Movement: Some Recent Chicago Conversations:

• June 2003: Reconnecting to Our Communities – The Challenge for Domestic Violence Providers
• January 2004: Second Thoughts? Domestic Violence 301 for Experienced Providers
• November 2004: Race Matters
• March 2005: Organizing Our Community Against Domestic Violence
• February 2006: Back to the Future (with Mimi Kim of Creative Interventions)
• May 2006: Chicago Success Stories
• September 2006 & February 2007: Beyond Shelters I & II
• June 2007: Social Service & Organizing – What bridges connect us and what drives us apart?

Planners have included Women & Girls CAN, the Community Accountability Planning Group, DePaul University Program in Women & Gender Studies, University of Illinois – Chicago, Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network, Incite! Chicago, Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team, Rainbow House, and Between Friends.

The most recent conversations, convened by Women & Girls CAN and developed by the Community Accountability Planning Group, have showcased concrete examples of effective strategies; generated a discussion of housing alternatives to the state-funded shelter system; and explored ways to combine the best of service and organizing in our work.

To find out about our upcoming convenings, email wgcanboard@gmail.com!