Participatory Evaluation and Action Research
Getting Attention
Low income parents often lack confidence playing an active role in their child’s schooling. I worked with colleague Randy Stoecker to evaluate a parent education effort by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Confidence increased among participating parents.
Low income parents often lack confidence playing an active role in their child’s schooling. I worked with colleague Randy Stoecker to evaluate a parent education effort by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Confidence increased among participating parents.
Women Organizers
Men frequently receive the most attention as organizers. I worked conducting research for the Women in Organizing Project of the Chicago Women’s Foundation. One study described how relationship building works as a strategy to improve teen goal setting.
Another study identified, documented and described the role of Native American women leaders in adult employment, cultural development and youth empowerment.
Men frequently receive the most attention as organizers. I worked conducting research for the Women in Organizing Project of the Chicago Women’s Foundation. One study described how relationship building works as a strategy to improve teen goal setting.
Another study identified, documented and described the role of Native American women leaders in adult employment, cultural development and youth empowerment.
Respecting the Dignity of Resistance
I witnessed a handful of public housing residents defy the Chicago Housing Authority and the City of Chicago as these powerful actors made way for the construction of a new White Sox Stadium. Familiar with public housing resident organizing efforts I set out with colleague Roberta Feldman to join forces with Wentworth Gardens Residents United for Survival. As pro bono consultants and public friends we worked together in a campaign of resistance that eventually led to compromises, concessions and success. These unsung women mobilized the powers of the weak to keep the forces of displacement at bay. Many other activities followed including a few of the more recent:
· Publication of the co-authored book, The Dignity of Resistance: Women Residents’ Activism in Chicago Public Housing (2004; 2006).
· Collaboration with local playwright David Barr and journalist Glenn Jeffers adapts book into play, A Neighborhood Fight: A Play in Two Acts. (2006)
· Launched the Hallie Amey Scholarship Fund with colleague at Roosevelt University recognizing the recently deceased resident activist (Fall 2012)
I witnessed a handful of public housing residents defy the Chicago Housing Authority and the City of Chicago as these powerful actors made way for the construction of a new White Sox Stadium. Familiar with public housing resident organizing efforts I set out with colleague Roberta Feldman to join forces with Wentworth Gardens Residents United for Survival. As pro bono consultants and public friends we worked together in a campaign of resistance that eventually led to compromises, concessions and success. These unsung women mobilized the powers of the weak to keep the forces of displacement at bay. Many other activities followed including a few of the more recent:
· Publication of the co-authored book, The Dignity of Resistance: Women Residents’ Activism in Chicago Public Housing (2004; 2006).
· Collaboration with local playwright David Barr and journalist Glenn Jeffers adapts book into play, A Neighborhood Fight: A Play in Two Acts. (2006)
· Launched the Hallie Amey Scholarship Fund with colleague at Roosevelt University recognizing the recently deceased resident activist (Fall 2012)
