READI Chicago is launching a Participant Advisory Committee that will consist of three elected participants from each READI Chicago site. The purpose of this group is to provide READI Chicago leadership with insights and ideas on behalf of participants. The PAC will be elected on Dec. 4, and representatives will meet every other week and receive leadership development training.
Throughout READI Chicago’s first year, participants have made clear that they want to share their thoughts in order to influence the initiative. The hope is that through the PAC, participants can help shape READI Chicago and reinvest in the initiative to ensure its success and that of the men it serves.
“These guys are our biggest stakeholders, and their thoughts and concerns matter a lot, maybe more than anyone else’s,” Participant Advisory Committee Coordinator Nick Loumos said.
Englewood Community Project Manager Marlon Chamberlain said he hopes for the PAC to empower participants and include them in improving the READI Chicago model.
“When you empower folks from the community to solve their own problems and give them the resources to do so, that’s how you develop leadership,” Marlon said. “I’d like to see the PAC really help shape the new READI Chicago crew chiefs, managers, outreach, aldermen, and state representatives.”
The ability to take ownership of one’s narrative and shape the conversation around violence in Chicago is critical, as the population served by READI Chicago is so often villainized in local and national media. The PAC will allow participants to exert control and investment over their initiative while preparing them to be future leaders in their communities and continue the important work changing the narrative of violence in Chicago.
