Our Four Pillars
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Together we create a strong, sustainable, member-led organization. We gather the people and money needed to win the goals of our communities.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEV.
FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL TO SUSTAINING OUR WORK
Simply put, without money, our work cannot exist! Funding is essential to sustaining our work–it is one of the key ways we build collective power to transform the status quo.
Your dollars pay for gas money for our organizers, hiring translators so that every event is bilingual (English/Spanish), making training accessible to low income leaders, developing an in-depth resource library to serve people of faith, and so much more.
300+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER
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37 INSTITUTIONS LEADING THE WORK
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2000+ LEADERS TRAINED
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300+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER • 37 INSTITUTIONS LEADING THE WORK • 2000+ LEADERS TRAINED •
ORGANIZATIONAL dEV.
LED BY ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS & COMMUNITY
Our institutional members - parishes, universities, and other grassroots organizations across Chicagoland - sustain CSPL through membership dues. But our members do more than lead the way toward positive change in their communities!
Our members are change-makers and mission builders in our communities. You will become a voice in our mission and a valued community leader, and create lasting relationships with other people of faith.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEV.
EMPOWERED THROUGH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING
CSPL believes in the power of grassroots organizing, and our successes prove that it works.
We want to work with you and your community of people of faith or neighborhood organization to win important campaigns.
Our victories include winning City of Chicago funding for a community-run cultural center in Back of the Yards, Smart Routes for student safety in Proviso Township, and reopening Westlake Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our leaders truly lead the organization and campaigns. We want to empower you to make your community better.
MEET OUR TEAM
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Michael Nicolas Okinczyc-Cruz
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND SPIRITUAL & THEOLOGICAL FORMATION
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Gabriel Lara
DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING
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Susan Hurley
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
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Bethany Collins
DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Sr. Leslie Dao
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
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See What Our Members Are Up To
You can read more about what our members are up to - and help create positive change in Chicago and the western suburbs - by checking out these projects and opportunities.
free historical jesus book download
What did Jesus’ life look like 2000+ years ago?
This book is an invitation to share in that curiosity about the historical Jesus, what his life was like 2,000+ years ago, what his community experienced, what his teachings meant, and, most importantly, what they can teach us about advancing justice in our neighborhoods and communities through a community organizing framework, grounded in a deeply rooted spiritual life.
NEED TO TALK TO A HUMAN?
We’d love to get your questions answered and help you get involved! Click the button below to schedule a chat with a member of our staff, or request a presentation at your church or organization.