Gabriel Lara
Preferred pronouns:
he/him
Areas of expertise:
Building teams to advance social justice
Facilitating listening sessions
Conducting 1.1 conversations
Contact Information:
Email: gabriel@csplaction.org
Title: Director of Organizing
Who Am I:
Gabriel Lara is a faith-driven grassroots community organizer and trainer with over 15 years of experience mobilizing the skills, energy, and vision of community members impacted by injustice. He possesses a background in philosophy, Catholic spirituality, popular education and worker cooperative development.
Gabriel was instrumental in founding the Quinn Community Center in Maywood as its first Executive Director where he successfully piloted and implemented a number of community programs and resources that engaged hundreds of community residents. He was also vital in the founding of CSPL as a co-founder and the first Board President before transitioning off the board to accept a staff position at CSPL. He has helped incubate several successful cooperatives in the Chicago area that are led and managed by immigrant women.
He was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, and has lived in Chicago for over 25 years.
Off the clock:
Gabriel loves walking in nature and playing the guitar.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago
Graduate level studies:
Theology and Philosophy at Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois
Curriculum Development for K-12 Education at Northeastern Illinois University
