Coalition for spiritual & public leadership
WHAT WE DO
We bring together organizations, congregations, universities, parishes, and other grassroots organizations in Chicago & the western suburbs, particularly Maywood, Melrose Park, and Proviso Township, to build power to create thriving communities.
We equip people of faith with skills to build systems that advance racial, economic, social, and environmental justice through direct action.
We help people encounter the historical Jesus, a radical disruptor of the status quo. This faith formation, rooted in liberation theology, better equips community leaders to build a movement that confronts power through non-violent resistance.
Together we create a strong, sustainable, member-led organization. We gather the people and money needed to win the goals of our communities.
we’re passionate in our approach
Our Four Pillars are strategic, community-centered, and grounded in Catholic social tradition. This is how we create change.
Pillar one
Coalition Building
With every new member, our grassroots power and influence grows. We are passionately committed to building power in our communities by connecting our members.
We are member-led, which means that your concerns, hopes, and dreams for your community are our highest priority. It also means that we’re addressing deep, systemic issues while supporting one another with our varied skills, resources, and knowledge.
pillar two
Community Organizing
Many people of faith in Chicago and the western suburbs know the issues their communities face, but they don’t have the resources or connections to make change. CSPL believes in the power of grassroots organizing, and our wins truly prove that it works.
Our incredible member leaders truly lead these campaigns - we exist to empower and connect you so that you can make your community better.
pillar three
Liberative Formation
Our members develop their innate leadership capacity through CSPL. We believe that every person has the fundamental right and responsibility to engage in civic life and to work for the common good. We’re committed to supporting our members to effectively organize for social change.
Deeply rooted in - and inspired by - Catholic spiritual and theological traditions, CSPL provides our members with leadership training and resources that do just that. Our resources center around topics such as non-violent resistance, movement building, and liberation.
Pillar four
Organizational Development
CSPL is a grassroots, faith-based non-profit: we are democratically led by our members. We believe that positive change is most meaningful when it is guided by those most affected.
What we do, and how we do it, is decided through listening to the community members. Our mission is guided by those who most need racial, economic, and social transformation, and who will most benefit from the positive change we strive for.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
IN THE NEWS
We’re so grateful for the exposure that allows us to be more visible and more effective.
FEATURED
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHICAGO FAITH-BASED NON-PROFIT
Meet our members, find reports, and learn about our staff.