Resources for Community Groups

Training and consulting : COFI can work with your organization

COFI has published two training/organizing manuals, has a two-year training program for staff and leaders of organizations, and can provide one-on-one coaching in the model or develop consulting partnerships with a range of organizations. 

Interested in upcoming COFI Training Sessions?
CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION>>

Phase One:  Self, Family & Team
Introduction to Family Focused Organizing
This 3.5-day session is for people to learn how to build and hear the real voice of parents and families who are often far outside the centers of power.  Whether you are a parent leader yourself, or you are in an organization that serves or relies on parents, we’ll share what we’ve learned in our years of working with low-income parents of color (mostly mothers and grandmothers) who are organizing locally and citywide on the issues that affect their families and their lives. This training also teaches how to recruit parents, how to use COFI’s training curriculum for leadership development, and how the process works to build power.  In depth exploration of the first year of COFI's two-year organizing program (Self, Family & Team), and hands-on practice for trainers.  

Phase Two:  Community Outreach & Action
Train the Trainer/Organizer Program 
At our 3-day Phase 2 training, we’ll teach you how to build a team of community residents, do one-on-one relationship building interviews, map a community, including a power analysis, choose an issue campaign, and support leaders to win tangible victories in their communities.  This session is the second in a series and focuses on the second year of the two-year COFI Family Focused Organizing process. It includes hands-on practice for trainers and an opportunity to go door-to-door in a Chicago community.

To order COFI training manuals, click here.