Building the Power of Parents

COFI trains parents to be powerful leaders and COFI-trained parents accomplish great things.

WHO WE ARE

COFI strengthens the power and voice of low-income families in all areas of civic life—from local institutions and communities to state and federal policy arenas.

Trained 6,415 parents

in Illinois and across the nation in more than 50 communities at hundreds of school and community sites

Reinstated recess

for 266,000+ elementary school students

Rewrote the Student Code of Conduct

with a philosophy of restorative justice

Reformed Chicago municipal fees and fines

eliminating 13,731 tickets and reducing $5.2 million in debt

Expanded SNAP benefits

(formerly called “food stamps”) for 40,000 Illinois families

Knocked on 44,341 doors

to refer children ages zero to five to Early Learning programs in 2022
A mom and three young children smiling for a photo

WHAT WE DO

The COFI Way

A proven, family-focused organizing model for how people who are outside the centers of power become leaders, build organizations, and win.

Self, Family & Team + Team Building

Leadership begins from within. It starts with a parent’s personal, family, and community goals.

Community Outreach & Action

Building community partnerships and bringing parent leaders together around common goals.

Policy & Systems Change

Uniting parents across race and community to work with decision-makers to make real and lasting policy and systems change.

How We Do It

Get Training

We’ll share what we’ve learned about building parents’ power so you can incorporate The COFI Way into your own efforts.

COFI Center for Action and Learning

Our hands-on, practical workshops are designed specifically for community organizers, social service providers, school administrators, advocates, policymakers, and veteran parent leaders around the country.

Learn More

 

Part of the cover of We're Glad You Asked. It shows two women sitting on some stairs and two children

SPOTLIGHT

New Guide: “We’re Glad You Asked!”

Meet The Parents

Their inspiring stories of passion, persistence, and courage are the heart of COFI.

Testimonials

Cristina Pacione-Zayas
“Parents are really the true champions, the true fighters. That gives me the fuel that I need to be able to push while I'm here in Springfield.”
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Cristina Pacione-Zayas
City of Chicago First Deputy Chief of Staff (and former Illinois State Senator)
“Parents are really the true champions, the true fighters. That gives me the fuel that I need to be able to push while I'm here in Springfield.”
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Cristina Pacione-Zayas
Cristina Pacione-Zayas
City of Chicago First Deputy Chief of Staff (and former Illinois State Senator)
Dr. Jennifer Norrell
“COFI parent leaders bring voice to parent concerns, including parents who are not able to or confident sharing their own feedback.”
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Dr. Jennifer Norrell
Superintendent, East Aurora School District 131
“COFI parent leaders bring voice to parent concerns, including parents who are not able to or confident sharing their own feedback.”
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Dr. Jennifer Norrell
Dr. Jennifer Norrell
Superintendent, East Aurora School District 131
Jenna Severson
“All the stories I've had the privilege of hearing from COFI parents have stuck with me. No matter the venue, I've had some of the best moments of my career with COFI parents.”
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Jenna Severson
Communications Manager, Economic Security for Illinois
“All the stories I've had the privilege of hearing from COFI parents have stuck with me. No matter the venue, I've had some of the best moments of my career with COFI parents.”
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Jenna Severson
Jenna Severson
Communications Manager, Economic Security for Illinois
Carlos Azcoitia
“The people in community –you build on those assets. You develop your assets and they become your ambassadors. That’s what distinguishes COFI from other places.”
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Carlos Azcoitia
Professor Emeritus, National Louis University
“The people in community–you build on those assets. You develop your assets and they become your ambassadors. That’s what distinguishes COFI from other places.”
Read more
Carlos Azcoitia
Carlos Azcoitia
Professor Emeritus, National Louis University
Senator Kimberly Lightford
“You can respect parents' judgment and believe what they say. They are willing to work in the trenches, not just show up for photo-ops.”
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Senator Kimberly Lightford
Majority Leader, Illinois General Assembly
“You can respect parents' judgment and believe what they say. They are willing to work in the trenches, not just show up for photo-ops.”
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Senator Kimberly Lightford
Senator Kimberly Lightford
Majority Leader, Illinois General Assembly
Ernesto Matias
“They are persistent on the issue and are respectful about working with us to find solutions because we’re losing too many kids.”
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Ernesto Matias
Chief Education Officer, Illinois State Board of Education
“They are persistent on the issue and are respectful about working with us to find solutions because we’re losing too many kids.”
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Ernesto Matias
Ernesto Matias
Chief Education Officer, Illinois State Board of Education
Tawa Jogunosimi
“We were pointing at data. Rosazlia was always the person who would distill it down to how it was going to help parents.”
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Tawa Jogunosimi
Senior Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation
“We were pointing at data. Rosazlia was always the person who would distill it down to how it was going to help parents.”
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Tawa Jogunosimi
Tawa Jogunosimi
Senior Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation
Nancy Shier
“Bringing parents through the process that COFI does has shown success that I haven’t seen much of elsewhere.”
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Nancy Shier
Retired Vice President of Illinois Policy, Start Early
“Bringing parents through the process that COFI does has shown success that I haven’t seen much of elsewhere.”
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Nancy Shier
Nancy Shier
Retired Vice President of Illinois Policy, Start Early
James Bebley
“COFI’s approach is to say, "Hey, there’s a problem. Let’s figure out how to solve it." And their parent leaders are the ones who give the perspective.”
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James Bebley
Acting CEO, Chicago Housing Authority
“COFI’s approach is to say, "Hey, there’s a problem. Let’s figure out how to solve it." And their parent leaders are the ones who give the perspective.”
Read more
James Bebley
James Bebley
Acting CEO, Chicago Housing Authority

Stay Informed
With COFI

Contribute

Ensure parents are at the table where decisions are being made about their families, schools, and communities.

What’s Happening

Get the latest news on campaigns, victories, and events.

NEWS

Parent Leaders Advance Local Goals 2023-24

July 8, 2024

PUBLICATIONS

We’re Glad You Asked!

February 21, 2024

COFI CENTER

Orientation to The COFI Way

Oct 15, 2024

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