Celebrating 30 Years of Turning Dreams into Action!
For 30 years, Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI) has proven that when Black and Brown parents, especially mothers and grandmothers, have real power and support, they are able to turn their dreams into action!
Our theme captures COFI’s core belief: When parents come together, their collective power transforms their dreams into reality to make our communities, our state, and our nation a better place for all.
From personal triumphs to major policy victories, COFI’s parent-led organizing model, The COFI Way, has trained thousands of parents and helped transform communities and entire systems. Our 30th Anniversary celebrates three decades of parent power and the next generation of change we’re building together, and we hope you join us!
Thank you to our 30th Anniversary Sponsors!
Parent-led action is powered by the generosity of donors and sponsors who believe real community voices deserve a seat at policy tables. Together, we envision a world where racial, economic, and educational justice prevail, and all children and families have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Click here or scroll down to get involved.
COFI Action Takers
COFI Parent Champions
COFI Allies
Gregory Concodora and Cindy Ogrin
Gina Lowell
Sandra and John O’Donnell
Tim O’Hagan and Julie Osborne
Leah Cunningham Pouw and Bryson Pouw
Susan Reed and Ed Schwartz
Marie and Robert Weissbourd
COFI Friends
Thank you to our Individual Sponsors, Board Members, Event Committee Members, and In-Kind Supporters!
Tracey Abman and Ellen Schumer
Veronica Anderson
Chanelle Brown
Charlene Campbell
Tonantzin Carmona
Donna Carpenter
Valerie Carroll
Jennifer Cossyleon
Lisa Dush and Lee Hart
Eli’s Cheesecake
Diane Fager
Katrina Falkner
Gaylord and William Gieseke
Rosazlia Grillier
Jacky Grimshaw
Sherita Hamlin
Dr. Nia Heard-Garris
Gloria Hicks
Lucy Lopez
Marisol Luna
Rob Mayo
Felipa Mena
Karen Lynn Morton
Liliana Olayo
Michelle Morton
Nelly Paredes
Delia Perez
Kate Peyton and Bob Hudek
Lisa Russell
Susana Salgado
Henrietta Saunders
David and Michelle Schumer
Krista Scott and Mike Stemle
Regina Simms
Joanna Smith-Ramani
Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Chinatown
Become a sponsor by May 15, 2026, and you will be recognized in the event program and on social media.
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 5:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. (with doors opening at 5:00 P.M.)
Location: Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60624)
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
30 Stories for 30 Years
Since 1995, COFI’s family-focused organizing model, The COFI Way, has trained thousands of parents to be powerful leaders. We’ve heard incredible stories about the impact of COFI and our training on individuals, families, communities, and policies and systems. We aim to highlight a few of those stories throughout our anniversary year. Check back here for updates!
Nelly
“Being a mother doesn’t come with a manual, but COFI is like a manual, and they help you grow and lead.”
How Nelly embraced her leadership with COFI
Gloria
“We don’t stop until we figure it out.”
Gloria says she wouldn’t be the leader she is now without COFI
Doña Mari
“We will triumph and succeed in what we are asking for when we organize together.”
How one mother paved her own path with COFI
Help Us Celebrate and Fuel Parent Power for Another 30 Years!
Become a sponsor
Become an event sponsor today and help underwrite tickets for COFI-trained parents and their children! Your sponsorship will be recognized on this website, our social media pages, and in our email newsletters. Join us in building a world where racial, economic, and educational justice prevail, and all children and families have an equal opportunity to succeed in life.
Donate
Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to sustain our work today. COFI is a grassroots nonprofit and every gift helps develop parent leaders who are taking action and winning critical victories for families.
Purchase an event ticket
We’d love to celebrate in person with you on June 4, 2026! Registration is now open.
English 
Spanish