“We are always out here advocating. It’s not just about advocating for one family, but all of them.”

This story was adapted from the “If We Come Together, Then We Have Power” Snapshots of Organizing Families report. Read more about how COFI impacted Katrina and see quotes from her daughter.

Meet Katrina! She’s the proud parent, auntie, godmother, and guardian to many children, and often refers to herself as the “little old lady in the shoe” because of all the children in the community she’s taken care of, in addition to her own. She’s also been a caregiver for her siblings.

After serving time in a correctional facility as a young adult in her 20s, she returned home determined to create more nurturing environments for young people. She came across COFI around 2013 when her twins were in daycare.

She was initially interested in COFI for the advocacy training opportunities they offered parents, and she thought it might help expand her job opportunities. After completing COFI’s Phase 1: Self, Family & Team + Team Building training, she was hooked and never looked back. She even convinced her godfather to join!

Through COFI, Katrina discovered leadership skills she didn’t know she had. She’s been part of historic wins to decrease police presence in schools and divert funds toward restorative justice and social-emotional learning. She has also co-chaired the Mental Health Justice & Equity Committee and has testified at the Illinois General Assembly about the importance of Medicaid. Katrina has worn many “hats” at COFI, including being a photographer and capturing positive moments for everyone!

But above all, she loves bringing her twins and other children in her care to COFI and POWER-PAC IL gatherings to learn about the importance of organizing and advocacy

MyShayla, whom Katrina has been raising since birth, has attended COFI and POWER-PAC IL gatherings since she was three, learning from parents’ organizing. Today, MyShayla is an advocate for mental health and anti-bullying at her school. She is a peer mentor who encourages classmates to attend class on time and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Additionally, Katrina said that when she was experiencing serious health issues during COVID, MyShayla stepped up and helped around the house and with her siblings.

In addition to her volunteer work with COFI, Katrina also formed a youth dance group called “The 66th and Union Crew,” named after her former block in the Englewood community. Katrina founded the group because youth were often turned away from after-school programs due to cost or capacity.

“We are always out here advocating, but I want us to have our own place. My dream has always been to have a youth center and health center for any community member,” Katrina said.

Katrina’s dream for COFI and for herself reflects everything she’s learned through more than a decade of parent-led organizing: it’s not just about one family, but all of them. She wants to see parents and families at every table, always bringing knowledge and resources back to their community and receiving the respect they deserve.