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Community Based Organizations (1 of 2)

Across the Calumet region, community based organizations (CBOs) ranging from the grassroots to the highly organized, rally behind many different issues. While meeting places often change, it is the body of people that keep the group together, place is secondary. However, we noticed that places of worship, specifically churches, in this region represent a major arena for both organized activism and informal activism, and are significant assets in the everyday lives of many individuals. Some also bring together diverse resident populations by hosting organization meetings, community meetings, celebrations, rituals and events.

• Local religious leaders in the areas studied are highly involved in their communities and can provide a communication bridge between residents and formal activists, even drawing their congregations into activism.
• Places of worship often mobilize residents to support various causes such as beautification efforts and community policing programs
  
• They are often the location of many organizations' meetings throughout the region.
  
• Many churches offer services in two or more languages, such as Polish, Spanish, English and Croatian.
  

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