| Program: | Human Relations Foundation of Chicago, Chicago, IL | | Contact(s): | Clarence N. Wood, President: (312) 456-7745 | | Purpose: | To eradicate racism and create an integrated and inclusive society | | Background In 1990, the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago was created in response to a publication called Report on Race, Ethnic and Religious Tensions in Chicago, released by the Chicago Community Trust Human Relations Task Force in 1989. The human relations task force released recommendations for the creation of a foundation to energize efforts to combat racism. The Human Relations Foundation of Chicago implements the recommendations of the task force's report, targeting Chicago leadership by concentrating on issues related to, but not limited to, housing, education, religion, media, government and business. Program Operations
The Human Relations Foundation operates in six areas: grant-making, research, dialogue, advocacy, consultation/training and participation. The foundation pursues its goals--the reduction of racial and religious tensions and the eradication of racism in Chicago--through eight major programs. They are: Project 2000, the Multicultural Advisory Committee on the Media, Chicago Dinners, Public and Social Policy Initiative, Continuing the Conversation, Campus Chicago, Metropolitan Chicago Civil and Human Rights Agency Network and the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations. Project 2000 is a program that brings groups of both Jewish American and African American professionals under the age of 45 together for a monthly dialogue for a period of 18 months. The Metropolitan Chicago Civil and Human Rights Agency provides a network of 45 civil and human rights agencies to work together and combine resources to ameliorate tensions. Other programs include media monitoring, data collection and analysis of policy issues. The foundation also offers public forums to encourage dialogue on race and policy making, including topics on school reform, voting patterns, fair housing and affirmative action. Through these programs, the Human Rights Foundation brings together the community in an effort to destroy prejudice. Outcomes and Significant Accomplishments In the past eight years, nearly 8,000 people have participated in programs at the Human Relations Foundation. The foundation has also conducted 37 studies, including 15 studies of the media, five on racial attitudes and others on press coverage of different cultures, racism and poverty and family rights. They have published nine magazines, and over 4,000 people have attended the Chicago Dinners in the last three years. |
