Mano A Mano survey looks to strengthen civic involvement

Mano A Mano Family Resource Center recently announced a new community engagement initiative to understand and strengthen civic participation in the North Chicago community as part of its Democracy in Action program.

This critical project will focus on various aspects of community involvement, including the underrepresentation of the Latinx/e community in local governance.

Mano A Mano Family Resource Center is partnering with Flourish and Thrive Labs to conduct this research. The initiative will consist of an online survey, open to all residents of North Chicago, and in-person community interviews.

The survey is designed to gather insights into the community's perspectives and experiences, particularly concerning civic participation and the school board election in 2025. Those interested in participating can access the survey online at forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GOruRTXFc0GtM8WpmrtRimMthyWWfNpGtu5-kJNDZV9UNlZQVTE0Q09EVjM2MjlLT1dGQjE3RUhYMS4u.

Alongside the survey, Mano A Mano will conduct community interviews to delve deeper into the experiences and perspectives of North Chicago's residents. These semi-structured interviews will provide valuable insights into the community's needs, challenges and strengths, and guide future initiatives to support and strengthen civic engagement.

Celeste Flores, director of Community Building, will lead this initiative. Those with questions or interested in learning more about the project should contact her at cflores@mamfrc.org.

"Through this initiative, we aim to deepen our understanding of these needs and continue working with the community to ensure an inclusive and responsive approach from all levels of local governments," Flores said. "Through this initiative, we aim to deepen our understanding of these needs and work with the community."

"We are both excited and honored to be part of this vital initiative with Mano A Mano Family Resource Center," said Juliana McMillan-Wilhoit, COO of Flourish and Thrive Labs.

"The research we are conducting is more than data collection; it's a pathway to understanding the unique needs and aspirations of the North Chicago community. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to foster empowerment and positive change in communities everywhere."

For more information, visit mamfrc.org.