The organization now known as Northside P.O.W.E.R. (NsP) grew out of a patrons’ council at the soup kitchen.  in 2002, after operating a soup kitchen for over 20 years, the GNCK board went through a strategic planning process and concluded that simply feeding people does nothing to address the causes of hunger and poverty, so the organization embarked upon the creation of a community organizing arm.

Northside P.O.W.E.R. is the result of that effort.  NsP is an institution based people’s power organization whose members are located in the North Side of the City of Chicago and North Shore Communities.  The organization works on issues that address the causes of hunger and poverty.  Currently NsP is working in the area of housing with a campaign called “A Place to Live” that addresses rental housing and mortgage foreclosures.

Recent Accomplishments

• In June 2009, NsP held a public meeting of 90 people. Two public officials made commitments at the meeting; Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin committed to support the Mortgage foreclosure campaign created and spearheaded by Action NOW.
• The Action NOW campaign subsequently resulted in a significant win for home owners in Cook County and NsP played a role in securing not only Commissioner Suffredin’s support, but also the support of Commissioner Greg Goslin who represents North Shore communities.
• Also at the June 2009 meeting Chicago Alderman Joe Moore committed to work with NsP and Lakeside Community Development Corporation to create a Rental Improvement Fund in the 49th Ward.
• Work on the Rental Improvement Fund continues and on January 17, 2010, at a joint public meeting organized by NsP and its sister organizations,SOUL and the Northwest Indiana Federation, Alderman Moore committed before over 1,000 people that he would secure the support of the City of Chicago Community Development Department to conduct the eligibility study necessary to create the Rental Improvement Fund.
• On February 10, 2010 the Alderman offered a Resolution thanking that Department for their commitment of support.
• In addition to the issue work, NsP conducted a two day training for 36 community leaders in November 2009.  This training focused on power, self interest, one on one relationship building and creation of a grass roots organization. 
• The next Leadership training will be offered in Cedar Lake Indiana from February 21-26, 2010.
• Northside P.O.W.E.R. is affiliated with IIRON (Illinois/Indiana Regional Organizing Network) which also includes Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation S.O.U.L. and the Northwest Indiana Federation.