The We Are Able Movement

We Are Able was founded on the idea that we either define our fate or we are defined by it. As young progressives, we are the next generation of change. Enshrined in our name is also our credo - We Are Able. A simple message to articulate the idea that no obstacle is too great and no challenge is too daunting to impede our ability to catalyze change. We Are Able will always be an organization that works to raise awareness for people with disabilities, but, going forward, it will also be an incubator for growing social movements and mobilizing young people to support progressive issues. This page displays our various initiatives. I encourage you to follow us on instagram @We.Are.Able and get involved in the movements that resonate most with you by visiting the relevant links. 

We Are Able, in partnership with Chicago200, Youth Guidance, and Becoming A Man (BAM) is proud to announce the launch of the Chicago Youth Council For Police Accountability. The mission of this Council is to connect the Chicago Police Board to youth seeking to bring about meaningful reform. The Police Board has unanimously agreed to work with the council. 

The Chicago Youth Council For Police Accountability is designed to give young people a seat at the table by creating a platform for them to provide input on key policies related to policing that impact the communities of Chicago. Responsibilities for council members will include attending and providing input into police board meetings, researching and drafting policy recommendations that will be presented to the board, performing outreach and awareness-building on social media to increase engagement with the police board, facilitating community-building events that foster safe communities, and training and educating their peers on policing policies and issues such as the consent decree.

In May of 2020, a group of young activists who met on the Chicago200 program organized a virtual On The Table event – an initiative of the Chicago Community Trust - in response to exacerbated racial inequities seen by the COVID-19 pandemic and violence against Black Americans. The intention of the conversation was to #RiseToTheChallenge and harness the chance to reimagine what justice in our communities looks like. After discussing the lack of opportunities for young people to have their voices heard concerning matters of policing and racial inequities, this group of youth were inspired to create a plan that would uplift the voices of those who are speaking out against bigotry and hate, educating their communities about systemic injustice, and taking action to ensure that Chicago becomes safer and stronger place for everyone.

Applications are live for the inaugural council. Youth between the ages of 14-25 who are passionate about creating a more just and equitable city for their generation are encouraged to apply. A small stipend will be made available to the eleven youth council members selected. For the most up-to-date information, please follow us on Instagram at @ChiYouthForTheTruth. The deadline to apply is February 5th, 2020. 

Internships create a pivotal avenue for young people who are transitioning into the labor market, yet the socioeconomic restrictions associated with obtaining an unpaid position are often an obstacle for many disadvantaged students who are likely struggling with the high-costs of higher education. We knew we had to do something to try and create a more equitable path for fellow young people, so we decided to partner with Pay Our Interns to launch Interns For Change. This initiative, aims to bring awareness to the injustice created by unpaid internships. #InternsforChange will spark the broader conversation that interns must be compensated for thier work because experience doesn’t pay the bills. If we want to live in a society that reflects our country we must provide equal opportunity. 

On November 20th 2019, interns across Washington D.C. - and around the nation - rallied to make their voices heard by protesting the inaccessibility of internships and promote the idea that interns deserve to be paid for their work. 

Interns For Change is more than a rally, it’s the start of a movement. A movement that needs you because this is bigger than all of us alone. Together, we will create a country where every American has the opportunity to intern without concern for economic barriers. Interns For Change is here to say that the future of internships are paid. We hope you will join us in this journey by demonstrating the power of young people, and proviing, once again, that We Are Able. 

To get involved visit the Pay Our Interns website or text INTERNS to 52886 to join our network.