Advocacy

CCL believes everyone has the right to lead a full and abundant life.

Therefore, we promote equal access to and allocation of opportunities and resources; advocate for the personal and structural changes needed for equity to flourish; and encourage the radical acts of sharing that open doors to opportunity and lift all people.

Know Your Rights

Everyone has rights, no matter their immigration status. If you are undocumented, a non-citizen with a criminal history, on parole, or have a prior deportation order, it is important to be aware of the potential risks you may face. By knowing your rights, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Knowledge empowers you to navigate any situation with confidence. Take the time to understand your rights now, so you can be prepared and stay informed.

Resources

KYR Cards in Spanish & English

New Arrival Resources

KYR Cards - Multilingual

Organized Communities Against Deportation-raids info

Vote

At CCL, we believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to succeed, regardless of race, gender, or economic status. We also strive to create meaningful partnerships with local organizations dedicated to the same cause and are committed to advocating for policies that support racial and economic equality. We urge our community members to vote!

The Next Election in Chicago is in 2026 - Update your Voter Registration Ahead of Time!

The next election in Chicago is scheduled for March 17th, 2026, and it's important to ensure that your voter registration is up to date.

If you need to register to vote, change your name or address, or join the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster, you can easily update your information online.

You can also verify your registration, find your polling place for Election Day, and review your sample ballot through the voter information lookup service.

Make sure you're ready for the upcoming election by updating your voter registration ahead of time!

To register to vote and to get other info for your curious questions head to chicagoelections.gov

Digital Equity

Center for Changing Lives is a part of the Chicago Digital Equity Coalition Steering Team. Two of our employment coaches, Lili Diaz and Rodrigo Perez facilitate the Internet Working Group of the Chicago Digital Equity Coalition. One accomplishment from last year was the development and launch of our Community Internet Guide- A Guide by Chicagoans for Chicagoans in late 2023 (see here).

Center for Changing Lives also advocates to close the digital language gap through innovative in-house curriculum development and knowledge shares/exchanges with peers. We strive to bridge the digital divide and connect those from underserved communities with equitable access to technology and Internet. We also provide support to local businesses and organizations to help them develop their digital capabilities. Our goal is to ensure that all members of the community have access to the same opportunities, regardless of their background or resources.