SOUL in Chicago

Our MISSiON

SOUL believes that our faith calls us to the fight for justice for all, especially those who have historically been marginalized and oppressed.

Our mission is to assist disenfranchised people of color in the Chicago Southland to build power, then subsequently leverage that power to fight for their own interest and liberation.

Our Campaigns

Food Justice

In the 9th Ward, more than 60% of households live over a mile from a full-service grocery store, which makes it difficult to access affordable, quality food. The F.O.O.D. Web, campaign highlights these issues with the goals of shifting narratives about the relationship between food, urban growing, and consumption.

Learn More...

Water Justice

Water for All (W4A) is a legislative proposal that emerged in 2018, when SOUL began holding community listening sessions on the South Side on the cost of water bills. After reaching out to multiple city departments and receiving no answers or solutions, it was clear that organizing must be done around this issue.

Learn More...

The Budget for Black Lives

The Budget for Black Lives (B4BL) campaign was formed to move the Justice for Black Lives Resolution into action, with the goal of identifying funds within the Cook County Sheriff’s budget and redirecting them into supportive services that actually prevent incarceration and create safety.

Learn More...

What We’ve Accomplished

SERVED AS an anchor organization of the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, and a contributor to the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Secured more than $15 million in funding for an Arts & Recreation Center in Bronzeville to serve neighborhood youth, adults, and seniors.

Worked with Bridgeport Alliance to win an extension of the 35th Street Bus to the 31st Street Beach so that our communities could enjoy more equitable public transportation.

Worked with IIRON to BUILD a campaign on the county and state level to end mass incarceration in Illinois by reforming Cook County’s bond system and decrease prison time for non-violent drug offenses.

Supported a historic campaign by brave fast food workers with the Workers Organizing Committee of Chicago / Fight for $15 to win fair wages and the right to organize unions in the retail and fast food industries.