Formed in 1996, The Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) is a broad-based organization of 45 Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith institutions, public and private schools, and other institutions in Southwest Chicago. SWOP is known for its efforts to end predatory lending and foreclosures, reduce violence, win rights and protect the civil liberties of immigrants, improve achievement in public schools through parent, student and school staff engagement and bringing together service providing institutions as a part of the Southwest System of Care to increase access and coordination of care. As a broad-based organization committed to leadership development and collective action for the common good, SWOP members act to build deeper public relationships within and among the churches, mosques, schools, and other institutions in the neighborhoods they serve. Through this process, SWOP staff and primary leaders continually strive to identify and strengthen new leadership for public life. As the Lead Partner Agency for Gage Park High School's Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) initiative, SWOP works alongside students, parents, educators, and community partners to strengthen educational opportunities, family engagement, and shared leadership.
The Parent Coordinator will help move families from participation to leadership and from leadership to collective action, recognizing parents as essential partners in shaping the future of their school and community.
At SWOP, we believe strong schools are built through strong relationships and strong communities. The Parent Coordinator will not simply organize activities for parents but will organize with parents, helping them develop the relationships, confidence, leadership, and collective power to shape their children's education and the future of Gage Park High School.
The SCS Parent Coordinator will:
Parent Engagement and Relationship Building
• Conduct one-to-one relational meetings with parents and caregivers to understand their interests, concerns, and aspirations.
• Develop outreach strategies to engage families who are not actively connected to the school.
• Organize parent gatherings, listening sessions, and opportunities to strengthen relationships between families and school staff.
Parent Leadership Development
• Identify, recruit, and develop parent leaders through training, mentoring, and organizing opportunities.
• Support meaningful parent participation in the SCS Leadership Team, Local School
• Council, and other school decision-making structures.
• Help parents identify shared concerns, develop collective priorities, and take action to improve their school community.
Community Partnerships and Family Resources
• Connect families to community resources, workforce training, employment opportunities, and educational programs.
• Collaborate with SWOP's network of institutions and community partners to expand opportunities for families.
• Coordinate workshops and activities based on parent-identified interests and needs.
SCS Collaboration and Accountability
• Work closely with the SCS Coordinator, school administration, educators, and community partners.
• Ensure parent perspectives inform school planning, needs assessments, and SCS priorities.
• Track parent engagement, leadership development, and program participation.
• Participate in regular planning meetings and prepare required reports.
Proposed First-Year Goals
• Conduct 50 one-to-one relational meetings with parents and caregivers.
• Identify and develop 10–15 parent leaders.
• Establish a consistent parent leadership group.
• Organize at least 6 parent workshops or learning opportunities.
• Strengthen parent participation in SCS planning and school decision-making.
• Build connections between families and community institutions.
Goals are proposed and subject to adjustment based on school priorities and SCS requirements.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Final position responsibilities and employment arrangements are subject to school and organizational approval.
Sitting, standing, walking, typing, speaking, occasional driving.
• A willingness to learn and teach the skills necessary for effective participation in public life
• Excellent relational skills and the ability to conduct one to one meetings
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Experience in community organizing, parent engagement, education, or community-based work.
• Commitment to parent leadership, educational equity, and collective decision-making.
• Ability to work collaboratively with families, school staff, and community organizations.
• Fluency in Spanish and English strongly preferred
• A respect for and understanding of diverse faith traditions, cultures and languages
• Familiarity with Gage Park and Chicago’s Southwest side preferred.
• Familiarity with Gage Park and Chicago's Southwest Side preferred.
• An ability to work effectively in a multicultural setting
• A willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
• Strong leadership, relationship-building, communication, and facilitation skills.
SWOP is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages women and people of color to apply for this position. It is the policy of The Southwest Organizing Project not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.
