The Black community has been locked out of the American Dream for generations, as evidenced by black led initiatives being denied funded community development opportunities at city, county, and state levels. We are coming together to proclaim that we understand the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship and intend to hold our system accountable for justice. This movement demands that Chicago, Illinois, and our great United States Don’t Count Us Out.

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research (the Center) is an administrative unit of the Jane Addams College of Social Work. The Center in partnership with Acclivus, Inc and Alliance for Local Service Organizations (ALSO) is looking to lead outreach for hard to count populations through an effort we are calling “AC-COUNT-ability: Don’t Count Us Out.” The mission of the Center is to engage in University-community partnerships which advance knowledge about effective social welfare policies, programs, and services and promote social, racial and economic justice.  AC-COUNT-ability: Don’t Count Us Out signifies a commitment to measurable outcomes.