2009 Finalists
Viewpoints Network
Viewpoints Network is a social technology and media company focused on helping consumers make smarter decisions. Viewpoints specializes in building online communities and motivating “social influencers†to share their experiences by writing reviews, blogs, and how-to guides while also... more
Voting for the 2009 People's Choice Award has been closed! Thanks to everyone! Join us at the Goodman Theatre
i.c.stars training program - civic, business and service leader development
i.c.stars
Many low-income communities face major challenges such as low academic achievement, low graduation rates, massive incarceration, unplanned prisoner reentry, uninsured families, unmet housing needs, and other social challenges. Often residents of these communities are single parents and working poor who are unable to make ends meet or contribute in a meaningful way to the economic development of their communities.
The current situation is part of a vicious cycle that reduces the ambitions and opportunities afforded to each successive generation. In addition, policy responses continue to be informed by individuals from outside the community, who often times exacerbate the lack of opportunities.
i.c.stars mission is to provide opportunities for inner-city young adults to harness the strength of business for social and economic leadership. By integrating business training and leadership development, i.c.stars is shaping the next generation of community leaders.
To break the vicious cycle, our program develops three types of leaders: Civic, Business, and Service Leaders. Civic Leaders engage directly in the policy arena through volunteer participation in local school councils, chambers of commerce, advocacy-focused non profits, and electoral politics. They break the “bad policy” part of the cycle through the ability to organize and mobilize a base of people.
Business Leaders directly create economic opportunities by achieving levels of managerial responsibility where they make hiring decisions and/or own their own businesses that employ community members and break the opportunity gap through the creation of local GDP.
And lastly, Service Leaders focus on developing the ambitions of the youth in our communities through writing, teaching, being role models, and mentoring.
A critical mass of what we call “Level 5 Leaders” within a geographic region creates a force-multiplier that is capable of reversing the vicious cycle. As policy responses become better informed, and as more job opportunities exist, and as ambitions begin to rise, the vicious cycle turns into a virtuous cycle. Change happens only with a coordinated effort that focuses on leadership at every level and across all three areas. Traditional workforce programs that address the basic economic needs of the individual fail impact the system because they only focus on the ambition side of the problem and because they only focus on the individual.
i.c.stars measures leadership by the opportunities each participant makes in their community, either through civic, business, or service leadership actions. The impact of each opportunity is a function of the social, financial, and intellectual capital a leader brings to each situation.
Our strategy is to turn the vicious cycle into a virtuous one. We provide direct service programs that enable individuals to accumulate the social, financial, and intellectual capital necessary for effective leadership and systematic change in our communities.
Make your voice heard
What do you think makes great innovation? Is it design? Creation of new markets? Environmental Impact?
Each year The Chicago Innovation Awards are chosen by a panel of innovation experts. This year you can join them in the first ever Chicago Innovation Peoples Choice Award!
The Peoples Choice Award is brought to you by our sponors
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This year's Silver Sponsor
Discussion
Priscilla TaylorAugust 20th, 2009
Excellent Program.
Julie KingAugust 20th, 2009
Innovation: A program to fill the void where the ideals of career paths and leadership opportunities are not often seen as possibilities. May studies show the idea of having no ability to influence the direction of your own life creates stress and depression.
Gillian DowneyAugust 28th, 2009
This is a program that fills needs at all levels, from program interns to volunteers to corporate sponsors looking to build talent pipelines to the community at large.
Patrick WallaceAugust 28th, 2009
i.c. stars epitomizes the spirit of Chicago. Hard work, education, dedication to community service and a focus on business are the pillars of the organization. i.c. stars' innovation is the convergence of students, educators and business leaders all in one place to promote the advancement of the individual for the benefit of the community.
Bruce MontgomeryAugust 31st, 2009
This is what Innovation is all about, making a difference is peoples lives. Nothing is more important than the development of Human Capital and creating opportunities to unlock the unlimited creative potential that is all too often untapped and under-engaged. i.c. stars is proof positive that when we change our thinking we will change our lives!
Aaron CoxAugust 31st, 2009
Developing leadership skills and refining our professional abilities is a lifelong process and i.c.stars has provided many developing professionals with critical insights and training that has enabled them to succeed.
Evelyn F. AbdelhakSeptember 9th, 2009
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/pages/icstars/128598229493?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/icstarsChicago
Barbara OlsonSeptember 13th, 2009
Congratulations to your founder, staff and Board of Directors for your vision and foresight in making that meaningful difference in the lives of so many young women and men in our communities. Creating hope and future possibilities in their lives is invaluable!
Thank you for the work you already have done and best wishes for what you will do in the future.
David OrmesherSeptember 14th, 2009
i.c.stars is unique in its commitment to both leadership training and workforce development. By combining business, leadership, and technology (the i.c.stars BLT!), they are creating the future... We can all be a part of that!
Martin BrownSeptember 14th, 2009
As an alum of the i.c. stars professional development program, a staff member and now an entrepreneur I can atest to the overall personal growth that this community provides. It's much more than learning a few skillsets that will help to increase your employability. i.c. stars is about realizing that you are capable of anything. Our outstanding network of sponsors, partners, board members and volunteers provide the time, support and guidance that helps to develop leaders.
Camellia BoydSeptember 14th, 2009
After completing an internship at the i.c.stars organization, I gained access I had never seen before. I was in touch with a fantastic network of people with whom I shared common interest. My aspirations and goals whether academic, personal or professional, all came to life. Through the i.c.stars bridge program, I started interning in IT and infrastructure at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Absolutely amazing program.
Delia McLaughlinSeptember 14th, 2009
This program is wonderfully structured - delivers high calibur talent into the world and prepares each and every student to a level that I have not seen in a long time. It is refreshing to see their exuberance, their dedication, committment and above all TALENT! i.c. stars delivers every time!/
Delia Gutierrez McLaughlin
De Juan SmithSeptember 14th, 2009
i.c.stars is a small but yet colossal organization that focuses on instilling leadership qualities, and reinforces the importance of community involement in individuals all the while providing a path that's bound for stardom.
Brandon MooreSeptember 14th, 2009
I am one of the over 140 alum that have joined the ranks of this organization. I received more knowledge and (who would a thunk it) INNOVATIVE wisdom from this experience than four years of college could have provided me.
I am fortunate to be one of the 1000 leaders who will lead the next economic revolution in this country. voting for this organization is a must.
David EdelsteinSeptember 14th, 2009
Spending any amount of time with the ic stars interns is all one needs to appreciate the value of the program. I've hired several of the interns and have spent time with many more. ic stars is an asset to the City.
Nicole DessainSeptember 14th, 2009
Excellent and very professional program - very inspiring leadership. Go, i.c.stars!
Don KinneySeptember 14th, 2009
i.c.Stars is dedicated to not only building IT Leaders but also Community Leaders. It's evident in all of their alumni.
Sandra M. SchwanSeptember 14th, 2009
I have partnered with - and continue to partner with - i.c. stars' stars! A wonderful, inspirational and valuable program and community.
T'wanna M.September 14th, 2009
The Inner-City Computer Stars internship authenticated me as a competitve technology professional. The greatest gift, I am also equipped to practice my passion of philanthropy which goes to the core of the organization's mission-Cycle 7.
Unique WashingtonSeptember 15th, 2009
Two words: Life changing! (As I represent as a current alum) i.c.stars goes far beyond professionalism, technology, business, community and leadership. It has so changed and evolved my life and elevated it several notches and I will never be the same again! I.c.stars embodies deep and core self-assessment, self-worth, accountability of one's self, a professional family that one has never had, exposure, I am and have been made complete through i.c.stars! I stand a voice (one voice with my i.c.stars family) to be heard and never closed again through my professionalism, good ethics, hard work, and a host of qualities to be highlighted. Thank God for i.c.stars! R.I.P. Trinidad (our i.c.stars angel) Cycle 19.
MitchOctober 16th, 2009
icstars also has a lot of networking events that encourage discussion as opposed to just walking around and starting conversations. While I attend many various Networking events, I have never made as many valuable connections as I have at icstars functions.
Kenneth SpellerNovember 5th, 2009
icstars is a transformative organization, with a magnificent vision, dedicated to helping young women and men actualize their dreams of making a strong contribution to the world around them. icstars changes lives.
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