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Summer 2021 Retreat Applications are now open!
The CDYR Leadership cohort is a year-long cohort, starting with the summer leadership retreat, for youth ages 15 – 21 who trace their heritage to South Asia and the diaspora, and who want to grow as leaders and changemakers. Participants learn about how systems of oppression shape our world; develop belonging, community, and solidarity across diverse and intersectional desi identities; and build the technical knowledge and skills needed to create social change, such as critical thinking, communication, leadership, advocacy, and community organizing skills. Apply here
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please share the link with anyone you think may be interested! Contact us at chicagodesiyouthrising@gmail.com
CDYR is hiring a paid, part-time contractor to support the volunteer collective by overseeing and executing administrative and logistical tasks. This individual will work closely with the collective members and be responsible for short- and long-term tasks and projects related to CDYR’s programming and general operations.
Please note, this is a grant-funded, one-year position with the possibility for extension of contract dependent on funding.
Apply here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IFwkfEuP0GQM977bHWgpY-lej6ghqSEWi6N6m7sUYcg/edit?ts=6057e02b
CDYR is fundraising to provide financial support to South Asian community members in the Devon/West Ridge area affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and donate here.
Applications to join Chicago Desi Youth Rising’s 2020-2021 Cohort have been extended to May 15! Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CDYR’s annual 2020 summer retreat will not follow its usual, overnight structure. This year’s cohort will participate in alternative programming over the August 8-9 weekend, and the rest of our year-round mobilization programming will continue as planned for now. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/CDYR2020.
Applications to join Chicago Desi Youth Rising’s 2020 Cohort are now open! The CDYR cohort participates in an annual summer youth leadership retreat, and then has the opportunity to receive funding to organize community projects of their choice. This year’s summer retreat will take place August 6-9, location TBA. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/CDYR2020. Applications are due Sunday, March 29th!
Chicago Desi Youth Rising invites you to join us for our community picnic to share a meal and raise funds for our 2019 retreat. Learn more here.
The application deadline for Chicago Desi Youth Rising’s 2019 summer leadership retreat has been extended! The application is now due on Sunday, April 14th. Please share the application widely with your networks! For more information please visit our website or email us at chicagodesiyouthrising@gmail.com.
As we gear up for our 2019 summer leadership retreat, we reflect on how powerful last year’s retreat and this past year have been. After the 2018 summer leadership retreat, CDYR entered the first year of our new year-round mobilization model, where participants from the retreat were able to come back together after the summer to put the things they learned into action, and continue to build sustaining relationships. After the retreat, the 2018 participants reconvened with the CDYR collective over the year and did a grassroots issue choosing to identify key campaigns for CDYR to build and support together, partnered with Indo-American Center and South Asian American Policy & Research Institute to phone bank South Asian voters, had a teach-in with #NoCopAcademy, and canvassed Uptown residents to pressure Alderman James Cappleman to delay the #NoCopAcademy zoning vote.
We are excited to welcome another cohort of retreat participants this summer to learn, grow, build community, and mobilize with at the retreat and beyond. Please share this opportunity with your communities!
Chicago Desi Youth Rising is now accepting applications for our 2019 summer leadership retreat!
This year’s retreat will be August 9-11 at the University of Chicago. Please share the application widely with your networks! Application deadline is March 31st. 
Read a recap of our 2018 summer retreat here!
