Community Builders, Chicago (CBC) is a group of community activists engaged in facilitating the social and economic development of the Muslim community in Chicago. The group has been in existence since 2003. There are presently three chapters. CB North meets on the first Friday of each month from 7pm-10pm. In the Holiday Inn Northshore, 5300 W. Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL. CB West meets on the third Friday of each month from 7pm-9.00pm.at One Trans Am Plaza Drive, Conference Room of Batuta Inc. Oakbrook Terrace, IL. CB Bolingbrook meets on the fourth Friday of each month at the Hampton Inn, Bolingbrook. All three chapter meetings offer dinner (optional) for a fee but the meetings are free and open to the public.
We believe that in order to promote our interests in America we need to establish more than Mosques and Islamic Schools in our communities. We feel that there is a need to establish institutions that will serve the social, political and economic needs of our community as well. Such institutions could be in the area of health care, business, finance, social welfare, media, public policy, philanthropy, etc.
Thus far Community Builders is facilitating the growth of five independent programs in the community: These are the following:
Compassionate Care Network, providing affordable health care alternatives for the uninsured, www.ccnchicago.com
Sabeel Food Pantry, providing free food distribution to the needy in Chicago's west side, www.sabeelpantry.org
Chicago Muslim Yellow Pages, connecting Muslims with Muslim businesses, www.chicagomuslimyellowpages.com
MCC Food Pantry, providing free food packages to the needy in Chicago's north side, www.mccchicago.org
MCC Senior Group providing educational and recreational programs for people 50 and above, www.mccchicago.org
We realize that in order to strengthen the economic condition of our community it is important to improve its educational standard. This applies to every level of the community, stretching from the young to the old and includes not only formal school and college based education but also a wider availability of community learning through educational workshops and open forums. Throughout the year CBC organizes Forums and Workshops on topics of community interest and need.
Our goal is to improve the condition of our community and also of the society we live in. We believe this can be best accomplished through first, an in depth discussion and understanding of the problems facing us, next, seeking options in the light of the guidance in the Quran and the Sunna (the words and deeds of the Prophet,pbuh) and finally providing solutions through the many talents and resources we have within our community itself.
We utilize several modes of communication including open forums, workshops, panel discussions as well as radio, print and electronic media to explore ideas, share experiences and establish programs for the common good. Empowering people through education and networking remains our mission.
