Opened in 2017, CHICAT is based on a successful model created in Pittsburgh by social entrepreneur and MacArthur Fellow, Bill Strickland. Strickland founded the Manchester Bidwell Corporation, a center dedicated to helping adults-in-transition and youth in underserved communities realize their own genius through arts and technology. CHICAT is a part of the network of Manchester Bidwell’s National Center for Arts & Technology (NCAT).
CHICAT leverages the power at the intersection of art and technology to ignite hope and provide pathways to socio-economic advancement for underserved youth and adults across the city, with a focus on residents from North Lawndale, Little Village, and Pilsen.
A Chicago where all residents have an equitable opportunity to thrive through creativity and high demand 21st century careers.
– Environment shapes behavior
– Every human being is an asset and every life is valuable
– Design thinking solves human problems and expands human possibility
– Being engaged in the broader conversation matters
– Creativity fuels enterprise
CHICAT is a partner site of Nourishing Hope, an organization that provides personalized food distribution service to Chicago neighbors in need. Food distribution from CHICAT takes place on the Second Thursday of each month, with ordering available the Monday before. To order, visit Nourishing Hope Online Market.
