Chicago Area Project
Dates
- Existence: 1934 (date of establishment)
Biography
The Chicago Area Project (CAP) was founded in the 1930's by Clifford Shaw, a University of Chicago sociologist, who believed every neighborhood could reduce juvenile delinquency by improving community life. Shaw’s approach was to rally the parents to establish the Russell Square Community Committee. Shaw's objective was to lessen the attraction of delinquency for gang youth. Besides approaching youth - and encouraging families to take a leadership role in the community committees - Shaw also embarked on an even more controversial path. He began involving some of the "unsavory" elements of the community in neighborhood plans and the decision-making process. Recognizing that the "bad elements" of a community often wielded power and could not be simply avoided, Shaw actually solicited their support and utilized their power and strength to meet the community’s needs.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Chicago Area Project records, 1932-1937.
The Chicago Area Project (CAP) was founded in the 1930's by Clifford Shaw, a University of Chicago sociologist, who believed every neighborhood could reduce juvenile delinquency by improving community life. This collection contains the records from the first decade of CAP's operation and includes financial records, field reports, and correspondence.