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Operation PUSH
People United to Serve Humanity
930 East 50th Street
Chicago, IL 60615
(312) FREEDOM

[[image]]
[[caption]] Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, President [[/caption]]

[[image - street demonstration]]

Operation PUSH and the PUSH for Excellence:
Serving All Ages, in All Walks of Life...

Operation PUSH, People United to Serve Humanity, was founded by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson and seventy prominent black board member from a wide variety of professions on Christmas Day, 1971. At its premise, was the creation of a national and international human rights organization and movement with a civil-economic thrust directed toward equity and parity for all. Operation PUSH and much of its programming is deeply rooted in the experience of Operation Breadbasket, the economic arm of the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), which was founded by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Operation PUSH's National Headquarters -- Dr. King's Workshop -- are located in Chicago, Illinois. PUSH is a nationwide open membership organization: anyone who concurs with its fundamental objectives and wishes to participate in implementing its program is eligible to become a member.

The overall PUSH program focuses on creating an ethical atmosphere, self- and community-motivation and social responsibility. This is done in recognition of the need to overcome the atmophere of mediocrity, cultural decadence and dependency too often obstructing the objectives of the human rights movement. People with deep human concern must raise the moral issues of today and struggle uncompromisingly for educational, social, economic and political justice for all along with a rebuilding of this nation's moral fiber.

In tune with the thrust of Operation PUSH, is the PUSH for Excellence philosophy at work in high schools across the nation.

PUSH for Excellence is just that -- it is a motivational push given to students in an effort to raise achievement levels both in and outside of the classroom through a change in their attitude.

Where Will Your Contribution Go?
The national headquarters of PUSH and PUSH for Excellence employ approximately 60 individuals, full-time. Through their combined efforts, tens of thousands of persons are helped each year. Either in labor, housing, employment, education or other opportunity related areas, PUSH is an active force in achieving equity, parity justice and peace among peoples throughout the world.

[[image: Rev. Jackson at a lectern]]
[[caption]] Operation PUSH and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were instrumental in ending the Chicago firefighters' strike through countless meetings with firefighters, union leaders and city officials. [[/caption]]

PUSH's Labor Component

Under the direction of Mrs. Lynette Lewis, the PUSH Labor Department continues to assist in multiple labor related programs

This past year the department and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were instrumental in reconciling opposing sides in the Chicago firefighters' strike, the CTA workers' strike, the Correctional Officers' strike and the costly, in terms of students' education, Chicago teachers' strike.

Labor at PUSH has been extremely successful in the area of employment. Through the department's Job Bank, hundred have found employment at a varity of professional, skilled and unskilled levels.

In the realm of mounting youth unemployment (as high as 60 percent in some urban areas), PUSH and PUSH for Excellence were effective in obtaining and helping to administer funds from the U.S.Department of Labor--a move which provides hundreds of young people with meaningful work experience.

PUSH and PUSH for Excellence's Educational Concerns

The aims of PUSH for Excellence program have already been mentioned. Some of the auxiliary services of the PUSH and PUSH for Excellence presence include: Aiding in the selection of the recipient of the 1980 Jackie Robinson Memorial scholarship of $10,000: sending over 100 students on a tour of black colleges throughout the South and making 100 possible the enrollment of many through financial aid programs: a Saturday School to build upon the math and science skills of elementary students; an Alternative School network during the Chicago teachers' strike which aided over 4,000 students throughout the city in maintaining their educational progress: talent shows; discussion groups where students interface with community and national leaders on a one-to-one basis -- plus many more. All are designed to make excellence the goal and rewards of those willing to put forth the effort.

Nearly 17,000 participated in the May 17, 1980 march on Washington for "Jobs, Peace and Justic." The intent of the march was to focus attention on the plight of millions who are without jobs, and without educational opportunities tantamount to the creation of a productive work force.

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