Our History
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2022
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ToP trainings begin to reopen in in-person settings little by little as a myriad of trainings and virtual settings thrive alongside
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2020
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In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, ICA-USA and its ToP trainers adapted to an exclusively virtual environment where The Methods were preserved and delivered according to Global and immediate-community needs.
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2018
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ICA-USA launches new website.
Technology of Participation (ToP) facilitation courses move to a new pricing system where course fees are tiered depending on the participant’s organization type, making ToP training more accessible to students, small nonprofits, and community groups. Conversations on Social Justice series spotlights immigration, housing, and equitable development. |
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2017
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Out and About Uptown’s Coast series begins.
Uptown’s Coastal Zone community planning process funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Coastal Management Program. "MY SOUL CRIES OUT: STOP!" special performance at ICA GreenRise. ICA GreenRise recognized as a member of the Retrofit Chicago Mayor’s Leadership Circle for Outstanding Energy Efficiency Achievement. ISEIF Toolkit Published. Accelerate Climate Action Network launches: ToP Network and ICA organize events in seven cities as part of a national collaboration to accelerate climate action and celebrate Town Meetings ‘76. ICAI launches Aids-Free Community Toolbox. 54 ICA colleagues celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the International Human Development Projects (HDPs). |
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2016
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ICA hosts the Midwest site of the Integrated Network for Social Sustainability (INSS) Conference; showcases CSLN.
ICAs regional conferences: East Africa, West Africa, Europe, Asia/Australia, N/S America Stone Soup Cooperative moves into ICA GreenRise into an eco-friendly renovated space. |
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2015
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Ted Wysocki becomes new CEO.
ICA and CSLN awarded ISEIF grant for smart grid education. CSLN holds first city roundtable with Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Chicago. Faith and Sustainability forum brings over 85 participants from communities across the Chicagoland area to the ICA GreenRise. ICA wins the Illinois Financing Roundtable Excellence Award from Council of Development Finance Agencies, as well as Partner of the Year from Public Allies Chicago. Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC Chicago) launches its Chicago Plans workshop series, and partners with ICA to co-design and lead the training workshops. East & South Africa ICAs regional conference. |
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2014
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ICA Sustainable September and Solar Launch: 'GreenRise Goes Live,' includes over 30 Uptown organizations, local food trucks, and the showcases our 485 panel solar installation; the second largest in Chicago.
Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network debuts at GreenTown conference. Is It Just Space? Event at ICA GreenRise. |
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2013
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ICA’s building at 4750 N. Sheridan is renamed as the "ICA GreenRise Building” and is invited to join the City’s "Chicago Retrofit Commercial Buildings Initiative” and, in a separate action, gains official Landmark Status. A major solar energy project is undertaken to self-generate 18% of the building’s electrical use.
Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network (CSLN) is launched in October 2013 by ICA as part of the accelerate77 project. CSLN is a key strategy to bring community leaders together to work collaboratively on a wide variety of sustainability and justice issues. The Future of Chicago’s Energy: Building Community Energy Strategies bridges the gap in dialogue between grassroots community based organizations, resource providers, and policy makers. |
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2012
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ICA serves as the "organizing sponsor” of the Accelerate77 program to identify and connect local community sustainability initiatives in all 77 community areas of Chicago. A city-wide "Share Fair” occurs at Truman College in September showcasing over 100 organizations with more than 400 attending.
240 students from five major Chicago universities are engaged in action-research for the Accelerate77 program throughout the year. Forty interns participate in the Summer Internship Program for ten weeks. ICA celebrates its 50th Anniversary with 50 events in 50 cities. |
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2011
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"Developing Leaders in a Time of Transition” is launched as an intensive 3-week program of holistic learning whereby students earn 3 hours of academic credit with participating universities. The course combines analysis of systemic issues of a just and equitable society with civic engagement through service learning work in Chicago neighborhoods.
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2010
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ICA co-sponsors the first of three annual conferences with Oklahoma City University on the themes of "Peace, Poverty, and Planet Earth.”
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2009
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ICA designed and oversaw approaches for citizen participation for the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, during the "Neighborhood Planning Process” in the aftermath of the devastating flood of 2008.
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2008
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Staff and colleagues attend ICAI 7th Global Conference on Human Development:Unlocking the Potential to Create a New World Togetherin Takayama, Japan.
ICA-USA holds Persistence of Poverty Workshops in Chicago, IL, Troy, NY, and Sausalito, CA. Poverty Conversation workshop held in Washington D.C. |
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2007
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The Living Legacy Event held at ICA-USA's Chicago headquarters honoring staff, associates and faculty and celebrating ICA-USA's 35 year history.
ICA-USA hosts a Think Tank Event to develop strategic plan for the future of ICA-USA. |
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2006
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ICA-USA restructures closing regional offices around the country.
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2005
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ICA-USA hires its first Chief Executive.
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2003
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ICA-USA marks its 30th anniversary with celebrations in 10 cities and a Celebration Symposium in Chicago.
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2001
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ICA-USA launched a 2 year Capacity Building Campaign for $300,000.
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2000
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ICA-USA hosts the ICA International ConferenceThe Millennium Connectionin Denver.
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1996
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ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference on The Rise of Civil Society in the 21st Century in Cairo, Egypt.
Publication of ICA-USA's first CD-ROM version of its archival resources and research. |
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1995
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First International ToP® Training of Trainers program for thirteen countries held in the U.S.A.
Technology of Participation (ToP®) registered as ICA trademark. |
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1994
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ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International's Conference in India.
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1993
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ICA-USA starts a National Partnership program to develop the Field of Community Youth Development.
USA/Mexico Border Neighborhoods Programs begin. |
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1985-93
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ICA-USA publishes books on successful rural development, facilitation methods and case studies of business transformation and effective local government.
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1992
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ICA-USA launches a partnership program with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes and the Arizona Leadership Academy.
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference in Czechoslovakia. |
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1991
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ToP® Trainers Network formed.
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1990
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ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference in Taiwan.
International Association of Facilitators formed by former ICA-USA staff members and others. |
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1989
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Spanish language and Native American programs begin in the U.S.A.
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1988
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ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference on Our Common Futureheld in Mexico.
Earthwise Learning Series begins. |
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1984-88
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ICA-USA reorganizes their international development projects; from those projects 32 autonomous national ICAs are created around the globe.
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1986
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Technology of Participation (ToP®) Training Program series begins in USA.
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference held in Spain. |
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1985
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Food For All Partnership begins in the U.S.A.
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1982-85
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ICA-USA and United Nations organizations co-sponsor Fifty-five nation International Exposition of Rural Development, with a Plenary Conference held in India in 1984.
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1977
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ICA-USA International formed in Belgium and Secretariat established.
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1976
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First Village Development Replication Plan initiated in India, followed by other nations.
Eight-week Human Development Training Institutes begin around the world. |
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1976-77
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ICA-USA holds over 5,000 Town Meeting 76 local community planning forums as part of the USA Bicentennial Celebration, with at least one in every county of the United States.
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1975
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ICA-USA launches 24 Human Development Projects, one in each global time zone.
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1973
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ICA-USA incorporates as separate entity from the Ecumenical Institute.
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1972
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Strategic Planning seminars for the business community are held in the U.S. and around the world.
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1971
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First of a series of annual Global Research Assemblies begins.
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1969
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First International Training Institute is held in Singapore.
ICA-USA opens its first international and national offices outside Chicago, IL. |
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1968
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The Institute's intensive 13-week training program, The Academy, begins in Chicago.
First Rite of Passage program held for children of Institute staff. |
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1963
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The first community development project, Fifth City, begins locally in the neighborhood surrounding the Ecumenical Institute.
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1962
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The Ecumenical Institute, the founding organization of ICA-USA, establishes operations on Chicago's West Side.
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