THE PROJECT BEGAN IN 1934 AS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES AND FOUNDATIONS AND TO DISBURSE THEM TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR YOUTH WELFARE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION. AS OF 1975, THE ORGANIZATION CONSISTS OF 20 SEPARATE COMMUNITY COMMITTEES OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY THROUGHOUT CHICAGO. THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE PROJECT, AS STATED BY ITS FOUNDER CLIFFORD SHAW, ARE: (1) THE PROBLEM OF DELINQUENCY IN LOW-INCOME AREAS IS LARGELY THE PRODUCT OF THE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE TO WHICH YOUTH ARE EXPOSED; (2) EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY INSOFAR AS CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGES IN COMMUNITY LIFE CAN BE BROUGHT ABOUT; (3) EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION INVOLVES THE REINCORPORATION OF THE OFFENDER INTO SOME SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTIVE GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY; AND (4) IN ANY ENTERPRISE LIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE IN BRINGING ABOUT THESE CHANGES, THE LOCAL RESIDENTS MUST ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFINING OBJECTIVES, FORMULATING POLICIES, FINDING SUPPORT, AND EXERCISING CONTROL OVER ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAMS. THE PROJECT MAKES USE OF INDIGENOUS WORKERS -- LOCAL RESIDENTS AND EX-OFFENDERS WHO POSSESS A KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY AND CAN COMMUNICATE WELL WITH OTHER RESIDENTS AND OFFENDERS. ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT HAVE INCLUDED YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS, ADULT EDUCATION, AND CAMPAIGNS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT. IT HAS ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH COMPETING GROUPS, URBAN RENEWAL, CITY EXPANSION, AND MOBILITY OF RESIDENTS, ALL ACTING TO WEAKEN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROJECT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MOTIVATING UNIFIED COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND ITS METHODS ARE BEING ADOPTED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS NATIIONWIDE.