Pro Se Festival Campaign 

Spring / Summer Campaign: “Know Your Rights — Housing Is Self-Defense”

Season: April–September (peak moving season)
Where: Chicago street festivals, neighborhood fairs, community days, campus events, transit-adjacent pop-ups
Format: Interactive booth + short public talks + games + giveaways

Campaign Purpose

Spring and summer are when most Chicagoans are moving, renewing leases, or apartment-hunting—and when housing discrimination most often occurs. Pro Se Assistant meets renters before problems escalate, delivering clear, practical education on housing rights and early documentation.

This campaign turns legal education into an approachable, high-energy public experience—so people stop, learn, and remember.

🎭 Booth Experience (High-Engagement Design)

Visual Hook

• Staff in themed costumes (Chicago icons, “Know Your Rights” characters, or playful “Inspector” looks)
  
  

• Bold signage: “Denied an Apartment? Know Your Rights.”
  
  

• QR codes linking to ProSeAssistant.org resources
  
  

Interactive Elements

• Spin-to-Win Wheel (topics like Credit, Fees, Repairs, Security)
  
  

• Rights Trivia (win small prizes by answering housing-rights questions)
  
  

• Mini-Teach-Ins (3–5 minute talks every hour)
  
  

• Story Board (“What happened to you?” — anonymous, optional)
  
  

Giveaways

• Pocket cards: “Chicago Renter Rights — Quick List”
  
  

• Stickers & buttons with QR codes
  
  

• Flyers with early-action templates (repair, pests, security demand letters)
  
  

• Festival-friendly swag (fans, tote cards, lanyards)
  
  

🗣️ Public Speaking Programming

Short Talks (5–10 minutes)

• “What Landlords Can’t Do in Chicago”
  
  

• “Credit Scores: What’s Legal vs. Discrimination”
  
  

• “Why Application Fees Matter — and When They’re Wrong”
  
  

• “Document Early or Lose Leverage”
  
  

Longer Workshops (20–30 minutes, scheduled)

• Know Your Rights: Apartment Hunting Edition
  
  

• How to Create a Paper Trail That Protects You
  
  

• What to Do Before You’re Forced to Move
  
  

All talks are educational, non-legal-advice, and focused on early intervention.

🎯 Audience

• Renters searching for apartments
  
  

• Lease-renewal households
  
  

• Voucher holders
  
  

• Students & first-time renters
  
  

• Families facing rising rents
  
  

• Workers relocating for seasonal jobs
  
  

📣 Key Messages

• Housing justice is self-defense
  
  

• Document early = leverage later
  
  

• Chicago renters have strong protections
  
  

• Don’t wait until it’s “too late”
  
  

📊 Impact Goals

• Reach 10,000+ renters through festivals and pop-ups
  
  

• Distribute rights materials citywide
  
  

• Drive early documentation before displacement
  
  

• Build awareness that discrimination carries consequences
  
  

🤝 Why This Works

Festivals create low-barrier access to information. Costumes, contests, and giveaways break intimidation around legal topics, while short talks ensure people leave with actionable knowledge they can use immediately.