He retooled the Young Lords into a militant advocacy and service organization, modeled after the Black Panthers. Based in Chicago, it had chapters nationwide.

The Young Lords, as transformed by Jiménez into an activist organization, found a purpose in particular as the Puerto Rican community was being pushed out of Lincoln Park in the late 60s.

"Cha Cha" Jimenez was the founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition. What started as a street gang in the 1960's, the Young Lords evolved into a human rights organization. Visitation begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday with a public funeral starting at 5 p.m.

In 1968, Jiménez founded the Young Lords Organization at Lincoln Park, one of Chicago's most impoverished neighborhoods. He transformed what was once a Puerto Rican street gang into a political group and community-based organization modeled on and ...

José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a civil rights and liberation movement figure and founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition, died Jan. 10 at 76. His sister, Daisy Rodríguez,

The Young Lords founder, who died Friday, inspired youth from different backgrounds to work together to fight for equality and social justice, family and friends said.

José 'Cha Cha' Jiménez, civil rights activist and founder of the Young Lords Organization, died Friday, Jan. 10. He was 76.

José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a prominent civil rights and liberation movement figure and founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition has died. He was 76.

José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a prominent civil rights and liberation movement figure and founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition has died. He was 76.

José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a prominent civil rights and liberation movement figure and founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition has died. He was 76.

José Cha Cha Jiménez speaks during a protest by the Young Lords and others after the fatal shooting of Manuel Ramos by a police officer in May 1969. Chicago Sun-Times archives Along with several ...

José “Cha Cha” Jiménez, a prominent civil rights and liberation movement figure and founder of the Young Lords in Chicago and co-founder of the Rainbow Coalition has died. He was 76. His sister, Daisy Rodríguez,