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Sep 6 2019

Nonprofits focused on housing issues find support at the Community Programs Accelerator

To make sure South Side residents have access to stable, affordable housing, UChicago’s Community Programs Accelerator connects housing-focused community-based nonprofits with University resources that help them fulfill their missions and serve their neighborhoods.

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Horizons National Chicago

"The program really helps kids grow, because they’re doing hands-on, project-based learning and they apply what they learn." - Marjorie Turcios

News
Aug 1 2019

Through Polsky Center, South Side entrepreneurs find a place to grow

Entrepreneurs from all over Chicago find support for their big ideas, from concept to launch to growth, at UChicago’s Polsky Center startup hub on 53rd Street. For a small monthly fee, any Chicagoan can join to get access to work space, mentoring, events, and a state-of-the-art fabrication lab.

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Maya Jones

“Four years ago, people talked about restorative justice much less than they do now, so having those conversations and being part of something revolutionary was really exciting to me.”

News
Jul 9 2019

Congratulations to our 2018-19 Community Impact Award Winners

The University of Chicago University Community Service Center (UCSC) hosted its Annual Community Impact Awards and Socially Conscious Social, with an afternoon of fun, networking, and acknowledgement of nine individuals who each deeply affected the civic engagement efforts of our students and our campus.

News
Jul 9 2019

Community Programs Accelerator Accepting Applications Through July 26

The Chicago Crusader reports on the Community Programs Accelerator, an initiative from the Office of the Civic Engagement at the University of Chicago that has been operating since 2014. Applications are now open for the 2020 cycle.

News
Jul 8 2019

UChicago invests in local businesses to help build a stronger community

The University supports local businesses by purchasing directly from local suppliers and setting aggressive local purchasing goals to encourage its vendors to do the same, as well as providing free programs and workshops for business owners to help grow and scale their businesses.

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Jackie Dyess

“UChicago Local opens a door for a company like Inter-City to be more successful and have that success trickle down to our employees."

News
Jul 4 2019

2 sets of twin black girls are CPS valedictorians this year — a ‘powerful example’

Naomi and Nannette Beckley, twin valedictorians from the South Side's Gwendolyn Books College Prep and participants in the Office of Civic Engagement's high school preparation programs, are headed to Yale and Princeton on full scholarships from the Gates Foundation in the fall.

News
Jul 1 2019

South Side organization participates in training to strengthen trauma-informed care at Parkway Gardens

Staff of Future Ties, a nonprofit serving children and youth at Parkway Gardens, participated in a two-day training on trauma-informed care organized by the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement and its Community Programs Accelerator.

News
Jun 29 2019

Community Programs Accelerator accepting applications through July 26

The Community Programs Accelerator at the University of Chicago is now accepting applications for its 2020 program cycle. The Accelerator is an initiative of the Office of Civic Engagement that provides customized capacity-building support to nonprofits based on or directly serving the South Side.

News
Jun 28 2019

Local Change in a Global City: Darius Ballinger (CLA'19) and the Power of Community

With the help of the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy, founder and executive director of Chasing 23 Youth Empowerment Group Darius Ballinger works to build unity and introduce life-skills to Chicago’s young people.