UChicago Civic Engagement

Home
United States
DeMotte, IN
UChicago Civic Engagement

The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) is UChicago’s gateway to the South Side and the city, connecting the University to our neighbors.

At UChicago, civic engagement is an institution-wide commitment that draws upon our strength as an economic anchor and on the power of education, research, and innovation to create real, lasting impact and opportunity, in Chicago and beyond. Our office works to foster UChicago’s university-wide approach to civic engagement and instill a shared set of values and practices while empowering each inte

rnal unit to build on its own unique strengths in forging community partnerships. We work to inform, support, and advance the community engagement of our faculty, students and staff. Working with community partners, OCE strengthens community organizations and small businesses, improves access to education, and connects residents to jobs —all with the goal of advancing economic and social progress in our neighboring communities and the city as a whole. OCE pursues civic partnerships that begin with shared opportunity, build reciprocity, and result in greater positive impact. OCE has a special focus on nine neighborhoods: Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn. The Office of Civic Engagement leads a suite of programs that directly serve hundreds of Chicagoans each year, with an emphasis on youth, community organizations and small businesses from the South Side. Our programmatic focus areas include: improving college readiness and access, strengthening local communities, supporting student engagement, and expanding economic opportunity.

06/18/2026

It’s an exciting time to be on the South Side - congratulations to our neighbors, the Obama Foundation on the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center!

📸: Jason Smith

06/17/2026

When a sudden decline in South Side resident Jasmine Jones' health left her in the midst of a serious health crisis, specialists at UChicago Medicine stepped in with an extraordinary solution: Illinois' first quadruple-organ transplant of its kind.

Read her story: https://bit.ly/4uMFB32

06/16/2026

Movies on the Midway is back! 🍿✨

From inventive robots and adventurous dragons to the worlds of Zootopia and Oz, there's fun for all ages. We hope you’ll join us Wednesdays beginning July 8.

This year's lineup was chosen with community input, and we're excited to pair each film with free, themed activities led by campus and neighborhood partners.

Activities begin at 7 p.m., movies start at sunset, and admission is free!

RSVP to stay in the loop all summer long with weekly event reminders and weather-related updates: https://bit.ly/movies-rsvp

See the full schedule: https://civicengagement.uchicago.edu/news/movies-on-the-midway2026

06/15/2026

Angelica Hardy has spent years supporting families recovering from gun violence, and she's seen firsthand how difficult it can be for survivors to secure safe housing while they heal.

That challenge became the inspiration for a nonprofit she hopes to launch one day. After graduating from the University of Chicago Crime Lab's Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA), Hardy says she now has the tools and training to help turn that vision into reality.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4vQPwoZ

06/12/2026

As the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open later this month, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts is marking the occasion with a new exhibition.

"Longer Than the Sky: Art of the Obama Years" brings together approximately 30 works by a multigenerational group of artists including Kevin Beasley, Louise Lawler, Glenn Ligon, Kerry James Marshall, Pope.L, and Amanda Williams to explore the intersections of art and politics during the years of the Obama presidency.

Highlighting a range of perspectives, the exhibition traces an overlapping set of social, technological, and aesthetic concerns that shaped the art of this era while situating the work of Chicago-based artists within broader conversations about global contemporary art.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vxuBHs

06/10/2026

When a shift in resident demographics at Maria Shelter in Englewood revealed a growing need for menopause education and support, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine students Janelle Herring and Ashley Russell partnered with shelter staff and residents to develop a health education initiative.

At the shelter’s annual health fair, they shared educational materials, answered residents' questions, and distributed care packages designed to help manage common symptoms.

Since 2022, the Southside Community Health Advocates program has supported more than 20 Pritzker students like Janelle and Ashley in partnering with South Side to address local health priorities.

Read more about the projects: https://bit.ly/4vzQu9b

06/04/2026

Refresh your summer wardrobe while supporting local businesses at the Forever Fly Vintage Market on the Arts Block on Saturday June 6.

Hosted by Arts and Public Life, this community market brings together local collectors, creative entrepreneurs, artists, and vintage vendors for an afternoon celebrating South Side style, culture, and creativity. Stop by to shop and connect with neighbors, plus enjoy live music and local food vendors.

📅 Saturday, June 6 | 12:00pm-6:00pm
📍 L1 Retail Store, 319 E. Garfield Blvd.

06/03/2026

The season opener for UChicago’s Jazz in the Court featuring Meagan McNeal is this Friday June 5. Pick up lunch from a local restaurant and come enjoy one of Hyde Park's favorite summer traditions. Concerts are free and open to all. 🎷🎶

📍 Harper Court – 5235 S. Harper Court, Hyde Park
📅 Friday, June 5 | 12-2:30 p.m.
🔗 https://hpjazz.com/

06/02/2026

New research from UChicago sociology professor, Robert Vargas, found that CPD officers responded faster to 911 calls on Chicago’s South and West Sides after the city’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection system was removed.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4eiGknh

06/01/2026

Congratulations to all the student teams recognized in this year’s John Edwardson, ’72, Social New Venture Challenge, hosted by the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation.

Finalists received funds to help advance their ventures tackling social challenges ranging from human trafficking prevention to affordable housing.

Read more about all of this year’s teams: https://bit.ly/4dRyiAx

Address

Demotte, IN

Telephone

(773) 702-7547

Website

http://civicengagement.uchicago.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UChicago Civic Engagement posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to UChicago Civic Engagement:

Shortcuts

Want your university to be the top-listed University in DeMotte?