Community Outreach

Supporting the South Side

The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion on campus and on the South Side. Through investments in community health, education, business and workforce development, public safety, economic development, and arts and cultural enrichment, OCE is committed to ensuring our neighbors and their communities thrive and realize their full capabilities.

Additionally, OCE works to promote prosperity and equity by hiring community residents, contracting with local businesses, and working with our vendor network to create and expand local employment opportunities. To learn more about the many programs and opportunities that promote diversity and inclusion, visit the Office of Civic Engagement website.

The Student Civic Engagement Center

Each year, thousands of our students work and volunteer in local schools and community organizations in Chicago. The Student Civic Engagement Center, which is housed in the Office of Civic Engagement, offers students a wide range of opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to make an impact in our local community, from volunteering in neighborhood and charter schools to helping register voters and or build capcity in local non-profit organizations. 

Urban Health Initiative

The Urban Health Initiative (UHI) is the University of Chicago Medical Center’s long-term commitment to improving health and access to quality care for the South Side of Chicago through patient care, community-based research, and medical education. UHI is working to establish strong, lasting relationships with civic leaders, community organizations, health care providers, and residents to develop a comprehensive health care system that is rooted in collaboration.

We call Hyde Park Home.

Hyde Park has a strong sense of community and many historical and architectural landmarks. It has been cited as one of the most racially and economically integrated urban communities in the United States. Hyde Park boasts several museums and cultural institutions, a wide variety of cafés and bakeries, and an array of one-of-a-kind shops and independent bookstores. And we will soon have a distinctive new neighbor: the Obama Presidential Center.