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Polsky Exchange and Brazier Foundation bring product ideas to life
Partnership gives local residents real-world design experience
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Earlier this year, Daniel Czyz, PhD, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Chicago, realized he needed a product for his research that did not yet exist. For help, he turned to the Polsky Exchange, UChicago’s innovation hub on 53rd Street in Hyde Park, and to Bronzeville resident Maria Maxwell.
Maxwell, who had recently completed training in computer-aided design and robotics through the Bishop Arthur M. Brazier Foundation in Woodlawn in an effort to launch a second career, was serving as a design consultant at the Polsky Exchange. Since last fall, the Brazier Foundation and Polsky's Fab Lab have been partnering to give the foundation’s students real-world design experience while helping to bring the ideas of Polsky Exchange members to life.
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UChicago provides updates, seeks community input on Arts Block plans
On April 19, representatives of Arts + Public Life and the Office of Civic Engagement presented the University's updated plans for a major arts and culture corridor in Washington Park at a community meeting hosted by Third Ward Ald. Pat Dowell. The next step in developing the Arts Block will be building the first phase of Green Line Arts Center in the vacant storefronts east of the CTA Green Line tracks, and transforming a vacant lot into Arts Block Lawn, a public green space and pavilion.
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Police and Fire leadership join UChicago in celebrating scholarship recipients
On April 6, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago joined the University in recognizing the five members of the UChicago Class of 2020 who received Chicago Police and Fire Scholarships. The reception, held at the Logan Center, featured remarks by Physics Professor David Miller, a 2001 Police and Fire Scholarship recipient. The University awards the full-tuition scholarship to children of Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, and University of Chicago Police Department officers who are accepted to the College.
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| Partner Spotlight: Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation
Through games, storytelling, and design thinking, the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation (Ci3) in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Chicago conducts research with and for adolescents. Ci3 aims to empower them to have agency over their bodies and futures as they emerge into adulthood. Ci3 is a research hub that partners across the UChicago campus, the community, the city and the world, as well as a series of creative laboratories.
The Ci3’s newest project aims to reduce HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender women. This project will provide job readiness and employment skills to increase employment.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (the ATN) for HIV/AIDS Interventions, this project explores how employment and job readiness skills can prevent adolescent homelessness, drug use, and migration to other “street economies” associated with increased risk for HIV infection.
This project, entitled Work2Prevent, will work with collaborators from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Boston’s Children Hospital, Illinois University of Chicago (UIC), Department of Psychiatry, Chicago House TransLife Center, and Thresholds: Home-Health-Hope to develop, tailor, and test this new employment intervention program.
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| Community Opportunities
First Thursday Ambassadors: Are you friendly, fun, familiar with Hyde Park, and comfortable approaching/talking to people? Chicago is looking for several event ambassadors with outgoing personalities for Hyde Park's "First Thursday" events, taking place the first Thursday of every month from May through November, from 5-8 p.m. More than 40 businesses on 53rd, 55th, and 57th will be participating with special offers, samples, discounts, and more, and we need ambassadors walking each street passing out event flyers and encouraging people to participate – hours will be approximately 4:30-7:30 p.m. The first event is Thursday, May 4 and needs to be staffed as soon as possible. If you're a good fit for the position, you may be able to work on future events. Pay is $15/hour ($45/event). Must provide a W-9 for payment. Contact Amy Srodon for more information and to apply.
Community Policing Advisory Panel Town Hall: The Chicago Police Department and members of the Community Policing Advisory Panel invite residents to share ideas on the future of the department’s community policing efforts. The last of three Town Hall listening sessions will be held on Tuesday, May 2, at Corliss Early College STEM High School, 821 E. 103rd St., from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is also an online portal for residents to submit input. Feedback received at the Town Halls and through the online portal will be used by the panel to inform recommendations for the Police Department to strengthen community policing efforts.
Purses That Pamper: The UChicago student group the Homeless Food Run, supported by the University Community Service Center (UCSC), is collecting new or gently used purses filled with small useful items. The purses will go to moms living in Maria’s Shelter, Prosperity House, and St. Martin De Porres House of Hope on the South Side of Chicago. These moms care for their children while training for new jobs, pursuing their education, and working hard to escape poverty. Suggested items to fill the purses include travel-size shampoo and conditioner, lotion, body wash or body spray, perfume, slipper socks, miniature boxes of candy, new or used novel, jewelry, and lip balm or lipstick. Please bring filled purses to the UCSC office, 5525 S. Ellis Ave., Suite 160. Deadline: Thursday, May 11.
“All About Energy” Summer STEM Program: “All About Energy” provides high school teens with an opportunity to learn about new advances in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, nuclear, and biofuels, while working with scientists from UChicago and Argonne National Laboratory. Through this six-week program, supported by After School Matters, students explore the different energy needs in Chicago’s neighborhoods, and make recommendations on how to utilize renewable energy to help achieve the city’s emission reduction goals. Students will have the opportunity to share their findings through a research poster presentation at the public “Energy Slam” event. Apply online at After School Matters.
UChicago Medicine Day of Service and Reflection: The University of Chicago Medicine extends a warm welcome to the UChicago community to join in celebrating the 15th Annual Day of Service and Reflection (DOSAR) by volunteering at a South Side neighborhood organization on Saturday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Whether you are a UChicago student, employee, faculty member, alumnus, or community member, we hope you can participate in this exciting annual day of service, learning, and reflection. To register, visit goo.gl/i9Vn1U. For more information contact Cathy Woolfolk at UCSC or Day of Service Intern Sly Yushchyshyn. Deadline to sign up: Tuesday, May 16.
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Attend Arts + Public Life’s free summer program fair to find high-quality arts programs for children and teens. Representatives of arts programs in and/or serving residents of Chicago's South Side neighborhoods will be present to answer questions about their opportunities. The fair is free and open to the public, and no registration is necessary.
Sunday, April 30
1-4 p.m.
Arts Incubator
301 E. Garfield Blvd.
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A month-long celebration of entrepreneurship and discovery around UChicago. With more than 40 events, the fest will explore solutions to big problems, brainstorm ways to scale impact, and connect with leaders in business, science, healthcare, tech, and more. This annual festival is led by UChicago’s top leaders in innovation. Visit innofest.uchicago.edu for a schedule of events.
May 2 - June 1
Various locations
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The 2017 Hyde Park “First Thursday” event season kicks off with 40+ Hyde Park businesses offering discounts, raffles, refreshments, special menu items, and more. This special night runs the first Thursday of every month from May through November. Offers are valid from 5-8 p.m. when you mention "First Thursday."
Thursday, May 4
5-8 p.m.
Various locations on
53rd, 55th, and 57th streets
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| Do you have an event to share with the Office of Civic Engagement? Submit an event
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About us
The University of Chicago is shaped and inspired by the city of Chicago. Our growing partnership with our neighbors has the potential to enhance the quality of life and economic development of the South Side and the global reach of this vibrant city. UChicago has devoted the research and creative thinking of some of the nation’s top scholars, as well as millions of dollars in investment in recent years, to support local schools, jobs, health care, arts, housing, and public safety. Learn more about the University's civic engagement work at civicengagement.uchicago.edu.
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