| Located on the south side of Chicago, the Woodlawn community is just 8 miles from the city's commercially driven downtown area. Despite this close proximity, the community has experienced drastic economic and population declines in the past 20 years, and residents are now facing myriad problems, including high unemployment, inadequate housing, low academic achievement, and poverty.
To increase economic stability for both the residents and businesses in the area, the University of Chicago will implement its Woodlawn Community Partnership Program as part of its strategy to redevelop the area into a mixed-income community. By reaching out to community organizations and residents, the program will identify gaps in service, provide technical assistance that builds upon the community's infrastructure, integrate services, improve educational opportunities, and facilitate positive community interaction. In particular, the program will focus its efforts in three distinct areas: social service and educational support, the identification and treatment of asthma, and public safety.
With its long history of serving its community as a major academic and health institution, the University of Chicago has solid working partnerships with various state and local organizations and agencies, including the Chicago Housing Authority, the South East Chicago Commission, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. In addition to the central administration of the university, the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, the University Medical Center, and its Community Service Center will participate in this effort.
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