Community Partners
At DePaul, we learn in partnership and by taking action with Chicagoland communities and community-based organizations. Our students and faculty join with organizations in teaching and research. We also learn from the leadership and innovations of Chicago communities and organizations in the areas of environmental action, sustainable workplaces and communities, and social and environmental justice.
Members of the DePaul community and those who want to connect with community-based organizations can reach out to the Steans Center for Community-Based Service Learning. Community organizations who seek university partners can contact the Steans Center or our other community-engaged initiatives, including the Center for Community Health Equity, HumanitiesX, and the Student Urban Research Corps.
Featured Teaching Partner: Friends of the Chicago River
For 44 years, Friends of the Chicago River has been devoted to improving the ecological health of the Chicago River system for us humans, plants, and animal life. Friends has an outreach, educational, and engagement mission, and is a great partner for faculty looking to engage students in science, Chicago’s natural spaces (they give great group tours of the river by kayak!) or environmental advocacy.
In Spring 2023, Friends partnered with Profs. Steve Harp (Art) and Miles Harvey (English) in a course called “Rivers of Life: Documenting Chicago’s South Side and its Waterways in Words and Images.”
Featured Project Partner: NeighborSpace
NeighborSpace is the only nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that preserves and sustains gardens on behalf of dedicated community groups.
NeighborSpace has worked extensively with Howard Rosing to evaluate a pilot composting program that could improve food access in the city.
Engage with Chicagoland’s Sustainability Community
If you are a faculty or staff member looking for a sustainability-focused organization to connect with in your teaching or research, reach out to the Steans Center. You can also visit the Collaboratory, DePaul’s online database of community engagement, and review activities, community organizations, faculty and staff, and courses related to sustainability.
Students, volunteer your time and talents on Vincentian Service Day, or any day!
Here are just a few of our community partners working on sustainability…
