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 In profile this month is the Monsignor John J. Egan Urban Center (EUC) at DePaul University, which is dedicated to the research, development, delivery, and transfer of innovative education-based programs and services that have a significant social impact. Established in 1995, EUC works closely with DePaul faculty members and community organizations to develop educational opportunities that draw upon the expertise of both through classes, community-based service learning projects, conferences, lectures, and special events.
Recognizing that knowledge flows two ways between academia and the community EUC actively seeks to form partnerships with community-based organizations to enable scholars and students to develop relevant knowledge by working directly on a variety of practical, community-serving projects. The community and the University interact through programs and projects conducted both on and off campus.
Egan Center staff members enjoy a variety of relationships with faculty and other scholars at DePaul, as well as other academic institutions throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The Center is directed by Dr. Michael Bennett, who also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at DePaul University.
EUC draws on its dual knowledge of ongoing community efforts and faculty interests to structure successful faculty involvement in the community through program evaluations and action research, as well as by serving as Community Scholars. Additionally, the Center provides DePaul faculty with opportunities to engage in dialogue and share their work with students and other faculty, in addition to the broader community.
DePaul Universitys Office of Community-based Service Learning, which identifies opportunities for students to work alongside residents in the community on mutually beneficial projects, evolved from a concept developed by EUC. Through the Office, students earn credit for relevant, topical community service, while integrating their community learning with classroom instruction. EUC also brokers opportunities for students to expand their service learning experience through internships and volunteer or paid work on community projects. In addition, EUC arranges opportunities for students to work and learn as graduate assistants on external evaluation and qualitative research initiatives.
By modeling DePaul Universitys faith-based values of community service, the Egan Urban Center has helped usher in a new era of partnership among neighborhoods and DePaul faculty and students, offering focus and synergy for their work. For those less active previously, "The EUC Way" building bridges between the university and its community and region has provided support and context to facilitate their involvement and improve research effectiveness. Some programs of the Egan Urban Center include the following:
- Neighborhood Partnerships/Humboldt Park Alliance. The Egan Urban Center has targeted its neighborhood partnership efforts on the people and organizations of the greater Humboldt Park neighborhood, with which DePaul University has a historic relationship. EUCs hands-on, "real world" partnerships bring together diverse university participants and local residents and stakeholders.
- West Humboldt Park Community Technology Centers (WHPCTC) Project. The WHPCTC Project seeks to expand the capacity of existing technology centers to serve more Humboldt Park residents, create a community-centered database, and increase community access to computer technology. The project also enhances community capacity by offering leadership training in computer applications, systems support and assistance to community residents seeking jobs in technology-related industries.
- Community-Based Development. Funded by the Ford Foundation, EUC has brought together experts and leaders in community organizing, development banking, international community development, race relations, entrepreneurship, community-based service delivery and housing, and faith-based and rural economic development to review the research and history of community development policies and practices and brainstorm future strategies.
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- Faith-Based Community Economic Development. EUC offers educational programs, workshops and seminars as well as technical assistance to community partners, program collaborators and other institutions that train and educate faith-based community development leadership. To this work EUC contributes an understanding of (1) the historic role of churches in communities of color and their value as permanent institutions capable of catalyzing voluntary action and earning community trust; (2) the capacity for faith and spirit to help community members accomplish personal transformation in the context of development; and (3) the organic link between faith and commitment to justice.
For more information on the Egan Urban Center please visit http://www.depaul.edu/~egan/, or contact Linda Levendusky via e-mail at or by telephone at .
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