How You Can Help
Contact Bart Schultz at 773-834-3929 or rschultz@uchicago.edu
The Civic Knowledge Project enjoys a wide base of support from funders both inside and outside of the University. Our work has been made possible by generous gifts from private donors, from such foundations as the Chicago Community Trust and the Joyce Foundation, and from the University's Division of the Humanities, Office of the Provost, Women's Board and Darfur Fund. If you are interested in helping our fundraising efforts, please contact the Director, Bart Schultz, directly at 773-834-3929 ext.1 or rschultz@uchicago.edu , to insure that we work within the guidelines of University policy.
But the Civic Knowledge Project is committed to the idea that everyone can make a difference, and that there is work for all when it comes to improving the quality of life in our southside communities. We welcome the efforts of individuals and organizations interested in getting involved with our programs or bringing our programs to their neighborhoods, schools, community centers, parks, and so forth. Whether you are part of the University community or part of the larger southside community that hosts the University, please do not hesitate to contact us with your ideas. Our work is to work with you to extend the boundaries of civic friendship so important to all of us. What follows is but a partial list of some of the opportunities we offer. We are always willing to add to the list!
Some Volunteer Opportunities
Partnering for a Sustainable Chicago:
Connect with members of our Sustainability Partners network and help them grow. Help kids and parents get together and get outside for engaging and educational activities that foster a sense of community and caring. Whether it is helping with a community garden, a public park, a tree planting event, a bicycling tour of our urban ecology, or a BioBlitz, working to green and beautify our neighborhoods is both fun and rewarding To volunteer, contact Nalika Vasudevan at nvasudevan@uchicago.edu
Winning Words: Verbal Arts for Democratic Practice:
Help local middle school students by volunteering to work in our afterschool program, "Winning Words: Verbal Arts for Democratic Practice." You can learn how to coach younger students in such humanities related rhetorical arts as debate, public speaking, and acting. Help train a new generation of "Great Debaters." To volunteer, contact Hannah Jacoby at hwjacoby@uchicago.edu or Race Wright at rwright@uchicago.edu
Odyssey Project/Adult Education:
Opportunities are available to be a one-time, semester or yearlong writing/reading/homework tutor. Tutors can work with students during their evening classes at the Donoghue Charter School, or arrangements can be made to meet at a mutually convenient location during early evening hours. You will help students hone their writing and analytical skills for class assignments, and help them develop their artistic potential. To volunteer, contact Erika Dudley at edudley@uchicago.edu
Southside Arts and Humanities Network (formerly Enhancing Assets):
This program hosts annual networking meetings and workshops to enhance the relationships among community arts and humanities organizations and to promote professional development. University faculty and staff are often invited to lead workshops on such topics as business, technology, law, publicity and advertising, grants, constructing humanities courses and programs, or other topics relevant to successfully running small community organizations and businesses in the arts and humanities. To volunteer, contact Joanie Friedman at joaniefriedman@uchicago.edu
Paid Opportunities
Odyssey Project:
The CKP is always looking for new faculty interested in teaching literature, philosophy, art history, or American history in English or in Spanish. Classes are held either in Pilsen or North Kenwood.
Coordinatorships and Internships:
The CKP has a number of student coordinatorships and internships available each year to college and graduate students in all schools and divisions. However, preference is given to students in the Division of the Humanities.
For more information, contact Bart Schultz at rschultz@uchicago.edu
In Addition
Visiting Scholars
The CKP is also privileged to be able to offer arrangements for designated Visiting Scholars with a special interest in our work.
For more information, contact Bart Schultz at rschultz@uchicago.edu
And Finally
We warmly welcome your efforts to help spread the word about our work! Please do tell people about the CKP and encourage them to check out our website.