Community Engagement and Public Service Activities

The DePaul Leading and Learning Project is a significant educational initiative focused on mentoring and coaching new K-12 school principals across Illinois. This program is designed to cultivate excellence in educational leadership, providing tailored support to empower emerging leaders. By offering targeted mentorship, the project contributes not only to the individual growth of principals but also to the overall enhancement of the educational experience in schools statewide. The initiative reflects DePaul University's commitment to advancing education through thoughtful leadership development.

This winter season, DePaul Athletics has partnered with Cradles to Crayons for a "Gear Up for Winter" initiative. DePaul will be collecting gently used winter coats, clothing and boots at the Dec. 10 men's basketball game vs. UTEP and the Dec. 18 women's basketball game vs. Georgetown.
 
Boxes will be available at the exterior entrance of Wintrust Arena for fans to donate their gently used items. A box will also be available in the lobby of Sullivan Athletic Center beginning Tuesday, Dec. 6 through Dec. 18 for those in the Lincoln Park community. For those unable to donate in person, Cradles to Crayons also has an Amazon Wish List located here.
 
Items to Donate

• New and Gently-Used Winter Coats (Sizes Newborn to Adult Medium)
• New and Gently-Used Warm Winter Clothing (Sizes Newborn to Adult Medium)
• New and Gently-Used Winter Boots (Sizes 5 infant/toddler to Adult 10)
• New and Gently-Used Hats, Gloves and Scarves

 
Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that provides resources to homeless and low-income children.  The organizations Gear Up for Winter initiative will serve more than 50,000 children in the Chicago community.

During the 2024 all-staff day, we conducted a morning session for the entire Chicago Public Library staff, introducing them to the core concepts of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). The session encompassed internal administrative discussions alongside an introduction to ABCD principles.

Grade-level interactive activities focused on fine and gross motor skills and student engagement.

Pangea Educational Development in Chicago provides a transformative platform for student volunteers to make an impact on local communities. Through their volunteer activities, scholars at Pangea are equipped with the tools and guidance to contribute meaningfully to educational initiatives. The CS scholars assisted the staff in web development and social media. Their dedication to fostering positive change has not only enriched the lives of those they serve but has also cultivated a strong sense of purpose and social responsibility. 

In a collaborative effort, DePaul students have partnered with the Goldin Institute, contributing their coding expertise for transformation and analyzing interviews. This dynamic synergy enhances technology and distills insights, exemplifying academia's real-world impact.

DePaul students took the initiative to author comprehensive community needs assessments for the Legal Assistance Foundation. Through diligent research and engagement, these students identified and analyzed the vital legal requirements within the community, contributing valuable insights to guide the foundation's efforts in providing targeted and effective assistance.