Sparking Change

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Sparking Change

Read the latest stories about how the University of Illinois System is widening doors of opportunities, creating a stronger, more diverse workforce for our state and beyond.

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UIC Neighborhood Center serves as learning hub for new mothers

Oct 2, 2023 9:45 am

An initiative of the UIC Office of Community Collaboration, the center provides pathways for young mothers to learning and programming in the fields of education, economic development, health and the arts.
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UIC undergrad group narrows the digital divide in Pilsen

Sep 11, 2023 10:00 am

Like many other areas on the south and west sides of Chicago, this vibrant, majority-Latino community significantly lags behind the rest of the city when it comes to high-speed internet access.
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Find Food IL Map gives guidance for people experiencing food insecurity

Aug 28, 2023 10:00 am

Illinois Extension's SNAP-Education program saw that existing community food resource maps were fragmented and scattered. The Find Food IL Map aimed to streamline access, whether a person needed free meals or used some sort of benefit.
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Real Impact: Robust collaborations activate diverse vendors' successes

Aug 21, 2023 1:30 pm

The Diverse Supplier Development Program welcomes minority-, woman-, persons with disabilities-, and veteran-owned businesses at no cost to participants. The diversity procurement program lives out the system’s commitment to creating a more inclusive Illinois economy.
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UIUC College of Education students help create 'Accessible CU' website

Aug 14, 2023 10:00 am

"Accessible CU" is a new section on Experience Champaign-Urbana's website that helps users find local businesses that meet their accessibility needs, outlining the physical, sensory, cognitive, and accommodation-ready characteristics of those businesses.
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Allerton preparing for inaugural year of Illinois' first folk school

Aug 7, 2023 2:30 pm

The Farms will offer classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
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Real Impact: Hope Chicago delivers wide welcome to students, families

Jul 17, 2023 11:45 am

For now, the program is available to about 4,000 students at five Chicago high schools – many from historically underrepresented groups – plus one parent or guardian each. Student support covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and a laptop, plus a yearly stipend.
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Real Impact: Research without borders delights Mexican exchange student

Jul 10, 2023 12:45 pm

Students from Mexico studying here, as well as Mexican-American students doing research internships in Mexico, receive educational support and mentoring as part of the new Mexican & Mexican-American Students initiative (I-MMÁS).
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Grainger College of Engineering, others to build tiny homes community in Urbana

Jun 26, 2023 10:00 am

The north Urbana community will be called Hope Village — a place for people who are medically fragile and chronically homeless to live and get the kinds of help they need.
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Changing police culture with stories of wrongful convictions

Jun 14, 2023 11:45 am

The Illinois Innocence Project at the University of Illinois Springfield developed the Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance course at the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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