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A GUIDE TO
COMMUNITY SERVICE
RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
2014-2015

What is a CSRSO?
Community Service Recognized Student Organizations (CSRSOs) provide opportunities for students at the
University of Chicago to engage in experiential learning and service through a variety of community service
projects and programs. With over 65 active CSRSOs, there is a project or program for everyone.

CSRSOs are self-governing, mission-based organizations that usually have strong ties to community
partners. Most organizations focus on a variety of topics with the overall aim of enacting social change –
organizations achieve this through collaborative volunteering, activism, and direct service. The focus of
these organizations is to engage the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Chicago campus and the
city of Chicago at large.

If you are interested in participating in or partnering with any of the organizations below, please contact the
organization representative.

For more information on CSRSOs and other UCSC programs please visit: ucsc.uchicago.edu

Important Contact Information:

Nick Currie, Community Service Advisor

ncurrie@uchicago.edu

Yen-Li Thompson, CSRSO Intern

csrso.ucsc@gmail.com

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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CSRSO Directory
2014-2015
Last updated: November 21, 2014

Categories

ADVOCACY ...................................................................................................... 3
ARTS................................................................................................................. 5
EDUCATION ..................................................................................................... 6
GLOBAL ......................................................................................................... 10
HEALTH .......................................................................................................... 11
URBAN DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................... 15

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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ADVOCACY
Axis UChicago (UChicago Alliance for All Abilities)
AXIS is a Community Service RSO (CSRSO) at the University of Chicago dedicated to raising
awareness about dis/ability and changing the way dis/ability is perceived. Through workshops,
discussion, events, and a Student Volunteer Program, AXIS hopes to create a university community
aware of and engaging with people of all abilities both on campus and in the greater Chicago area.

Contact Alita Carbone at alitacarbone@uchicago.edu

Commuknity
An organization devoted to knitting, crocheting, and crafting with an emphasis on community service.
We teach, hold quarterly fundraisers for local charities, go on trips to Chicago yarn stores, and meet
weekly to knit/crochet together.

Contact Louis Levin at louisdlevin@uchicago.edu

Paws UChicago
Paws is geared towards getting students to volunteer hands-on at local animal shelters and partner with
community groups to raise awareness on campus about how to get involved. Visit them at
paws.uchicago.edu

Contact Maya Goldman at mrosegoldman@uchicago.edu

Southside Solidarity Network (SSN)

Southside Solidarity Network aims to create a vehicle through which University students can make a
substantive connection with the surrounding communities of Hyde Park and Woodlawn through projects
that include, but are not limited to, advocacy, community service, and community organizing. It also
aims to have a group in which individual research on local political, socio-cultural, and economic issues
can enter into collective dialogue and which is dedicated to disseminating this knowledge to a wider
University and community audience. Visit them at their website at southsidesolidary.org

Contact Emma LaBounty at elabounty@uchicago.edu

Students for Correctional Reform Now (SCoRN)

The purpose of this organization is to acquaint students with the problems of the United States
correctional system through colloquia and lectures featuring experts in the field and to establish a forum
of student voices to foster discussion and awareness of pertinent issues.

Contact Julianna Estall at jestall@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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ARTS

ArtShould
ArtShould promotes art on campus and in Hyde Park by mentoring youth in Chicago Public Schools
through afterschool programs and by hosting workshops and events on campus. Visit them at their
website at artshould.uchicago.edu or artshouldchicago.wordpress.com

Contact Amelia Dmowska at admowska@uchicago.edu

South Side Free Music Program (SSFMP)

The South Side Free Music Program (formerly known as the Woodlawn Free Music Program) is an all-
volunteer organization providing free music education in schools and community centers in the
Woodlawn, Hyde Park and Washington Park neighborhoods. The program's lessons teach both an
instrument and music theory. Visit them at ssfmp.org

Contact Carey Glenn at careyglenn@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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EDUCATION
Early Childhood Education

ALMas
ALMas is a student organization at the University of Chicago dedicated to reducing the educational and
achievement gap between young Hispanics and the average American student. It will provide an after
school pre-school literacy program that focuses on reading comprehension and that is founded upon the
most recent research on early childhood education especially as it pertains to young Hispanics. Visit
them at thealmasjourney.blogspot.com

Contact Joseline Gomez at jxgomez@uchicago.edu

Elementary School

Southside Scribblers
Since 1994, Southside Scribblers strives to get kids excited about being creative, excited about writing,
and excited about creative writing. Scribblers provides supervised writing activities to children ranging
from 2nd grade to 6th grade in Hyde Park elementary schools.

Contact Ty Easley at tyo8teasley@uchicago.edu

Students Teaching at Ray School (STARS)

STARS provides one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to ESL students in grades 1-6 at William H. Ray
Elementary School. Tutors helps students with their homework, reading skills, and communication skills.
STARS meets twice a week for an hour at a time.

Contact Alina Bitran at alinabitran@uchicago.edu

Middle School

Women and Youth Supporting Each other (WYSE)

WYSE is a national mentoring organization which works to empower young women with the information
and resources they need to make healthy, informed decisions and become leaders in their communities.
The U of C branch works at Madero Middle School in Little Village. Visit them at ucwyse.wordpress.com
and on Facebook at UChicago WYSE.

Contact Julianna St Onge at jstonge@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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High School

appUp
appUP is the only organization on campus that specifically targets the college application process. Our
comprehensive year long curriculum provides a unique combination of one-on-one mentorship and
group sessions for high school students in Hyde Park. Our horizontal structure compels every mentor to
take greater responsibilities in curriculum development and leading initiatives. Visit them at
appup.uchicago.edu

Contact Troie Journigan at tjournigan@uchicago.edu

Moneythink (Financial Education Initiative)

Moneythink offers ten week financial literacy and entrepreneurship courses that focus on building critical
life skills like money management, leadership, and goal setting to urban high schools in Chicago. Visit
them at uchicago.moneythink.org

Contact Rakhee Jain at rakheesjain@uchicago.edu

Rising Phoenix Debate

Rising Phoenix Debate is dedicated to connecting Chicago's high school debate teams with experienced
college coaches, providing logistical support to new teams, and organizing training sessions for students
as well as coaches.

Contact Naila Dharani at ndharani@uchicago.edu

Splash! Chicago
Splash! Chicago runs free weekend and after-school programs for Chicago-area high school students
with classes taught by UChicago students. Splash! introduces students to exciting ideas that aren't
taught in the traditional classroom, from the history of pirates to the science of stars, and aims to make
learning a fun and enriching experience for both its teachers and students. For more information, visit
Splash! at splashchicago.learningu.org.

Contact Morgane Martinet at mdmartinet@uchicago.edu

Whatever It Takes
Whatever It Takes (WIT) seeks to level the playing field in test prep by offering free SAT and ACT prep
courses to high school students in the local community. WIT is currently working students from high
schools in the greater Chicago area and offering weekly classes on Saturday and Sunday starting at the
beginning of each academic quarter. Visit them at whateverittakes.uchicago.edu

Contact Andrew Rapoport at asrapoport@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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Multi-Level Academic Programs

Calvert House Tutoring

Calvert House tutors use their academic privileges to benefit elementary and high school students who
need help with their education through one-on-one tutoring in a large group setting, which fosters not
only productive tutoring sessions, but also establishes a sense of community.

Contact Cecilia Lai at laicece@uchicago.edu

Chicago Adolescent Mentorship Program (CHAMP)

CHAMP is an organization that aims to promote value and meaningful relationships between students at
the University and younger students in the surrounding neighborhoods. The group’s goals include
mentoring, interacting with, and tutoring Chicago youth. Vist them at uchicagochamp.wordpress.com

Contact Nicholas Parker at nicholaswparker@uchicago.edu

Chicago Youth Philanthropy Group (The CYPG)

The CYPG is an organization composed of students from across the University of Chicago. We
combine a passion for improving people's lives with a determination to right the socio-economic wrongs
imposed on South Side residents. By organizing high schoolers through a representative and
democratic body of students, we facilitate their potential for philanthropic works. We also work to
acquire funds which this body of students decides how to appropriate.

Contact Joseph LoCascio at jlocascio@uchicago.edu

Comer Tutors
Comer Tutors seeks to organize and train tutors who will provide academic services to in-patients at the
University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. The goal is to promote learning and to help complete
homework while the patients are unable to attend school.

Contact Donna Guo at donnaguo@uchicago.edu

Friends of Washington Park Youth Program

Friends of Washington Park is partnered with the city-wide Chicago Youth Programs to offer homework
assistance programs and academic enrichment packages to youth from the neighboring Washington
Park.

Contact Samantha Buck at samanthabuck@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 8

Neighbors
As the Law School's premier community service organization, we run two mentoring programs for local
middle and high school students, in addition to tutoring Kenwood students and helping them prepare
Gates Scholarship applications.

Contact Rachel Miller at rachelmiller@uchicago.edu

Students for Educational Equity (SEE)

Students for Educational Equity is an on-campus organization partnered with Teach For America
dedicated to having a major impact on the problem of educational inequality. They are committed to
closing the achievement gap through collective action, engagement with the issues at hand, and
community to local schools.

Contact Rachael Nass at nrach@uchicago.edu

South Side Science Scholars (S4)

Believing that human life may be enriched through the growth and dissemination of knowledge, this
group is committed to developing, creating, and delivering a sustainable afterschool science curriculum
to under-served Chicago elementary schools, particularly those of the South Side. We aspire to
positively impact children s scientific thinking, elements of health education, communication skills, and
overall school preparedness through hands-on activities.

Contact Sunny Kung at sunnykung@uchicago.edu

Students Embracing Newfound Diversity (SEND)

SEND is an organization that is dedicated to sharing the rich cultural resources on campus with the
larger community. Specifically, members engage with local adolescents by providing them with
enrichment opportunities, such as attendance at UChicago’s artistic events and roundtable discussions
that foster cross-cultural understanding."

Contact Benjamin Lusamba at benlusamba@uchicago.edu

Strive Tutoring
Strive Tutoring connects University of Chicago volunteers with local students in need of academic help.
Tutors have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact by providing high-quality one-on-one tutoring,
developing enrichment activities, and forging relationships with young scholars.

Contact Sarah Tarabey at starabey@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 9

Washington Park Youth Publication Program (WYPP)

WYPP is a mentorship program in which University of Chicago students work one-on-one with Chicago
Youth Programs students to create a quarterly publication that highlights the stories of organizations and
people who are making positive contributions to the South-Side community. A second aspect of the
publication is directed towards South-Side youth themselves: giving them access to other teens’ stories,
providing them with information, programs, and resources related to health and youth development.
WYPP works alongside No Idle Hands, its community partner.

Contact Jeanne Chauffour at jeannechauffour@uchicago.edu

Woodlawn After School Kids Program (WASKP)

The Woodlawn After School Kids Program tutors local K-6 students once each week throughout the
school year and aims to provide a safe environment for academic growth. WASKP also organizes field
trips for the kids to movies, museums, and the Midway ice skating rink as well as Summer Breeze.

Contact Benita Glamour at bglamour@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
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GLOBAL
China Care Club
University of Chicago China Care Club supports orphans in China—as well as families living in the
United States who have adopted from China—primarily through education, care, and interaction. Visit
them at chinacare.uchicago.edu

Contact Dora Zhang at dorazhang@uchicago.edu

Global Water Brigades

Global Water Brigades assists in designing and implementing water systems to prevent communicable
illnesses in communities in Honduras. They aim to empower underdeveloped communities to access
sufficient clean water through infrastructural development, water treatment, community leader training,
and education. Visit them at ucwaterbrigades.com

Contact Will Long at wlong15@uchicago.edu

Partnership for the Advancement of Refugee Rights (PARR)

PARR is an advocacy, awareness, and community service RSO that works with refugees in and around
the Chicago area and all the policy issues that surround refugee work.

Contact Melissa Gatter at mgatter@uchicago.edu

Rotaract Club UChicago

Rotaract Club UChicago is a community service club sponsored by Rotary/One Chicago. We focus on
three main themes: fundraising for international causes, service within our community, and making
professional and personal connections with Rotary.

Contact Jennifer Um at umcha2@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 11

HEALTH
Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP)
ASAP strives to educate students on the effects of commonly-abused drugs on different organs systems
of the human body, such as lungs, brain, heart, and liver. ASAP hopes to help students make more
educated decisions regarding the use of substances.

Contact Jacob Tallman at tallmanj@uchicago.edu

American Red Cross Club of the University of Chicago (ARCUC)

The American Red Cross at the University of Chicago (ARCUC) supports the cause of the American
Red Cross and their charter. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief
to victims of disasters, supports America’s military families, supplies 40% of blood and blood products in
the country, conducts health and safety classes, and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to
emergencies. In addition, this collegiate chapter develops and offers services that address critical
human, health, and safety needs of the communities which it serves.

Contact Rebecca Steinberg at rsteinberg@uchicago.edu or Sarah Watanaskul at

watanaskul@uchicago.edu

Colleges Against Cancer

American Cancer Society: Colleges Against Cancer is a nationwide collaboration of college students,
faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by volunteering for, initiating and supporting programs
of the American Cancer Society in college communities. Examples of such programs include, but are
not limited to: Relay for Life, Daffodil Days, survivorship programs, advocacy measures, and more. Visit
them at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=48497

Contact Paras Mehta at parasmehta@uchicago.edu

Community Health Initiative

Community Health Initiative provides medical care and educational and community services to residents
of the Maria Shelter, a shelter for women in the Englewood community, and patients at the Community
Health Clinic.

Contact Anupriya Gangal at anupriya@uchicago.edu

Diabetes Prevention Management

Diabetes Prevention Management is a group that does glucose screening and community health fairs in
order to promote diabetes education all around Chicago.

Contact Oluseyi Fayanju at ofayanju@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 12
GlobeMed
GlobeMed at the University of Chicago works toward finding sustainable and innovative solutions
towards global health equity. Our chapter is partnered with ASPAT-Peru, a Lima-based grassroots
organization advocating for high quality tuberculosis care, education, and access to treatment. Our
partner works with particularly vulnerable populations suffering from multi-drug resistant TB in Lima's
poorest areas. On campus, we spread awareness about global health through panel discussions and
community events. Chapter members participate and attend weekly lessons, fundraise for ASPAT
throughout the year, and benefit from unique professional development and networking opportunities at
national conferences. Visit us at www.facebook.com/GlobeMedUChicago

Contact Jeanne Chauffour at jeannechauffour@uchicago.edu

Health Leads
Health Leads, a national nonprofit organization, mobilizes University of Chicago volunteers to connect
patients and their families with the basic resources they need to be healthy. As a result, Health leads
aim to create a pipeline of new leaders with the skills and experience to change the healthcare system.
Visit them at www.healthleadsusa.org

Contact Anisha Ganguly: aganguly@uchicago.edu

Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)

HPREP members serve as mentors and friends to minority high school students. These high school
students come from schools throughout the area to the University of Chicago campus once a month
where they participate in a variety of lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities with the goal of
giving insight into the life as a health professional as well as an opportunity to connect with medical
students and physicians.

Contact Oluseyi Fayanju at ofanyaju@uchicago.edu

Journeying Out to Underserved Regions of the Nation and Engaging in

Effective Service (JOURNEES)
JOURNEES seeks to expose medical students to the healthcare needs of diverse patient populations
beyond that of the University of Chicago Medical Center through direct service-learning experience,
culminating in a winter break trip.

Contact Katlynn Adkins at kzadkins@uchicago.edu

MEDLIFE
MEDLIFE is a community service organization focused on raising local and global health awareness in
the University of Chicago community through fundraising and organization of mobile clinics &
development projects in Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania, and India. Visit them at medlifeuchicago.tumblr.com

Contact Senxi Du at senxidu@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 13
On a Mission for Nutrition
On a Mission for Nutrition implements an after-school nutrition program to improve the nutrition
knowledge of children and adolescents in the South Side communities and to empower them to make
healthy choices.

Contact Brian Schlick at bschlick@uchicago.edu

Pediatric Health and Wellness Initiative

The purpose of this organization shall be to provide free medical care to uninsured or underinsured
pediatric patients from underserved Southside communities. Current services:
vaccinations/immunizations, sports physicals, lead testing, diabetes screens. Visit them at
wpclinic.uchicago.edu

Contact Lawrence Belcher at renbelcher@uchicago.edu

Peer Health Exchange (PHE)

Peer Health Exchange (PHE) gives teenagers the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy
decisions. We do this by training college student volunteers to teach a comprehensive, fact-based
health education curriculum in Chicago Public Schools. Visit them at peerhealthexchange.org

Contact Mimi Wilcox and Sam Slaton at ucpeerhealthexchange@gmail.com

Remedy
REMEDY is a student-run, philanthropic organization that aims to promote medical education, global
health, and international service. We plan annual medical service trips abroad and donate funds to
clinics that aid underserved populations. Visit them at www.remedyuchicago.org

Contact Mariam Alaka at malaka@uchicago.edu

Strive Health Mentoring

Strive Health Mentoring provides intensive one-on-one academic tutoring, mentoring, peer support, and
disease management education to minority teenagers in Chicago living with sickle cell disease. Visit
them at strivementors.wordpress.com

Contact Evelina Stenna at esterina@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 14
Team HBV at the University of Chicago
UChicago Team HBV Collegiate Chapter implements campus and community outreach by raising
awareness of healthcare, health campaigns, screenings, research, internships, and work implementing
global outreach in relation to hepatitis B (HBV). Through targeted educational outreach, we dispel
stigma and alert at-risk people to opportunities for prevention. Through advocacy, we raise awareness
of this health disparity among members of the public, policy-makers, and future leaders. Working in
partnership with other community-based organizations and health care providers in the Midwest, Team
HBV also aims to provide culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services to increase the
quality of community health. Visit them at teamhbv.org

Contact Christina Le at christinale@Uchicago.edu

Tea Time and Sex Chats

Tea Time and Sex Chats addresses a need for comprehensive peer education that does not just treat
sexuality as a battleground against pregnancy or disease. While we recognize that pregnancy and STIs
are important topics, we also believe in talking about joy, pleasure, intimacy, freedom, and
experimentation! Sexuality should be a positive, healthy experience, and we strive to talk about all
facets of it. We're here to answer all of the questions you never knew you had. Visit them at
striking.ly/teatimeandsexchats

Contact Sarah Zeichner at szeichner@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE
 15

URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega is a national co-ed community service fraternity. Their cardinal principals are
leadership, friendship, and service. They participate in a mix of social and service events throughout the
city. Visit them at www.apoonline.org/gammasigma/index.php"

Contact George He at ghe1@uchicago.edu

Calvert Circle (The Homeless Food Run Project)

The Homeless Food Run aims to provide the Undergraduate and Graduate student community with a
means of engaging in service while providing regular meals to Chicago's downtown homeless
population. The program facilitates weekly "runs" downtown where bagged meals are distributed to
Chicago's homeless, thus stressing community action.

Contact Prasan Srinivasan at prasan@uchicago.edu

Habitat for Humanity

Our purpose is to raise awareness for housing issues and to provide opportunities for students to
contribute directly to the affordable housing cause. We organize build trips to housing affiliates every
weekend, and we also organize larger scale domestic trips. Visit them at habitat.uchicago.edu

Contact Keigo Agata at agatak@uchicago.edu

Scouts at the University of Chicago

Scouts creates a community of students, staff, and faculty who were and are involved in the Scouting
movement in the US or internationally. This community will primarily be a venue to provide community
service to Hyde Park by providing volunteer resources to Scout troops and civic needs.

Contact Sam Nickolay at samnickolay@uchicago.edu

Spring Break of Service

Spring Break of Service is a group organized by and for those graduate students interested in providing
legal services as part of a weeklong volunteer opportunity over spring break. In the past, Spring Break of
Service has sent students to Biloxi, MS, to provide volunteer legal services in collaboration with the
Mississippi Center for Justice ("MCJ"), the largest public interest law firm in Mississippi; to the
Community Law Office ("CLO") in Knoxville, TN, a holistic public defense organization; and to the
Orleans Public Defenders ("OPD"), the office tasked to provide indigent defense in New Orleans, LA.
Visit them at www.law.uchicago.edu/studentorgs/sos

Contact Sarah Wilbanks at sewilbanks@uchicago.edu

http://ucsc.uchicago.edu 5525 S. Ellis Ave, Suite 160

ucsc@uchicago.edu Chicago, Illinois 60637

773.753.GIVE