In+service+for+whom+and+for+what+-+Community+and+university+impact+analysis+of+the+DePaul+Steans+Center+and+Humboldt+Park+Community+Organizations+Partnership

**In service for whom and for what? Community and university impact analysis of the DePaul Steans Center and Humboldt Park Community Organizations Partnership**

Marco Tavanti, Associate Professor, DePaul University [mtavanti@depaul.edu] Marisol Morales, Associate Director, DePaul University [mmorale1@depaul.edu] Daniele Pasquini, DePaul University [costaricadlp@gmail.com]



**Keywords:** Community-based, service-learning, partnership, benefits, programs

**Track:** Community outcomes and impact

**Format:** Research paper
 * Date & time: **Thursday 2:00-3:10
 * Location: **Salon 12

**Summary:** Since 1998 DePaul University’s Steans Center for Community-Based Service Learning has been placing service-learning students in more than 30 neighborhoods. They have been partnering with more than 500 community-based organizations (CBOs), 43 just in the Humboldt Park Neighborhood. In spite the anecdotal success stories, what is the real impact and beneficial types of relations that the Center can have to partnering communities? The Humboldt Park impact assessment study conducted in 2009-2010 aimed at identifying community impact and best strategies for university-community engagement.

The findings of the research provided insights on the mutual benefits of a long-term partnership but also the requirements and expectations for a higher education institution to effectively engage in a community process. Service-learning and community engagement need to be reintegrated and equally balanced in community needs (and assets) analysis and in providing long term partnerships and administrative relations beyond the service of individual students and willing professors. This paper presentation will report on the Steans-Humboldt Park impact analysis research and offer insights for other institutions and programs interested in aligning their service-learning programs with a community-based effective model for community accompaniment and organizational capacity building.

The research findings indicate how long term institutional (university) and community-based partnerships are essential for making service-learning initiatives having positive impact at the community level. It indicates that the successful learning of students and the development of community-engaged faculty depend on the university’s administrative support and openness to collaborate with CBOs. Research for impact analysis is in this case linked to the action-based outcome assessment and the development of sustainable urban communities.

References: Callahan, J., Root, S., Billig, S. (Eds.) (2005). //Improving service-learning practice: Research on models to enhance impacts//. Greenwich, Conn: Information Age Publishing.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Jacoby, B. (2003). //Building partnerships for service-learning//. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Kelshaw, T. S., Lazarus, F., & Minier, J. (2009). //Partnerships for service-learning: Impacts on communities and students//. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Rosing, H. (2008)."Untangling the Ivy: Discovering Vincentian Service-Learning at DePaul University." //Journal of Vincentian Heritage; Special Edition: Vincentian Higher Education and Poverty Reduction, 28//(2), 221-239.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Rosing, H., & Hofman, N. G. (August 30, 2010). Notes from the field: Service learning and the development of multidisciplinary community-based research initiatives. //Journal of Community Practice, 18,// 2, 213-232.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Strait, J., & Lima, M. (2009). //The future of service-learning: New solutions for sustaining and improving practice//. Sterling, Va.: Stylus.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Strand, K., & NetLibrary Inc. (2003). //Community-based research and higher education principles and practices// Jossey-Bass higher and adult education series. Retrieved from http://www.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/cul/resolve?clio4239152

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Worrall, L. (December 07, 2007). Asking the Community: A case study of community partner perspectives. //Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 14(//1), 5-17.

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