Neighborhood Initiatives
Neighborhood Initiatives
Serving as the administration’s community connection, the office encourages internal and external relationships that strengthen Loyola’s role as an Anchor Institution; promoting opportunities to strategically and intentionally use our human, financial, and spiritual resources to improve quality of life for Chicagoland residents, especially those most historically marginalized in our communities.
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News and Events
What’s is Next at St. Ignatius Church - Join the Conversation July 20
For years, the historic St. Ignatius campus has sat largely vacant, a beloved landmark waiting for its next chapter. Now, neighbors have a chance to help shape that future. The Ignatian Mission Center (IMC), a lay-led Catholic nonprofit born from years of community discernment, has partnered with Loyola University Chicago on a proposal to bring the site back to life as a hub of care and connection for Rogers Park. The plan centers community wellbeing at every turn, and it preserves what makes the site meaningful in the first place: the historic 1917 church and rectory.
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Strengthening Community Assets Through Education
At Loyola University Chicago, education extends beyond the classroom into the communities and organizations that strengthen Chicago and surrounding communities. Through the Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship (CELTS), Loyola connects student talent, faculty expertise, research, and institutional resources with nonprofit partners to build community capacity and advance local impact. In 2025–26, more than 7,300 students engaged in community-based learning, internships, and research with 860 partner organizations, contributing more than 243,000 hours of service and capacity-building support. The results were tangible: 99% of community partners reported organizational growth, demonstrating how Loyola's educational mission helps strengthen community assets while preparing students to lead and serve.
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Winthrop Garden Open House to Honor Local Resident
Join the Loyola community on Saturday, August 1, for an afternoon of connection, learning, and celebration at the Winthrop Garden. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., Loyola's Urban Agriculture Team will host garden tours, giveaways, and free plants for visitors. Whether you're a longtime neighbor or visiting for the first time, this is a great opportunity to learn about the garden's impact, meet the team, and connect with fellow community members. Earlier in the day, at 1:00 p.m., the Urban Agriculture Team will honor the memory of Ellen Mosher, a cherished neighbor, friend, and longtime supporter of the Winthrop Garden. Her dedication to the garden and the Rogers Park community helped make the space the vibrant neighborhood asset it is today. Stop by, celebrate community, and take home a little piece of the garden. We hope to see you there!
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