Civic and Community Partners

The 56 row houses along the 800 and 900 blocks of Belden, Chalmers and Fullerton comprise the Seminary Townhouse Association (STA). Once belonging to the McCormick Theological Seminary before its move to Hyde Park in 1975, the homes and adjacent land (i.e. yards, alleys, open green area and parking) are all privately owned with an emphasis on community and family. The homes were officially designated a Chicago Landmark District in 1977 and are commonly known as the McCormick Row Houses as can be seen on the street by designated signs. DePaul University and the Seminary Townhouse Association carry forward an educational mission and residential life with the sense of community, cooperation and mutual respect that McCormick established here so many years ago. To highlight the history of the Seminary Townhouses, Elizabeth K. Ware wrote a book entitled "The Seminary Townhouses Stay: The history of a unique community preservation process in Chicago."

The purposes of the Sheffield Neighborhood Association are to improve conditions of life, work, recreation, health and safety; to foster and develop a neighborhood plan; and to aid, assist and sponsor neighborhood activities in the Sheffield neighborhood. The association is to monitor the general condition of the neighborhood, both socially and physically, and to initiate any action deemed appropriate to further the general welfare of the Sheffield community.

SNA's primary fundraiser is its Annual Sheffield Garden Walk, first held in 1969. Garden Walk funds have subsidized community projects, such as the renovation of Trebes Park and the playlots in Trebes and Clover. Currently, Garden Walk funds support SNA's long-term project to beautify the entire Sheffield neighborhood. The association also provides donations to neighborhood charities and area schools. 

The Wrightwood Neighbors Association (WNA) was founded in 1962 to help enforce building codes and concerns for established properties in the area. Since that time, the WNA has evolved into one of the most viable neighborhood organizations in the City of Chicago, helping residents with a variety of social, civic and development issues that directly impact their lives. The Wrightwood Neighbors Association is the community group for all people living in the area bounded by Halsted, Fullerton, Lakewood and Diversey. It is the neighborhood's central source of information and activity, with the goals of helping residents meet those who live around them, keeping them informed of events in the area and providing them with a direct link to the planning and development of their community. Its mission is to promote local safety and a healthy and vibrant community through the cooperative efforts of local residents and businesses. Each year the Wrightwood Neighbors Association sponsors an annual fundraiser, the Taste of Lincoln Avenue. This event, one of the largest neighborhood festivals in the city, not only raises funds to support community outreach programs, but provides those who live in the area a fun way to volunteer and meet new neighbors. Funds raised at the Taste of Lincoln Avenue are distributed each year at the annual Grant Dispersal Dinner hosted at a local restaurant every December.

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce covers a wide area defined by Diversey Parkway to the north, North Avenue to the south, and extending from Lake Michigan to Ashland Avenue—but you don't need to be within these boundaries to join. Joining the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce is a smart investment for your business. 

St. Vincent de Paul Parish serves Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. When first established, our Church was on the fringe of the city, but for 137 years both Chicago and our parish have grown tremendously.

The Chicago Loop Alliance promotes the Loop as a dynamic, mixed-use district comprised of theater, retail, new residences, the largest college population in the state of Illinois and some of the world's most recognizable architecture and renowned cultural institutions. DePaul is a member of the Education Subcommittee. DePaul presently holds a seat on the board. 

For almost 70 years, Near South Planning Board has been working to improve this area. Our community has been experiencing a period of tremendous growth and development. New housing, beautification and infrastructure improvements are creating an attractive neighborhood that is bringing in people from all over the city. The variety of housing stock, in all price ranges, assures that we will continue as a diverse and integrated community. At the Near South Planning Board, we are gratified that our persistence is being rewarded. The board is constantly involved on numerous levels in a variety of issues and concerns that directly or indirectly affect the Near South area. In addition, we sponsor the Authors in the Schools program and host the Harold Washington Literary Dinner. DePaul presently holds a seat on the board.

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce serves as the "unified business voice of greater Chicago," aggressively representing your business interests at the city, county, regional and state levels. 

The Civic Federation is a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region. The Federation's membership includes business and professional leaders from a wide range of Chicago-area companies and institutions. The Federation maintains a growing archive of publications concerning local tax policies, government services and public expenditures.

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) mission is socially conscious and supportive neighbors creating an inclusive and welcoming community.

The purpose of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance is to provide an environment to meet neighbors, exchange ideas, prioritize projects, propose solutions and implement plans for the neighborhood. The Neighborhood Alliance is concerned with issues that affect the quality of life in the community. It addresses issues such as education and schools, proposed residential and commercial development, zoning regulations, and traffic and infrastructure improvements as well as creating social activities and events that will strengthen the neighborhood. Additionally, the PDNA is committed to developing, facilitating, seeking community input, organizing and delivering a variety of comprehensive community surveys as well as community projects and programs such as neighborhood festivals, block parties, seasonal celebrations, crime prevention activities, historical and educational programs and beautification plans for upgrading neighborhood parks. 

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance serves thousands of South Loop residents within the Prairie District, Central Station and Museum Park, the South Michigan Ave Corridor and Motor Row, as well as other areas of the Near South Side.

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services has been serving the needs of the poor and working poor throughout the City of Chicago for 100 years. Sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, we provide vital programs and services in the areas of child development, social services, outreach to at-risk families and individuals, senior services and youth programs. Both of our centers have been operating in the City of Chicago for 100 years and are well established in the communities they serve.

America’s Urban Campus (AUC)® is a non-profit consortium of 20 Chicago universities and colleges. Its mission is to elevate Chicago as a global destination for higher education and leverage the collective resources of the institutions for the benefit of the city. AUC was created by DePaul’s Community and Government Relations Office to forge a continuing communication among its members and to provide direct connections to the city’s governmental, civic and business organizations.  Among other activities, AUC supports a collaborative of the institutions’ Career Services Directors, helping to link our students and graduates to Chicago’s talent pipeline; undertakes and publishes reports on the contributions of Chicago’s universities and colleges to the City’s economy, culture and social welfare; and showcases the work of its members in service to the city’s neighborhoods and schools.

The Village Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Village movement. This innovative, nonprofit organization leverages the talents, wisdom and skills of its members to enhance the quality of life and the well-being of older individuals so that they remain integral, vibrant and contributing members of our communities.

The Lincoln Central Association (LCA) is a neighborhood organization in Lincoln Park that serves as an advocate for neighborhood improvement such as zoning, parks and neighborhood beautification. LCA empowers residents who want to influence what happens in their community. LCA is recognized by the community as a well-informed, reasoned voice and advocate for the neighborhood, a trusted network for the neighbors, and a vibrant, effective organization of volunteers. It contributes significantly to neighborhood improvement and a sense of community.