Illinois Institute of Technology COPC IL-98-012: Executive Summary

Illinois Institute of Technology is pleased to submit our semi annual report covering the period September 23, 1998 –June 30, 1999. This is IIT’s first submission since grant inception. The first reporting period brought about a wealth of success despite a slow program start and a leadership change.

The COPC grant effective date was September 23, 1998 with contract execution occurring November 1998. Mr. Leroy Kennedy, IIT Associate Vice President for Community Relations served as the initial project manager until his departure from the university in February, 1999 after 10 years of community service. In March 1999, Ms. Sharon R. Grant joined the Community Relations Department as Director for the Center for Community Development and Technology. Ms. Grant joins the team after serving as Assistant Comptroller for IIT. Mr. David Baker, Vice President for External Affairs has assumed duties as interim head of the Community Relations Department until a new Associate Vice President, Community Relations is recruited.

Grant expenditures are under budget as a result of a slower than anticipated start-up however, the Center for Community Development and Technology (CCDT) has significantly exceeded their scheduled program tasks. Year One federal expenditures are budgeted at $141,560 vs. a six-month expenditure of approximately $40,000 (28%). Grant match dollars and an award from the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago has supported the majority of the Center’s activity to date. Federal proceeds have been managed very conservatively as the Center chooses to expend funds only when tasks are fully engaged.

Following is a summary of the four project functional categories, Education, Economic Development, Housing, Community Development and their major highlights and activities during the first half of COPC year one.

Of the 14 program tasks, 9 exceeded scheduled program goal; 1 task met the scheduled program goal and 4 tasks have not been fully accomplished but carry a percentage of completion level that varies from 25% to 80%.

Education

The CCDT established the Bronzeville Educational Collaborative (BEC), inviting five neighboring corporate partners to work collectively to assist community schools. The BEC partners are Mercy Hospital, Michael Reese Hospital, VanderCook College of Music, Illinois College of Optometry, and DeLaSalle Institute.

IIT created a Math/Science/Technology Academy (MSTA) with Wendell Phillips High School and the Chicago Public Schools. The MSTA is a citywide initiative which includes six university partners and seven high schools.

IIT was awarded a $60,000 grant from Leadership for Quality Education to provide technology assistance to Bronzeville schools. The grant enabled the center school outreach efforts to double.

Economic Development

The Center’s employment partners, Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees (STRIVE) and Grand Boulevard Federation provided outreach to 309 participants, job readiness training for 259 residents and job placement for 123 residents in the community. The job placement figure represents 41% of our three-year goal.

The Bronzeville community selected the topic "Stimulating growth in Bronzeville",for a student IPRO research project. Project results will be utilized by the Mid-South Planning and Development and Commission to establish a business incubator and retail facility.

IIT organized a university Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) task force with representatives from the community, trades and civic organizations. As a result of this new initiative M/WBE outreach and procurement activity has increased campus wide.

Housing

IIT and Harvard University conducted a joint design studio for community housing.

The studio focused on urban model housing and was aimed at the investigation of two sites in the City of Chicago. The work focused on creating proposals for community housing considering the needs of residents, public transit, neighboring universities and commercial development.

Community Development

IIT has documented the extent, type, location and costs of physical and financial investments occurring in the Bronzeville community. The center continuously maintains and updates these databases and distributes the information to our local community partners.

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Last Updated on October 10th, 1999