Lena Hatchett, PhD, Director of Community-University Partnership is the principle investigator working in partnership with community residents and local agencies in the following community-based participatory research projects. Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a collaborative process involving researchers and community representatives; community members are involved in:

• sharing local knowledge

• design of interventions

• process of research

• products of research

• dissemination of research findings

• use of research findings

• reduction of health disparities

This project moves beyond categorical approaches to address multilevel problems, enhance translation of health promotion and injury prevention, enhances sustainability and overall improves community’s health.

What CBPR projects are available at Loyola?

There are several on-going CBPR projects available at Loyola related to youth violence prevention, food access, and community empowerment. These projects are designed to reduce racial and economic health disparities in Maywood and the surrounding Proviso Township.

Maywood Multicultural Farmers' Market

After the smashing success of its first year, we are thrilled to announce that the Maywood Multicultural Farmers’ Market will be returning for its second season. We would like to extend a warm welcome for you to join this open-air Market that began in the summer of 2009. Be a part of this festive environment where buyers meet their neighbors and local farmers while purchasing fresh, nutritious foods, crafts, flowers and receive free health screening.

Each Saturday, one can expect to find live music, fresh produce, local food products, friendly farmers, kids games, free health screenings, and citizens coming together to meet neighbors, our market celebrates our diversity cultures and Maywood Multicultural Market is not to be missed!

Location: Maywood Public Library, 121 S. Fifth Ave., (corner of St. Charles Rd and Fifth Avenue)Maywood, IL

Every Saturday, 8:00am-1:00pm, June- October 2010
Openings are still available for Farmers, vendors, artisans and craftsmen (no flea market sales please).  
Sign up now Ljbrown243@comcast.net or call Loretta Brown 708-865-8028 for more information.

Community Gardening and Landscaping

Saturday, April 24, 2010, 9 am to Noon, rain or shine!

Annual Prairie Path Trail Cleanup
In observance of Earth Day. Trail Clean-up Coordinators are Lennel Grace and
Trustee Marcius Scaggs. Visit www.ipp.org  

May 15, 2010. Sign up for 8-noon or Noon-3pm
First Avenue New Landscape Planting
 

May 22, 2010. Sign up for 8-noon or noon-3pm

Eleventh and Seventeenth Avenues- Planting new flower beds

Community groups, Churches, schools, officials, families, adults and children are needed to sign-up to participate in planting and maintenance events, weeding, watering, litter pickup and avoiding vandalism. For more on event dates and details or to join the Prairie Path Association contact Loretta Brown by email ljbrown243@comcast.net or call 865-8028.

Community Garden
All ages welcome.  Help educate our children and young adults. Community Gardeners are welcome to sell their surplus produce at the Maywood Multi-Cultural Farmers Market. Hope to begin clearing the lot in April, planting May 2010. Sign up now!  Ljbrown243@comcast.net or call Loretta Brown 708-865-8028 for more information.

Maywood 2010 Yard Beautification Contest 
Time to start planning your flower beds! Check those seed and plant catalogs. Let the competition began!  More information to come.

Youth Violence Prevention Efforts

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine is an active member of the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Crisis Community Group.  Click  here for their quarterly newsletter, New Horizons.

Previous Held Events

Maywood Photo-Voice Project

The purpose of this photo-voice project of the Maywood community is to visually document the lifestyle strengths and challenges that impact Maywood youth. There is a national shift towards more community involvement in public health research, practice, and policy. Researcher, funding agencies, and community organizations have made efforts to establish community-based research, health partnerships, and other collaborative approaches. Health partnerships like these have built community capacity, created effective health programs and improved health outcomes. However, few partnerships or projects engage youth organizations. More projects are needed that include youth as equal partners in the planning, development, implementation and dissemination.

Photo Voice methods allows youth to reflect and document their experiences on their own terms and perspectives. The purpose of the Maywood Past, Present, and Future project will use a Photo Voice process to capture and reflect Maywood community health needs and assets from the unique perspective of children. The project is designed to 1) promote dialogue among youth and between adults in Maywood and 2) inform local community organizations and health providers, 3) summarize youth insights for future community health projects.

Next Event: Exhibit Dates- June 20 to July 20 2009

Kids Snaps: A Photovoice Project

Maywood Public Library: 121 S. Fifth Avenue, Maywood IL (more...)

CounterPoint Music & Life Workshop

WATCH THE COUNTERPOINT® MUSIC & LIFE WORKSHOP ON ABC7'S
"HEART AND SOUL" TELEVISION PROGRAM ON DECEMBER 19TH, 2009 at 6PM!

Mark your calendar: ABC7 will feature Counterpoint's Music & Life Program on the station's new television show "Heart & Soul", airing on December 19th, 2009! Tune in at 6pm, and again on December 20th, 2009 at 12 noon to get an inside look at this phenomenal after school program that is not only producing positive young people in entertainment, but more importantly, positive members of society.  Click here to learn more on the ABC7 website.

Contact Us
Lena Hatchett, PhD, lhatchett@lumc.edu for additional information.