Stefani Scott is an Erikson Institute Social Work Children’s Law and Policy student. Youth are often overlooked as stakeholders in their own communities and rarely provided opportunities for positive involvement in community building. The Youth Building Community project aims to provide a space for their voice to be heard and valued. Stefani plans to support youth at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston in identifying needs in their community and then designing and implementing a community service project to create positive change. Sessions will include identity development, decision-making, and team building exercises, in addition to community asset mapping and a culminating service project. Stefani hopes to raise $500 for supplies for team building activities and projects to develop a sense of individual, group, and community identity, as well as $3,000 for transportation to explore the community and carry out a service project.

The Schweitzer Fellowship is a year-long service learning program for graduate students in health-related professions who will design and implement innovative direct service projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of underserved Chicago area communities. Through their community projects and participation in a year-long program that includes mentoring support, monthly meetings, written reflection, and interprofessional collaboration, Schweitzer Fellows are developing the skills and confidence needed to become Leaders in Service—professionals who will remain dedicated to public service and to creating change.

In the summer of 2019, the Schweitzer Fellows for Life network launched Fellows Fest 2019, a campaign to help support our current Fellows' projects. Each of the Fellows has created a "wish list" of supplies and resources that will help them realize their service project goals. We also invite you to join us for our Fellows Fest event taking place on September 17th, 6-8pm in Chicago. Click here for more info and to RSVP.

The Chicago Areas Schweitzer Fellowship is a program of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Your Summer Fest donation will appear on your credit card statement at "Health & Medicine."