Spring 2026 Civic Trek: LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Organizing, and Community-Centered Practice

The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice invites student participants to engage with one of the nation’s leading models of LGBTQ+ community-based service and advocacy at Center on Halsted. Located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, the Center serves more than 1,000 individuals each day through an integrated approach that combines direct services, policy advocacy, and community organizing.

Since its founding in 1973, Center on Halsted has evolved into a comprehensive institution addressing behavioral health, HIV and STD prevention, youth and senior services, anti-violence initiatives, and workforce development. During this student visit, CEO Joli Robinson and Vice President of Learning and Culture Patrick Ryan will discuss the Center’s mission, the strategies that sustain its impact, and the leadership required to serve a diverse and evolving community.

This experience provides students with insight into how community-based organizations build institutional capacity while advancing equity and access. Students interested in clinical practice, policy, organizing, or nonprofit leadership will gain a grounded understanding of how services and advocacy operate in tandem to strengthen communities.