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The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative is part of the University's Great Cities Program, a major institutional planning and action program to make UIC a national model for an urban land grant university. Through the Great Cities program, UIC expresses its commitment to meet urban needs in the metropolitan area. In most cases, multidisciplinary efforts are needed to do so effectively. At present, many UIC faculty are involved in intervention, outreach and research efforts in a large number of Chicago neighborhoods. Increasingly, researchers are recognizing the added value of integrated service projects that combine a range of disciplines in simultaneous and coordinated efforts. Addressing only educational problems, for instance, while leaving family, health, and economic needs unmet is unlikely to have long-lasting positive outcomes.
Concentration and integration of interventions has the potential of strengthening the effects of projects. UIC is making a ten year commitment to this initiative which, if successful, is expected to be extended indefinitely.