Center for Urban Research and Learning

Loyola University Chicago

Here you will find all of CURL's research projects and publications.

Filtering by Category: Participatory Evaluation

Merger Evaluation: ONE Northside

(2015)

CURL and ONE Northside produced a paper examining two grassroots organizations' need to scale up size and influence to better address the more regional and nationwide business and government decision-making structures.  This is the first report for the project. 

Download Report Scaling Up to Increase Community-Based Organization Voice

Article

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Evaluation of the 100,000 Homes Campaign in Chicago

(2012)

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) partnered with CURL to conduct a process evaluation of the Chicago 100,000 Homes Campaign, with a focus on outreach and housing coordination. Qualitative analysis consisted of observations, telephone and in person interviews, as well as, focus groups. Quantitative analysis consisted of analyzing participant data and administrative records. The evaluation is informing key stakeholders of Chicago’s homeless system in their efforts to develop a centralized housing placement system citywide. 

Download Executive Summary Evaluation of the 100,000 Homes Campaign in Chicago Final Report – Executive Summary

Download Final Report Evaluation of the 100,000 Homes Campaign in Chicago Final Report

Download Quantitative Data Report Evaluation of the 100,000 Homes Campaign in Chicago Final Quantitative Data Report

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Evaluation of Chicago's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness

(2012)

Working with various social service agencies that provide homelessness services, the research team evaluated the programs and models that have been put into place under the Chicago 10 year Plan to end Homelessness and provide data to make necessary mid-course corrections and improve implementation going forward. The four key components of the project are a qualitative study of homeless clients, a longitudinal client survey, a homeless service agency survey, and a service inventory. 

Initial Results 

Interim Results

Final Results

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Evaluation of Catholic Charities' Homelessness Prevention Call Center

(2011)

CURL and Catholic Charities’ research team conducted a process evaluation of the Catholic Charities Homelessness Prevention Call Center’s daily operations, the experience of callers through the Call Center system, the efficiency level of Call Center policies, and system best practices. This evaluation will inform future Call Center planning and programming. Community partners include the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness and the Chicago Continuum of Care along with the City of Chicago’s 311 service

Download Full Report Evaluation of the Homelessness Prevention Call Center

Download Summary Report Evaluation of the Homelessness Prevention Call Center

Dowload PowerPoint Presentation Evaluation of the Homelessness Prevention Call Center

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Evaluation of Rebuilding Chicago Together-Metro Chicago's National Rebuilding Day Program

(2010)

Using a collaborative approach, Rebuilding Together - Metro Chicago (RTMC) and CURL conducted a participatory process evaluation to examine the sustainable impact of programming on Chicago communities and participant homeowners. In addition to these outcome objectives, the evaluation included participant surveys with homeowners and volunteers that examined the goals and expectations, satisfaction levels, and programming best practices. This study, which focused primarily on National Rebuilding Day (NRD) sites in the City of Chicago, examined the impact of the NRD program in the years 2006, 2007, and 2008.  RTMC worked in Chicago’s westside neighborhood of Austin in 2006, while in 2007 and 2008, RTMC worked in the southside neighborhood of West Englewood.

Download Technical Report An Evaluation of Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago National Rebuilding Day

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Home Health Agency Workforce Development

(2009)

CURL helped evaluate Roseland Christian Health Ministries'(RCHM) development of a Home Health Agency to complement RCHM's existing Christian Community Health Center. This program created 70 new jobs for low income residents of Cook County, Illinois while serving the heath care needs of seniors living on the south side of Chicago and its adjacent south suburbs.

Download Final Report Final Evaluation of the Christian Community Health Center Home Health Agency and Workforce Development Program

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Formative Evaluation of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Treatment Coordinator Pilot Program

(2009)

CURL conducted a formative evaluation of the of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) Treatment Coordinator pilot project. This project occurred in two phases.  For the first phase of the project, AFC integrated a new treatment coordinator position into seven pilot agencies. The goal of the position was to create a seamlessly coordinated HIV/AIDS system integrating case management and clinical services, leading to improved individual level indicators and quality of life for clients.  We based our conclusions and recommendations for this phase on a variety of data sources including field observations, site visits, interviews, and one focus group. 

Download Final Report Formative Evaluation of The AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Treatment Coordinator Pilot Program

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Young Women's Action Team

(2008)

CURL conducted an evaluation of Girl Leadership U (GLU), a series of six sessions hosted by Young Women’s Action Team (YWAT) in which emerging young women leaders develop skills that can be utilized in efforts to take action and create social change. The evaluation included a participant survey that examines: leadership development; advocacy; community organizing; self-awareness; ability to think critically; and connecting with other young emerging leaders to form allies for social change. The evaluation included an analysis of participants’ motivation to participate in GLU as well as the participants’ and session speakers’ perceptions of the program. The evaluation results were used to inform future YWAT programming. 

Download Final Report Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team: Executive Summary Final Report

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Finding Stability: An Evaluation of Graduates of Chicago Christian Industrial League's Single Adult Program

(2007)

Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL) partnered with the Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL) at Loyola University Chicago to conduct an evaluation of CCIL’s 18-month residential program. Using a collaborative approach, CCIL and CURL conducted a participatory evaluation to assess how former residents of CCIL’s 18-month single male program experience stability after their departure from CCIL.

Download Final Report Finding Stability: An Evaluation of Graduates of Chicago Christian Industrial League's Single Adult Program

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Connecting Fractured Lives to a Fragmented System: A Process Evaluation of the Chicago Housing for Health Partnership

(2007)

CURL partnered with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to evaluate Chicago Housing to Health Partnership (CHHP). This program uses an innovative housing first model for individuals who are homeless, have chronic medical conditions, and have been recently released from the hospital.

Download Report Connecting Fractured Lives to a Fragmented System: Process Evaluation Report Chicago Housing for Health Partnership

Download Policy Report Connecting Fractured Lives to a Fragmented System: Process Evaluation Report Chicago Housing for Health Partnership

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