Center for Urban Research and Learning

Loyola University Chicago

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

Transcending Boundaries: Investigating Domestic Violence among South Asian Immigrant Women (Apna Ghar Project)

(2005)

The Sara Lee Foundation funded a collaborative project between Apna Ghar Inc. and CURL to investigate effective models of service and outreach that are used to address the needs of domestic violence survivors within the context of South Asian immigrant culture and circumstance; the current status of policies and laws impacting immigrant women who access social services; and the incidence and the trends of domestic violence in Metropolitan Chicago, particularly with respect to the South Asian population.

Download Research Brief 

Download Insert 1 

Download Insert 2 

Download Final Report Hardly a Leg to Stand On: The Civil and Social Rights of Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence

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Beyond Bridging the Divide: The Case for Integrating Technology in Our Communities

(2005)

In an effort to bridge the digital divide, 76 organizations throughout the state of Illinois received Illinois Community Technology Fund (ICTF) grants between the years of 2000 and 2001 to provide technology services to Illinois residents representing a broad spectrum of ages and populations.  After the disbursement of the grants, CURL was invited to collaborate with ICTF to evaluate the effectiveness of the grants.

Download Report Success and Challenges Among Community Technology Programs in Illinois 

Download Policy Brief Beyond Bridging the Divide: The Case for Integrating Technology in Our Communities

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Brighton Park Community Study 2004

(2004)

This study sought to provide the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) a greater understanding of the issues and trends in housing, economic and demographic changes in the community. The report outlined key changes in the demographic and economic characteristics of the population over the past decade; assessed the current conditions and trends in Brighton Park’s housing stock, rents, sales prices, mortgage loans; and identified the key threats and opportunities in Brighton Park in regard to housing affordability, education, and service needs.

Download Report Brighton Park Community Study 2004

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Anawim Community Dispersion and Needs Assessment Study

(2004)

Anawim Center (currently known as the Kateri Center), a Native American spiritual and cultural center under the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Chicago formed a research collaboration with the Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL) at Loyola University Chicago and the Office of Research and Planning of the Archdiocese of Chicago for a needs assessment study to determine the whereabouts, needs, and interests of the Native American community in Metropolitan Chicago.

Download Report Anawim Community Dispersion and Needs Assessment Study Anawim Community Dispersion and Needs Assessment Study

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American Indian Health Services Needs Assessment Study - Chicago Metropolitan Region

(2004)

American Indian Health Services (AIHS) is a health care organization that provides direct services to American Indians and Alaska Natives in Metropolitan Chicago. The organization sought to undertake a review of the health status of American Indian/ Alaska Native people in its service areas so as to ascertain health needs. The team produced a comprehensive needs assessment report including not only the health assessment data but also identified the need for further education and outreach to the American Indians and Alaska Natives in the Chicago Region. 

Download Report American Indian Health Services Needs Assessment Study - Chicago Metropolitan Region

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Native Gathering: A Meeting with Native Americans Elders, Activists, Select Funders and Scholars

(2003)

On June 20-21, 2003, the Marguerite Casey Foundation (MCF) brought together a group of Native people from across the country to participate in a consultative session designed to help the Foundation develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and support indigenous families and communities. With the help of CURL, a report was written up documenting the meeting.

Download Final Report Native Gathering: A Meeting with Native American Elders, Activists, Select Funders and Scholars

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Minding the Gap: An Assessment of Racial Disparity in Metropolitan Chicago

(2003)

In cooperation with the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago (HRF), CURL and the Jane Addams Hull House examined seven quality of life measurements: income, wealth and employment, education, housing, transportation, health, the lives of children and the criminal justice system.  This report, by examining these seven systems, not just one, creates a unique context for understanding both the complexity of these individual systems and the relationships between these systems.

Download Final Report Minding the Gap: An Assessment of Racial Disparity in Metropolitan Chicago

Download Executive Summary Minding the Gap: An Assessment of Racial Disparity in Metropolitan Chicago Executive Summary

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The Future of Grassroots America: Local Perspectives on Current and Emerging Issues Facing Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities

(2003)

CURL worked with the National Neighborhood Coalition (a coalition of national and local organizations concerned with building the capacity of neighborhood-level organizations throughout the U.S.) to collect survey data and conduct focus groups that gave NNC an understanding of current and emerging policy issues at the local level.

Download Final Report The Future of Grassroots America: Local Perspectives on Current and Emerging Issues Facing Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities

Download Case Studies Getting It Together: Connecting Local Neighborhoods and National Advocates

Girl Driven Research Project

(2003)

 In partnership with CURL, Girl World designed and implemented Participatory Research asking the question “How do young African American women feel about their hair and what influences them to feel that way?” Issues of self esteem, self perception, cultural norms, racism and the creation of beauty images were all confronted as part of this project.  

Download Report Girl Driven Research Project

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Affordable Housing in the Chicago Region: Perspectives and Strategies

(2003)

The following four essays were written in response to the need for frank and open discussion regarding the future of affordable housing in the Chicago region. These essays came about through a collaborative project of Roosevelt University’s Institute for Metropolitan Affairs and the Center for Urban Research and Learning at Loyola University Chicago, and their community partners called Housing Affordability Research Consortium (HARC).

Download Report Affordable Housing in the Chicago Region: Perspectives and Strategies

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