Joanna Villacorta, a University of Chicago social work student, will lead a sexual education and self-empowerment after-school program for 8th grade girls at a high-needs elementary school in the Bronzeville community.  She seeks to raise $300 to reserve school buses for field trips.  The first field trip is to the Robert Crown Center, an organization that specializes in children's health education, for a presentation on AIDS and HIV.  The second field trip to the DuSable Museum of African American History during Women's History Month will help the girls learn about the lasting contributions that African American women have made to both Chicago and American history. Additionally, she hopes to raise $200 towards school and art supplies that the girls can use throughout the year and especially for their final "Presentation of Self" projects which will represent the culmination of their year's work.

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 July 2014, the Schweitzer Fellows for Life network launched Summer Fest 2014 a year-long 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.