Community Engagement

Residents, students and faculty participating in Mayor’s Neighborhood Improvement Initiative in May 2022.

The Department of Family and Community Medicine promotes and enhances the health of our community by extending our education, patient care and research endeavors beyond the clinic setting. We partner with many community organizations to improve the health of communities through:

  • educating students and residents how to become community-responsive health professionals;
  • working closely with community organizations to provide clinical care as part of community initiatives;
  • supporting community-based research that is responsive to community needs by building trust with community partners over time, while providing research and training opportunities for faculty, students and residents.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities Heading link

Gigi’s Playhouse

Gigi’s Playhouse provides free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community, through a playhouse model. If interested, register here

Northern Illinois Food Bank

The Northern Illinois Food Bank has an ongoing need for food sorting, packing, and distribution to our neighbors. If interested, register here.

Rockford Rescue Mission

The Rockford Rescue Mission has an urgent, indefinite need for meal servers for breakfast and dinner each day of the week. If interested, please contact Sabuj Sarker, Rockford Rescue Mission volunteer supervisor at SabujSarker@rockfordrescuemission.org and let him know what day and meal that you can help serve.  Rockford Rescue Mission volunteers need to complete an application.

United Way of Rock River Valley We Volunteer

United Way of Rock River Valley hosts a volunteer dashboard where individuals can register to volunteer at a variety of community organizations.

Walk with U

Volunteer at Walk with U, the UICOMR doctor-led walking group, to help with set-up, registration, walk, and clean-up. Sign up by emailing Kathleen Monteleone at kmontel@uic.edu at least two Fridays before the event. See all upcoming Walk with U events.

 

 

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Heading link

Apr 5 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve
Apr 19 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Baumann Park Lake Loop
May 3 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Hononegah Forest Preserve
May 17 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Rock River Recreational Path
Jun 7 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Roland Olson Forest Preserve
Jun 21 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Midway Village Museum Loop
Jul 12 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Headquarters Forest Preserve
Aug 2 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve
Aug 16 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Rock River Recreational Path
Sep 6 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Midway Village Museum Loop
Sep 20 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Hononegah Forest Preserve
Oct 11 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Roland Olson Forest Preserve
Nov 1 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Gardent
Dec 6 2025
walk with U silhouettes of people walking. Red, blue and light blue images

Walk with U

Saturday, 9:00 am–10:00 am
Headquarters Forest Preserve