Chicago Public Health Innovators: South by West (ChiPHI:SXW)
Introduction
Public health is defined as the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at preventing disease and injury, promoting health, and providing the maximum benefit for the largest number of people. Public health skillsets are important now more than ever!
Are you a rising junior or senior living in North Lawndale or Auburn Gresham? Are you interested in doing good for the public and creating change within society? Do you like to collaborate with others? Participate in the Chicago Public Health Innovators: South by West (ChiPHI:SXW) program this summer to learn about and experience public health, build your capacity and community, and become better prepared to pursue a public health degree or job opportunities. ChiPHI:SXW is a summer academic enrichment program offering Chicago high school juniors and seniors from North Lawndale, Auburn Gresham, and surrounding areas on the West and Near South sides an immersive introduction to public health. ChiPHI:SXW combines academic mentorship, community engagement, and experiential learning. Participants gain foundational knowledge in public health, sharpen their critical thinking and research skills, and build confidence in their ability to lead and contribute to healthier communities through an applied neighborhood health project. The program fosters early interest in pursuing public health degrees and careers, cultivating the next generation of public health leaders and strengthening the public health workforce capacity.
ChiPHI 2025 Playbook
Read more about the program, meet the inaugural 2025 student innovators, and explore innovators’ incredible neighborhood health projects they worked on all summer long with guidance from their HCZ community mentors.
ChiPHI in Summer 2025
Program Background
ChiPHI was initially developed and piloted in 2025 through a collaborative partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Healthy Chicago Zones (HCZ) with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding, and the City of Chicago’s Chicago Youth Works program (formerly known as One Summer Chicago). The Healthy Chicago Zones/regions were led by the following six community-based organizations: Northwest Center (North); Swedish Covenant Hospital (North/Central); Sinai Chicago (West); Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) (Southwest); Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) (Near South); Phalanx Family Services (Far South).
Since federal funding was cut last year, this summer 2026, the UIC School of Public Health is teaming up with the UIC Neighborhood Centers, Office for Student Success and Belonging, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) who previously served in the HCZ, and again the city’s Chicago Youth Works initiative (including employers, Center for Companies That Care (CTC) and Ladies of Virtue (LOV)) to launch a hyperlocal version of ChiPHI:SXW (Chicago Public Health Innovators: South by West) for teens in North Lawndale (NL), Auburn Gresham (AG), and surrounding west and south side communities. Sinai Urban Health Institute is also collaborating in partnership.
Program Details
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6-week summer program from late June to end of July
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UIC campus learning in the classroom and beyond on field trips
Program Details continued
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Compensation available based on program attendance and participation
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Course credit earned at the college level
Benefits
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Compensation
Earn $17.05/hour for up to 120 total hours (20 hrs/wk) of participation. That means up to $2,046 in total wages.
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College Course Credit
ChiPHI:SXW is set up as a dual enrollment course, allowing Chicago juniors and seniors to earn university credit.
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Impact
Make a direct impact in your community by developing an applied neighborhood health project throughout the summer.
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Leadership
Expand your leadership experience through educational and interactive workshops and activities.
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Public Health and Research Skills
Learn more about public health and develop critical thinking and research skills.
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Networking
Meet public health professionals, experts, and leaders in the field and develop lasting relationships amongst your cohort.
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Transportation, Food
CTA passes and lunch provided.
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Merchandise
Receive promotional items (stickers, t-shirt, tote bag, fidget toy, etc.)!
Program Elements
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Public health content Community organizing, environmental justice, occupational health, data, food is medicine, affordable housing, and more
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Interactive activities Plant seedlings, explore the Chicago Health Atlas database, play educational board games
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Leadership development Resume development, interview skills, conflict resolution, self-care, career roadmap, college readiness
Program Elements continued
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Field experience Gain mentorship from a community-based organization in your neighborhood and develop an applied project
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Field trips Interactive and educational tours to expand learning experiences outside of the classroom
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Financial literacy, career readiness Payday basics, budget management, building credit, jobs in Chicago, transferable skills, and more
ChiPHI Media Features
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I participate in the Chicago Public Health Innovators: South by West (ChiPHI:SXW)?
There’s so many benefits to participating! If you’re someone who…
- likes solving problems and wants to see positive change for many people, you would like learning about and practicing public health.
- has ideas about how to improve things and share your opinions, then you would like designing a project to make an impact in your community
- likes building relationships with people, then you will get to meet professionals working in government, community organizations, and universities as well as peers your age with similar interests across Chicago.
- wants to go to college or pursue a professional career, you will gain valuable educational enrichment and professional development to boost your applications and set you apart with valuable experience.
What characteristics would make me a good fit for the Chicago Public Health Innovators: South by West (ChiPHI:SXW)? What are the requirements to apply?
ChiPHI:SXW candidates should:
- Be rising juniors or seniors in the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year)
- Be city of Chicago residents
- Want to work toward positive change in their own communities. Innovators do not need to have prior public health knowledge or experience, but should generally be curious, passionate about helping others, and excited to join a network of change-makers!
- Be committed to the program in both attendance and mission
- Have permission to participate from a parent or guardian if under the age of 17
- Complete the Chicago Youth Works online application
- Complete the ChiPHI: SxW online application
We value health equity and want to especially encourage students from under-resourced and disinvested communities to apply.
Where will programming take place? What’s the best way to get there?
During summer 2026, we will primary meet at the UIC School of Public Health (SPH) (1603 W. Taylor Chicago, IL 60612) with some offsite locations (TBD). If driving, paid parking is available at Paulina Street Parking Structure/garage, 915 S Paulina (500 ft); or pay to park nearby on the street. Closest public transportation to UIC SPH includes:
- #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus
- #9 Ashland bus
- Polk Pink Line Station
- #7 Harrison bus
- #12 Roosevelt bus
- #50 Damen bus
How accessible is the UIC School of Public Health?
The building is directly accessible from the ground level, and has a handicap accessible door button. Elevators, vending machines, water bottle fillers, gender neutral bathrooms, parenting/lactation rooms, study and conference rooms, computers, access to electric outlets, and lounge/communal areas are available. Guest Wi-Fi is available.
What is Chicago Youth Works?
Chicago Youth Works is a City of Chicago initiative that provides youth with employment and enrichment opportunities during the summer months.
For all other questions, please see Chicago Youth Works’ list of FAQs or email uicchiphi@uic.edu.
Funding and Roles
Funding for ChiPHI:SXW in 2026 is provided by the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) and UIC partners: the School of Public Health, Office of Community Collaboration Neighborhood Centers, Office of Student Success and Belonging, and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs. Chicago Youth Works works with delegate agencies, Center for Companies That Care (CTC) and Ladies of Virtue (LOV), to hire and pay student interns and provide financial literacy and career readiness modules. GAGDC is serving as a preceptor/mentor to half of the 2026 cohort whom are from Auburn Gresham, while Sinai Urban Health Institute is supporting the other half of student interns from North Lawndale.
Funding for ChiPHI in 2025 was provided through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Enhancing Detection grant award. Serving as administrative and fiscal lead and liaison, the Chicago Department of Public Health subcontracted the UIC School of Public Health to co-develop, co-implement, evaluate, and tailor the program based on needs and strengths of and alongside CDPH’s community partners in the Healthy Chicago Zones initiative. Chicago Youth Works provided participants with compensation and MyChiMyFuture financial literacy and career readiness modules.