• IdentificationICU.SPCL.WSSC
  • TitleGuide to the University of Chicago Woodlawn Social Services Center Records1960-1984
  • PublisherUniversity of Chicago Library
  • LanguageEnglish
  • Date1960-1984
  • Physical Description10 linear feet (14 boxes)
  • RepositorySpecial Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
  • AbstractThe Woodlawn Social Services Center (also called SSC, or the Social Services Center) was established in 1969 as a branch of the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Social Service Administration. SSC sought to centralize the provision of social services in Chicago's Woodlawn neighbourhood while remaining active in social work education and research. This collection contains committee minutes, correspondence and memoranda, conference proceedings, grant and project proposals, maps and blueprints, publications, reports, syllabi, and student work. Material addresses the founding of SSC and the implementation of its academic and community programs between 1961 and 1984.

© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library

Sociology and Social Welfare

Chicago and Illinois

Series III contains budgets and faculty appointment letters that are restricted for 50 years. This series also contains student grades and evaluations, restricted for 80 years; and client case files, restricted for 80 years.

The remainder of the collection is open for research.

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: University of Chicago. Woodlawn Social Services Center. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

The Woodlawn Social Services Center (also known as SSC, or the Social Services Center) was a branch of the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Social Service Administration. Founded in 1920 to continue the work of the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, SSA had became a model for innovation in social work education by the 1960s.The establishment of the SSC in 1969 represented one such initiative, combining professional education and research with social welfare in Chicago's Woodlawn neighbourhood.

Woodlawn, the neighbourhood immediately south of the University of Chicago, is bounded north to south by 60th and 67th Streets and west to east by King Drive and Lake Michigan. Originally a working-class white and immigrant area, racial tensions and declining housing conditions caused "white flight" during the 1950s. Escalating gang warfare contributed to the departure of middle-class African-Americans, and by the 1960s Woodlawn was one of Chicago's poorest and most dangerous neighbourhoods. Subsequent plans to expand the university campus southward put the University and Woodlawn communities at odds.

These conditions prompted SSA to stabilize and strengthen relations with Woodlawn residents. The Woodlawn Social Services Center, located behind SSA at 61st Street and Drexel Avenue, was funded by federal agencies and the University. SSC sought to centralize the provision of social services. By housing child care, employment and legal aid, and a health clinic under one roof, it hoped to better evaluate and address Woodlawn's specific needs. SSC also forged relationships with local groups such as The Woodlawn Organization (TWO). TWO, initially formed to oppose University expansion and promote the community's "self-determination," became responsible for nominating a residents' advisory committee to help develop SSC programs and policies.

This collection is divided into three series:

Series I: Administration, contains correspondence, grant proposals, maps and blueprints, minutes, publicity material, and reports, related to the establishment of the SSC. Material spans 1960-1970.

Series II: Programs, contains material related to SSC courses and community projects. It includes committee minutes, conference proceedings, correspondence, proposals, publications, reports, syllabi, and student work. It spans 1961-1984.

Series III: Restricted, contains restricted budget materials, case work files, faculty appointments and evaluations, and student grades.

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

  • Names
    • University of Chicago. School of Social Service Administration
    • University of Chicago. Woodlawn Social Services Center
    • Woodlawn Organization
    • Woodlawn Service Program
  • Geographic CoverageWoodlawn (Chicago, Ill.)