Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the first-ever Healthy Chicago Community Seed Grants. Awards were selected based on how closely applicants aligned their proposals with the goals of Healthy Chicago 2.0, the citywide plan to help eliminate health disparities and improve health across Chicago.
More than 100 organizations submitted applications for the grants, with funding available for only six awards. This year’s awards go to:
Build Inc: to work to reduce the teen birth rate by expanding peer health programs and access to contraception in low opportunity communities.
Gads Hill Center: to implement an evidence-based home visit program to identify and respond to postpartum depression in new, young Latina mothers in Brighton Park.
Haymarket Center: to become a trauma-informed organization through mental health first aid training for staff working with those experiencing homelessness.
MetroSquash: to promote secondary education opportunities, including college prep workshops, tutoring, and college visits for African-American youth in targeted South Side neighborhoods.
St. Anthony Hospital: to promote self-management for diabetes through the launch and evaluation of new education workshops for 300 at-risk individuals in and near Lawndale.
Westside Health Authority: to build social cohesion and improve perceptions of neighborhood safety through a new walking program for Austin residents.
“The sheer volume of applicants shows just how important health is to community development,” said Karen Reitan, PHIMC Executive Director. “Even though we have limited funding for this year’s awards, I am hopeful all of our applicants will get involved with Healthy Chicago 2.0, as we work together to improve health equity.”
Click here to view the full release from CDPH.
