Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced the community-based organizations receiving this year’s Healthy Chicago 2.0 Seed Grants to reduce health inequities as part of the city’s four-year community health improvement plan. The aim of the funding opportunity is to support catalytic projects that advance the Healthy Chicago 2.0 vision to improve health for all of Chicago’s residents.

“We are excited to welcome these new organizations into the Healthy Chicago 2.0 Seed Project,” said Karen A. Reitan, PHIMC Executive Director. “We are thrilled to be working with five unique organizations who are driving community-led efforts to improve their neighborhoods.”

A total of $175,000 in Seed funding has been awarded for 2017. Grant awards range from $19,000 to $40,000. This is the second year of Healthy Chicago 2.0 Community Seed grant awards, the grants run from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

A full list of grantees and project summaries below:

• BUILD, Inc. – Expand the use of restorative justice practices as a violence prevention technique and create safe spaces for Austin youth and families to come together to engage in positive activities free from fear of violence.
• Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community – Conduct a walkability audit and produce a report that outlines existing conditions and recommendations for infrastructure improvements that support a more bicyclist- and pedestrian-friendly community and creates a sense of a safer and healthier community.
• Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) – Implement the Corner Store Distribution System Pilot to increase availability to fresh produce at corner stores, strengthen local food ecosystems, and increase nutrition education offered in at the farmer’s market and IMAN Health Clinic.
• The Montessori School of Englewood – Support the work of a Community Health and Development Coordinator to broaden and sustain collaborations that provide health and wellness resources and services to students and families in Englewood.
• Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) – Build capacity to address the social determinants of health by supporting an organizer to develop networks of individuals and institutions to implement the community plan goals related to Healthy Chicago 2.0.

Successful applicants aligned projects with an existing community plan and Healthy Chicago 2.0 goals, objectives, or strategies. All selected organizations serve community areas in Chicago with high economic hardship and/or very low childhood opportunity. The selection process gave special consideration to proposals that address the conditions that promote heath in a community including access to social services and healthy food, safe public spaces, social cohesion and collaboration across community organizations.

To read the full press release, click here.

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