Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) announced the recipients of the 2018 Healthy Chicago 2.0 Community Seed Grants. The $150,000 grant was presented to four community-based organizations to improve health equity and support community-driven change in North and South Lawndale.
“These Seed Grants support lasting and meaningful health equity, for communities by communities,” said Mayor Emanuel. “It is critical that, as a city, we work to systematically address the health challenges that each community may face. Together, we can support better health for everyone.”
This year’s funding supports a vision for local change, developed and led by the community. Successful applicants, including residents, community-based organizations and other stakeholders, submitted proposals that offered compelling strategies for improving neighborhood conditions that are responsive to the area’s unique character, context and challenges. The Seed Grants will help to develop a neighborhood investment model that aligns funding through collaborative strategies and projects that lead to a long-term impact within communities.
“Healthy Chicago 2.0 Seed Grants build upon existing assets to improve the health of our communities,” said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, M.D. “By tapping into the community plans of North and South Lawndale, we’re amplifying community-driven work. We’re proud to stand next to our partners as we build stronger and healthier neighborhoods.”
Last year, Mayor Emanuel and CDPH awarded $175,000 to five community groups that addressed the conditions that promoteheath in Austin, Armour Square, Englewood, Chicago Lawn and Gage Park. Community groups worked to improve access to social services, healthy food and safe public spaces.
“We are excited to partner with CDPH for the third year in awarding the Healthy Chicago 2.0 Seed Grants,” Karen A. Reitan, PHIMC Executive Director, said. “This year’s funding supports projects that have been identified as part of a community-driven vision for change in North and South Lawndale. By focusing funding on these two communities, the Seed Grants will help to develop a neighborhood investment model that leverages resources for lasting impact and can be replicated throughout the city.”
Launched in 2016, Healthy Chicago 2.0 is the city’s four-year community health improvement plan. The plan focuses on ensuring Chicago is a city with strong communities and collaborative stakeholders, where all residents enjoy equitable access to resources, opportunities and environments that maximize their health and well-being. Healthy Chicago 2.0 serves as the start for a new movement dedicated to improving health equity and making Chicago a connected, vibrant and healthy city for all residents.
A total of $150,000 in Seed funding has been awarded for 2018. See the full list of grantees and project summaries below:
Organization | Community Area | Project Summary |
Enlace Chicago | South Lawndale (Little Village) | Advance planning for the creation of a local community farmers market and improve the infrastructure of existing gardens to increase green space for community use and access to affordable healthy foods. |
I AM ABLE Center for Family Development, Inc. | North Lawndale | Engage North Lawndale youth to expand and implement the Traveling Youth Trauma Initiative (TYTI) and develop Trauma Informed Care (TIC) resources for students, families, and communities members to address the violence and trauma faced by North Lawndale youth. |
Noble Network of Charter Schools | North Lawndale | Develop and implement a robust life sciences curriculum focused on food production and entrepreneurship that engages youth in experiential learning by harvesting vegetables and managing the sale of produce in the community in order to increase access to affordable, healthy food. |
Telpochcalli Community Education Project (TCEP) | South Lawndale (Little Village) | Host research forums and develop the Research Community Partnership Forum to build community capacity to understand and design a balanced community research infrastructure where academia is responsive to the needs and interests of the community. |
