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  • Location
  • Blue Island is a suburban city located about 15 miles south of downtown Chicago. Robbins is a village located immediately southwest of Blue Island. Both communities are located in the South-Southwest suburban region, known as the Southlands.
  • Demographics
  • Blue Island is home to approximately 23,000 people and Robbins is home to more than 5,000 residents. Combined, the population of the two communities is 41 percent Latinx, 38 percent Black and 17 percent white. The low income rate for Blue Island is approximately 19% and Robbins is approximately 39%.
  • Looking back
  • Blue Island was established in the 1830s as a way station for travelers. By the mid-19th century, European immigrants began settling in the area in part due to its proximity to stable industrial and railroad jobs. African Americans seeking these same opportunities were excluded from Blue Island, so they incorporated the neighboring village of Robbins in 1917. Robbins is one of the oldest majority-black municipalities in the US. The village was also home to the country’s first black-owned airport in the 1930s, Robbins Airport, used as a training ground for the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.
  • History of the Neighborhood Network
  • The Blue Island / Robbins Neighborhood Network combines two neighborhoods that, at first glance, look very different. What they do have in common, however, is a geographic border and a population that has significant need for services, especially around food insecurity. The Network was formed in 2016 in partnership with its lead community partner, Metropolitan Family Services. Today, 37 community stakeholders have been recruited to participate in the Neighborhood Network.

Blue Island/Robbins Community Vision

Improving outcomes for families by addressing food insecurity and other basic needs.

Neighborhood Network in Action

The Blue Island /Robbins Neighborhood Network is committed to creating a more vibrant community for every resident by improving household incomes, access to quality health care, and access to healthy foods.

Select “next” to read more about the work we’ve accomplished.

Creating a More Vibrant Community

  • Blue Island/Robbins is actively promoting comprehensive health services through a collaborative of healthcare providers and partners.
  • The Network is working to bring a grocery store to the area to increase the overall health and livability of Blue Island/Robbins communities.

Coalition Highlights

The Neighborhood Network has taken great strides in achieving their community vision. Moving forward, they’re working to identify additional ways of addressing food insecurity in their community.

Select “next” to read more about our coalition highlights.

Community Support

  • The Network expanded their food giveaway services to respond to the increased need of residents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest.
  • Local food pantry Blue Cap has increased its services during the pandemic including providing PPE and other vital items residents needed.
  • Received family initiative grant which has provided assistance to 50 families in the Blue Island/Robbins neighborhood.

Hear from your neighbors and supporters

Kentric Benson

Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network Project Coordinator for Metropolitan Family Service

“One thing that we found as we began to create the network was that there are lots of resources in our community but not many of the residents know how to access them. Quite frankly, not a lot of them know that these resources exist especially when it comes to mental health.”
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