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  • Location
  • The suburb of Evanston shares its southern border with the City of Chicago and is located 11 miles north of downtown Chicago. Evanston sits on the Lake Michigan coast and is home to Northwestern University, one of the region’s largest educational institutions.
  • Demographics
  • Evanston is a melting pot of about 75,000 white, Black, Asian and Latinx residents. However, racial disparity and income inequality have created vastly different experiences for people in this city. Median household incomes are approximately $30,000 in the least affluent areas yet more than $100,000 in the most affluent areas. 26 percent of Evanston residents are low income.
  • Looking back
  • In the second half of the 19th century, Evanston grew into a booming industrial center. Zoning ordinances in the mid-20th century created lasting segregation in this diverse town. During the 1960s, the suburb lost many of its industrial institutions and Evanston turned to its academic and business sectors for revival. In the late 20th century, Evanston became known as “Headquarters City,” named for the numerous nonprofit headquarters in the area.
  • History of the Neighborhood Network
  • The United Way Neighborhood Network in Evanston, led by Evanston Cradle to Career (EC2C), was formed in 2016. This partnership leverages a pre-existing network of 40 public sector, nonprofit, academic, and faith-based organizations. The coalition assesses the policies and practices that create disadvantages in the community, and help change the systems that undermine positive, equitable outcomes for all Evanston children and families.

Evanston Community Vision

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By the age of 23, all Evanston young adults will be on the path to leading satisfying and productive lives.

Neighborhood Network in Action

Using a “collective impact” strategy, The Evanston Neighborhood Network, with lead partner Evanston Cradle to Career, is using a “collective impact” strategy to overcome the obstacles that have created long-standing inequities by identifying gaps, challenging systems, and building trust among all facets of their community.

Select “next” to read more about the Network’s academic and out-of-classroom strategies to achieve youth success.

Collective Strategies

  • Educating and supporting parents as their child’s first teachers
  • Building teacher training and support in delivering trauma-informed classroom practices
  • Building capacity in mental health for children and families
  • Creating a smooth transition between pre-and kindergarten classrooms

Coalition Highlights

The Evanston Neighborhood Network has leveraged community-wide partnerships to help provide the foundation for youth success.

Select “next” to read more about the initiatives and programs created to date.

Youth Programs and Initiatives

  • EC2C School District 65, the Evanston Park District, and other nonprofit partners approved automatic scholarships for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
  • Created a Talk, Read, Sing Initiative to engage healthcare and other providers in sharing information with parents around early child development.
  • Established Mayor’s Employers Advisory Council to align student preparation with employer needs, building pathways to livable wage careers.

Community Programs and Trainings

  • Worked with partner organizations to create a trauma-informed city, engaging professionals, community members, and faith-based leaders.
  • Created Advocates for Action, offering leadership training and stipends to community members to ensure diverse voices in guiding the work of EC2C.
  • Hosted Beyond Diversity and SEED equity trainings for 650 individuals, including program staff, board members, public servants, and community members.

Hear from your neighbors and supporters

Maggie Blinn DiNovi

CEO of Youth and Opportunity United (Y.O.U.)

“Evanston Township High School is a well-resourced school, but there’s an achievement gap. We’re addressing the opportunity gap between high-income and low-income students. It’s not about competing with [the school]. It’s about what else do students need? This is a place that kids are comfortable, and they’ve developed relationships that help them really realize their fullest potential.”
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