As the holiday season officially kicks into high gear this week with Thanksgiving, I want to thank all of you for your continued support of our work at United Way of Metro Chicago.
The past couple of months have been a uniquely challenging time for our city and surrounding communities. While the heightened level of federal immigration enforcement has eased and the government shutdown that delayed SNAP benefits has ended, the resulting fear and increased need persist for many of our neighbors.
The amazing thing to me is that, through all the amplified complexities, our partners continue to show an unmatched resolve and commitment to ensure families are safe and that the progress achieved to date continues.
The United Way team had a chance to connect with many of our Neighborhood Network partners last week and learned a bit more about the work taking place in their communities, the challenges that remain, and what they need from all of us in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Alongside the great work our partners continue to lead, I am also proud to share that this week United Way will officially begin distributing $250,000 in response grants to 24 nonprofit partners serving those most directly impacted and in need of additional funds to support the increased levels of food insecurity across the region.
Below is an overview of the data and stories we are seeing.
211 Metro Chicago Data
Operated by United Way of Metro Chicago, in partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County, 211 Metro Chicago is a free, confidential 24/7/365 health and social service helpline that provides referrals to essential resources such as food pantries, utility payment assistance, health care, and housing support.
- During the first two weeks of November, we saw an increase of 149% in food requests month-over-month and continue to see an increased need through November.
- We continue to see a 100%+ month-to-month increase in requests for food assistance, with the first 20 days of November 120% higher than the same days in October.
- Web searches for food assistance also continue to show a dramatic month-to-month increase, with the first 20 days of November 189% higher than the same days in October.
- We continue to monitor additional year-over-year increases in employment services (up 84%) and health care support (up 78%).
Neighborhood Network Partner Updates
- Many Neighborhood Network partners in Evanston, Chicago Heights/Ford Heights, South Chicago, and others are expanding efforts to address food insecurity—a need many anticipate will only worsen—by collecting and distributing food to neighbors, providing home-delivery to neighbors who are afraid to visit a pantry, and buying and distributing gift cards. (Chicago Tribune)
- Partners are creating a greater presence of safety for community members:
- Partners in South Chicago are focusing on ensuring the community comes together and provides support.
- Brighton Park partners are continuing “school watches” to ensure kids can safely get to and from school each day. Unfortunately, during our call with them, there was an ICE abduction incident outside of a local school.
- Partners are initiating community conversations and working groups to address ongoing issues:
- Mental health of service providers and residents
- Erosion of health care benefits
- Documenting Chicago’s response to share with other cities such as Charlotte
- Ensuring that residents do not become complacent amid the reduction in ICE/Border Patrol presence, as enforcement is still taking place (NBC 5)
- Continuing “Know Your Rights” trainings, packing whistle kits, etc. (Chicago Tribune)
- Partners are shifting Network Action Plans to more immediately meet neighbors’ basic needs but continue to stay focused on future-forward work.
- Partners in Little Village are offering emergency cash assistance to residents and businesses amid the aftermath of heightened ICE/Border Patrol presence.
- Many partners shared appreciation for conversations like the one United Way convened on “The State of the Social Safety Net” earlier this month and the need to continue to amplify their community stories.
United Way Activations and Planning
- Launched and executed Response Grants to distribute $250,000 in response grant funding to 24 partners addressing food insecurity.
- Executing end-of-year programming addressing basic needs through Uniting for the Holidays with a peer-to-peer fundraising effort and hosting two events supporting the western suburbs with holiday meal boxes and Little Village with toys, cold weather essentials, and food.
- Participated in the Chicago Mayor’s Office press conference earlier this month alongside leaders from several nonprofits and community groups to highlight the work addressing increased food insecurity and community need. Our message focused on 2-1-1 data and our Response Grants.
- Hosted Neighborhood Network leadership conversations to share best practices and learn how United Way can continue to support.
- Shared blog posts and social media, including impact updates and a list of where to shop and dine locally in our Neighborhood Networks.
- Monitoring and preparing for potential impacts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) proposed caps on funding available for permanent supportive housing.
- Planning our second virtual conversation as part of “The State of the Social Safety Net” series. View the recording of the first discussion with Kate Maehr of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Maribel Martinez of Brighton Park Neighborhood Network, and Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina, moderated by Jackie Rosa of United Way of Metro Chicago.
This is just a snapshot of the work happening across the region and at United Way. The need and the work continue, but every day we continue to see the power of our collective efforts and partnership.
I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Sean Garrett
President & CEO
United Way of Metro Chicago
Support our neighbors’ basic needs – and help reclaim holiday joy.
Give back through “Uniting for the Holidays” today.
Banner photo: 2023 Uniting for the Holidays food and gift distribution event at Cornerstone Community Development Corporation in Ford Heights, which is receiving a United Way Response Grant to address food insecurity.