The city and county have jointly launched a new, free resource for individuals who need health or social services support: 211 Metro Chicago. Now available via phone, text, or web chat, 211 Metro Chicago is a database search for all Cook County residents.
United Way joined BMO, our #1 corporate partner, as they kicked off their 2022 Employee Giving Campaign and shared with WGN’s Daytime Chicago how employee giving and our partnership help build a stronger, more equitable Chicago region.
WGN spoke with Sean Garrett, president and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago, about addressing families’ basic needs this holiday season and how we can support our communities.
Cecile De Mello – Executive Director of Teamwork Englewood, Gloria Castillo – Director of Together We Rise, and Kimberlee Guenther – Chief Impact Officer of United Way of Metro Chicago discuss the Chicago Community COVID-19 Reponse Fund that raised and invested $25 million in neighborhood businesses and pandemic resources.
Two years ago, the Chicago Community Trust and United Way of Metro Chicago launched the Chicago Community Covid-19 Response Fund. The goal is to raise money for non-profits providing emergency services to people most impacted by the pandemic. $35 million went to more than 400 organizations. Now, the focus has shifted to recovery, especially in Chicago’s Black and Latinx neighborhoods.
Carlos Nelson, a proud son of Auburn Gresham, is selflessly restoring the shine to a crown jewel of the South Side. Nelson has been pounding the pavement as the CEO of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation for nearly two decades. Carlos has also helped Auburn Gresham become a United Way Neighborhood Network, which is a community hub of service providers to help support residents in the area.
For over a decade Shields has served as executive director of Austin Coming Together, a nonprofit that connects dozens of organizations with the common goal of uplifting and empowering an area long plagued by poverty, crime and subpar education. Shields has also helped the Austin community become part of the United Way Neighborhood Network, which is a hub of service providers to help support Austin residents.
Each year at this time, WBBM looks at the state of charitable giving and the work of non-profit groups in the area. United Way Chicago President and CEO Sean Garrett tells Craig Dellimore that as we work to emerge from the pandemic, there are hopeful signs and big challenges. Eric Smith, Vice Chairman of BMO Harris Bank, and Jamila Trimuel, Founder and CEO of Ladies of Virtue, also joined.
This year United Way of Metro Chicago launched the United Neighborhood Equity Fund, selecting 10 Black and Brown-led nonprofits on Chicago’s South and West Sides to receive funding and support. WTTW’s Marissa Nelson interviews Sean Garret – United Way, Messiah Equiano – CHI-RISE, and Edwin Martinez – Centro Sanar.
Sean Garrett, President & CEO of the United Way of Metro Chicago, and Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, discuss how equity will be central to the city’s recovery.