All throughout the city and suburban region—no matter the circumstances—people have found ways to connect and support each other, to celebrate diverse cultural traditions and our shared humanity, from tree and Menorah lightings to parades and winter markets.
Historically, Howard Brown Health Center has been a site for the LGBTQ community, known for their health care and research. Founded in 1974, Howard Brown has become one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations. However, in just one year, they have been a leader in COVID response and recovery on the South and West Sides of Chicago.
While corporations have always played a crucial role in community investment initiatives, it’s only when those plans are put into action that their full impact is realized. Join us at our next Neighborhood Exchange breakfast for a conversation with the bold leaders at the center of INVEST South/West as they discuss how they are coming alongside community-led visions to drive change in neighborhoods across the region.
IGNITE is a festive, mid-winter party bringing together Chicago area VIPs and young professionals for an evening of live music, dancing , hors d’oeuvres and cocktails—all to raise funds to support United Way’s workforce development efforts to provide our neighbors with critical access to job training and placement.
For nearly 40 years, the Primo Center for Women and Children has cared for our most vulnerable neighbors on the city’s west side — women and children who are homeless. Through housing, shelter and childcare programs, Primo Center not only places families in safe living situations, but empowers parents to break cycles of poverty and homelessness for their children.
A few years ago, when Jahnice Johnson would play with their son Ja-lijah, she kept noticing he wasn’t speaking new words or making new motions despite being enrolled in speech and physical therapy. As a young child with a developmental disability, Ja-lijah was entitled to educational and therapeutic services through Early Intervention — a federal program that pairs toddlers with a range of therapists to improve their skills. However, the providers frequently missed visits and Ja-lijah wasn’t progressing.
In honor of April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we recognize the strength and resilience of survivors of sexual assault and celebrate our compassionate community partners who work to end violence and encourage healing in our city.
In a large warehouse just south of McKinley Park, Anthony Lighthall and his colleagues at National Futures Association (NFA) prepared for a busy day of community service. Outside of his human resources role at NFA, Anthony leads the company’s workplace campaign. He encourages his fellow employees to support United Way and facilitates service projects that advance our mission to build stronger neighborhoods.
As temperatures across the region plunged to lethal levels last week, most Chicagoans retreated to the safety of their homes. But for many across the region, such an option is a luxury.