Promoting Health Equity in Chicago
Enhancing the health and vitality of Chicago's residents through strategic partnerships and initiatives.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
In collaboration with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), TFO has embarked on an innovative hydroponic pilot project. Through this endeavor, TFO and GCFD hope to learn how best to provide underserved populations with increased and sustained access to healthy foods and fresh produce. Using hydroponics, this effort aims to generate substantial quantities of nutritious vegetables and produce, which they anticipate will significantly contribute to GFCD's prepared meals program.
Dion’s Chicago Dream
TCV supports Dion’s Chicago Dream whose mission is to create financial, physical, and emotional stability for Chicago’s residents by combating food insecurity while addressing food deserts in neighborhoods across the city. Dion’s Dream uses nutritional philanthropy as a catalyst to build community and transform lives.
The Prestige Project
TCV’s Prestige Project is dedicated to addressing the issue of homelessness in Chicago through collaborative efforts. Serving as a backbone organization, TCV drives collective impact initiatives by uniting organizations across sectors to pursue shared goals, enhance cooperation, and streamline fragmented systems. This effort has brought together 15 - 18 diverse Chicago-based organizations in the homelessness space, creating a collaborative cohort. TCV has hosted several interactive sessions starting in early 2023 aimed at cultivating innovative solutions. Engagements are focused on fostering collaborative and communal solutions, with the goal of addressing various critical challenges within the sector.
With an initial investment to the Prestige cohort in May, TFO supported six organizations with a focus on scaling impactful initiatives, including:
Covenant House
TCV supported Covenant House's Street Outreach and Aftercare Program (SOAP), specifically funding an outreach bus. The bus enabled Covenant House staff to reach more young people where they congregate, providing them with coordinated services and ongoing support as they transition out of care. With the addition of a vehicle for FY24, Covenant House anticipates doubling outreach to 200 youth this fiscal year.
Broadway Youth Center
TCV’s grant to Broadway Youth Center supported the food and transportation assistance, including providing food support to 130 clients and offering gift cards and bus cards for transportation needs. The gift cards offer the freedom and flexibility of choice to give semblance of normalcy in their lives. BYC improves the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and other underserved youth by providing youth-centered, integrated healthcare and social services.
Cornerstone Community Outreach
TCV covered Cornerstone Community Outreach’s purchase of new linens for the entire facility and gift cards for the 79 children currently staying onsite to purchase new clothes, with additional support for incoming families. Most of the families that are experiencing homelessness don't have a current source of income to afford new clothes or toys for their kids. Cornerstone used the award to buy 240 Target Gift cards worth $50 each. Almost all of them were distributed directly to each family, and any that were left over were used to get school supplies for the kids.
Ignite
TCV financed two 3G units and one NextGen unit for Ignite. The 3G units offer community-based housing for up to two years, while the NextGen units provide supportive affordable housing for up to three years while individuals take on an increasing proportion of rent/utilities each year of participation as they achieve self-sufficiency.
In Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023), 100% of youth were employed and/or completed an educational goal by exit. 100% of youth reported they felt safe in their apartments during FY23 for both Next Gen and 3G.
Night Ministry
TCV aided the launch of Night Ministry’s the Parenting with Purpose program, a transitional housing initiative for unhoused young mothers aged 16-24 and their children. This program, spanning 24 months, offers case management support, life skills education, and comprehensive supportive services.
Lyte Collective
TCV fully funded the costs of two housing units for LYTE Collective. Through this grant, two deserving individuals have received a comprehensive package of support, covering 100% of their rent and utility expenses, along with fully furnished apartments, essential supplies, monthly transportation passes, and food assistance. Additionally, the grant extends to cover their phone bills, ensuring they can stay connected. Beyond housing and financial assistance, these individuals benefit from holistic supportive services, including employment, education, health, arts, recreation, and personalized support for their unique needs. In June 2023, we were thrilled to hear about the successful transition of two young people into their own apartments. Both had been on the waitlist for Lytehouse Apartments for nearly two years. One of the beneficiaries, a young mother, has received specialized, therapeutic childcare and essential medical support for her son, who has developmental disabilities. This support has been life-changing for her. The other individual, a community member, has achieved stability in housing, enabling him to share custody of his son. This reunification has brought immense joy and stability to his life.
Chicago Police Foundation’s Gun Turn-In Program
To combat gun violence, TCV invested in the Chicago Police Foundation’s Gun Turn-in program. The program allows community members to turn in firearms anonymously and without fear of prosecution in exchange for a $100 Visa gift card. It provides a safe and convenient way for individuals to dispose of unwanted firearms and helps prevent these firearms from falling into the wrong hands or being used in illegal activities. In May 2023, Chicago police collected 450 guns at turn-in events across the city.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago
TCV supports the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by epilepsy. The Foundation provides support, education, and resources for individuals with epilepsy, their families, and the community.