NorthShore University HealthSystem Awards $4 Million To Local Groups

EVANSTON, IL — Nine Chicago area organizations have been selected to receive $4 million in funding from NorthShore University HealthSystem in the second year of its Community Investment Fund.

Representatives of the Evanston-based hospital conglomerate also announced an additional $3.3 million in donations to the first seven organizations selected to receive money from the fund, who were awarded $2.6 million in the first round of funding.

The Community Investment Fund was established as part of NorthShore's merger with Edward-Elmhurst Health, which took effect at the start of last year.

Combined, the nine-hospital group was expected to generate more than $5 billion in revenue last year. The two businesses each committed $100 million for the community funds.

Among the grant recipients announced Thursday, the largest financial contribution was awarded to PEER Services and Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, or TASC, which received nearly $1.03 million to expand services for treatment and recovery from drug and alcohol addiction for residents of northern Cook County charged with crimes.

Fenix Family Health Center Centro de Salud received $600,000 to provide comprehensive, culturally literate medical care, mental health services and prenatal care to native Spanish speakers in Lake County.

Kenneth Young Center also received a $600,000 grant, which is set to be used to improve mobile behavioral health crisis response and provide 24/7 mental health services.

Josselyn got $550,000 to support the renovation of a Waukegan facility for Lake County residents, especially Medicaid recipients, to receive behavioral health services.

The Rohingya Culture Center received a $500,000 grant to support a new space and provide case management, English language classes and multilingual services.

Howard Brown was awarded more than $402,000 to improve treatment for people with complex trauma with a focus on gay, lesbian and transgender people.

Other grantees include: the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, which was awarded nearly $280,000 to promote culturally responsive services in Lake County; Lutheran Social Services of Illinois received $120,000 to provide behavioral health services; and ASPIRE Lake County Community Healthcare Workforce Development Program received $115,000 to establish a new community collaborative to connect students and young adults with career exploration opportunities.

“These powerful partnerships are all about creating meaningful, lasting impact through data, relationships and resources,” said Gabrielle Cummings, president of Highland Park Hospital and acute care for NorthShore.

“In just our first year, we already made impressive strides and have increased our understanding of how we can work together to make our communities healthier," Cummings said in a release. "In year two, we are proud to further these partnerships, while also welcoming new partners and expanding our focus to include areas like bi-cultural medical care, complex trauma treatment and multilingual healthcare education.”

Earlier: First $2.6 Million In Community Investment Fund Grants Revealed

The initial seven organizations to be selected for the Community Investment Fund grants will continue to receive funding from NorthShore in 2023, hospital officials announced.

Total amounts awarded to date include:

• $1.854 million to the Highwood Public Library & Community Center
• $1.75 million to Rosalind Franklin University’s Community Care Connection
• $504,250 to The Friendship Center
• $500,000 to The AUX
• $463,237 to Between Friends
• $430,408 to Partners for Our Communities
• $400,000 to ASPIRE Evanston Community Healthcare Workforce Development Program