Highwood Public Library Receives $628,000 For Health Equity Program

HIGHWOOD, IL — The Highwood Public Library received a $628,000 grant last month from NorthShore University HealthSystem to further develop its health equity program.

The library's health equity program provides services to historically underserved communities in Highwood and other Lake County communities, offering licensed professional counselors, case managers and community engagement specialists, according to library staff.

The latest contribution is the library's second from the community investment fund NorthShore established last year in conjunction with its merger with Edward-Elmhurst Health, bringing the total to $1,206,000.

Carmen Patlan, the library's executive director, said the funding has had a "transformational" effect on the services it can provide.

“As a result of the programs funded by NorthShore, individuals and families in this community are reporting that they have increased knowledge of mental health concepts, access to resources, and the tools to better prevent and manage diseases," Patlan said in a statement.

More than 4,000 people have received services from the library's health equity program, with more than 500 counseling and case management sessions provided as part of a coordinated emergency response to the Highland Park 4th of July parade shooting, library staff said.

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

Library staff said the latest community investment fund donation will help pay for the completion of a community needs assessment, more bilingual health literacy programs, mental health education, counseling, case management and support groups for marginalized community members and families of color throughout Lake County.

Related:

• First $2.6 Million In Community Investment Fund Grants Revealed
• Highwood Library Wins Nation's Top Museum And Library Honor
• Highwood Public Library's Names Carmen Patlan New Executive Director