Grants

Grant Recipient

The Chicago Community Trust

Awarded: August 2023 Awarded Amount: $100,000

Grant Recipient

Sista Afya Community Care NFP

Awarded: August 2023 Awarded Amount: $50,000

Sista Afya Community Care (SACC) is honored to submit this proposal to the Chicago Community Trust's Unity Fund. As an organization deeply committed to supporting the mental health of Black women in Chicago, we are excited by the opportunity to partner with a funder that shares our dedication to improving the mental health and wellbeing of Black women in Chicago. SACC is committed to leveraging community-driven mental health services, advocacy, and a dedication to service accessibility to bridge the mental health gap in the communities we serve. We believe that our beneficiaries should play a significant role in shaping our programs, we are devoted to creating a receptive environment for active community engagement. This engagement fosters a sense of ownership and connection. We take pride in our representation and inclusivity as a wholly Black-led and Black-serving organization. We ensure the voices and experiences of the Black community are at the forefront of our initiatives, resulting in strategies that are responsive, relevant, and catered to the unique needs of our community. In the pursuit of mental health equity, SACC operates three core programs: Thrive in Therapy, Community Care, and Developing Mental Wellness Warriors. These programs, ranging from free, tailored therapy services to topic-based workshops, group therapy, wellness classes, and community member training, are designed to provide comprehensive mental health support. Our track record of successful service delivery and the impact we have had on our community is demonstrated by both the quantitative outcomes of our programs and the heartfelt testimonials from the people we serve. SACC has recently seen significant growth, enhancing our capacity to serve our community and extend our reach to more Black women encountering barriers to mental health care. In the spirit of transparency and commitment to continuous improvement, SACC is devoted to systematically measuring and reporting our outcomes, including those specified by the Unity Fund. We recognize that data-driven evaluation is integral to enhancing our programs and increasing our impact. As such, we have developed a robust system for tracking our progress and evaluating our effectiveness through various outcome indicators. This allows us to monitor our performance and to make informed adjustments to our strategies and initiatives, ensuring the maximum possible impact on the communities we serve. We believe our work aligns perfectly with the vision and priorities of the Unity Fund. We are excited by the prospect of partnering with you to bring about a positive change in the mental health landscape for Black women in Chicago. With the support of the Unity Fund, we are confident that we can further our mission, extend our reach, and have an even more profound impact on the mental health of our community.

Grant Recipient

Aunt Marthas Health and Wellness Inc

Awarded: August 2023 Awarded Amount: $50,000

Aunt Martha’s is seeking opportunities to simultaneously improve access to behavioral health services while addressing food insecurity, because we have learned that food insecurity and mental health issues often co-exist and perpetuate one another. Food insecurity is defined as insufficient access to nutritious food. Lack of essential nutrients can impact brain function, which can result in mood disorders and other mental health issues. Food insecurity and mental health are interconnected in many ways. Food insecurity can lead to chronic stress and anxiety, as people experiencing food insecurity often face uncertainty about their next meal, which can lead to anxiety disorders. Food insecurity has been linked to an increased risk of depression. The constant worry about food availability and the inability to meet basic nutritional needs can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Mental health issues can make it difficult for one to find and maintain employment, leading to financial instability and increased vulnerability to food insecurity. Similarly, food insecurity and the accompanying stress of worrying about having adequate food can exacerbate existing mental health issues, making it more difficult to improve overall well-being. At Aunt Martha’s, we believe that addressing one issue will positively impact the other. Comprehensive approaches that integrate mental health care with strategies to alleviate food insecurity can be effective in promoting well-being and resilience in affected individuals and communities. Over time, we have learned that addressing SDOHs requires integrating new services, which can call upon staff to address participant issues in new and different ways. As a result, Aunt Martha’s seeks to provide 20 existing staff with life coach training that will equip them to build the kind of trusting relationships with participants that lead to partnerships in identifying strengths, setting goals, adhering to treatment plans, and improving participant outcomes.

Grant Recipient

Logan Square Neighborhood Association

Awarded: August 2023 Awarded Amount: $50,000

A $50,000 grant would provide general operating support to address the critical needs of asylum seekers and accelerate systems change at the intersection of housing and immigration. We propose to fill a new position for a 1.0 FTE housing/immigration organizer and activate our Housing and Immigration committees to recruit 3-5 asylees who are our new neighbors to join a cohort that will receive healing/wellness support, leadership development, and opportunities to document their experiences. This project will lead to a magazine and opportunities to educate policy-makers and the public in an effort to increase access to housing, while the cohort will also connect other recent arrivals to critical safety net resources. The cohort and the new housing/immigration organizer will also seek out housing resources in the community for asylees. Palenque LSNA will also partner with New Hope Church to refer asylum seekers for services and support and with Family Focus for additional referrals and case management.