Building Pathways to Stability Through Increased Access to Essential Services

The Chicago Community Trust’s Addressing Critical Needs team recognizes that people cannot reach their full potential when basic human needs are not met, whether that be access to resources or active participation in community life because they have to prioritize fundamental needs over social and emotional health. To help increase access to essential support, the team focuses on organizations that provide direct service in its funding approach.

Through the Building Pathways to Stability funding program, Addressing Critical Needs awarded three-year grants to 25 organizations that provide one or all of the following services: addressing housing insecurity or homelessness, increasing access to health care to residents encountering barriers, decreasing food insecurity, and responding to residents in need of emergency clothing and supplies.

For example, Dion’s Chicago Dream’s core mission is decreasing Chicago’s food insecurity. Since its founding two years ago, Dion’s Chicago Dream’s work has been intentional, providing five days’ worth of healthy produce directly to households. The organization has secured partnerships with local businesses, such as Walgreens, which allows residents to get free blood pressure screenings without having to interact with a medical service provider. Additionally, Dion’s Chicago Dream partnered with the Chicago Urban League, where it refers residents who receive affordable housing assistance. Dion’s Chicago Dream also has community liaisons embedded within the neighborhoods it serves to provide information on and access to available services.

Another recipient of this funding program is Matthew House, where services focus on food, shelter, additional supportive services, and permanent supportive housing for unsheltered adult men, women, children, and families. Matthew House has a Daytime Supportive Services Program that provides walk-in services six days a week, including free breakfasts and lunches, access to showers, a mailing address, and other essential services. In addition, the organization provides case managers to aid clients and oversee 73 units of scattered-site permanent supportive housing. Matthew House has had a successful track record of providing its homeless clients with care to gain permanent residence for decades. It also has been a HUB for the Accelerated Housing Program in partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services and All Chicago.

The mission of KAN-WIN, another grant recipient, is to eradicate gender-based violence in Asian communities through culturally competent services, education, outreach, and advocacy. KAN-WIN addresses survivors’ housing crises through its Transitional Housing program. Housing advocates aid clients in searching for permanent residences, communicating with landlords, lease documentation assistance, move-in support, and furnishing their secured units. After securing housing, program participants receive case management, along with other supportive services, to help establish long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Through KAN-WIN’s offerings, survivors build long-term self-reliance as well as financial capability to overcome the specific challenges generated by their cultural and immigrant backgrounds.

The work of all awarded organizations supports the Trust’s North Star goal of closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region by increasing residents’ access to basic human needs as a mechanism for increased participation in civic action and community life. Below is the complete list of 2023 Building Pathways to Stability grant recipients and their total award amounts over three years.

2023 Building Pathways to Stability Grant Recipients

Addressing Housing Insecurity or Homelessness

• Facing Forward to End Homelessness ($195,000)
• Featherfist ($195,000)
• KAN-WIN ($105,000)
• The Harbour ($105,000)
• Unity Parenting and Counseling ($210,000)

Increasing Access to Health Care to Residents Encountering Barriers

• Firehouse Dream ($105,000)
• Healthcare Alternative Systems ($210,000)
• Mano a Mano Family Resource Center ($150,000)
• NAMI Metro Suburban ($150,000)

Decreasing Food Insecurity

• Cornerstone Community Development Corporation ($150,000)
• Dion’s Chicago Dream ($240,000)
• Growing Home ($150,000)
• Nourishing Hope ($150,000)
• Urban Growers Collective ($240,000)

Intersectional Across the Three Above

• Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance ($180,000)
• Apna Ghar Inc ($180,000)
• Arab American Family Services ($240,000)
• BEDS Plus Care ($210,000)
• Center on Halsted ($150,000)
• Enlace ($240,000)
• Ignite ($150,000)
• La Casa Norte ($210,000)
• Margaret’s Village ($180,000)
• Matthew House ($195,000)
• Taskforce Prevention and Community Services ($135,000)