NCH awards $90,000 to 14 local agencies

After completing a comprehensive application process, the NCH Community Health and Outreach Board Committee has selected 14 community agencies to divide a $90,000 gift of support.

Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 in support of programs that help increase access to care and promote health and wellness.

"NCH has been identifying and addressing unmet community needs for more than 60 years," said Chief Executive Officer and President Steve Scogna.

"We conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment to establish priority areas in which to focus our efforts and resources. To help address these priorities and unmet needs, we allocate a limited number of funds to not-for-profit community organizations that align with our mission and the needs of the community we serve."

The five largest grant winners this year have received $10,000 each. The organizations include:

• Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary's of Palatine, which will use the funds for a comprehensive maternity counseling program for under-resourced women.

• Partners for Our Communities, of Palatine, which will use the funds for operational support associated with the Community Resource Center.

• Journey's | The Road Home, which supports Hope Day Center-counseling, health care, food, clothing, showers and housing assistance.

• WINGS domestic violence program of Palatine, which will use the funds for operational support for Safe House, transitional housing and their NCH on-site counselor.

• Shelter, Inc., which provides housing and counseling services for abused and neglected children.

To fairly and consistently evaluate the applications, each organization is assessed on criteria such as identifying community needs; collaborating with NCH in addressing those needs; supporting the NCH service area; and ensuring an organization addresses needs not currently offered by other community resources.

"It brings me great pride to work for an organization that is so invested in the community. Since we've joined the NorthShore University HealthSystem family of hospitals, we remain focused on Arlington Heights and the surrounding communities we serve," said Executive Director of Community Services and Advocacy at NCH, Karen Baker. "The NCH philanthropic spirit is steadfast."

For more information, visit www.nch.org/about/community-services.