Nicor Gas awards $100,000 in grants to support community enrichment initiatives across its service territory

Expanding on its commitment to support neighborhoods across its service territory where stabilization needs are the greatest, Nicor Gas is announcing $100,000 in grants awarded to organizations to support their cultural and community enrichment programs.

"At Nicor Gas, we are committed to improving our local neighborhoods through the support of organizations that make our communities better for everyone," said Jackie Nagel, manager of Community Engagement at Nicor Gas. "Strong communities depend on each of us working together to ensure they are vital and sustainable places to live, work and serve."

This year, Nicor Gas is proud to award 21 organizations with grants to support their cultural and community enrichment programming:

Metropolitan Chicago/Statewide:

• Special Olympics: Supports the sponsorship of the organization's annual Polar Plunge benefiting their programming and services including sports training and competition for athletes.

• Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: Supports access for underrepresented individuals to participate in the Girl Scouts program that includes trauma-informed and social-emotional learning approaches to build resiliency.

• Children's Advocates for Change: Supports advocacy and intervention for economic relief for families in need across Illinois.

• Paramount Arts: Supports the Paramount Access Program which removes barriers to attending productions through "pay what you can" nights and sign language interpreted performances.

Cook County:

• Children's Advocacy of North and Northwest Cook County: Supports trauma focused therapeutic intervention for child survivors of abuse and family violence.

• Gigi's Playhouse: Supports therapeutic and education-based programs that advance speech and communication skills, literacy, math and motor skills for individuals with Down syndrome.

• The Firehouse Dream: Supports a mentorship program for underrepresented young adults to build creative skills, financial wellness and mental health concepts.

DuPage County:

• Samaritan Interfaith Counseling: Supports a mental health access program for clients who are uninsured, underinsured or have financial limitations.

• National Alliance of Mental Illness DuPage: Supports programming for individuals and families affected by mental illness through a comprehensive approach that complements clinical treatment.

• DuPage Children's Museum: Supports STEM learning labs to supplement kindergarten through fifth grade students' science, art and math education.

• Metropolitan Family Services: Supports social, behavioral, educational and legal services for DuPage County residents including counseling and behavioral health and domestic violence services.

• College of DuPage Foundation: Supports the Warhol 2023 exhibit at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center.

• Career and Networking Center: Supports a soft skills training program for unemployed and underemployed jobseekers. Kane County:

• Tri-City Family Services: Supports family centered counseling for children, adolescents, adults, families and community members across all income levels and life stages.

• Ecker Center for Behavioral Health: Supports a sponsorship for the client art show that raises funds for the organization's behavioral health programs.

Lake County:

• Council for Jewish Elderly: Supports their benefits service programs including free education, guidance and advocacy for low-income older adults and those with disabilities.

LaSalle County:

• Streator Unlimited: Supports the sponsorship of the "Food for Thought" event which raises money for programs for those with disabilities.

McHenry County:

• Rosecrance Foundation: Supports mental health and substance abuse treatment, including a mobile crisis response program, as well as outpatient programs and recovery homes.

• Raue Center for the Arts: Supports education programming to teach youth about script writing, performance fundamentals, backstage and behind the scenes jobs.

McLean County:

• Children's Discovery Museum: Supports the STEAM-based "Museum in Motion" program that brings the museum experience into local classrooms.

Will County:

• Stepping Stone, Inc.: Supports clinical services and recovery support for adults with a substance abuse disorder.

To learn more about Nicor Gas' commitment to cultural and community enrichment initiatives, visit www.NicorGas.com/CharitableGiving.