Partners for Our Communities to team up with NorthShore University HealthSystem to increase access to community resources

More than $116,000 from NorthShore’s Community Investment Fund will help increase access to a variety of community resources in the northwest suburbs for immigrant populations and low-income residents

Partners for Our Communities (POC) announced receipt of $116,300 from NorthShore’s Community Investment Fund (CIF) to connect vulnerable community members with essential resources. As one of the first to partner with NorthShore through its CIF, the organizations will work collaboratively to address unmet needs including social determinants of health.

NorthShore, including Swedish and Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH), selected POC as one of seven local organizations across Lake and Cook Counties to collaborate on programs that enhance health and wellbeing, advance health equity and support local economic growth. As a prominent feature of their recently finalized merger, NorthShore and Edward-Elmhurst Health each committed $100 million, which will generate millions of dollars annually, to benefit their respective communities.

“Partners for Our Communities values and appreciates its long standing relationship with Northwest Community Healthcare , and is thrilled that the hospitals support will not only continue, but will be strengthened since NCH joined the NorthShore family,” said Kathy Millin, POC Executive Director.

POC will use the funding to hire intake coordinators and a case manager who will be present to assist vulnerable community members during all hours of operation at the Community Resource Center (CRC) The CRC is owned by NCH, and the POC oversees operations and provides programming at the center. These new staff members will meet with clients and conduct full evaluations to identify specific needs and connect them with resources and case management services for clients presenting with more complex issues. POC and NCH continuously work together to identify and address gaps in services and the ever changing needs of the community.

“We recognize that social and economic barriers can impact immigrant and low-income individuals and families when it comes to their health and well-being, which is why working with Partners for Our Communities is incredibly important to ensuring increased access to a variety of services for people who wish to improve their lives,” said Gabrielle Cummings, President, NorthShore Legacy Acute Care and Highland Park Hospital.

“Our Community Investment Fund is built on the principle that the more we connect and invest in our communities, the better we all become,” added Cummings. “We aim to be a true catalyst for change—putting our talents, unique capabilities and resources to work by collaborating with local organizations, like Partners for Our Communities, through creative partnerships for the benefit or our communities.”

To learn more about NorthShore’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Community Investment Fund, click here. To learn more about Partners for Our Communities, click here.