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Thursday, May 30, 2024
11:30am–1:30pm
Hilton Chicago – Grand Ballroom | Chicago, IL
11:30am–1:30pm
Hilton Chicago – Grand Ballroom | Chicago, IL
The United Way of Metro Chicago team thanks all who attended and supported our 2024 Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon. We’re honored to work alongside dedicated leaders like David Casper, Nicor Gas, Don V. Villar, our corporate, civic, community, and philanthropic partners, and YOU!
Building stronger neighborhoods and creating communities where all people can flourish is the pathway to a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. Working together, we can create thriving neighborhoods for all individuals and families. Thank you for your commitment to being part of that change.
For questions about supporting or attending next year’s luncheon, please contact donorhelp@liveunitedchicago.org.
HONOREES
Each year United Way recognizes honorees who exemplify what it means to LIVE UNITED.
United Way is proud to announce that this year we will present the Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award to David Casper, an individual whose selfless actions have encouraged others to step forward as civic leaders and philanthropists, improving the quality of life for countless individuals and families in the Chicago region.
The Corporate Leadership Award will be presented to Nicor and accepted by Wendell Dallas, President and Chief Executive Officer, for the firm’s longstanding commitment to United Way.
The Community Leadership Award will be presented to Don V. Villar and recognizes an individual or organization who strives to strengthen communities across the region.
ANDREW J. MCKENNA
LEADERSHIP AWARD
David Casper
Chairman of the Board,
BMO Financial Corp.
CORPORATE
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Nicor Gas
accepted by Wendell Dallas,
President and Chief Executive Officer
COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Don V. Villar
Secretary-Treasurer,
Chicago Federation of Labor
ANDREW J. MCKENNA
LEADERSHIP AWARD
David Casper
Chairman of the Board,
BMO Financial Corp.
CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Nicor Gas
accepted by Wendell Dallas,
President and Chief Executive Officer
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Don V. Villar
Secretary-Treasurer,
Chicago Federation of Labor
co-chairs
SPONSORS
as of 5/30/24
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible.
To view the full list of sponsors, click here.
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Video Highlights
View our 2024 Luncheon Recap video, This is United Way video, and previous luncheon recap videos.
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Photo Highlights
View more photos from the event in our Flickr album.
Support Stronger Neighborhoods
Thank you for supporting United Way’s 2024 Stronger Neighborhoods Awards. Please complete the form below to submit your donation via credit card.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS
Community organizations and individuals across the Chicago region are working to improve their local neighborhoods.
United Way of Metro Chicago sits at the intersection of economic opportunity and human services—we provide training, funding, resources and knowledge to bring community-driven goals of our Neighborhood Network communities to life.
AUBURN GRESHAM
AUSTIN
BLUE ISLAND/ROBBINS
BRIGHTON PARK
BRONZEVILLE
CICERO
ELGIN
ENGLEWOOD
EVANSTON
FAR SOUTH
FORD HEIGHTS /
CHICAGO HEIGHTS
CHICAGO HEIGHTS
GARFIELD PARK
HARVEY
LITTLE VILLAGE
PARK FOREST /
RICHTON PARK
RICHTON PARK
SOUTH CHICAGO
SUMMIT
WEST CHICAGO
PREVIOUS LUNCHEON EVENTS
Summit
As of the 2020 census, Summit had a population of 11,161. Nearly 73% of the population is Hispanic/Latine. 13% of people live below the poverty line.
As a new Neighborhood Network launched in December 2023, Summit will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years.
The Summit Neighborhood Network has promising plans and vision for strengthening their local community. They also have a high degree of readiness to succeed in implementing the Neighborhood Network model.
ELGIN
As of the 2020 census, Elgin had a total population of 114,797, making it the sixth largest city in Illinois.
As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2023, Elgin will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years. The Elgin Neighborhood Network has promising plans and vision for strengthening their local community, plus they have a high degree of readiness to succeed in implementing the Neighborhood Network model.
Englewood
Englewood is one of the 77 official community areas in Chicago and is located on Chicago’s South Side.
As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2022, Englewood will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years. The Englewood Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing plans and vision for strengthening its local communities, stakeholder and funder interest, and Teamwork Englewood’s high degree of readiness for implementing the model.
Far South
Approximately 98% of residents are people of color, and more than 65% are unemployed or not in the labor market.
As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2022, Far South will be working to build its coalition and begin implementing its community vision over the next three years. The Far South Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing plans and vision, strong community leadership, stakeholder and funder interest, the proposed expansion of the Red Line, and the Far South Chicago Coalition’s high degree of readiness for implementing the Neighborhood Network model.
Garfield Park
A predominantly Black community with more than 50% of households in Garfield Park earn less than $25,000 annually.
The Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative envisions a vibrant culture where legacy and future residents experience the highest quality of life. The Garfield Park Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing coalition and articulated vision for strengthening the Garfield Park community.
Auburn Gresham
A predominantly Black community with many of the residents having experienced disinvestment, resulting in a 55 percent low income rate.
Once a swampy marshland, the neighborhood now sits at the center of one of the city’s major thoroughfares. Despite its busy location between I-94 and the Dan Ryan Expressway, Auburn Gresham is home to a hidden beauty—the Auburn Park lagoons—where neighbors still gather to fish and play. The Auburn Gresham Neighborhood Network is using catalytic development to jumpstart local economic growth and create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Increased access to healthcare, a growing green economy, and affordable housing will strengthen the neighborhood significantly.
Austin
Divestment & inequality in the 1960s sent real estate prices plummeting. Today, 57% of the population is low income.
The Austin Neighborhood Network was formed in 2010 after a group of like-minded community leaders, identifying as Austin Coming Together (ACT), joined forces to discuss how to better coordinate efforts to create systemic change in their community. In 2016, in partnership with United Way, ACT released Thrive 2025, a strategy which sets bold “impact goals” to help Austin improve early childhood education outcomes, community revitalization efforts, and access to living wage employment opportunities for residents. Austin is moving towards its goal of providing high-quality learning opportunities to low-income children and ensuring residents have access to living wage employment and a pathway to homeownership.
Blue Island/Robbins
The two communities are 41 percent Latinx, 38 percent Black and 17 percent white. The low income rate for Blue Island is approximately 19% and Robbins is approximately 39%.
The Blue Island / Robbins Neighborhood Network combines two neighborhoods that, at first glance, look very different. What they do have in common, however, is a geographic border and a population that has significant need for services, especially around food insecurity. The Blue Island /Robbins Neighborhood Network is committed to creating a more vibrant community for every resident by improving household incomes, access to quality health care, and access to healthy foods.
Brighton Park
Home to about 45,000 residents, 83 percent of whom identify as Latinx. Today, 58 percent of the population is considered low income.
In 2010, Brighton Park was identified as a high need community but there were no social service intermediaries and funding was lacking. However, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) was an active organization focused on community schools and after-school programs. BPNC was drawn to the idea of working with other community organizations to offer broader support to families and residents. As a result, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Network was established in 2012. The coalition now has 40 partners that include schools, hospitals, social service providers, city departments, elected officials, and small businesses.
Bronzeville
Home to about 68,000 people, of which approximately 78 percent are Black.
In the mid 20th century, racially motivated housing policies created a chasm of disinvestment and has resulted in a greater than 50 percent low income rate today. Nevertheless, a rich history and revitalization efforts maintain this vibrant community. The Bronzeville Neighborhood Network is addressing the community’s needs through a multi-pronged approach to reduce violence and increase healthy living opportunities.
Cicero
Home to about 83,000 people, primarily of Latinx descent.
Despite facing an 18% poverty rate, Cicero is experiencing a community revival as residents come together to continue building a stronger community around shared goals. In 2004, members of the Cicero community created the Cicero Youth Task Force (CYTF) to address the root causes of gang violence. Over the next decade, the group engaged parents, schools and the local police department in their efforts to create a safer community. United Way joined with CYTF in 2016 to create the Cicero Neighborhood Network, renaming to become the Cicero Community Collaborative. In 2018, Cicero was selected as one of four communities nationwide to receive the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.
Evanston
Median household incomes are approximately $30,000 in the least affluent areas yet more than $100,000 in the most affluent areas. 26 percent of Evanston residents are low income.
The United Way Neighborhood Network in Evanston, led by Evanston Cradle to Career (EC2C), was formed in 2016. This partnership leverages a pre-existing network of 40 public sector, nonprofit, academic, and faith-based organizations. Using a “collective impact” strategy, The Evanston Neighborhood Network, with lead partner Evanston Cradle to Career, is using a “collective impact” strategy to overcome the obstacles that have created long-standing inequities by identifying gaps, challenging systems, and building trust among all facets of their community.
Little Village
Home to about 75,000 people—a largely Latinx population. Decades of systemic disinvestment have lead to a 67 percent low-income rate.
This vibrant Latinx neighborhood wanted a more resilient community for its residents; however, resources were lacking in the northeast part of the neighborhood—Marshall Square. A coalition of agencies and community organizations, already working together to share resources and training, provided the ideal partnership for the Little Village Neighborhood Network. The Little Village Neighborhood Network, now composed of 33 actively participating agencies, is committed to supporting the health and well-being of residents in Little Village and Marshall Square.
South Chicago
Once a booming industrial center for immigrants, deindustrialization has left this neighborhood with a 61 percent low income rate.
The South Chicago Neighborhood Network is currently compromised of 20 community groups who include local block club members, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and higher education institutions. The South Chicago Neighborhood Network is focused on improving the safety of the community by reducing domestic and gun violence. In partnership with local schools and nonprofit agencies, South Chicago is committed to creating a trauma-informed community that is dedicated to supporting a culture of care for residents impacted by violence.
West Chicago
Over the past few decades, many Latinx families have settled in West Chicago, and they now compose 53 percent of the population. While these are all positive indicators, 37.5 percent of the population remains low income.
With a coalition of 42 Network partners, six family liaisons, three community mental health clinicians, and six working groups, the West Chicago Neighborhood Network is committed to supporting and enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of children and families through a collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive approach from West Chicago schools and community.
Ford Heights / Chicago Heights
As of the 2020 census, Chicago Heights had a population of 27,480, and Ford Heights was home to 1,813 people. 24% of the population in Chicago Heights lives below with the poverty line. The percentage in Ford Heights is slightly higher: 37.8%.
Cornerstone Community Development Corporation is leading the vision and work of the Ford Heights / Chicago Heights Neighborhood Network. As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2023, Ford Heights / Chicago Heights will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years.
Harvey
As of the 2020 census, Harvey had a population of 20,324. The racial makeup of the city is 63% Black and nearly 30% Hispanic/Latinx. 31% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Restoration Ministries and CEDA are leading the vision and work of the Harvey Neighborhood Network. As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2023, Harvey will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years.
Park Forest / Richton Park
The majority of residents living in Park Forest and Richton Park are Black (70% and 86% respectively). More than 10% of residents in both communities live below the poverty line (12.6% in Park Forest and 11.4% in Richton Park).
OAI is leading the vision and work of the Park Forest / Richton Park Neighborhood Network. Their vision is for everyone to reach their career potential, work safely, and build a good life.
Hilton Chicago,
Grand Ballroom,
720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Thursday, May 30, 2024
11:30am–1:30pm
For more information, please visit pjhchicago.com
Questions?
Please email Molly McDonald at
mmcdonald@pjhchicago.com