Building the healthiest region in the country – together 

As the season of gratitude begins, we’re reminded of the strength and importance of our amazing community of leaders, advocates, grassroots activists, and beyond. I wanted to take a moment to shine a light on an important part of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law community in the fight for health equity in Illinois. The Community Memorial Foundation is a critical partner in the ongoing pursuit of health and racial equity. Their important work aims to measurably improve the health of our neighbors, strategically focusing on the personal, social, economic, and environmental determinants of health that affect community wellness.

Through our partnership we have advanced health equity for all — with special care and attention given to immigrants in Illinois. With the foundation’s investment, the Shriver Center provides monthly training and technical assistance through our HelpHub.

This training and technical assistance center includes over 4,000 care coordinators, case managers, medical providers, community health workers, and enrollment assisters working to improve healthcare coverage, coordination, access, and outcomes. HelpHub directly supports at least 300 of these professionals each month with individual advice to help their patients and clients navigate state, federal, local and private healthcare and public benefits systems.

We also conduct community needs assessments and demographic research to be responsive to the changing needs of our region. Together, we identify systemic barriers to accessing healthcare coverage, improve health outcomes, and propose solutions to overcome those barriers.

To date, Community Memorial Foundation has awarded the Shriver Center more than $400,000 dollars and we continue to be grateful for their support of health justice.

Join us in making health equity a reality. Let’s build a better future together.