Program Overview

Live Healthy Chicago (LHC) is a collaborative that implements initiatives to improve the wellness of seniors and high-risk populations experiencing COVID-19 health disparities and food insecurity. The initiatives span 20 majority Black and Brown target communities in Chicago. Forty Acres Fresh Market; MAAFA Redemption Project; My Block, My Hood, My City (M3); Rush University Medical Center; and West Side United have partnered to build LHC.

LHC has distributed over $2 million in community-based grants to organizations that are implementing immediate and recovery strategies. Noticing a gap in federal funding to undocumented communities, LHC distributed another round of funding in Q2 to four organizations that prioritize undocumented Chicagoans.

Program Outcomes

Through quarter one to quarter three of 2021, Live Healthy Chicago grantees distributed more than $114,686 in financial assistance to individuals. Notably, the distribution size grew by eight times for quarter two compared with quarter one. As our grantees wrap up their programs, we saw a natural decline in the distribution of funding in quarter three. Most dollars were distributed immediately in the first few months of the program.

Through quarter one to quarter three of 2021, Live Healthy Chicago grantees distributed more than $114,686 in financial assistance to individuals. Notably, the distribution size grew by eight times for quarter two compared with quarter one.

As of September 2021, the Live Healthy Chicago initiative has served 681,143 individuals. The four organizations serving undocumented Chicagoans have served more than 50% of all individuals reached. We have seen our impact grow substantially in quarter 2 and quarter 3.

As of September 2021, the Live Healthy Chicago initiative has served 681,143 individuals. The four organizations serving undocumented Chicagoans have served more than 50% of all individuals reached. We have seen our impact grow substantially in quarter 2 and quarter 3.

In just over three quarters, we have provided over 2.5 million meals across the 20 priority neighborhoods. One of our grantees supporting undocumented Chicagoans has been largely responsible for the food delivery in quarter 2.

In just over three quarters, we have provided over 2.5 million meals across the 20 priority neighborhoods. One of our grantees supporting undocumented Chicagoans has been largely responsible for the food delivery in quarter 2.

Through quarter one to quarter three, our grantees recruited ~380 volunteers and new staff to aid the delivery of services across their programs. These volunteers and new staff are vital to support the dramatic expansion of many of these programs. We have seen how the need for food, financial assistance, and other support has increased during the pandemic, and these grantees have grown to meet that need.

Through quarter one to quarter three, our grantees recruited ~380 volunteers and new staff to aid the delivery of services across their programs. These volunteers and new staff are vital to support the dramatic expansion of many of these programs. We have seen how the need for food, financial assistance, and other support has increased during the pandemic, and these grantees have grown to meet that need.

Review our metrics framework

Program Impact

Community Snapshots

Stories from Participants

Recently, we had a senior citizen who needed food and was unable to come to the pantry to receive food. Throughout senior care, we contact seniors to do a wellness check and found out she was disabled and in need of food. We signed her up for our homebound service that will provide her with delivery services. When we arrived at her house with her box of groceries, she began crying saying I didn't know how I was going to make it. Because of our program, she doesn't have to be hungry because she can no longer make it to the pantry her food is now being delivered to her.
Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute
Recently, two of our participants delivered premature babies who had some health challenges. Because of their prematurity, both babies required a specific, expensive formula that was not covered by WIC. We were able to use COVID relief funds to purchase the needed formula—helping to reduce stress for young families. We will continue purchasing formulas for these families until they no longer have a need. Now a few months old, both babies are doing well.
New Moms, Inc
[A couple] registered for care at CommunityHealth after not having received regular health care since moving to the United States. At the first appointment, they were able to take care of several health issues. The wife was diagnosed with diabetes and given the tools and medication needed to control the condition. The husband was able to schedule surgery at the county hospital for a deviated septum. This additional health care access point is already helping more uninsured people access health care.
CommunityHealth