Live Healthy Chicago logo

Program Overview

Live Healthy Chicago (LHC) was a community-based collaborative project comprised of Forty Acres Fresh Market, MAAFA Redemption Project, My Block My Hood My City, Rush University Medical Center, and West Side United. LHC was implemented from June 2020 to May 2022 to address the impacts of COVID on the South and West sides of Chicago.

Our mission was to address the immediate wellness of seniors and high-risk populations in target Chicago communities experiencing the highest COVID-19 disparities and food insecurities. This project was funded through a generous donation from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.

Live Healthy Chicago Target Communities

Live Healthy Chicago Partners

West Side United’s mission is to build community health and economic wellness on Chicago’s West Side and build healthy, vibrant neighborhoods.

My Block My Hood My City is about helping people, no matter what. We’re connecting those who do good to those who need good, from every corner of Chicago.
MAAFA Redemption Project logo
MAAFA Redemption Project is an initiative based in West Garfield Park (Chicago), recruiting at-risk emerging adult men from the area to invest in them with housing, employment, educational opportunities, and evidence-based wrap-around social services.
Rush University Medical Center logo
Rush is committed to being a catalyst for community health and vitality. Through the initiatives and partnerships led by its Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement, Rush works to dismantle barriers to health and promote health equity in the diverse communities it serves.
Forty Acres Fresh Market’s mission is to increase access to affordable, high quality, fresh food in underserved areas. We believe in the power of communities to develop, build, and sustain their own resources and are proud to be part of economic revitalization on Chicago’s westside. Join us on in our efforts to ensure that every neighborhood has healthy food options available to all!

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

Live Healthy Chicago Community Grantees

  • Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home)
  • Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute
  • Beautiful Zion Food Pantry
  • By The Hand Club For Kids
  • Catholic Charities – Domestic Violence Services
  • CommunityHealth
  • DishRoulette Kitchen
  • Family Christian Health Center
  • Fathers Who Care
  • Gads Hill Center
  • Garfield Park Community Council
  • Greater Auburn Gresham Development Center
  • H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly)
  • Healthy Hood
  • Hope Center Foundation
  • House of Huggzz Loving Home Day Care
  • I Grow Chicago
  • IMAN
  • Inspiration Corporation
  • John Walt Foundation
  • La Casa Norte
  • Ladies of Virtue
  • LIFT-Chicago
  • Little Village Community Foundation Corp
  • M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment
  • Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
  • Mindfulness Leader, NFP.
  • Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
  • New Community Outreach
  • New Covenant CDC
  • New Life Centers
  • New Moms, Inc.
  • Northwestern Settlement
  • Peace Fellows Mutual Aid Collaborative
  • Peer Plus Education and Training Advocates
  • Project Vida Inc.
  • Real Men Charities
  • Shepherd’s Hope
  • St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church
  • Telpochcalli Community Education Project
  • The Firehouse Community Arts Center
  • The Kindness Campaign
  • The Resurrection Project (TRP)
  • Thresholds
  • UCAN
  • Un Nuevo Despertar
  • United For Better Living, Inc
  • Universidad Popular
  • Urban Growers Collective
  • Westside Health Authority
  • YogaCare
  • Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home)
  • Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute
  • Beautiful Zion Food Pantry
  • By The Hand Club For Kids
  • Catholic Charities – Domestic Violence Services
  • CommunityHealth
  • DishRoulette Kitchen
  • Family Christian Health Center
  • Fathers Who Care
  • Gads Hill Center
  • Garfield Park Community Council
  • Greater Auburn Gresham Development Center
  • H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly)
  • Healthy Hood
  • Hope Center Foundation
  • House of Huggzz Loving Home Day Care
  • I Grow Chicago
  • IMAN
  • Inspiration Corporation
  • John Walt Foundation
  • La Casa Norte
  • Ladies of Virtue
  • LIFT-Chicago
  • Little Village Community Foundation Corp
  • M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment
  • Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
  • Mindfulness Leader, NFP.
  • Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
  • New Community Outreach
  • New Covenant CDC
  • New Life Centers
  • New Moms, Inc.
  • Northwestern Settlement
  • Peace Fellows Mutual Aid Collaborative
  • Peer Plus Education and Training Advocates
  • Project Vida Inc.
  • Real Men Charities
  • Shepherd’s Hope
  • St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church
  • Telpochcalli Community Education Project
  • The Firehouse Community Arts Center
  • The Kindness Campaign
  • The Resurrection Project (TRP)
  • Thresholds
  • UCAN
  • Un Nuevo Despertar
  • United For Better Living, Inc
  • Universidad Popular
  • Urban Growers Collective
  • Westside Health Authority
  • YogaCare