CHICAGO — The city wants residents to help identify local health organizations to receive thousands in grant funds to address neighborhood health problems.
As part of the city's "Healthy Chicago 2.0" initiative, city and health department officials are looking to award grant funding to up to six non-profit organizations that provide health services in the city.
Each of those groups will be awarded between $10,000 and $20,000 to tackle health issues unique to individual neighborhoods, the city said in a press release.
"Healthy Chicago 2.0 was designed with our communities' needs in mind to expand innovative health strategies and improve the health and vitality of each of our residents," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a press release. "These new seed grants follow up on that promise by focusing on eliminating inequities and ensuring that every resident has the resources and opportunity necessary to lead a healthy life."
The Chicago Department of Public Health will hold six community meetings throughout the city to hear from residents on what health-related issues need tackling.
Meetings will be held on:
• Wednesday, May 4, at 5 p.m. at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.
• Thursday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Family Services, 235 E. 103rd St.
• May 11 at 5 p.m. at Little Village Lawndale High School, 3120 S. Kostner Ave.
• May 16 at 6 p.m. at By the Hand, 415 N. Laramie Ave.
•May 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Asian Health Coalition and Chinese American Service League, 2141 S. Tan Ct.
• May 25 at 6 p.m. at Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St.
"The best way to improve our city's health is to engage the people who live here," Julie Morita, commissioner of the health department, said in a statement. "By providing seed grants and by holding these community meetings, we will work directly with residents to help them improve their communities."
An application for the grant funds will be made available the Chicago Public Health Department's website later in May, the city said.
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