HFC: Current

ABOUT HFC
Launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Health First Collaborative is made up of over 20 funders working to collectively address the root causes of racial health inequities and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of Chicagoans.
Initial investments focused on transforming care delivery through technological interventions led by community health centers.

Hub 1 was launched in July 2020 and provided funding to CommunityHealth and Esperanza Health Center to support behavioral health services and microsite expansion at community health centers.

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
A unique aspect of HFC is its Community Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is composed of 17 community members that live in Chicagoland communities that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice. Members represent 13 Chicago neighborhoods and 2 suburbs.

The CAC leads HFC in identifying community needs, co-developing evaluation priorities, co-developing events and participating in strategic planning.

“I’ve found value in the level of information I was able to get from the [CAC] members here. Being able to be in the conversation with the Latinx community made it clear that even though cultures are different, we have a lot of similarities. Having the relationship was good to discuss issues that communities are facing.” – CAC Member, Sherri Allen Reeves