Highlights
This quarter, Michael Reese Health Trust continued to advance health equity by supporting our grantee partners and the communities they serve. Below are highlights from our work last quarter.
Grantee Partner Breakfast
In April, we hosted the Michael Reese Grantee Partner Breakfast—an opportunity to bring together partners, allies, and friends committed to advancing health equity across Chicagoland.
The morning was filled with connection, reflection, and inspiration. Attendees caught up with longtime partners, met new colleagues, exchanged ideas that strengthen our collective work—and had the opportunity to meet the Michael Reese staff and learn more about our current priorities.
At Michael Reese Health Trust, our approach is grounded in community and social justice. We’re proud to stand alongside our grantee partners and remain committed to leveraging our resources in support of a healthier, more equitable region. The relationships we build together make this work possible.
Safe Transfer Pilot Program
In May, Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, and the Chicago Department of Housing announced the launch of the Short-Term Assistance for Emergency (SAFE) Transfer Pilot to help survivors of gender-based violence access safe housing. Senior Program Director, Jennifer Rosenkranz spoke at the press conference.
With support from Michael Reese Health Trust and another funder, the SAFE Pilot program, a partnership between Family Rescue, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence and the Chicago Department of Housing, will create pathways that allow survivors currently living in affordable housing to flee gender-based violence without losing their housing subsidy.
We are proud to be part of this initiative, continuing to address safe housing for survivors of gender-based violence in Chicago.
Strategies to Alleviate Poverty in Cook County and Beyond
In April, Ameya moderated the conversation, “Strategies to Alleviate Poverty in Cook County and Beyond,” at the City Club of Chicago featuring Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, national guaranteed income advocate Mayor Michael Tubbs, and Dr. Maggie Thomas.
The discussion focused on how guaranteed income pilots shape new and more compassionate narratives around cash assistance programs as practical and pragmatic tools to reduce poverty.
Michael Reese Health Trust supports The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence’s guaranteed income pilot to assist survivors of domestic violence.
Watch the full conversation. >
Staying Stong and Health First Collaborative Convene Discussion on Safety Net Stability
On May 1, Staying Strong and the Health First Collaborative (HFC) co-hosted a conversation with panelists Dan Fulwiler, Former President and CEO at Esperanza Health Centers, Heather O’Donnell, Former Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at Thresholds, Stephanie Willding, CEO at CommunityHealth, and Ngozi Ezike, MD President and CEO at Sinai Chicago.
The session explored the impact of federal reductions and policy changes on the local healthcare delivery system and proposed cuts to Medicaid and other essential programs, including Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA). The conversation examined the potential effects on healthcare access and the stability of the local safety net delivery system. To provide essential background and frame the discussion, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Protect Our Care Illinois shared key updates and insights.
A Public Statement from Philanthropy
This quarter, Michael Reese Health Trust proudly joined other foundations in signing on to the Council on Foundations’ public statement, Philanthropy’s Commitment During These Challenging Times. Michael Reese proudly stands with our peers in philanthropy and with our incredible nonprofit partners who show up every day for our communities. The work they do is essential — it keeps people safe, healthy, and connected. Everyone deserves dignity, care, and support, and we’ll never stop standing by the organizations that make that possible.
Read the Public Statement From Philanthropy. >
New Website & Annual Report
This quarter, we also launched our new website! A refreshed space that highlights who we are, the work we support, and our partners’ driving change across Chicagoland.
Our latest annual report is now available— packed with highlights and impact from the past year.
Learn more and explore what’s new. >
Other Key Moments
Gina Massuda Barnett, Program Director, Health Workforce attended CommunityHealth’s 11th Annual All In Breakfast Summit, which focused on the ‘Fight for Health Equity: How Policy Impacts Access to Care.’
The event brought together industry leaders to discuss how policy shapes healthcare access, addressing key challenges and sharing innovative solutions aimed at creating a more equitable system for all.
At the annual Celebration of Service, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship honored the achievements of its 2024–25 cohort. Ameya delivered remarks celebrating the fellows and their commitment to service and health equity.
In April, Ameya joined local leaders from Common Pantry, WasteNot, Inc., and Growing Home Inc. for a panel discussion on Creating Sustainable Local Food Systems. Hosted by WasteNot, the conversation explored strategies for combating poverty, food insecurity, and the current federal policy landscape.
In May, Ameya traveled to Springfield with the Jewish Federation of Chicago for their annual Lobby Day, joining grantee partners like JCFS Chicago and Shalva. The day included meetings with House and Senate legislators to discuss healthcare policy and funding. It was a valuable opportunity to engage in statewide advocacy and highlight the importance of strong policy partnerships in advancing health equity.
Organizational Updates
We are proud to celebrate Michael Reese Health Trust Board Member Judy L. Smith, who received the 2024 Irving B. Harris Leadership Award from JCFS Chicago at their annual fundraiser, Elevate. The award recognizes Judy’s decades of thoughtful leadership and her deep commitment to strengthening the Jewish community.
After six years of thoughtful leadership and dedicated service, last week we bid farewell to Kathy Chan as she concluded her time on the Michael Reese Health Trust Board of Directors.
Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been a passionate champion for health equity, bringing insight, compassion, and a deep commitment to building a Chicagoland where everyone can live a healthy life. Her voice at the table—thoughtful, bold, and grounded in justice has shaped our work in powerful ways.
Thank you, Kathy!
Our team attended the 2025 Grantmakers In Health Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy — “Forging Partnerships for a Better Tomorrow” — in New Orleans. Joined by over 840 funders and thought leaders representing 440 organizations for in-depth sessions on multi-sector collaboration at the local, state, and national levels that advance health and equity.
While at the conference, Michael Reese staff and board members, along with other funders, visited the home of Lakeesha Harris, Executive Director of Chicago Volunteer Doulas, in New Orleans — a space currently being transformed into a postpartum home. Over lunch, we learned more about the reproductive health landscape, connections between Louisiana and Illinois, and the pressing needs and emerging opportunities.
In June, Jennifer Rosenkranz, Program Director, Domestic Violence, attended Domestic Violence Advocacy Days 2025, an annual event hosted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. She joined representatives from state coalitions, including the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to hear from leaders like Stephanie Love-Patterson, President and CEO, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Debbie Dingell, who emphasized bipartisan support for survivors and the importance of protecting the Office on Violence Against Women.
In June, Gina Massuda Barnett, Program Director, Health Workforce, participated in the panel “The Current State of Misaligned Incentives to Conduct Health Equity‑Focused Research: Panel of Stakeholder Perspectives” at the Chicago Care Symposium. She joined a diverse panel of stakeholder experts to discuss prevailing incentive structures and their impact on advancing health equity research.
Q4 Partners
Strengthen the Health Workforce
We work to make community health workers (CHW) a permanent and valued part of the health workforce. Using their unique expertise and lived experiences, CHWs help improve the health of people and communities across Chicago.
Chicago House & Social Service Agency– General Operating Support ($150,000; 36 months)
Funding will support Chicago House & Social Service Agency’s employment pillar by expanding the redesigned Community Health Apprenticeship Program (CHAP). The program trains primarily Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ young adults in community health and HIV/STI prevention and will now include a new focus on caring for aging adults with HIV, as well as a partnership with Malcolm X College’s Community Health Worker (CHW) certificate program.
Health & Medicine Policy Research Group– CHW Community Billing Hub ($300,000; 24 months)
Funding will support Health & Medicine Policy Research Group’s efforts to help community-based organizations (CBOs) access reimbursement for Community Health Worker services. This includes further development of a billing hub, system coordination recommendations, CBO engagement, and creation of practical operational tools.
Tapestry 360 Health– Integrated Refugee Health Program CHW Integration ($200,000; 24 months)
Funding will support Tapestry 360 Health in maintaining and expanding the CHW role within their Integrated Refugee Health Program to bridge gaps in access and improve quality of care.
End Homelessness
We work to end homelessness by advocating for stronger, more coordinated systems that ensure people have access to stable housing.
Reclaiming Chicago– Construction Fund ($450,000; 12 months)
Funding will support Reclaiming Chicago’s Construction Fund, enabling community developers to build affordable single-family homes in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Reclaiming Chicago, an initiative of United Power for Action and Justice, aims to create 2,000 affordable homes on Chicago’s South and West Sides. In collaboration with community partners and city agencies, the initiative acquires vacant lots and buildings in neighborhoods such as North Lawndale, Back of the Yards, Chicago Lawn, and Roseland to expand affordable housing and promote homeownership.
Honor Our Jewish Legacy
We support health providers, advocates, and services that serve the Jewish community.
Midwest Refuah Health Center– Advocacy Support ($37,500; 12 months)
Funding will support a second year of advocacy support provided by Mercury Public Affairs as Midwest Refuah seeks full FQHC status from the federal government. FQHC status will allow the organization to receive higher reimbursement rates, access to government grants, and other services.
Sinai Health Systems– Strategic Planning Consultant ($200,000; 12 months)
Funding will support the ongoing efforts to drive organizational transformation to ensure near—and long-term sustainability.
SketchPad Inc.– Holistic Safety for Jewish Communal Leaders [AIM1] [LH2] [AI3] ($88,000; 12 months)
Funding will support efforts around cybersecurity infrastructure and digital safety for member organizations. The funding will also help SketchPad retain a full-time staff person to expand community building and community impact efforts.
Strategic Initiatives
We support ideas, projects, and approaches that align with our mission and promote health equity.
Illinois Community Power Fund– General Operating Support ($150,000; 12 months)
Funding will support the Illinois Community Power Fund to expand support for organizing groups across Illinois to build local and statewide power that advances racial, gender, health, environmental, and economic justice.