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FY25 Q3 : January 1 – March 31
HIGHLIGHTS
Last quarter, the Michael Reese Health Trust supported our grantee partners during a difficult time, as many safety net programs and policies faced threats and cuts. Their dedication to protecting communities is inspiring, but things shouldn’t be this way. Policymakers should be strengthening the safety net, not dismantling it.
Guided by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam — “repair the world” — we are focusing even more on repairing and strengthening our systems. We will not back down, and we will continue to support our partners today, tomorrow, and in the future. A summary of last quarter’s work is below.
Undue Medical Debt
In February, Governor JB Pritzker joined advocates, healthcare professionals, and patients to announce that the latest round of relief in the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program has erased more than $220 million in medical debt for approximately 170,000 individuals statewide. As part of the event, Ameya Pawar, Michael Reese Health Trust President and CEO, was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion on the broader impact of canceling medical debt.
Michael Reese is proud to have been one of the first contributors to the project, committing $250,000 in June 2024.
Eliminating medical debt in the communities we serve advances health equity and aligns with Michael Reese’s vision of ensuring all communities have the resources to be healthy and safe. Addressing medical debt tackles root causes of health inequity, such as economic insecurity, and opens the door for collaboration and policy conversations focused on debt prevention—particularly in low-income and Black communities.
Read the press release: https://bit.ly/3F4xpH6
Foundations on the Hill: Championing the Nonprofit Sector
In early February, Ameya Pawar, Michael Reese Health Trust President and CEO, and Blair Harvey, Chief Program Officer, joined over 30 colleagues from across Illinois in Washington, D.C., for Foundations on the Hill (FOTH), the largest annual policy conference for the philanthropic sector. Every spring, United Philanthropy Forum, Council on Foundations, and Independent Sector host this national event to connect foundation leaders with policymakers.
This year, Forefront led a historically large Illinois delegation and organized two successful days of Hill visits, including meetings with Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Danny Davis. We’re grateful to Forefront for their leadership and continued dedication to amplifying our collective voice.
Karina’s Law
In February, Governor JB Pritzker signed Karina’s Bill into law, a measure that requires law enforcement officers to promptly remove firearms from those accused of abuse. This legislation comes at a critical time, as Illinois has seen a 63% increase in firearm-related domestic violence deaths between 2019 and 2023.
This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment and courage of advocates, survivors, and organizations dedicated to protecting those affected by gender–based violence.
Michael Reese Health Trust is proud to have supported the advocacy that helped make this possible, including the efforts of Jennifer Rosenkranz, Michael Reese’s Program Director, Domestic Violence, and numerous partners who have worked tirelessly to champion such vital initiatives.
Extra recognition for this huge step goes to The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, a key leader who spent years advocating for this law. Michael Reese will continue to work with partners as we collaborate on the implementation phase of Karina’s Law.Relaunching the Staying Strong Collaborative
In December, we engaged with our partners to understand how we can best support them. One key area of focus emerged— advocacy. In response, Michael Reese relaunched Staying Strong, a collective of over 40 advocacy and foundation partners working together to safeguard health equity.
Led by Jennifer Rosenkranz, Program Director, Domestic Violence, and Gina Massuda Barnett, Program Director, Health Workforce, the collaborative officially reconvened on February 4th. Staying Strong is a rapid-response advocacy and learning collaborative that connects funders, advocates, and policy leaders in moments that matter. In times of political or social threat, we activate our network to share critical information, coordinate responses, and protect access to health and opportunity.
If you’re interested in attending the next Staying Strong convening, contact Jennifer Rosenkranz at jrosenkranz@wearemichaelreese.org.
Other Key Moments
March 2025
Ameya Pawar and Blair Harvey were joined by Board Members, Chair Mally Rutkoff and Vice Chair Judy Smith at the Jewish Funders Network Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference united individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing social and economic justice, offering a chance to learn, collaborate, and strengthen partnerships for positive change within and beyond the Jewish community.
March 2025
Site Visit: Ameya Pawar, Senior Administrative Assistant, David Israel, and Board Vice Chair Judy Smith visited CJE SeniorLife, a longtime partner of Michael Reese. Rooted in Jewish values, CJE SeniorLife works to enhance the quality of life and facilitate independence of older adults. Learn more about their work. >
January 2025
Ameya attended a luncheon at the Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics, a longstanding grantee partner of Michael Reese and a supporting foundation of the Jewish United Fund.
Team Updates
Team Building Retreat
In February, Michael Reese Health Trust held a two-day Team Building Retreat at Catalyst Ranch. During our sessions, we took time to reflect, recharge, and work to strengthen our team, ensuring we’re better equipped to serve our mission and community.
Promotions
Laura Embers has been promoted from Accountant to Senior Accountant. During her time at Michael Reese, Laura has quickly become a valuable member of our team, demonstrating expertise and dedication to our financial operations. Additionally, Launita Scott has been promoted to Chief of Staff and Director of People & Culture. We appreciate her contributions to the organization and look forward to her continued leadership in this new role.
Educational Milestone
Congratulations to Dr. LaTisha Jestine Hardy! Dr. Hardy, Michael Reese Program Coordinator, recently earned her Doctor of Human Services with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Management from Capella University. We are excited for all that’s ahead!
Q3 Partners
Honor Our
Jewish Legacy
We support health providers, advocates, and services that serve the Jewish community.
CJE: SeniorLife– Sustainable Growth Plan ($40,000)
Funding will support the hiring of a fundraising and strategy consultant to create a development framework. The grant will support the development and implementation of a fundraising framework and a pathway for increased funding in the future
End
Homelessness
We work to end homelessness by advocating for stronger, more coordinated systems that ensure people have access to stable housing.
Thresholds – The Glenn SRO Preservation ($250,000)
Funding will support the acquisition of Glenn Apartments to preserve 100 units of affordable housing. The Glenn is one of the few remaining Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Hotels in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and is a vital part of the housing ecosystem for people experiencing homelessness, especially those with behavioral health needs.
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.
Black Midwifery Collective – Licensed Certified Professional Midwifery Program ($300,000; 36 months)
Funding will support the establishment of Illinois’ first Licensed Certified Professional Midwifery (CPM) degree program at Kennedy King College, development of complementary continuing education offerings, and advocacy for equitable provider reimbursement. This program will serve as a pipeline to higher-wage birth-related employment for Community Health Workers (CHWs) and doulas.
Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance – General Operating Support ($150,000; 24 months)
Funding will support the maintenance of this vital funder alliance and the expansion of their work in the healthcare, public health, and social service sectors, which all focus on community hiring, worker pathways, and job quality.
Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI)– Mental Health Equity & Justice Campaign ($200,000; 24 months)
Funding will support increased access to mental health services and expand the number of Community Healers who provide peer-to-peer mental health support in low-income communities of color.
Enlace Chicago – Community Health Worker (CHW) Program & PAES Network ($150,000; 24 months)
Funding will support expanding the reach of their CHWs in addressing critical community issues and increase participation in Promoviendo, Abogando, y Educando por la Salud (PAES), a network of predominantly Spanish-speaking Latinx/e CHWs in Little Village.
Mercy Housing Lakefront – Community Health Worker (CHW) Program ($145,000; 24 months)
Funding will support the expansion of their CHW program by adding three additional part-time CHWs to serve three more Permanent Supportive Housing properties in Chicago’s Uptown and Roseland neighborhoods.
Strategic Initiatives
We support ideas, projects, and approaches that align with our mission and promote health equity.
Shriver Center on Poverty Law – General Operating Support- ($200,000; 24 months)
Funding will support efforts to :
1) preserve and protect funding, eligibility, and entitlements in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid and State Immigrant Health Programs, and
2) reduce churn in the Medicaid system and ease the transition between Medicaid and the Marketplace keeping recipients in coverage and in stable healthcare relationships.
Legal Council for Health Justice – General Operating Support- ($200,000; 24 months)
Funding will support efforts to provide legal representation and conduct advocacy to protect and secure healthcare coverage and access in Illinois. A focus in the coming year will be preserving, or limiting reductions, in Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and protections for low-income clients, particularly immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Health First Collaborative (HFC)
HFC is an incubator and amplifier of community-driven ideas that have the potential to transform health.
Protect Our Care Illinois (POCIL) – Rapid Response Funding- Defense of Medicaid ($500,000; 12 months)
Funding will support five POCIL organizations that are part of a larger statewide coalition working together to protect and expand access to affordable healthcare and essential health services for the people of Illinois. The five organizations include: AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Citizen Action Illinois, EverThrive Illinois, Legal Council for Health Justice, and Shriver Center on Poverty Law.
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FY25 Q2 : October 1 – December 31
HIGHLIGHTS
This issue of our quarterly report focuses on the months of October through December of 2024. More recently, our President and CEO Ameya Pawar sent a letter to our partners stating our firm commitment to health equity in the face of the current federal administration.
John F. Benjamin Exceptional Service Award (JBA)
Established in 2021, the John F. Benjamin Exceptional Service Award recognizes individuals and organizations that reflect former board member John F. Benjamin’s philanthropic spirit, generosity, and commitment to building a healthier, more equitable world.
On October 15, 2024, we gathered to celebrate his legacy and honor Steph Willding, CEO of CommunityHealth, as the recipient of the award for her leadership in expanding access to care and advancing health equity. We were proud to recognize her contributions alongside our partners, colleagues, and a distinguished panel of experts.
Learn more about JBA Past Honorees >
Embracing Uncertainty in the Pursuit of Solutions
Michael Reese Health Trust has long believed in taking risks to support innovative solutions that address critical health needs. Our partnership with Heartland Alliance Health (HAH) exemplifies this approach. HAH provides essential healthcare services to people experiencing homelessness in Chicago When HAH faced the difficult prospect of closing due to financial challenges, Michael Reese stepped in to provide support and mobilize funders to keep their doors open. HAH recently announced its community health centers and food pantries will remain open thanks to a transformative donation from, and new partnership with, Michigan-based One Health Centers. The collaboration comes at a critical time, ensuring continued access to vital healthcare and support services for thousands of Chicagoans.
“In these challenging times, institutions like Heartland Alliance Health are more essential than ever. Michael Reese is deeply grateful to collaborate in this work and stand alongside other public and private funders to help Heartland Alliance Health find a path forward while not disrupting services.”
Blair Harvey, Chief Program Officer, Michael Reese Health Trust.
Vision y Compromiso CHW Training
Last November, Illinois Unidos and Enlace Chicago held a six-day, culturally responsive Community Health Worker (CHW) training led by Vision y Compromiso. With support from Michael Reese Health Trust, this opportunity reached 35 Latinx, Spanish-speaking CHWs serving communities in the City of Chicago. Michael Reese is committed to making CHWs a permanent and valued part of the health workforce. By leveraging their trusted expertise and lived experiences, we strengthen community-driven care and advance the health and well being of Chicagoland communities.
Photo courtesy of Illinois Unidos and Enlace Chicago Q2 Partners
Honor Our
Jewish Legacy
We support health providers, advocates, and services that serve the Jewish community. We help Jewish organizations stay strong and effective by:
• Building strong leadership and supporting skilled staff.
• Creating responsive programs that meet community needs.
• Developing sustainable strategies to ensure long-term impact.ATT & REACH – REACH Strategic Planning, Program Development, and Quality Control ($400,000; 24 months)
Over the course of two years, this funding will support infrastructure and capacity needs of a rapidly growing program
JCFS Chicago – JCFS Strategic Business Development ($437,750; 24 months)
This funding will support capacity-building in two areas:
1. A new Business Developer position to set goals and metrics, recommend action plans, monitor revenue, and optimize existing business plans to drive growth.
2. Development of a learning platform and associated pricing structure that will reach a broader audience and increase revenue.SHALVA – Changing to Meet the Jewish Community’s Growing Needs ($65,853)
This funding will support consulting services that will address the change management needs stemming from their new strategic plan. The plan includes several new organizational priorities that impact their internal operations and external communications.
Prevent
Domestic Violence
We work to break the cycle of domestic violence by supporting both survivors and those who cause harm. Helping both populations is key to healing, preventing future violence, and building safer, healthier communities.Michael Reese is working to break the cycle of violence and support survivors by:• Helping People Who Cause Harm (PWCH): Strengthening programs that use proven methods to prevent and reduce repeat violence and improve outcomes for families and communities.
• Treating Head Injuries: Creating systems to identify and treat domestic violence related head injuries, which impact up to 75% of survivors and can cause lasting health issues if untreated.Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse – Partner Abuse Intervention Program ($20,000/24 months)
This funding will support the safety of survivors of domestic violence and the community by supporting people who have caused harm to make positive changes toward a life of non-violence.
Center for Advancing Domestic Peace – Partner Abuse Intervention, Aftercare, and Prevention ($200,000/24 months)
This funding will support partner abuse intervention services that include a group intervention, aftercare support, community outreach and violence prevention activities. The Center for Advancing Domestic Peace aims to stop domestic violence where it starts by helping those who have harmed an intimate partner take responsibility for their behavior and learn the skills necessary for building healthy relationships.
DePaul University – Brain Injury in Intimate Partner Violence in Chicago ($60,727)
This funding will support DePaul University’s research project that aims to understand the current data around the incidence of brain injury in survivors in the Chicagoland area, with a special focus on health disparities. The incidence of brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence is estimated to be 11-12 times greater than in the general public, yet it is not always identified by survivors themselves nor providers of social services and health care.
The Resurrection Project – HOPE Family Services ($50,000)
This funding will support The Resurrection Project’s HOPE Family Services Men’s Program, which provides individual and group counseling and case management for men who have caused harm in their relationships.
Women’s Justice Institute – Criminalized Survivors Initiative ($150,000)
This funding will support the Criminalized Survivors Initiative which promotes, designs, and implements systems change strategies that raise awareness, promote harm reduction, and support actionable decarceration among criminalized survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and all forms of gender-based violence. In addition, WJI will conduct a survey of incarcerated women to collect information on traumatic brain injury.
Sarah’s Inn – Partner Abuse Intervention Program ($160,000)
This funding will support Sarah’s Inn Partner Abuse Intervention Program. Sarah’s Inn recognizes that in order to break the cycle of domestic violence, it is critical to work with those individuals who choose harm. To address the harmful behaviors used against survivors, Sarah’s Inn offers a 26-week partner abuse intervention program for those who cause harm to take accountability for their actions and learn new skills to move toward a violence-free life.
Swedish Hospital Foundation, Part of Endeavor Health – Pathways Program ($200,000, 24 months)
This funding will support the program’s work on the intersection of domestic violence (DV) and head-trauma and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The project includes increasing awareness of the intersection of DV and TBI through training and collaborations as well as improving identification, education, and follow-up for survivors treated at Swedish Hospital with strangulation and/or head injury. Funding will also support the expansion of this program to other Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals (Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park and Glenbrook hospitals).
YWCA Evanston/North Shore – Alternatives to Violence (ATV) ($75,000)
The funding will support YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Alternatives to Violence program that seek to reduce repeat offenses by those who cause harm by expanding trauma informed services and mitigating barriers to program participation. While accountability remains the primary focus of this work, direct financial assistance, case management, mindfulness training, coaching in positive parenting, and counseling enhance the impact of standard partner abuse intervention programming (PAIP) by addressing the issue more holistical. ly
Legal Action Chicago – Karina’s Bill: Education and Advocacy ($25,000)
This funding will support education and advocacy related to Karina’s Bill which allows judges, as part of the order of protection for survivors of domestic violence, to require the removal of a firearm from the home of the person named in the order of protection.
The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence – Karina’s Bill: Education and Advocacy ($135,000)
This funding supports education on how Karina’s Bill will increase survivor safety by removing firearms from their home as part of an order of protection. If Karina’s Bill becomes law, a portion of the grant will support implementation and monitoring, including development of a training and implementation toolkit, training for law enforcement, legal advocates, court personnel, and public stakeholders, court watching, case review and assistance, and data collection.
*Update (February 2025)- Governor JB Pritzker signed Karina’s Bill into law, marking a significant step toward protecting survivors of domestic violence. As we move into the next phase, Michael Reese remains committed to supporting the implementation and monitoring of the law to ensure its effective enforcement and impact.
End
Homelessness
We work to end homelessness by advocating for stronger, more coordinated systems that ensure people have access to stable housing. We work to end homelessness by supporting smart housing solutions, working with public and private partners, and speaking up for policies that help prevent and end homelessness. By working together and listening to the community, we help make lasting changes so everyone has a safe place to call home.
Heartland Alliance Health – Heartland Alliance Health Sustainability and Capacity Building ($300,000)
This grant will support sustainability planning to ensure the continuation of critical healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness in Chicago
Family Rescue, Inc. – SAFE Housing Pilot Project ($275,000)
SAFE Housing is a collaborative pilot project with the City of Chicago, Family Rescue and The Network. The goal of the SAFE (Short-term Assistance for Emergency Transfers) Housing Pilot project is to support survivors of domestic violence living within Department of Housing (DOH)-funded apartments by providing a rapid transfer to a safe unit after a violent incident.
Northwestern Memorial Foundation– Healthcare Partners Address Homelessness ($50,000)
This funding will support further research to strengthen the system of healthcare delivery and data-sharing for people experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
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 Chicagoland.
Michael Reese is working to make CHWs a key part of the health workforce by:
- Expanding programs: Supporting CHWs who reflect the communities they serve and using them in new ways to meet community needs.
- Improving systems: Helping organizations strengthen policies and practices to better include CHWs.
- Supporting fair pay: Promoting good wages, career growth, and sustainability for CHWs.
In addition to focusing on CHWs, we also work to build a diverse and skilled health workforce that prioritizes representation and long-term sustainability.
Esperanza Health Centers – Medical Assistant Training Program Pilot ($65,000)
The Chicago Safety Net Learning Collaborative (CSNLC), coordinated by Esperanza Health Centers, kicked off a Medical Assistant (MA) Training Program with the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement in September 2024. Pilot cohorts were launched across nine-member health centers.. The training program design aims to lead to quality jobs for participants. After the pilot is completed, Esperanza Health Centers will facilitate a debrief that will explore the future of the program, which may involve scaling it and expanding the model to other positions, such as community health workers.
Illinois Unidos – Vision y Compromiso CHW Training ($5,000)
Illinois Unidos and Enlace Chicago collaborated to hold a groundbreaking six-day, culturally responsive Community Health Worker (CHW) training led by Vision y Compromiso. This opportunity served 35 Latinx, Spanish-speaking CHWs from Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties, with training held in November 2024 at the Self-Help Federal Credit Union in Little Village, Chicago.
Strategic Initiatives
We support ideas, projects, and approaches that align with our mission and promote health equity.
Through Strategic Initiatives, we are focusing on:• Supporting creative, community-led projects that improve health.
- Supporting policy and advocacy efforts that advance health equity.
- Helping communities grow their power and amplify voices that are often overlooked.
- Fostering collaboration through partnerships, like the Health First Collaborative, that reimagine possibilities for equity, advocacy, and shared learning.
Health First Collaborative (HFC)
HFC is an incubator and amplifier of community ideas for better, more equitable health solutions. HFC invests in community-led solutions that aim to strengthen public health infrastructure for long-term recovery and resilience. A stronger public health infrastructure will address root causes of racial health inequities and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of Chicagoland residents.
The HFC pooled fund supports initiatives and organizations that align with these goals and values. To date, collective investments from funds pooled at Michael Reese have been focused on improving access to care through innovative interventions, supporting hyperlocal approaches to improving health outcomes, and centering lived expertise as a way of moving toward racial equity.
Heartland Alliance Health (HAH) – General Operating and Sustainability ($150,000)
Support a bridge toward HAH sustainability for the only federally qualified health center in Chicago dedicated to providing services to people experiencing homeles2sness. Funding will support general operating and capacity-building needs.
*Update (February 2025) – Heartland Alliance Health remains open through a new partnership, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services. Michael Reese Health Trust remains committed to investing in innovative solutions that address critical health challenges and drive lasting change.
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FY25 Q1 : July 1 – September 30
HIGHLIGHT FROM OUR FIRST QUARTER
Charting New Horizons: A Period of Transformation
The first three months of Michael Reese’s fiscal year have included leadership changes, welcoming new Program Directors and impactful community initiatives.
Ameya Pawar Appointed President & CEO
On September 9, 2024, Ameya Pawar started as the new President and CEO of Michael Reese Health Trust. In his first several weeks, he saw how the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam, which means “repair the world,” is woven into the fabric of our mission, showing up in all areas of our work. Tikkun Olam was especially apparent in his first month as we approached the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, and we paid special attention to supporting our partners in the Honor Our Jewish Legacy priority.
Ameya highlighted three initiatives demonstrating Michael Reese’s commitment to its principles:
- Honoring Our Jewish Legacy Respite Grants: Michael Reese provided $5,000 grants to seven Jewish partner organizations to support wellness, rest, and healing activities. This was a way to recognize their leadership in navigating the past year as antisemitism and threats against Jewish institutions increased.
- October 7 Day of Service: The Michael Reese team participated in a Day of Service marking the solemn anniversary of the attack. They worked on projects such as stocking The Ark’s food pantry and contributing to an art installation at the Chicago Jewish Day School.
- The Herb Wander Emergency Fund: Herb Wander was a long-time board member of Michael Reese Hospital and Michael Reese Health Trust. In his memory, his family established the “Herb Wander Emergency Fund” to aid the Jewish community in responding to emergencies or crisis events. Herb always rose to the occasion throughout his life, and the fund’s tagline, “Never Fear, Herb is Here,” pays tribute and carries this legacy forward.
Michael Reese team members enjoy a day of service on October 7 Expanding Our Team of Program Directors
On August 26, 2024, we welcomed two key leaders to our team. Dr. Rashonda L. Johnson joins as the Program Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Gina Massuda Barnett as the Program Director of Health Workforce. Their expertise will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to innovate and meet the evolving needs of our communities.
Empowering Survivors: The Network’s ‘Affording Survival’ Initiative
Grantee partner, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, is transforming how we support survivors through its groundbreaking “Affording Survival” pilot project. This initiative will provide guaranteed income to up to 90 survivors of domestic violence for one year, offering them $1,000 per month to meet their basic needs, such as housing, food, and transportation.
By providing unrestricted financial support, the project challenges the overwhelming barriers that survivors face to escape dangerous situations. Instead, it recognizes that stable, flexible income is crucial for their safety and long-term security. The program also offers wrap-around services like case management, financial coaching, and credit repair, ensuring survivors have the tools for sustained independence.
The pilot builds on similar initiatives worldwide that show cash assistance empowers survivors and reduces their dependence on abusive partners. We believe this is a powerful step toward preventing cycles of homelessness and violence, addressing two of Michael Reese’s priority areas. With evaluation by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income, this project is designed to drive lasting change for survivors, proving that economic stability is essential for true safety.
Guaranteed basic income allows survivors to move away from emergency responses to long-term solutions that foster resilience, independence, and safety.
President and CEO Ameya Pawar and Program Director of Domestic Violence Jennifer Rosenkranz, Noureen Hashim-Jiwani, First Deputy, Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago and Jennifer Welch, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Illinois joined Mayor Brandon Johnson at the Leading Together Partnership Breakfast on October 17, 2024
Out & About: Celebrating Community Engagement and Recognition
This quarter, we were honored to receive the Abraham Joshua Heschel Philanthropic Award at Celebrate CJE: Celebrating the Fabric of Our Community, recognizing our enduring commitment to social impact. (1st picture)
We were also named JCC Chicago’s inaugural Organizational Partner of the Year, an acknowledgment of our meaningful collaboration and shared values. (2nd picture)
At the 2024 National Conference on Domestic Violence, Jennifer Rosenkranz, Program Director of Domestic Violence, presented alongside community partners on the innovative Intersections project, addressing the critical links between domestic and community violence, and sharing successes and lessons learned in implementing this program on a national scale. (3rd picture)
Q1 Partners
Honor Our
Jewish Legacy
We build the capacity of our city’s strong network of Jewish-led health providers, advocates and services so their resources are more easily within reach to all Chicagoans who need them.We ground our work in the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam – to repair the world – by promoting health opportunities and access for all. We do this by building deep partnerships with those in the community providing direct services. Together, we identify strategies that will build and sustain agency infrastructure with strong leadership, responsive services and knowledgeable staff.
Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics – General Operating Support ($100,000)
This grant supports the Sarnoff Center, a leader in education and outreach related to recessive disorders and hereditary cancers that disproportionately affect individuals of Jewish descent.
Prevent
Domestic Violence
We prevent and address the impact of domestic violence by supporting both survivors and those who cause harm to break the cycle of violence.We focus our resources on three specific areas: Increasing and strengthening services for People Who Cause Harm (PWCH); creating a service-delivery system that ensures survivors of domestic violence-related head injury are identified, screened and treated; and supporting select innovative models that expand existing domestic violence services.
City of Chicago/The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence – Survivor-led Working Group Stipends ($40,100)
This grant supports one year of stipends for 13 members of the City of Chicago’s Survivor-led Working Group. The grant will be paid to The Network.
Pennsylvania State University and University of Michigan – Improving Outcomes for Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP) ($106,000)
This project will address the lack of tools and measures for evaluating the efficacy of programs for people who cause harm (PWCH) in their intimate relationships. The primary goal is to develop a framework for evaluating programs for PWCH using measures that can be employed across key stakeholder groups (perpetrators, victims and facilitators) and is rooted in the learning objectives of these programs.
Strengthen the
Health Workforce
We strive to integrate community health workers permanently into the health workforce, leveraging their trusted expertise and lived experiences to enhance the health and well-being of Chicagoland communities.
John Howard Association of Illinois (JHA) – Developing a Community Health Worker (CHW) Model for Individuals Who Are Incarcerated ($94,809)
This grant will support research and planning to identify alternative ways to improve the health outcomes of people experiencing incarceration.
Incubation As A Tool for Change
Michael Reese uses three tools to invest in Chicago’s communities – Advocacy, Grantmaking and Incubation. Our incubation tool makes investments in new, experimental, or proven projects with the potential to make systemic, positive change in the health of Chicagoans. Through partnering with visionary leaders, we support the fundraising and administrative needs of a start-up and leverage public and private partnerships to scale their efforts.
- Through our incubation tool, we serve as the administrative and operational home for giving grantmaking dollars to community partners from these pooled funds. Grants are selected and approved by the projects’ steering committees, which include representatives from stakeholder organizations. Fiduciary oversight is provided by Michael Reese Health Trust’s Board of Directors.
Health First Collaborative (HFC)
HFC is an incubator and amplifier of community-driven ideas that have the potential to transform health. This funder and community collaborative aims to strengthen public health infrastructure for long-term recovery and resilience. To date, collective investments from funds pooled at Michael Reese have been focused on improving access to care through technological interventions, supporting hyperlocal approaches to improving health outcomes, and centering lived expertise as a way of moving toward racial equity.
Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) – Health First Collaborative Evaluation – Year 5 ($86,687.10)
This grant will support a broader evaluation of the Health First Collaborative (HFC) and focus on the systems of HFC, rather than pilot sites. SUHI will evaluate HFC’s collective impact approach and support the development of the Community Advisory Council (CAC) co-governance.
