 Chicago Shares was recently awarded a grant from Highwind Impact Fund (HIF), an organization of philanthropically-minded young professionals that provides grassroots nonprofits with resources to grow their work. HIF was interested in how this grant would be able to address the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals who were enrolled in two excellent local Chicago programs known to Chicago Shares either through a previous working relationship or by reputation. St. Leonard’s Ministries (https://slministries.org/) Founded in 1954 as a sanctuary for ex-offenders, St. Leonard’s, located on Chicago’s near west side, warmly welcomed King Poor, Chicago Shares’ board president, and Julie Stagliano, executive director, to its campus this summer. After a tour of the impressive facilities, King and Julie presented Zack Schrantz, executive director, Ivory Snow, chief administrative officer, and Betzaida Ortega, volunteer coordinator, a donation of $2,500 worth of Chicago Shares vouchers, made possible by the Highwinds Impact Fund grant. These vouchers may be used to help those who have graduated from St. Leonard's initial programs and are living independently, but would benefit from the additional assistance of vouchers to help with their individual food needs. For more than 70 years, St. Leonard's has provided individuals returning from prison with the resources to begin a new life. The campus has areas dedicated to residential living, on-site meals, medical services, job training and other life skills, and even a mock-up of a job site building where participants can practice, and then be certified, in construction trades such as carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. What’s more, an industrial kitchen equips some residents with the culinary skills and certifications needed to successfully pursue positions in food service. St. Leonard's mission is inspiring in multiple ways. And Chicago Shares is grateful to play a role in advancing their mission.   Life Skills Reentry Support Institute at Roosevelt University (https://www.roosevelt.edu/reentry-support-institute) Based on a previous successful partnership with the Institute, headquartered in downtown Chicago, Chicago Shares selected them as the other recipient of the Highwind Impact Fund grant. Chicago Shares’ Executive Director Julie Stagliano and Treasurer John Bradley recently met with Elizabeth Price, Director of the Life Skills Reentry Support Institute to present $2,500 worth of Chicago Shares vouchers. The Institute is available at no cost to individuals from nearly all backgrounds who have been previously incarcerated by the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Institute gladly accepted this donation of Chicago Shares vouchers that will allow for a little extra cushion for their Reentry Institute program participants as they transition to life back in society. The program prepares participants with life skills and employment readiness as well as providing them with practical tips for navigating their new lives. The Chicago Shares vouchers, redeemable exclusively for food, medicines and personal hygiene sundries, are a highly valued part of the training program completion packet. Elizabeth stated that recidivism rates for this program are extremely low (typically zero), an outcome that she attributes to “helping hands,” such as Chicago Shares, which takes away the immediate worry of where their next meal is coming from. Chicago Shares is grateful to Highwinds Impact Fund for making these grants possible to organizations that have had proven positive impacts on individuals in their programs and, more broadly, on society. Chicago Shares, founded in 1993 and totally volunteer-run, is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Illinois, that facilitates a food voucher program to help feed Chicagoans in need.
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Chicago Shares was pleased to recently award grants for 2025 to organizations that share its mission of feeding and serving the hungry poor. The awards consisted of cash in some instances or gifts of Chicago Shares vouchers to others. Congratulations to all of our grant recipients! 1. St. James Cathedral: 65 E. Huron, Chicago IL 60611 Twice a month the Cathedral provides a home-cooked meal and other amenities for guests. Chicago Shares board member Susan Gold is an active organizer of these meals. Photo: Kate Pickford, a summer volunteer; Susan Gold, Chicago Shares Board Member; Rev. Canon Steven Balke; and Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Executive Director.  2. Care for Real: 5838 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640 Care for Real, recently relocated to new quarters, provides groceries, fresh produce and other food items a few times per week to clients (who also volunteer their help to sort and distribute the food). They provide counseling and health services for adults and children, serving about 15,000 individuals in 2024. Photo: Gregory Gross, Executive Director, and Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Executive Director. 3. Breakthrough Urban Ministries: 3334 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 Breakthrough, located in West Garfield Park, offers a myriad of services in addition to its Fresh Market, including preschool, Women's Center, Violence Prevention Center, etc. They have experienced a 25% increase of new clients needing the food bank while a decrease in federal assistance impacts their program. Photo: Alex Cesario, Chief Development Officer; Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Executive Director; Wendy Daniels, Director of Food Services; and Kate Pickford, volunteer.  4. Chicago Help Initiative: 440 N. Wells St., Suite 440, Chicago, IL 60654 CHI is a key part of the network of organizations that provide food and services to the homeless and migrant communities. They sponsor meals and consultations to people in need several times a week. Photo: Karen Hickey, Development Officer; Susan Gold, Chicago Shares Board Member; Jacqueline Hayes, founder of CHI; and Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Executive Director. 5. Young Men's Educational Network: 1241 S. Pulaski Ave., Chicago, IL 60623 YMEN prepares young men and women in North Lawndale for leadership by helping them grow in their faith and character, develop a love for learning, and use their talents to serve the community and strengthen families through Saturday breakfasts, mentoring, sports, urban garden projects and a bicycle lending and repair program (the Bike Box). Chicago Shares' grant helps support a summer grill project for neighborhood youth. Photos: Kimberly George, Executive Assistant and Community Asset Manager accepts award, with guest at breakfast; leader of local ministry group providing the Saturday breakfasts, Marcell Pickett, Facility Assistant/Bike Box Manager; scenes from the Bike Box.  6. Holy Name Cathedral: 735 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60611 The Cabrini Ministry at HNC provides outreach services to immigrant families. They "adopt" specific families and provide wraparound services, housing and help in obtaining documents necessary for employment. Photo: Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Board Executive Director; Sister Katie Mitchell and Fr. Joe Tito accept Shares. 7. St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church: 1424 N. Dearborn Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610 St. Chrysostom's operates the St. Chrys Closet, now located in Ascension Church at 1433 N. LaSalle Street, where those in need can "shop" for clothing, housewares, shoes and furniture every Wednesday from 10am-1pm. Chicago Shares board member Elizabeth Kohlbeck manages the closet which serves migrants, the Chicago homeless and residents of low income housing who are on Medicaid. Also, once a month hot meals are prepared at St. Chrysostom's Church on Tuesday evening and a once a month Wednesday delivery to Deborah's Place. Photo: Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Executive Director, and Elizabeth Kohlbeck; volunteers sorting the clothing and household items in preparation for weekly shopping day.  8. St Peter's in the Loop Church: 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602 St. Peter's in the Loop is a busy downtown parish and a longtime supporter of selling and distributing Chicago Shares. They were recently presented with a Proclamation of appreciation to honor their commitment to the mission of Chicago Shares, in addition to a gift of Shares. They faithfully answer the call for help from whoever comes to their doors, and often Chicago Shares is part of that support. Photo: Ron Polaniecki, Chicago Shares Board Secretary; Fr. Michael Fowler, Pastor; Julie Stagliano, Chicago Shares Executive Director; Fr. Edward Tverdek, OFM; King Poor, Chicago Shares Board Chair  9. St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity: 6020 W. Ardmore Ave., Chicago, IL 60646
Ron Polaniecki, Chicago Shares Board Secretary, presented a $3,000 grant check and $1,000 vouchers to the St. Vincent DePaul Conference at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. Photo: Ron Polaniecki, Chicago Shares Board Secretary, with members of St. Vincent DePaul Conference at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity parish. Recently Chicago Shares representatives (Julie Stagliano, Executive Director, board Vice
President Elizabeth Kohlbeck and board member Susan Gold) attended a meeting convened by the Social Action Ministries of Old St. Pat's Church. The goal was to inform and connect with representatives from numerous Chicago area organizations delivering basic services to the disadvantaged, be they the homeless, recently arrived immigrants or others in need. Many of those at the meeting were unfamiliar with Chicago Shares and we were pleased to share our mission and goals, as well as point out how we had partnered with several of the organizations present through our grants program. We found many examples of intersections of services and collaborations among these diverse organizations. Meeting representatives included Chicago Help Initiative, St. Sabina’s Church, St. Chrysostom Church, Assumption Church, Catholic Charities, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Young Men’s Educational Network, Franciscan Outreach, to name but a few of the 20 or so in attendance. Follow up to this meeting will include completing a Survey of Basic Needs Services that will facilitate making referrals, as well as finding opportunities for collaboration and partnering in various outreach activities. Chicago Shares will be following up with several people whose organizations may be willing to promote/purchase/distribute Chicago Shares in the future.  On December 15, 2024, while selling Shares at HNC our program founder, Ann Klocke, stopped by to say hello. She was thrilled that the organization she introduced to Chicago was still helping the hungry poor 30 years later. We are so grateful to all Ann gave to Chicago Shares. We feel blessed to continue her legacy.
In May 2024, Chicago Shares presented Assumption Parish with a resolution of thanks from its board of directors recognizing the church's outstanding support for our mission. Photo: Left to right, Chicago Shares president King Poor, board member Susan Gold, Fr. Joseph Chamblain, pastor of Assumption Parish, executive director Julie Stagliano, and board secretary Ron Polanecki. |
