 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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