A $5 million donation from the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation will accelerate efforts to decrease the COVID-19 death rates in Chicago鈥檚 predominantly black and Latino communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic compared to white Chicagoans, while also strengthening longer-term efforts to address the root causes of this health inequity.
The gift will fund the efforts of , a Chicago collaborative that assists older adults and other high-risk populations in the city who are experiencing disparities in COVID-19鈥檚 impact. Live Healthy Chicago was launched in April by local organizations West Side United, 海角原创, the MAAFA Redemption Project, My Block My Hood My City and Forty Acres Fresh Market.
Live Healthy Chicago's efforts complement, and will be coordinated with, the work done by Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot's Racial Equity Rapid Response Team. The city of Chicago created the Rapid Response Team in partnership with West Side United in response to data showing that black and Latino Chicagoans die from COVID-19 at a much higher rate than white Chicagoans.
"The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation's investment in Live Healthy Chicago accelerates our work to not just fight this virus, but also to address the underlying reasons why it is taking so many black and brown lives,鈥 said Ayesha Jaco, executive director, West Side United.
鈥淭his gift from the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation will provide vital support to amplify both the work of the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team and Chicago鈥檚 communities more broadly,鈥 Lightfoot said. 鈥淭he city of Chicago will not stand by as COVID-19 continues to disproportionately impact members of Chicago鈥檚 black and brown communities, and we are proud to partner with West Side United to address this head on.鈥
Each of the organizations in Live Healthy Chicago has been working to provide these communities with the resources, tools and information needed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This investment, and Lightfoot鈥檚 leadership, will energize and galvanize the work, according to Jaco.
鈥淭he intensity and impact of this global pandemic has mobilized people and organizations on every block in Chicago,鈥 Jaco said. 鈥淏ut this crisis calls for an urgent, forceful and unified effort like never before, and we鈥檙e proud to help be part of that solution.鈥
Over the next two years, Live Healthy Chicago鈥檚 COVID-19-focused effort will be organized into the following four areas
- Prevention: Groups involved in the initiative will distribute senior wellness kits to older adults in disproportionately affected communities who may feel isolated by COVID-19 social distancing efforts. They also will distribute masks and other personal protective equipment needed to prevent infection with the COVID-19 virus.
- Education: Members of the initiative will hire, train and deploy youth and adult community health workers to conduct wellness checks for particularly vulnerable groups. This work will expand upon a certificate program 海角原创 developed with Malcolm X College, adding content specific to COVID-19 and older adults to the curriculum.
- Meal delivery: Live Healthy Chicago organizations will prepare and deliver thousands of healthy meals to families suffering from the economic impact of the pandemic.
- Testing and treatment: Overseen by 海角原创, Live Healthy Chicago organizations will develop training for and then implement contact tracing (identifying individuals who recently had contact with a newly diagnosed person with COVID-19 and notifying them of their possible infection with the virus that causes the disease). The program鈥檚 processes and protocols will combine public health best practices with cultural competencies specific to West Side communities.
鈥淓ven when the virus is gone, the devastation left by people not being able to work for months who were holding on paycheck to paycheck, who have used up their savings 鈥 people are going to be in need,鈥 Winfrey said in . 鈥淪o my thing is, look in your own neighborhood, in your own backyard to see how you can serve and where your service is most essential.
鈥淲hat this pandemic has done is made me think about giving differently. How I give and who鈥檚 on the receiving end of that, and how do you do that in such a way that sustains people?鈥
Marshall Hatch Jr, executive director of the West Garfield Park鈥揵ased MAAFA Redemption Project, noted that while these actions initially may be focused on reducing COVID-19 deaths on Chicago鈥檚 West and South Sides, the impact should extend long after this pandemic ends.
鈥淢s. Winfrey鈥檚 gift is a blessing to neighborhoods like ours; it鈥檚 also a call to action,鈥 he said. 鈥淔or too long, West Garfield Park residents have witnessed divestment and indifference.
鈥淭his kind of investment shows that we have not been forgotten, even in a global pandemic. Our seniors are worthy of attention and care; our youth deserve health and wellness. Perhaps now others will see the meaning and value of our lives.鈥
About Live Healthy Chicago鈥檚 Members and the city of Chicago鈥檚 Racial Equity Rapid Response Team
was formed in 2017 when West Side residents, health care institutions, nonprofits, businesses, government agencies and faith communities came together to make their neighborhoods stronger, healthier and more vibrant places to live. The group鈥檚 goal is to reduce by 50 percent by 2030 the 16-year life expectancy gap between Chicago鈥檚 wealthy downtown Loop neighborhood and West Side neighborhoods.
海角原创 serves as WSU鈥檚 fiscal agent and is one of six hospital partners driving the collaborative, along with more than 50 technical and community partners. Leaders from Rush鈥檚 Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement co-led the city鈥檚 effort to manage COVID-19 testing, treatment, and safe shelter for Chicago鈥檚 homeless population. Rush research programs also are providing data analytics for a city-wide COVID-19 data exchange for the City of Chicago.
is a startup grocer that was founded in response to the lack of fresh food options on Chicago's West Side. The market operated as a mobile grocery store and hosted pop-up markets in underserved communities prior to the pandemic. It currently offers online grocery ordering and grocery delivery.
is a ministry of New Mount Pilgrim Church. The Redemption Project improves the quality of life for black and brown families by providing housing and spiritual social services support to young men of color 18 to 30 years of age.
is based on the South Side but serves communities across the city by providing underprivileged youth with an awareness of the world and opportunities beyond their neighborhood.
The city of Chicago鈥檚 Racial Equity Rapid Response Team is a data-powered, community-based, and community-driven mitigation strategy aimed at combating the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on black and brown Chicago communities. Led by Candace Moore, the city鈥檚 first chief equity officer, and Sybil Madison, PhD, the city鈥檚 deputy mayor for education and human services, RERRT develops hyperlocal, data-informed strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 and improve health outcomes among the communities that have been most heavily impacted.
