Friends-Chicago Receives $999,943 Grant from Cook County Health

Friends-Chicago is the recipient of a two-year grant totaling $999,943 through Cook County Health’s Stronger Together: Building a More Equitable Behavioral Health System Initiative. We are one of 53 organizations to have received funds directed to addressing behavioral health inequities across the region.

This incredible grant will help us do what we do best – harness the power of authentic, unconditional relationships to break cycles of trauma in Chicago’s communities most impacted by poverty and gun violence.

This grant also supports two valued partnerships that will expand our capacity to bring vital mental health services to our youth and families. Our Mental Health Consultancy, headed by Mary Jo Barrett, will provide advanced training in trauma-informed care to our Professional Mentors. New Life KNEW Solutions, a non-profit Community Mental Health and Violence Prevention Agency, will provide culturally attuned mental health services to our youth, families, and Professional Mentors.

We are the only organization in Cook County that provides youth facing the greatest obstacles with uninterrupted, individualized, in-depth, long-term support from highly trained, professional mentors—every week, every month, every year—for 12.5 years. No Matter What.

This commitment requires determination and investment. Thank you to Cook County Health and Cook County Government for supporting work to improve mental health in Cook County. We are #StrongerTogether.  #MentalHealthMatters