Economic and Workforce Development

EconWF-Intro

Introduction

We invest in the communities we serve by employing diverse individuals and providing innovative training, education and development initiatives that help drive economic growth for under-resourced communities.

Man in a black shirt talking about the Inner-City Muslim Action Network

Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)

At Northwestern Medicine, we collaborate with community partners, like IMAN, on training, placement and development programs that support meaningful employment opportunities. Learn how this work helps build healthier communities.

WATCH VIDEO ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP

Our Progress

3rd largest private employer
in Illinois
NM employee working in the kitchen

Providing Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is working to support community growth. The Human Resources Department and a network of community organizations are collaborating to pool resources and create career programs.

Related Stories

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30+ years of offering youth development programs
Investing-in-the-future

Investing in the future

  • More than 3,500 students currently participate in Northwestern Medicine programs
  • Partnering with 130 schools
$10.7 million spent
with under-resourced communities on organizational supplies and services in 2023
investing-locally

Investing Locally

$47 million spent with the Construction Diversity Program plus an estimated 1,000 construction jobs and 100 health-related jobs created building Bronzeville Outpatient Center.

ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Organizations We Work With

Bright Star Community Outreach has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy; particularly in the 3rd and 4th wards of Chicago’s south side.

Bright Star / TURN | Northwestern Medicine Community Partnership Program - YouTube

The Bridge to Trauma Treatment | Northwestern Medicine

In partnership with McHenry County College, the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation raises funds on behalf of the college to benefit both students and programs.

With support from Northwestern Medicine, the foundation launched Education to Empowerment (E2E), an exciting women's scholarship program that gives financial support and ongoing mentorship for female students completing their final year at McHenry County College and continuing onto a four-year college or university. Funds from Northwestern Medicine and others will enable the foundation to continue to operate the program with promotion, scholarship events, mentoring events and member recruitment.

Supports first-generation college students toward their highest post-secondary aspirations through long-term, 1:1 mentorship, a college-readiness curriculum, and career-connected learning opportunities.

  • Five Chicago Public Schools high school partners on the South and West Sides
  • 1,000+ high school students served annually

Fostering health, wellness, and healing in the inner city by organizing for social change, operating a holistic health center, and providing transitional housing, job training, and criminal justice support.

  • 11,000 patient visits each year
  • 400 Green Re-Entry Program alumni; 50 graduates annually
  • 30 individuals supported with housing annually

An award-winning mentoring and leadership program, empowering Black girls in some of Chicago’s most underserved communities to become confident leaders through character development, career readiness, and civic engagement.

  • 2,000 women and girls served annually
  • 95% of girls stated that leadership skills increased

Based in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Veterans Path to Hope works to uncover and provide the physical, emotional and other life needs that veterans face. From counseling to employment assistance to transitional living, the organization offers programs and services to help empower veterans.

Support from Northwestern Medicine has been dedicated to the on-site food pantry, which helps provide food to hundreds of individuals from veteran families with limited resources each month.