HP Community Foundation E-News HPCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Appeal

Supporting local nonprofits and agencies that serve our community’s most vulnerable neighbors

HPCF’s partners are experiencing a surge in demand for services from Highland Park and Highwood residents significantly impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak.

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We acted immediately.

The Highland Park Community Foundation Board has approved an emergency disbursement of $25,000 to address some of the most urgent needs arising from the Coronavirus outbreak. The money has been awarded to nine organizations that serve Highland Park and Highwood children, families, and seniors. The funds will be used to provide household necessities, internet connections, and human services for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

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We Are All In This Together Display a Sign of Unity

Physically, we may have to be apart, but we are all in this together. Show your support for your neighbors, friends, and community!

Download and print a pdf of an All In This Together sign (available here in English and Spanish), decorate, and hang it on your window or door.

Then spread the word so there will be signs everywhere. Seeing them on windows or doors will build a sense of solidarity and make our community stronger.

Please also post pictures of your windows and signs and send them to us at info@hpcfil.org! See more photos below! #InThisTogether #HPCF #OneCommunity.

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We are pleased to announce that the HPCF Board has approved a second round of emergency grants, totaling $60,350, to address urgent needs arising from the Coronavirus outbreak.

The money has been awarded to 17 organizations that serve Highland Park and Highwood children, families, and seniors. The funds will be used immediately to help vulnerable members of our community with

• food and essential basic needs for babies, children and adults
• household items as well as rental and utility assistance for families and individuals, including victims of domestic violence
• webcams, mobile devices, software upgrades, and funding to support mental health tele-services for youth and adults and virtual programming for individuals with special needs
• PPE supplies
• affordable legal services in the areas of housing, domestic violence, and immigration

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Third Round of Emergency Grant Funding.

A little less than three months ago, COVID-19 hit our community. Its impacts have been intense and relentless, as has our resolve to address them.

The HPCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Appeal was launched on March 17. Since then, through the generous support of more than 250 donors and a grant from the Lake County Community Foundation, we have awarded 40 grants, totaling $119,730, to provide critically needed assistance to our friends and neighbors.

Included in this is a third round of emergency grants, totaling $34,380, which the HPCF Board awarded this week to 14 organizations that serve Highland Park and Highwood children, families, and seniors.

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Become a Corporate Champion Today!

A little less than three months ago, COVID-19 hit our community. The Highland Park Community Foundation has launched a Corporate Champion Program to provide the opportunity for businesses to become our philanthropic partners at a time when Highland Park and Highwood residents need support like never before.

Mesirow Financial has signed on as HPCF’s first Corporate Champion. Mesirow, an independent, employee-owned financial services company, has generously made a 5-year commitment at the Platinum level to support the Foundation’s mission to address unmet needs of our community.

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Though we can’t Gather for Good in person this year, there are still needs to address and people to recognize and thank

Carol Louise Anspach Kohn – “Cookie” Kohn
2020 Jack Blane Community Service Award Recipient

The Jack Blane Community Service Award, launched in 2014, honors Jack Blane, a founder and long-time Board member of the HPCF, and his exemplary work in the community.

We proudly recognize Cookie Anspach Kohn as the recipient of this year’s award!

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2020 HPCF Golden Apple Award Recipients!

Josh Chodoroff, Nairy Hagopian, Katarina Tolemy

in 2010, the Highland Park Community Foundation established the HPCF Golden Apple Award to recognize outstanding teachers in the Highland Park school systems. The HPCF is forever grateful to former Chairman, Board member, and Advisory Board member Andy Livingston for initiating the award, which became a signature program of the Foundation under his leadership.

HPCF Golden Apple Award nominations are made in a K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 rotating cycle. A selection committee, composed of exemplary educators, administrators, and former Award recipients, evaluates the extensive applications and completes full-day teacher observations. A final recipient of the Award is then chosen based on instruction, content knowledge, student and staff interaction, and contribution to school and community.

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We are very fortunate to live in a community that wraps its arms around friends and neighbors in need.

With your help, during the last week of October, we awarded 52 HPCF annual grants, totaling $512,550, for programs and services young children, teens, families, and older members of our community need to thrive – and sometimes just to survive. This funding will be used to address unmet needs in five main categories: education, human services, services for individuals with disabilities, senior services, and the creative and cultural arts.

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As we look forward to a better tomorrow we give thanks for all we have today. This includes a community that cares.

Thank you for being a part of it.

With all of our best wishes for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving, shared one way or another
with those you love,

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