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.

Our Progress

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

Providing Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is working to improve communities in inspiring and innovative ways. One such example is how the Human Resources Department and a network of community organizations are collaborating to pool resources and create career programs.

90% increase in hiring
since 2018 from Chicago communities that have been historically under-resourced
Hiring image

Closing Gaps

  • Dedicated staff hired in 2020 to build relationships and drive hiring in those neighborhoods.

Back

$4.8 million spent
in fiscal year 2021 on goods and services from businesses in Chicago communities that have experienced disinvestment
investing-locally

Investing Locally

  • Increase of more than $1 million from fiscal year 2020

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ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Organizations We Work With

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.

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.