Imagine Englewood If

Are you grappling with unknowns around what your kids’ school year will look like and how you will manage remote learning? Figuring out how to find balance among so many priorities? Now consider the realities facing so many in our beloved city of Chicago. We are not worried about having enough food. We are not worried about Internet access. We are not worried about our children’s safety. But we are ready to take action. So what can we do?

As the adage goes, we can use our gifts of time, talent and treasure to help others. Right now, for parents everywhere, time is in limited supply, but we are committed to using our talent and treasure this year to help others. Will you join us in showing up for Chicago students this year with your philanthropy?

With advice from a trusted advisor, a program officer at a major Chicago foundation, we are going to get much-needed resources into the hands of an important organization doing good work in Englewood, a predominantly African American (94%) neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago. Englewood has a nearly 50% poverty rate and unemployment of 26.8%. The neighborhood has experienced decades of disinvestment that is reflected in the community violence that has garnered national attention, the lowest life expectancy (60 years old) in the city of Chicago, and educational disparities that leave many Englewood youth behind in reading and math.

Imagine Englewood if ... (IEi) is a 501c3 organization established in 1997. IEi offers year-round enrichment programming that provides a supportive and safe place for youth to belong, explore and grow. Despite the pandemic causing everyone to shelter in place, IEi has remained on the front lines supporting youth and families. This incredible organization has transformed in-person programs, packing their fun-learning after-school programming into Imagination Boxes, cool activity boxes delivered to the homes of Englewood children 6-12 years old.

In preparation for the new school year, IEi is planning to launch a new program, an e-learning hub to provide children with support as they learn remotely. Many of the families IEi serves lack access to a working device and a functioning, high-speed internet connection. As a result, children who are already struggling academically are falling behind at an alarming rate as a result of remote learning. With our support, IEi will be able to purchase 30 Chromebooks and other devices needed to support its e-learning hub as well as supplying Englewood youth with devices to use at home. IEi will also be able to hire tutors for the e-learning hub and to continue providing Imagination Boxes.

We fully support IEi's determination to not let the digital divide that exists between affluent and poor communities prevent youth from having the tools they need to be successful, and are committed to helping address this as we move into the 2020-21 school year. Thank you in advance for your consideration!