NiReach, formerly known as Winnebago County Housing Authority, is proud to announce it has received a $14,482.00 grant for the Wellness and Telehealth Center for Collier Garden Apartments. The grant was awarded by the Dr. Louis & Violet Rubin Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program.
The purpose of the Wellness and Telehealth Center project is to build and equip a private, safe space for our residents to meet with their healthcare providers via telehealth and in person, since most Collier Garden residents lack the necessary computer skills to be able to do this on their own, in their own living spaces. In addition, less than 50% of our residents possess a valid driver license or a vehicle; building this space would allow us to bring in outside agencies to provide regular healthcare and wellness education, an integral part of overall quality of life.
The area that will be used for this project was previously a beauty salon. The demolition and reconstruction will be completed in partnership with YouthBuild, a youth-serving skills training program of Comprehensive Community Solutions. The YouthBuild apprentices will demo, clean, and prep the space for their subsequent installation of cabinetry, plumbing, and ADA-compliant door, and a storage closet. We will also be partnering with the following health care agencies to provide medical services in the new space: Crusader Community Health, University of Illinois Mile Square Healthcare, Healthcare Plus, OSF St. Anthony School of Nursing and Oak Street Health.
The Wellness and Telehealth Center will allow residents to meet with their providers in a private and safe manner via a computer and telemedicine equipment. It will provide access for wellness, continuing care and physical therapy visits. Residents with mental health issues will also have access to their Counselors and Psychiatrists. We also plan to offer exercise classes focusing on improving balance to help prevent falls. This will lead to fewer emergency room visits and calls for EMS Services.
Board Chairperson, Dina Getty states “we are excited to have the opportunity to bring excellent healthcare services directly to the residents we serve. We thank Community Foundation of Northern Illinois for supporting this valuable program. We are also grateful to the valuable partners.”
About Winnebago County Housing Authority
Winnebago County Housing Authority was created in 1940 to serve the Camp Grant Veterans and their families and to impact against neighborhood blight. We are now Reach, reaching out housing and supportive services for over 2,000 families across six counties.
About the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois:
The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for current and future needs of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953 CFNIL has granted more than $77 million for charitable purposes. Learn more about CFNIL’s grantmaking and commitment to endowment at cfnil.org.
