We partner with non-profit organizations on the West and Southwest Sides of Chicago that provide essential services and supports in their communities. These civic partners nominate staff members deserving of recognition.
Esperanza Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates five clinical sites in the predominantly Latino neighborhoods of Chicago Southwest side. Taking its name from the Spanish word for “hope,” Esperanza opened its doors in 2004 to offer residents of the Little Village community greater access to quality primary care. Since then, Esperanza has grown to serve nearly 40,000 patients a year, earning top marks nationally for the high quality of its care. Most recently, Esperanza celebrated an important milestone when it surpassed 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in highly vulnerable communities of Chicago’s Southwest side. Learn more about Esperanza Health Centers.
“The songwriters listened with so much care, asked such thoughtful questions, and checked in repeatedly to make sure the project was capturing the essence of Armando and his work during the pandemic. To watch his joy when the song was finally unveiled was an unforgettable moment—a profound and magical way to say thank you for his months of hard work.”
Ricardo Cifuentes, VP for External Affairs
The MAAFA Redemption Project is a faith-based residential institute for at-risk emerging adult men of color (ages 18-30) located in West Garfield Park, a neighborhood with one of the lowest life expectancies in Chicago. It offers dormitory-style residential support, workforce training, character/spiritual-development, and a host of wrap-around social services. MAAFA’s mission is to significantly improve the quality of life for high-risk young men of color and their families. With its unique direct-service and community-building approach, MAAFA aims to drive the community’s redevelopment plan. To accomplish this mission, MAAFA implements a multi-pronged approach: gun violence prevention/mediation, leadership development, and community outreach. Learn more about MAAFA.
“Listen Up Chicago forces all of us to heed its call to action. The stories and the songs are profound glimpses into the lives of those who have always been “essential”—on the front lines inspiring the hopeless, and building community from within. If we listen, we will learn of their wisdom, and find fresh courage to face what lies ahead.”
Marshall Hatch, Jr., Executive Director
New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church is one of the largest congregations on the West Side of Chicago, with a rich history of loving God and serving his people in and around Chicago. Led by Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch, Sr., the church’s work extends beyond the sanctuary, through ministering to the elderly and the imprisoned, and the MAAFA Redemption Project. Learn more about New Mount Pilgrim.
Formed in 1996, The Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) is a broad-based organization of 34 Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith institutions, public and private schools, and other institutions in Southwest Chicago. SWOP is known for its efforts to end predatory lending and foreclosures, reduce violence, win rights and protect the civil liberties of immigrants, and improve achievement in public schools through parent, student and school staff engagement. Learn more about SWOP.
“Listen Up Chicago has succeeded in paying the careful and necessary attention to Chicago's real heroes—by telling their stories through music so that the rest of us can learn, honor, and appreciate those who make our fraught city a better home for us all.”
Jessica Biggs, Director, Healthy Southwest
and Southwest System of Care
Partner with us.
We invite non-profit organizations across Chicago to partner with us to lift up stories of your employees and their extraordinary service to community. Please contact us to learn more and to nominate someone worthy of a song.