Staying People Minded in a Forgotten Community

I started writing about nonprofits on Safe Haven in the City when I saw Chicago’s heart for them. So many people want to help their city but, with the hundreds of nonprofits we have, it can be difficult to narrow down who to help. How do you find the nonprofit meeting the need you’re passionate about and, even then, how do you know they’re doing a good job? After working with multiple nonprofits over the past ten years, I’ve begun to dip my toe into the deep waters to see who is being intentional in growing their community and involving others in the process.

This past January I met Grace Housing Complex, an economic and community development organization focused on providing low income mothers with affordable housing and other opportunities within the greater Chicagoland area. They specifically target South Deering, Englewood, and Roseland. The statistics speak plainly on their website and their backstory is incredibly gripping. The founder’s struggle and experiences led to the development of their core mission: helping low income mothers by providing affordable housing, civil service, and community resources.

I spoke with Justin Dailey, the CEO of GRACE and the founder, Cynthia Dailey's son.

"Grace is built for mothers and their children. I worked in the community for two years now, building the health of it by being present and raising funds. People need help. Some just aren't asking for it."

This is not just a perceived need they hope to relieve; it is a present and pressing need they rise up to meet as fresh young professionals. The CEO Justin Dailey intentionally interned with other nonprofits to form relationships and engage with mentors in order to start a non profit. He shared with me at their beginning of the year meeting, “My biggest lesson was the value of working with people.”

And GRACE’s mission upholds that very value.

“GRACE” is an acronym for Greet, Relationships, Assistance, Communication, & Evaluation.

Founded over four years ago, GRACE is making founder Cynthia Dailey’s vision come to life. After receiving their first grant of $10,000 from Pollination Nation they hosted an evening for the community to brainstorm further involvement. When a community minded group goes to the people they are representing and ask how they can help further, that's where the change begins to form. Since the beginning of the year, they have begun the Young Millionaires Club, Prom and Beyond, You Got The Juice, and Mother's of Grace. They are making great strides from their sole weekly event last summer, Summer Burn Out. The event was coordinated by a Chicago local fitness instructor designed to engaged the community in their need for exercise and positive activities. They sought "to raise awareness and participation by establishing a workout community open to all fitness levels and Chicago South & South East side community residents.(Their hope is) continuous growth will bring expansion of further Health & Wellness programming." It is a great program to join in the summer!

Since hosting the meeting in January, Grace has been running full speed ahead and hitting each point they expressed as a goal for 2018. Young Millionaires Club is one that stands out from other projects they are currently building because their passion cannot be hidden. "Everyone is capable of building a profit. What do they do with their money? Bring it back to the community!" Their goal is to empower those in the community to succeed in financial literacy, wealth creation, and wealth management. "We want to create investment clubs so you know what you're doing when you invest."

Grace is excited to partner with those who would like to get involved. Whether it is as a mentor through their Prom and Beyond project, their Salvadore Farms Partnership advancing aquaponics, or their Young Millionaires Club via investing, please reach out! These folks are making a drastic change and partnering in their work can make an even bigger difference. I know I'll be following closely. I hope you are, too.

CHEERS from C H I C A G O,