Beloved Friends of HHCD,

I think this month of July is an excellent time to check in and wish you continued good health, to give you an update on how it stands with our organization, and to let you know how you can help us going forward.

During this unique time, we at Holsten Human Capital Development NFP (HHCD) remain dedicated to building healthy communities and serving the 3,000+ residents in 14 locations who depend on us for assistance. Admittedly, looking for good news during a global pandemic that predominantly affects Black communities is challenging, as this is the top demographic seeking our help at HHCD. It isn’t just the pandemic that creates difficulties; we are all also burdened by the preventative measures we must all take to flatten the curve. The government mandates for social distancing impact each of our three key programs: Resident & Family Services, Workforce Development, and Community Building.

Even so, HHCD has risen to the challenge. Our focus has been on mitigating the spread of COVID-19, implementing government safety practices, and encouraging our residents to do the same. Since March, our social gathering events have been canceled —events that are the only source of socialization for many of our residents. We’ve come to understand that our residents with underlying health issues have a heightened sense of anxiety and loneliness during this stay-at-home mandate. In an effort to alleviate this loneliness, our HHCD staff is proactive in making wellness checks on our residents by phone, and during the height of shut-in, delivered meals to our seniors and families in need.

Our residents, at all our locations, might not have survived hunger, remained in their apartments, or learned about how to be safe during COVID, if not for the generous grants, gifts, and donations made possible by our sponsors and donors.

I wish to give a special shout out to All Chicago who helped facilitate rental assistance to many of our clients; to True Rock Ministries who helped feed and provide sanitizers and masks to many of our Hilliard residents; to the City of Chicago’s ward initiatives to provide masks and hand sanitizers; to the Chinese American Service League (CASL) for their generous six weeks of donations of hundreds of meals for our senior and family residents of Hilliard Homes; to Jackie Hayes who continued her “Jackie’s Meals” even during the mandated sheltering in by coming up with creative ways to still serve Lawson residents outside of the traditional dining hall set up; and to the Lakeview Pantry which arranged for both senior and family residents of Wilson Yard Apartments to get three-course meals prepared by top restaurants Anne Sather, Lady Gregory’s, and Crosby’s Kitchen.

WILL YOU HELP US?

Now that things are opening up a bit, during the month of July, we will hold our first-ever HHCD Life Bazaar!

The HHCD Life Bazaar, to be held at 2 locations during July, is designed to give our residents – many of whom have lost their income – the chance to restock their homes with much-needed goods such as clothing, toiletries, baby supplies, and school items. This is a good time for many of us to clear our closets and pantries, and to share with those in need.

You can also volunteer at one of the HHCD’s Life Bazaar days. Just let us know your availability.

If you would like to help further HHCD’s remarkable impact on the communities we serve, who suffer from socioeconomic hardships, please consider giving today.

These are the times that define us as a community. I remain proud to be the leader of this organization, and grateful to you as our steadfast supporter. Until we meet again, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

With love and respect,

Jackie Holsten