Story by: By ALEX ORTIZ
The Will County Health Department announced the 10 winners of $138,000 in grants aimed at expanding the county’s outreach efforts to get more residents vaccinated against COVID-19. The health department is seeking to partner with these 10 community-based organizations to hold pop-up vaccine clinics to increase vaccination rates among Black, Latino and rural Will County residents, according to a news release. The county recently reached 50% of its total residents being fully vaccinated for COVID-19. “We are excited to work with these proven influential organizations to help conduct COVID-19 vaccination outreach to the unvaccinated,” Sue Olenek, executive director of the department, said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to make strides to increase vaccination rates among populations who are resistant to receiving the vaccine by addressing their concerns and making the vaccine accessible.” The winners were picked based off the strengths of their applications, availability of funds, staff and organizational experience reaching the identified populations, data collection and performance measurements, among other factors. The organizations that earned a grant of up to $15,000 included:
• Child Care Resource & Referral
• Holsten Human Capital Development • Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project
• Easter Seals
• Fairmont Community Partnership Group Inc. • National Hook Up of Black Women
• Spanish Community Center
• Warehouse Workers for Justice
• Warren-Sharpe Community Center
• Will-Grundy Medical Clinic
The effort to partner with local organizations came after some urged the county health department to do more to increase vaccination rates among residents of color. Olenek has said the department is trying to do more to reach Black and Latino residents and has reported vaccination rates by race and ethnicity in the county during her regular updates to Will County Board members. The department also hired a vaccine equity manager to specifically focus on underserved populations. It also has held listening sessions targeted at different groups to answer their concerns and questions about the vaccines. “We look forward to working with all of the organizations to advance the COVID-19 vaccination initiatives of the Health Department,” WCHD Health Equity Manager Vinita Voss said in a statement.