South-Southwest Suburban United Way and CEDA recently hosted the first annual Southland Human Services Summit Thursday at Oak Forest Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.
The half-day summit brought non-profit social service providers and business leaders together to discuss issues that are dramatically affecting the health and human services sector. The summit, which was free and open to the public, also allowed the opportunity to create positive solutions in response to the current funding crisis.
State Senator M. Maggie Crotty served as keynote speaker and discussed the importance of collaboration, the necessity for seeking external funding from private and Federal sources, and how the social service infrastructure in the Southland region can be sustained for the long-term.
“Chicago’s Southland region continues to receive less than adequate government resources and funding to support our ever-expanding social and community need. This summit provided the opportunity for agencies to come together to discern the pulse of our community and share creative ideas and strategies to move forward,” said James Washington, CPO, South-Southwest Suburban United Way.
Representatives from United Way, Mission Plus Strategy Consulting, the Donors Forum, Illinois Facilities Fund, Harris Bank and First Midwest Bank also shared their insights on the state budget impact, discussed partnerships and collaborations and shared creative financing strategies. Jack Kaplan, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago shared the results of United Way’s recent budget impact survey.
“More than 500 non-profits throughout the state responded to our survey and of those, 60% reported they are currently waiting on budgeted back payments from the government. As we head into the next state budget cycle, it is important that non-profits have the information and resources available to make thoughtful decisions to sustain services and staff,” Kaplan told attendees.
The breakout sessions gave large multi-service agencies, youth service organizations, housing agencies, mental health and disabilities organizations and health care providers the chance to meet as part of a large network to discuss potential strategies to alleviate cash flow issues for each service area. United Way and CEDA representatives moderated these groups.
“We have learned over the past year, the health and human services sector is unified and organized in our fight to serve those populations needing necessary services as they move toward self sufficiency. CEDA are proud to work collaboratively across the sector to bring thoughtful leaders, politicians and activists together to discuss critical issues facing our region,” said Robert L. Wharton, president/CEO of CEDA.
