Chicago Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers

02/11/2025

Students at Highland Park High School have come up with a creative and entrepreneurial approach for addressing the ever so stigmatized issue of mental health in the Chicagoland area. On there behalf, we are happy to introduce to you all: Lighthearted Clothing Co.

"At Lighthearted Clothing Co. our mission is to raise awareness about teens, mental wellness, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Through our minimalistic designed apparel, we strive to create a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and positivity as we have designs for everyone to wear."

The creators of Lighthearted Clothing Co. have graciously decided to donate a percentage of their revenue to the Chicago Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers so that we may continue to create mental health services for the people of Chicago.

Support the destigmatization of mental health and the creation of mental health services by supporting these young entrepreneurs. Purchase a shirt via the link below:

https://lightheartedclothingco.com/products/og-t-shirt

11/08/2024

The Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers is proud to announce that after 2 years of organizing efforts, over 17,000 signatures gathered, and 65,000 votes cast, residents of Englewood Greater-Chatham and the Near Southwest Side have voted to create two of the Coalition's Expanded Mental Health Services Programs (EMHSPs) for their respective areas. These EMHSPs will lead to two sustainably-funded mental health centers serving residents in perpetuity, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The approval of these programs increases the total of EMHSPs to eight all across Chicago.

Voters in several South and Southwest side neighborhoods voted in favor of opening free mental health programs — and raising property taxes to fund them.

10/17/2024

“There’s always a need for these resources and, yet, there’s never enough of them.”

Isaac Aleman, one of the Coalition’s organizers, spoke with Francia Garcia Hernandez of Block Club Chicago about the referendums on the upcoming election ballot that would allow residents of Englewood - Greater Chatham (West Englewood, Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing, and Avalon Park) and the Near Southwest Side (Pilsen, Little Village, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, and Armour Square) to vote to create mental health services in their community that would be accessible to all residents in the area, regardless of immigration status, insurance status, or ability to pay.

Voters in several South and Southwest side neighborhoods are being asked if they support raising property taxes to fund mental health programs in their neighborhoods.

08/14/2024

Lead by the Coalition over the past two summers, our organizers, interns, and community leaders collectively gathered 17,388 signatures for two new programs in Englewood-Greater Chatham and the Near Southwest Side. On August 2nd, members of the Coalition submitted the petitions sheets to the Board of Elections to secure the place of the referenda that will allow members of these communities to vote to create their own Expanded Mental Health Services Programs!

The Coalition couldn’t be more proud of this record breaking signature drive that brings us closer to our goal of establishing two more mental health centers in Chicago that would provide services to residents regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Support the Coalition’s work of expanding mental health health services across Chicago by donating via the link below or contact the Coalition’s Development Manager, Steven Snyder, to discuss other options for support.

https://www.saveourmentalhealth.org/donate

Steven Snyder, Development Manager | ssnyder@saveourmentalhealth.org

03/21/2023

Chicago Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers is partnering with the The Encompassing Center and Wintrust Bank Chicago to offer a FREE financial wellness and literacy course to the residents of the Near Westside, North Lawndale, and East and West Garfield Park.

Course facilitators:

Steve Peterson – MBA, Wall Street Investor and Manager of the Distressed Debt Fund and

Raphael Arteberry – Lead Community Organizer of the Coalition, and West Side Access Network Coordinator.

What are we learning:

A substantial and diverse collection of topics will be discussed such as mortgages, debt, credit repair, and bitcoin.

If you sign up, you will be issued a Wintrust bank account with a deposit of $100 on us!

Where and When:

Saturdays April 1, 2023 – May 20, 2023 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am

The Encompassing Center | 3019 W. Harrison, Street, Chicago, IL, 60612

How to Register:

Call: (312) 320-6363

Or visit: https://lnkd.in/g8BBhE3N

“Financial Health is Mental Wellness.”

02/23/2023

Do you live in Logan Square, Avondale, or Hermosa?

Join the Community Mental Health Clinic Focus Group hosted by the Logan Square, Avondale, and Hermosa Expanded Mental Health Services Program Governing Commission. The focus group will brainstorm potential names for the new mental health center coming to your area.

An in-person focus group will meet Saturday February 25th at 10:30am at the Wintrust Community Room located at: 2414 W Fullerton.

Not able to go in person? Join the virtual focus group on Monday, February 27th at 6:30pm. To sign up, click on the link below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJD06On3v8bqYTClRj-S3HA0bFYuSAV5jz2Qd7qPgGWfTuhA/viewform

See you then!

Fill out this form if you are interested in being a part of a focus group that helps with naming the community mental health clinic that will be located at 3557 W. Armitage. The details for both dates are below: Saturday 2/25/2023 at 10:30am In person at Wintrust Bank, 2414 W. Fullerton Monday 2/27/...

01/31/2023

What a beautifully written article!

Mina Bloom has followed our Logan Square, Avondale & Hermosa program since before the election, and we’re so glad to have Block Club Chicago continue updating the community on our work. The LSAH center is set to open later in 2023 serving all residents regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Click the link below for quick read ❤️👇

The long-planned facility, funded through a property tax increase approved in 2018, is opening in a large, industrial-style building on Armitage Avenue.

11/28/2022

Happy Monday Everyone!

The goal was to open two more Expanded Mental Health Services Programs (EMHSP’s) in the Southeast and West Town/ Humboldt Park areas of Chicago. After dozens of community meetings, hundreds of yards signs placed, and the collection of tens of thousands of signatures, these communities achieved their goals, overwhelmingly, with the referendums passing by a miraculous 93% and 85% vote on the Nov. 8th ballot. They will have access to Mental Health Facilities in their areas in the near future!

We wanted to showcase these pictures of us celebrating these victories together as an indicator of how persistence and diligence to a cause can result in incredible results.

Have a great Monday and an amazing week. Let’s all see what we can accomplish! 👍

11/06/2022

On Election Day this Tuesday, November 8th,
vote "YES" on the two referendum questions to
support mental health in our communities of:
Woodlawn, South Shore, Kenwood, and Hyde
Park. ✅

Being a good neighbor will save lives!

11/04/2022

9,800 signatures collected and 35,000 educational materials distributed have led us to this moment!

There are currently two referendum questions
on the Nov. 8th ballot. Now residents of
West Town and Humboldt Park have the opportunity to make their voices heard and create a new community mental health center.

Vote “YES” twice on November 8th for the Expanded Mental Health Services Program!✅

11/01/2022

As the November 8th election approaches, the Coalition joined the Voter Engagement Rally sponsored by the Evangelism of Grace Ministry at Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.

Community Action Team members are urging residents in Woodlawn, South Shore, Hyde Park, and Kenwood to "vote yes for our community" and "vote yes for the Expanded Mental Health Services Program!" ✅