How Well Do the Media Cover NonProfit Issues?

NP Communicator, a blog published by Community Media Workshop (CMW), is conducting research on the future of local news in Chicago. The chart on the right is from a survey of selected keywords in Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times news articles over the years. (Click on the chart to enlarge it and see the keywords)

Streetwise Endangered

In a disheartening twist of timing, two days after a NY Times article declared that "newspapers produced and sold by homeless people in dozens of American cities are flourishing" (see Valerie's post), today's Tribune reports that Streetwise, Chicago's own homeless-oriented journal, is on the brink of collapse.

Valerie's exhortation to support Streetwise reverberates with unprecedented urgency now.

New study: Supportive housing - pay now, not later

In this tough fiscal climate, state services are feeling the pinch as more people need their help. But Illinois could save millions of dollars from the most expensive users of public services with more supportive housing, according to a new report released today by Heartland Alliance Mid-America Institute on Poverty (MAIP) and Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA).

More on the study and news coverage of the release after the jump...


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What is supportive housing? It's affordable housing coupled with supportive services for the homeless, mentally ill and other distressed populations. There are currently 6,000 supportive housing units in 28 Illinois counties.

Today's report found an overall 39 percent cost reduction in the use of state public services from a sample of 177 supportive housing residents. That translates to more than $850,000 - an average saving of $2,400 per resident per year.

And MAIP acknowledges that's not the full scope of savings. Based on other national studies, the cost savings per resident could be more than 7 times higher than the $2,400 figure.

VDC publicized the report's findings, which appeared in stories by the Associated Press and Chicago Public Radio. You can also check out what Google News has picked up here.

Image via United Property Tax Consultants

Checking in with Chat Daddy

I was on the phone a couple weeks ago with one of VDC's favorite media people, Chat Daddy (aka Art Sims), who writes a fantastic advice column for Chicago Defender. I learned that in addition to his column, Art is also helping people in the community at South Central Community Services, Inc. You can read about Art's work in a post I wrote for the Community Beat blog.

CUB to Fight Gas Rate Hike

Today's news that Illinois regulators have approved another increase in energy costs for the state's financially embattled consumers is the latest reminder of why we value the Citizens Utility Board (CUB).

Yes, CUB is our client. But my connection to the organization predates my work history. I interned for CUB when I was in college, and the organization was still its infancy. But this year, CUB, the state's largest consumer advocacy organization and a vital check on utilities that enjoy a near-monopoly, celebrates its silver anniversary. And the money the organization has saved us in those 25 years -- more than $10 billion -- is pure gold.

Click here for more!

As consumers have learned to expect, CUB is contesting the proposed NICOR rate hike approved today. CUB has also become an expert on reducing costs of phone usage. I recommending visiting CUB's Local Phone Cost-Cutter and CellPhone Saver, two on-line resources that analyze your conventional and wireless phone bills and direct you to money-saving plans that could reduce your bills dramatically.

Tomorrow is the first day of spring

I absolutely love Chicago. I am proud to say that I have lived here all of my life. With that said the winters here are a little rough - lots of cold and lots of snow. However, starting tomorrow, we get to officially break out from the cold winter and welcome the fantastic weather (hopefully - fingers crossed) that spring has to offer. Along with the warmer weather comes one of my favorite things - fresh produce.

As some of you may know, in addition to being the operational guru here at VDC, I am also the resident culinarian. I am a classically trained chef and a fantastic cook. When I cook, I really take the time to find the best ingredients I can. This is much easier in the spring/summer/fall months as the Chicago area has some fantastic local produce farmers.

One of my favorite organizations is Growing Home Inc. They are a nonprofit organization that utilizes organic agriculture as a vehicle for employment, job training and community development. In addition to providing these social services to the community, they also grow and sell their own organic produce. Growing Home currently provides some of Chicago's best restaurants with produce. Their produce is also offered at local farmers markets and through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Here is a pdf list of the crops offered by Growing Home and which months they are usually available.

I am really looking forward to participating in the CSA program this year. The program allows me to get some great produce and allows Growing Home the opportunity to grow their social enterprise. I am really hoping to create some new and fantastic dishes using their organic produce. It's shaping up to be a great summer.

For more information on Growing Home, please call (773) 549-1336 or visit www.growinghomeinc.org.

(Photo: Growing Home Inc.)