Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty and Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro today announced that city paramedics and job training and library programs are among the ones to be funded in 2019 by the school’s annual $1 million donation to the city’s Good Neighbor Fund.
This is the fourth year of NU’s five-year commitment to donate $1 million a year to the fund which supports projects and services jointly agreed upon by the mayor and NU’s president.
This year Mayor Hagerty and President Schapiro agreed to the following allocation:
- $250,000 to support Evanston Fire Department paramedic services.
- $135,000 to support existing job training programs.
- $150,000 towards the mayor’s Discretionary Projects Fund.
- $100,000 for youth outreach programs. This allocation will cover the salary of two of the five existing full-time outreach workers.
- $90,000 for the “Elevate Evanston” workforce development initiative.
- $75,000 towards implementing pilot projects recommended by the Climate Action and Resilience Plan.
- $70,000 to support the full-time social worker position at the Evanston Public Library.
- $50,000 towards a new after-school tutoring initiative.
- $50,000 to develop a Parks and Recreation master plan.
- $30,000 to expand the Evanston Public Library’s portable Wi-Fi Hotspot Program.
“Northwestern University is a great neighbor, and I thank President Schapiro, in particular, for continuing this important partnership. This $1 million financial contribution supports our community’s success by funding important projects that will help everyone who lives, works and plays in Evanston,” Hagerty said in a statement. “In addition, I appreciate NU stepping forward to help the city address its recent deficit by funding in full the expenses associated with NU football games and Dillo Day.”
“Northwestern’s relationship with the City and its residents is a priority for the university, and the Good Neighbor Fund is a great example of this partnership,” President Schapiro said. “This is one of the concrete ways we can demonstrate our commitment. Our investments, specifically in the areas of youth programs and career development, will have a meaningful impact on the Evanston community for years to come.”