Support for facility and park improvements, paramedic services, and youth job training are among the services and projects that will be funded by this year’s $1 million donation from Northwestern University to the City of Evanston’s Good Neighbor Fund.
The allocations were announced by Mayor Stephen Hagerty and NU President Morton Schapiro on Thursday.
This is the third year in a row that Northwestern has donated $1 million to the City’s fund. In March 2015, Northwestern agreed to contribute $1 million annually to the City for a period of five years, with proceeds to be spent on projects and services jointly agreed upon by the mayor of Evanston and Northwestern University’s president.
This year, Mayor Hagerty and President Schapiro agreed to the following allocation:
- $325,000 for Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center interior improvements, including renovation of the auditorium, the lobby, and the office adjacent to the lobby. The office improvements will make the center’s customer service counter ADA accessible.
- $220,000 to support Evanston Fire Department paramedic services
- $160,000 to support existing job training programs for at-risk youth
- $100,000 for renovation of the Harbert Park basketball court
- $100,000 to support the City’s Youth and Young Adult Division. This allocation will cover the salary of two of the five existing full-time outreach workers.
- $70,000 to support a full-time social worker at the Evanston Public Library
- $25,000 for a CTA/Union Pacific Viaduct Beautification Pilot Project
“We’re pleased to continue to support the City of Evanston and these important projects and initiatives through the Good Neighbor Fund,” Schapiro said. “One of Northwestern’s key assets is our location in Evanston, a vibrant and thriving community where many of our faculty and staff live. Our partnerships with the City of Evanston and the Evanston schools continue to grow, and this contribution demonstrates our commitment to our home town.”
Hagerty said, “Northwestern is much more than just a good neighbor, it’s a partner in our community’s success. I look forward to continuing our strong spirit of cooperation and support for many years to come.”
Projects and services selected for this year’s Good Neighbor Fund allocation will be funded for the 12-month period that began September 1.