Advocates For Action Gifted Residents Through a Virtual Essential-Needs Pantry

Evanston Cradle to Career's Advocates For Action reallocated funds that they usually reserve for their Community-Building grants program toward helping Evanston residents struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group of ten Advocates, managed by EC2C's Kimberly Holmes-Ross, recently organized an Immediate Response Team and conducted an informal survey to better understand the community’s most pressing needs.

Survey results showed that that 80 percent of respondents are experiencing food and/or basic needs insecurity. So the team developed a Virtual Essential Needs Pantry and issued 200 e-cards for Target, at $50 per card, and delivered these to families last week.

“Our efforts are focused on addressing immediate needs, as well as connecting families with resources to assist them during this unprecedented time," said Kimberly, director of Community Engagement for EC2C. "We share in our community’s struggle with the closing of schools, businesses and social service programs. We also know that the experience is different for each of us."

Kimberly encourages anyone in the community to contact her or any of the Advocates to share their current challenges. She can be reached at kholmesross@gmail.com

Advocates for Action is a community leadership council formed by Evanston Cradle to Career.

EC2C provided leadership training for Evanston community members helping them to amplify their voices and equip them to lead actions necessary for change in Evanston.

Advocates are:

Damita Cravens, Sandra Hewitt, Twanda Gee, Tiffany Jackson, Patrina Gregory, Marquise Weatherspoon, Glenn Mackey, Roman Walker, Daphne Dortch, Charetta Williams. JoAnn McKire Avery and Bettye Cohns are partners to the council.