Nicor Gas awards $100,000 in grants to strengthen community enrichment initiatives throughout its service area

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Oct. 28, 2024 – Building on its dedication to enhancing the vitality, sustainability and livability of neighborhoods throughout its service area, Nicor Gas is announcing the award of $100,000 in community enrichment grants. These funds will be distributed to various organizations to support their cultural and community enrichment programs, furthering Nicor Gas' commitment to fostering strong, vibrant communities.

"Our community enrichment grants are a testament to Nicor Gas’ belief that the vitality, sustainability and livability of our neighborhoods are the foundation of a thriving society. By investing in cultural and community programs, we are not only enhancing the quality of life for our neighbors but also fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose,” said Jackie Nagel, manager of Community Engagement at Nicor Gas.

Nicor Gas is proud to award the following 23 organizations with grants to support their cultural and community enrichment programming:

Metropolitan Chicago/Statewide:

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & North West Indiana: Provides positive youth development and trauma-informed programming, fostering resilience and social-emotional learning competencies.

Safe Families for Children Alliance: Provides a statewide alternative to foster care, improving outcomes among vulnerable and marginalized families and fostering improved health for communities across the state.

Cook County:

Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County: Provides support for child-focused, trauma-informed interviewing, advocacy and mental health services that intervene and prevent adverse childhood experiences for young survivors of physical or sexual violence.

Gigi’s Playhouse - Hoffman Estates: Supports programs that promote the development of speech and communication skills, gross and fine motor skills, social skills, self-care skills and play and leisure skills.

Magdalene House Chicago: Provides support for the Find Your Way Home Program that provides a two-year, cost-free residential therapeutic recovery program and incorporates its Justice Social Enterprise program that gives survivors of sex trafficking training for jobs to provide financial stability.

Search, Inc.: Supports community integration activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including housing, adult learning, employment and supportive services.

St. Colletta’s of Illinois: Provides support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through employment training and job coaching.

Suburban Primary Health Council: Provides access to the behavioral health services in the form of eight in-person or teleconferencing counseling sessions.

The Firehouse Dream: Provides education and training for young adults in creative arts including using art as a community mental health tool.

DuPage County:

Kids Above All: Supports children and families in under-resourced communities through early childhood learning programs, safe, supportive housing services and trauma-informed counseling.

Kane County:

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health: Supports Ecker's Annual Fundraising Gala and enables the Ecker Center to serve more individuals in need of mental health and behavioral services.

Mutual Ground: Provides support for trauma-informed, victim-centered, culturally sensitive services to individuals and families impacted by domestic and/or sexual violence.

Suicide Prevention Services: Provides support for suicide prevention programs including counseling, education and support groups.

Tri-City Family Services: Supports mental health counseling at an affordable price in the Fox River Valley community.

Lake County:

Hephzibah Children's Association: Provides comprehensive therapeutic care and support services for children in foster care including care to address psychological, emotional and physical needs of neglected and abused youth.

Institute for Therapy Through the Arts: Provides support for a program that promotes emotional well-being in Chicagoland by eliminating financial barriers to accessing mental health care.

Youth and Family Counseling: Provides accessible mental healthcare to clients experiencing anxiety, depression and other behavioral health challenges that impact their daily lives.

McHenry County:

Raue Center for the Arts: Empowers school-age children to heal themselves, support one another and strengthen their communities through the revitalization of the arts education system.

Rosecrance Foundation: Supports mental health services including crisis services, individual therapy, group therapy and intensive outpatient programs for substance abuse treatment.

McLean County:

The Baby Fold: Provides support for home placements for children with complex, ongoing medical and/or behavioral needs including special dietary requirements, head trauma, serious illness and genetic disorders.

Will County:

Greater Joliet Area YMCA: Provides before- and after-school childcare for at-risk youth, with enriching youth activities and continued learning outside the classroom.

Stepping Stones: Supports substance abuse treatment including assessments, residential care, recovery homes, intensive outpatient treatment, counseling services, support groups, recovery support services and family services.

Winnebago County:

TASC: Provides Welcome Back Kits for justice-involved individuals impacted by community reentry issues in Winnebago county including harm reduction medicines and essential supplies.

To learn more about Nicor Gas’ commitment to cultural and community enrichment initiatives, visit www.NicorGas.com/CharitableGiving.

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About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com. 

Media Contact:
Nicole Frett
nfrett@southerco.com