Howard Brown Health Center and Walmart Partner to battle Youth Homelessness with Services and Jobs

Media Contacts: Marissa Ellenby, mellenby@pcipr.com, 312-558-1770, Public Communications Inc., on behalf of HBHC

The two organizations join forces to increase youth access to vital services while also creating job opportunities 

CHICAGO – December 5, 2011 – Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) on behalf of its Broadway Youth Center (BYC) received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to assist in the delivery of services to youth in Chicago who are experiencing homelessness. BYC, which opened its doors over seven years ago has developed a comprehensive set of offerings including Medical Services, Drop-in STI/HIV Testing, Counseling and Case Management, and Skills Development to combat the challenges faced primarily by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth who too often find themselves living on the street without a safe place to go.

"Howard Brown Health Center is thrilled to receive these funds and team up with Walmart to address the issue of youth homelessness within Chicago’s Lakeview community," said Jamal Edwards, President and CEO of HBHC. "With the generous support of the Walmart Foundation, HBHC’s Broadway Youth Center is able to provide over 500 youth experiencing homelessness with a safe place to gain a daily meal, access healthcare and hygiene services and meet with a case manager who can assist them in securing housing or employment." Edwards further added.

The donation came from Walmart’s State Giving Council and was presented in association with the retailer’s opening of its second Walmart Express in the city of Chicago. The store - located at 3636 North Broadway - features grocery, pharmacy, and health and beauty aids. Prior to the store opening, the local management team partnered with the Broadway Youth Center to assist with the recruitment and hiring of local residents to work in the store. Approximately three-quarters of the associates who work at the North Side store are from the surrounding neighborhoods.

"All across the country, we work to be a good corporate neighbor by engaging with local organizations that are making a difference in the lives of our customers and associates," said Jack Williams, Market Manager for Walmart who oversees the retailer’s city locations. "Howard Brown Health Center is a locally and nationally renowned institution and we hope these funds can play a role in helping the city’s homeless youth get back on their feet and set a path towards good health and self-reliance."

Howard Brown Health Center participated in the grand opening ceremony of the new Walmart Express to receive this generous award. The two organizations will continue to look for collaborative ways to work together on the areas of community and healthcare services.

About Howard Brown Health Center
Founded in 1974, Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) is one of the nation's largest health care and research organizations, primarily serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and its allies. With an annual budget of approximately $18 million, it is the largest such organization in the Midwest and serves more than 36,000 adults and youth each year throughout the region. As an innovative and growing patient-centered health home, HBHC provides primary medical care, behavioral health services, and specialty chronic and infectious disease services, and conducts nationally-renowned clinical and behavioral research. Its nearly 200 staff deliver culturally competent and compassionate care in a supportive environment that also includes comprehensive health, wellness and social service programs that enable and expand access to care for all LGBT men, women, youth and seniors, and their friends and families. HBHC is a multi-site operation based in Chicago and includes a main health and research center in the Uptown neighborhood, the TRIAD Health practice at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, and the Broadway Youth Center. HBHC also operates the Brown Elephant Resale Shops, which include three resale shops in Chicago's Wrigleyville and Andersonville neighborhoods, and in Oak Park. The proceeds from the Brown Elephant help HBHC provide services to those who are un/underinsured. For more information, visit www.howardbrown.org. 

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 9,000 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com, on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Walmart, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.