Building Equitable Futures

Austin HOPE Center - August 2024

Advancing health equity remains our driving force as we continue to collaborate with the Austin community to improve access to exceptional healthcare. The groundbreaking for the Austin HOPE Center, celebrated in June 2024, marks a pivotal moment in our journey. By centering HOPE—Healing, Opportunity, Partnerships and Equity—the facility will bring Lurie Children’s expertise and services directly to the community and enable Stone Community Development Corporation (Stone CDC) to expand programs that provide Austin families with opportunities to grow and develop.

Our progress could not have been achieved without philanthropic support, advocacy and partnership. We are truly grateful for the generosity of the donors and partners who have been instrumental in making the Austin HOPE Center a reality.

Breaking Ground for a Healthier Community

Lurie Children's, Stone CDC and goverment leaders joined community members for the groundbreaking in June 2024

Nearly 300 people, including many Austin residents, gathered to celebrate the project. At the groundbreaking, Mayor Brandon Johnson (pictured at right) announced that Stone CDC will receive $5 million towards the capital costs of the Austin HOPE Center from the Chicago's Housing and Economic Development Bond. The project has also received federal support championed by Senator Dick Durbin and state support thanks to Rep. LaShawn Ford and Sen. Kimberly Lightford.

Youth Voices in Action

Through a series of ongoing meetings, Stone CDC and Lurie Children’s are centering the community in planning to ensure the space truly reflects local needs and desires and to gain community trust and engagement.

Young people from Austin attended a creative workshop to share ideas regarding the design of the Austin HOPE Center and its teen lounge. Youth expressed a desire for a versatile, vibrant and comfortable space that can accommodate various forms of entertainment and facilitate social connections. They indicated that bright colors and soft furniture are important elements to make the space feel designed with them in mind. The most requested types of programs or events for the space were educational workshops, tutoring, cooking classes and creative arts classes.

Site and Construction

Key partners in the project are architect Gregory R. Williams, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, NCARB, designer Taylor Staten, LEED AP and construction managers UJAMAA Construction. They are all local, Black-owned firms with a commitment to creating access and building community. UJAMAA was selected as the construction manager in December 2023. Since its founding in 2002, UJAMAA Construction has supported the Midwest and Southeast regions through exceptional construction services and community outreach. As part of the Austin HOPE Center project’s focus on community involvement throughout its development, UJAMAA Construction hosted a subcontractor outreach event this summer. This opportunity invited contractors to network and learn about bidding opportunities and encouraged local participation in the project.

Site Elements

First floor (shared by Stone CDC and Lurie Children’s)

This floor will be comprised of Stone CDC offices and program space, a café and an outdoor green space. Lurie Children’s Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Community’s health education, training and programming for youth and families will occupy the rest of the first floor. The Magoon Institute's space will include two community meeting spaces, consultation rooms, an early childhood room and a teen lounge.

Second floor (Lurie Children’s clinical services)

This floor will include pediatric behavioral health offices and group therapy rooms. Clinical exam rooms will support care for pediatric chronic health conditions, adolescent medicine and other specialty care services for high-risk asthma, weight management, sickle cell disease, kidney disease and autism care, among others.

Third floor (Thresholds)

This floor will be used by Thresholds’ West Side community-based outreach teams. Thresholds is one of the state's oldest and largest providers of recovery services for people with mental illness and substance use disorders. Thresholds will provide care at other locations on the West Side.

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Thank You

Your investment in the Austin HOPE Center will create lasting change for children, youth and families, and contribute to the development of a resilient and thriving community. We are profoundly grateful for your commitment to our work.