Northern Illinois Community Initiatives commits $100,000 to support financial literacy, programming at the Harvey Brooks Foundation
July 19, 2023
NAPERVILLE, IL — Northern Illinois Community Initiatives (NICI), a foundation created by Nicor Gas, today announced a total commitment of $100,000 to the Harvey Brooks Foundation in Joliet to create additional programming for financial literacy, entrepreneurship, education and trade skills and wellness. The funding will also support program staffing needs, after school and summer program, and the expansion of their Eden Community Garden Program which serves 100 families a week with nutritious food.
“At NICI, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Harvey Brooks Foundation for the second consecutive year,” said Tovah McCord, executive director of Northern Illinois Community Initiatives. “We are committed to providing critical programs and services needed to improve the quality of life for at-risk, low-income individuals and families across our service territory.”
Founded in 1998, the Harvey Brooks Foundation (HBF) serves youth, families and low-income individuals on the southeast side of Joliet.
“We are honored to be the recipient for a second year of such a generous commitment from NICI,” said Dwayne Barefield, President of the Harvey Brooks Motivation and Development Foundation. “This support will allow our team to promote and contribute to community and economic development by providing programs and events for character building, life skill development and academic achievement.”
To learn more about NICI’s commitment to the community, visit www.nici-il.org.
ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
NICI was founded by Nicor Gas to bolster investment in under-resourced communities hardest hit by deindustrialization, systemic and environmental racism, and other mitigating factors that affect job creation, wealth-building, healthcare and education. By forming strategic alliances and investing in bold economic development initiatives that help communities thrive, NICI accelerates actionable solutions toward building a more vibrant and equitable regional economy. For more information, visit www.nici-il.org.
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.
MEDIA CONTACT
Allison Gregoire
470.733.2076
aegregoi@southernco.com