Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Jackie D. Lynch Building Celebrates with a Community Open House


Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Jackie D. Lynch Building Celebrates with a Community Open House

CHICAGO, 10/21/2024 - Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network will hold its first Community Open House on October 29, 2024, at 7936 S. Cottage Grove, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. It is an opportunity to come see what Gift of Hope has accomplished this past year and hear about upcoming programming and events, as well as learn about the integral partner organizations sharing the space. The open house will include brief remarks, tours of the facility, and refreshments. Invited speakers include: Dr. Harry Wilkins, President/CEO, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network; President Scott, Chicago State University, Jack Lynch, retired Gift of Hope Senior Advisor, Illinois State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr., Alderwoman Michelle Harris and Alderman Will Hall and other elected officials.

The Jackie D. Lynch Building, dedicated and officially opened in 2023 after pioneer Jack Lynch, houses back-up operations and community outreach offices for Gift of Hope, as well as education and personal enrichment programming through its other tenants. Those tenants, who will be available to answer questions about their services are: Chicago State University’s Department of Continuing Education and Department of Nursing, Gift of Hope Community Foundation, National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and the South Side Healthy Community Organization.

“Gift of Hope is proud to serve as an anchor to Miracle Mile in this community,” said Dr. Harry Wilkins, President/CEO, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and Marion Shuck, Executive Vice President, Governmental Relations and External Affairs. “Our goal is to be a good neighbor and offer hope and prosperity to the community and serve as a resource of inspiration for all.”

The facility’s location has imprinted its history on the south side. The site was once home to Chicago’s historic Independence Bank; the last occupant was Urban Partnership Bank. It was constructed in 1981 and Gift of Hope purchased the 48,000-square-foot building in 2019. In addition to the Gift of Hope Community Foundation, it houses several partner organizations whose work very much aligns with Gift of Hope.

“Our mission at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is to improve the health and well-being of people at-risk for or affected by kidney disease through prevention, education and empowerment,” states Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop, FACHE and CEO of National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. “We know kidney disease is a health equity challenge. The community-based presence afforded through our partnership and presence at the Jackie D. Lynch Gift of Hope location provides enhanced program access and convenience for our communities who are most impacted to activate change toward kidney health.”

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Gift of Hope by establishing a permanent presence in the Chatham community,” said Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) Scott, JD, president of Chicago State University. “Through this space, Chicago State University will provide workforce training, wellness initiatives, and exploratory coursework that meet the needs and interests of community residents of all ages. This effort allows us to deepen our commitment to educational equity and empower individuals to achieve social and economic mobility through continuous learning and development.”

In addition, Kimberly Hobson, CEO of South Side Healthy Community Organization said, “The South Side Healthy Community Organization is honored to join Gift of Hope’s Chatham facility making it our home. Together we will change lives by improving health outcomes and increasing community outreach and volunteer services. We are excited about making a difference on the south side of Chicago.”

For more information about Gift of Hope or the open house, contact Gift of Hope at www.giftofhope.org.

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