Envision Community Services provides valuable resources and services to community members, emphasizing a restorative justice/grassroots approach to empower individuals to become self-sufficient. ECS' mission is to improve the quality of life for disenfranchised and low-income community members through leadership development, education, and workforce initiatives. The organization will support participants attending Malcolm X College for 30 people for up to $4,175, including stipends, travel, and childcare.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for performing sponsored research and other sponsored activities under grants and contracts funded by the sponsor or by sources other than State appropriations. (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b)(8)) The amount was determined by a grant received from HRSA for Community Health Workers Training. The grant states that we must pay a CBO funds to service as a host site and a recruiter in the an undeserved community. This procurement is in the best interests of the University because this is a small Latino CBO located in an undeserved community. This will give the University an opportunity to continue to work and be a part of the local communities in Chicago.