Community Mask Project To Provide 100,000 Facemasks To At-Risk Chicago Residents

*This story has been updated to reflect the latest locations and distribution date.

Across Chicago, COVID-19 case rates have been higher in majority-minority, low-income areas. As the state of Illinois continues to require everyone to wear a facemask in public when social distancing is not an option, Medline is partnering with YMCA, Knowality, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) to supply 100,000 free reusable facemasks to people living in disproportionately impacted areas throughout Chicago.

Through this new project, masks will be distributed at no charge to anyone who needs one in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities. The first distribution will be at YMCA and BCBSIL locations across the city on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

With masks in high demand, recipients of the Medline Reusable Mask can wear it repeatedly during the pandemic. The masks are produced from the same fabric as medical scrubs and have been tested to withstand up to 25 launderings.

South Side:

Auburn-Gresham (10am-12pm)
Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (BCBSIL partner site)
7901 South Racine Avenue

Chatham (12pm-2pm)
Carter Temple CME (BCBSIL Partner Site)
7841 South Wabash Avenue

Englewood (12pm-2pm)
Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.)
Kennedy King College (BCBSIL Partner Site)
6343 South Halsted Street

West Englewood (12pm – 2pm)
Family Focus (BCBSIL Partner Site)
6727 South Western Avenue

Claremont School (10am- 12pm) (YMCA Partner Site)
2300 West 64th Street

Roseland (10am- 12pm)
Roseland Community Hospital  (BCBSIL Partner Site)
45 West 111th Street

Alex Haley Academy (YMCA partner site)
11411 South Eggleston Avenue

Rosemoor (12pm-2pm)
Rosemoor Community Association (BCBSIL Partner Site)
10205 South King Drive

West Side:

Austin (10am-12pm)
One Church Chicago
5213 West Potomac Ave

By the Hand Club  For Kids (10am-12pm) (YMCA partner site)
415 North Laramie Avenue

Humboldt Park ( 10am-12pm)
San Lucas United Church of Christ (BCBSIL partner site)
2914 West North Avenue

Kelly Hall YMCA (10am-12pm)
824 North Hamlin Ave.

North Lawndale ( 12pm-2pm)
North Lawndale Employment Network (BCBSIL partner site)
3936 West Roosevelt Road

South Lawndale (12pm-2pm)
Latinos Progresando (BCBSIL partner site)
3047 West Cermak Road

Pilsen (10am- 12pm)
Rauner Family YMCA
2700 South Western Avenue

North Side

West Ridge (10am-12pm)
High Ridge YMCA
2424 West Touhy Avenue

“Prior to the pandemic, people living in Chicago’s most vulnerable communities were already impacted disproportionately by social determinants of health,” says Karen Frey, senior philanthropy manager, Medline. “All of the partners in the Community Mask Project know the well-being of our communities must be the top priority to enable people to live safe and healthy lives, regardless of their circumstances.”

Medline is committed to addressing social determinants of health, the social and economic conditions that affect a person’s health status, and has implemented philanthropic programs to stimulate health equity and help people reach their full health potential. Access to essential supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge felt across the globe. That is why Medline has partnered with health systems and municipalities to supply crucial resources from monetary donations to personal protective equipment, and food.

To continue supporting positive health outcomes for underserved and under-resourced communities that will be at even greater risk as a result of COVID-19, the company is launching Medline CARES (Community, Action, Resources, Education and Solutions). The program will support communities where the company operates and where more than 17,000 domestic employees live and work, and demonstrate the company’s social impact, civic responsibility and agility in times of crisis.

Learn more about how Medline is bringing its service and expertise to communities all around the world.