Press Room

Heartland Alliance gives voice to the disenfranchised and to people in crisis who don’t have access to fundamental human rights such as affordable housing, quality health care, job training, or personal safety.

2/27/08 Illinois Leaders Call for Action to Halve Extreme Poverty by 2015 -- Legislative and civic leaders announce a proposal to create a state commission to eradicate poverty in Illinois. The commission, which would be charged with producing a tangible plan to reduce poverty in Illinois, is informed by the findings of a new report from Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. The report, “Realizing Human Rights in Illinois,” presents solutions to poverty voiced at 20 forums across Illinois. The report addresses the key barriers that nearly 1.5 million Illinoisans living in poverty face. Read the full press release here.

2/21/08 Time Out Chicago Features Iraq Program -- Time Out Chicago recently profiled Scott Portman, director of Heartland Alliance's international programs, on his work training mental-health care providers in Iraq. Read the full article here.

12/5/07 Obama Praises Heartland Alliance Programs for Ex-offenders -- In a December 5 op-ed column for the Austin Weekly News, Senator Barack Obama praised Heartland Alliance’s work with ex-offenders. Read Obama’s full editorial here. [pdf]

10/24/07 Heartland Alliance's 'Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays' Kicks Off -- The holidays are here, with all of their merry-making and gift-giving. But for too many children and their families, the winter brings only more cold, hunger and want. To help brighten the season, Heartland Alliance for Human Rights & Human Needs is kicking off its annual “Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays” campaign. Read the full press release.

10/23/07 Heartland Alliance Announces Two New Executive Hires -- Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights announced the appointment of two new executives to its leadership team. Richard Grossi is Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Financial Accountability Services and Jobi Petersen joins as Vice President External Relations. Read the full press release.

8/23/07 Heartland Alliance to Provide Analysis of U.S. Census Survey on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance on August 28, 2007 -- The U.S. Census Bureau will release its annual income estimates, poverty rates, and health insurance coverage numbers from the Current Population Survey for the year 2006. Heartland Alliance’s Mid-America Institute on Poverty will produce specific local and regional fact sheets and provide analysis on the data, trends, and their implications. Read the full media advisory.

8/6/07 Illinois’ Youth Express Need for Critical Tools to Prepare for Life as Adults -- Illinois youth ages 18 to 24 lack critical skills and services needed to prepare them for adult life, according to two new research studies conducted separately by Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, and by Prevention First. Read the full press release and download the report.

6/21/07 Teen Refugees Share the Trauma of Their Pasts, Simulate Refugee Camp Experience with Peers -- Chicago teen refugees are leading other youths in a program that allows the refugees to share their stories of survival. The “Passages” simulation, which reenacts a refugee camp experience, was designed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and is run by Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. This event is part of Heartland Alliance’s youth refugee leadership program, providing young refugees with an avenue to build leadership and connections with their community. Read the full press release.

2/15/07 Poverty Increases in 85 Percent of Illinois Counties-- 2007 Report on Illinois Poverty shows Illinois' future is threatened by meager income gains for poor and middle-income families, high young adult poverty, and persistent state budget problems. Read the full press release and the report

Chicago Found Housing for Katrina Families, City's Relief Program Becomes National Model More than 1,200 Hurrican Katrina families that descended on Chicago last year have found housing and more than half of those families are now .... Download the full release.

Life after Hurrican Katrina: A Brief on the Chicagoland Katrina Relief Initiative Download the brief.

We have subject matter experts on staff available for comment. When appropriate, we can connect reporters with program participants or clients who can help to illustrate a particular issue. For more information, please contact Bindu Batchu, Director of Marketing & Communications, at 312.660.1314.