Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos donate $97.5 million to 24 nonprofits across the U.S. working on family homelessness
CHICAGO – November 20, 2018: The Primo Center for Women and Children (“Primo Center”) is pleased to announce it’s been selected to receive a $2.5 million grant from the Day 1 Families Fund to boost the organization’s programs focused on families experiencing homelessness. Funding from this grant will support new after-school programs, financial literacy services for residents, and employment training in four locations.
“This grant is transformational for the Primo Center,” said Christine Achre, Primo Center Chief Executive Officer. “Funding from the Day 1 Families Fund allows the Primo Center to provide basic immediate resources to families most in need, while allowing the agency to further increase its long-standing impact on families experiencing homelessness. We are truly humbled and proud to be given this award.”
Achre added, “The Primo Center deploys four proven strategies that guide our work with families when they enter our shelter, throughout their time in our shelter, and for 18 months after they leave our shelter.”
Under Achre’s leadership, the Primo Center has grown from the smallest shelter in Chicago with 22 beds to the largest provider of family beds with nearly 300 beds at its four facilities. In addition, the center opened a 12-unit permanent supportive housing program plus serving families in an additional 65 units throughout the city of Chicago. The Primo Center is now expanding its services to New York City.
Primo Center is one of 24 nonprofits to receive the first Day 1 Families Fund grants, totaling $97.5 million. Primo Center is the only organization from Chicago to receive the funding.
About Bezos Day 1 Families Fund
Founded by Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos, the Bezos Day One Fund consists of two programs: the Day 1 Families Fund that provides grants to nonprofit organizations fighting homelessness, and the Day 1 Academies Fund that will fund and build a network of pre-schools in low-income communities across the country. The Day 1 Families Fund’s vision comes from the inspiring Mary’s Place in Seattle: no child should sleep outside. A small group of expert advisors provided input to the Bezos Day One Fund team to select these organizations. The Day 1 Families Fund will be awarding grants annually. For more information, visit www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund.
About Primo Center
Established in 1978, the Primo Center is Chicago’s largest provider of family shelter and supportive services, touching more than 700 parents and children annually. To learn more, visit PrimoCenter.org.
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