Fillmore Center Laundry Linen
The Fillmore Center Laundry Linen project brings hospital laundry services back to the West Side, creating local jobs and economic opportunities while reducing environmental costs through community-focused hiring practices.
Keeps jobs and investment local (up to 300 jobs at full scale)
Hires West Side residents, including formerly incarcerated individuals
Cuts environmental and transportation costs
Local Procurement
Local Procurement redirects millions in hospital purchasing power to West Side businesses, creating jobs and economic stability while helping local vendors secure valuable institutional contracts that fuel community growth.
Vendor readiness support
Access to a West Side vendor directory
Ongoing push to grow local contracts (already $40M+ spent annually)
Impact Investing
Impact Investing channels hospital and partner resources through mission-driven lenders to fuel West Side businesses, affordable housing, and community projects, creating sustainable economic growth and opportunity for residents.
Mission-driven CDFIs that support small businesses, nonprofits, and housing
A focus on local economic growth and reinvestment
The Sankofa Wellness Village
The Sankofa Wellness Village transforms West Garfield Park through comprehensive healthcare services and community revitalization initiatives, creating opportunity in a historically underserved neighborhood.
Workforce Development
West Side United creates sustainable career pathways by helping residents transition from entry-level positions to clinical roles through comprehensive support programs that simultaneously benefit local hospitals and strengthen community economic stability.
Supporting training for clinical roles (e.g., medical assistants)
Covering tuition, supplies, transportation
Hosting hospital-based hiring events
Aligning hospital HR policies with inclusive hiring goals
Small Business Accelerator
West Side United's Small Business Accelerator provides grants, coaching and professional connections to help local entrepreneurs overcome resource gaps and build sustainable businesses that strengthen the West Side economy.
Grant funding (non-repayable)
Professional coaching (brand marketing, financial support)
Connections to hospital contract opportunities