SPRINGFIELD – The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the health inequities facing communities throughout Illinois. Zeta Phi Betta Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Zeta Chapter was awarded funding to implement health equity strategies, State Senator Doris Turner announced Thursday.  

“The residents across the 48^th District should have access to essential health care needs,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “By working together, we can ensure we are putting our communities on a path toward greater post-pandemic healing.”

Activating Relationships in Illinois for Systemic Equity (ARISE) is a joint initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services and The Center for Rural Health, in collaboration with Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Zeta Chapter in Sangamon County is one of the 18 organizations across Illinois awarded funding to address systemic health disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Zeta Chapter is grateful to receive the ARISE Grant,” said Queen Drake, President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Zeta Chapter. “Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Zeta Chapter and their Foundation look forward to providing a platform centered around programs, speakers and educational materials on the importance of and educating our low income community on the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted.”

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ARISE intends to support socio-economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities outside of Cook County that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Further, organizations will be able to address enduring health inequities in their communities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The selected ARISE Community Equity Zone communities will engage in a rigorous “learning-and-doing” capacity building program to advance health equity in the short, medium and long term. The community coalitions will address inequities in mental, physical and social well-being in communities that are experiencing the brunt of these disparities by connecting people to vaccinations, food, and other well-being needs. They will also address underlying community needs such as humane housing, reliable transportation, and the root causes of these inequities, including racism and poverty.

To learn more about the ARISE initiative, people can visit www.weintheworld.org/arise-project.