Chicago Department of Public Health
The COVID-19 Pandemic ravaged the world in 2020 and impacted the lives of millions. Soon after, a vaccine became available that would lower the chance of needing hospitalization. The Chicago Department of Public Health was key in ensuring local communities had the access they needed to the potentially life-saving vaccine.
- Faith Based
- Healthcare
- Community Engagement
- Event Planning and Management
- Faith-Based Marketing
Minority communities on the south and west sides of Chicago were trailing in getting vaccinated compared to other racial groups. One of the biggest hesitancies in these communities was fear. The Chicago Department of Public Health turned to GoldStar Communications to support them in building awareness of the need to get vaccinated against COVID-19, dismantle the hesitancy and reluctance for getting the vaccine, and encourage those in the community to ultimately get vaccinated.
Places of worship are uniquely qualified to identify and meet local needs as well as serve as advocates against injustices. To that end, our COVID-19 vaccine outreach initiative worked to build and strengthen collaborative efforts with faith leaders from multiple denominations. First, a series of town halls informed faith leaders of updates on the pandemic, vaccine opportunities, and new resources available to their congregants. Secondly, we developed the I’ll Hold Your Hand initiative, in which ambassadors provided support and comfort to congregants who are fearful, anxious, and in need of additional support while being vaccinated at home or at their place of worship. Lastly, now in our third year, we led the start of an annual Chicago Day of Prayer on which faith communities across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods grace the street corners to pray for residents to get fully vaccinated for the safety of their families.
- Over 100 faith leaders attended our series of town halls
- We worked with 50 places of worship across all denominations to drive their members to 13 key locations where 4,386 first vaccinations were given
- Over 150 places of worship came together, with over 8,000 parishioners, congregants and residents, to participate in the Chicago Day of Prayer
- Established ambassadors at over 50 faith locations that supported hundreds of people getting vaccines in minority communities