Rockford Sun

Rockford Ready, led by the City of Rockford’s Health and Human Services Department, has announced a series of town hall meetings in April to update the public on the progress of the health literacy initiative. Anqunette Parham, from the City of Rockford, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the initiative, stating, “From the beginning of this project, trusted voices from the community have helped make key decisions about our strategies and activities."

The town hall meetings, organized in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago, will provide Rockford residents with an opportunity to learn about the research findings and data collected over the past three years. Parham encouraged local residents to participate in the upcoming meetings, stating, “I invite all local residents to join Rockford Ready at one of the three upcoming town halls where we will reflect on the impact of our efforts and chart the course forward."

The town hall dates and locations are as follows:

- April 6, from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CT at Comprehensive Community Solutions 917 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101.

- April 13 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CT at Hope Fellowship Church 1135 E State St, Rockford, IL 61104.

- April 27, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CT at Guysie Jenkins Community Resource Center 911 Michigan Ave, Rockford, IL 61102.

Each event will be led by Anqunette Parham and select Rockford Ready Health Literacy Task Force members, in collaboration with community-based organizations. The meetings will include lunch, gift card giveaways, and prizes. Registration is required, and all Rockford residents are encouraged to attend.

For more information about the town hall events and Rockford Ready, individuals can contact the organization via email at rockfordready@rockfordil.gov, visit the website rockfordready.org, or follow them on Facebook @RockfordReady.

The City of Rockford’s Health and Human Services Department serves as the designated public Community Action Agency for Winnebago and Boone Counties, aiming to address generational poverty and its immediate effects on individuals, families, and neighborhoods. The Rockford Ready Initiative, supported by various partners including the University of Illinois Chicago and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focuses on improving health literacy within the community.