Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to Sunshine Gospel Ministries’ Flourishing Community Initiative in Chicago

CHICAGO – The Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation, which was founded last year, has awarded a $50,000 grant to Sunshine Gospel Ministries’ Flourishing Community Initiative in Chicago, a nonprofit program that invests in those affected by the trauma of gun violence. The grant is one of six being awarded this year by the foundation, which is funded by Barnes & Thornburg’s lawyers and staff and in 2021 raised $300,000.

“As part of our dedication to serving our communities and advocating for racial and social justice efforts, we are grateful for the opportunity to support an organization like Sunshine Gospel Ministries,” said Michael A. Carrillo, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Chicago office. “The group’s impact in advancing trauma-informed approaches to gun violence is impressive and made it a great choice to expand the Racial and Social Justice Foundation’s efforts into Chicago.”

The Flourishing Community Initiative (FCI) works to advance trauma-informed approaches to gun violence through individual support, community collaboration, and advocacy. Sunshine Gospel Ministries’ mission is to seek the renewal of the city through ministries of discipleship, mercy, and justice as it seeks to engage and empower youth, families and guests of the community to thrive and lead fruitful, healthy lives through faith, connectedness and opportunity. 

“The funds received through this grant will enable FCI to continue growing internally and therefore its ability to work with more victims and their families, as well as build more and stronger relationships with various community stakeholders,” said Joel Hamernick, executive director of Sunshine Gospel Ministries. “In 2021, FCI was able to hire three staff members, including an intervention specialist and case manager – two positions FCI hopes to add to in 2022. Next year, FCI seeks to serve 60 families through its work in the Third District.”

Barnes & Thornburg’s Racial and Social Justice Foundation  

The Racial and Social Justice Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 2020 and provided $200,000 to nonprofits in four of the firm’s local communities across the country. The foundation’s mission is to promote, advocate, and effect racial and social justice in our local communities and nationally.

“We are pleased to continue our efforts with the Racial and Social Justice Foundation to support Sunshine Gospel Ministries and five additional community organizations,” said Robert T. Grand, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg and foundation board member. “We remain steadfast in our dedication to advocate for organizations support and promote equality, advancement, and justice.” 

To choose grantees, the foundation employed a rigorous scoring system to vet charitable organizations against specific criteria that align with its mission and goals. 

With more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Ohio, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.