What’s New at the Blue Door Neighborhood Center^SM

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  Dion Dawson: So let's say it's Monday and we're talking about the Johnson household. The Johnsons will receive that code on Monday morning. They'll have all the way up until the Blue Door Center close to go use their code, get to the locker, put it in. Their door pops open and then from there, they'll get their box.

  Tiffany Davis: Each week, 175 families are going to have access to food and fresh produce. We've demoed these fresh produce boxes at our events, at the Blue Door Center for pop-up farmers markets and so we know that members really enjoy these baskets. And what we're really excited about is not only our Medicaid, our Medicare, as well as community members that come in the Blue Door will have access to this.

  Matthew Prinske: This locker, like many other programs, is Blue Cross's statement to say we are going to continue to fight food insecurity. We're not going to rest on our laurels. And they commonly - it seems like constantly - finding better partners, other partners in the community.

  Dion Dawson: The dream vault is our way of bridging not only partners that are intentional about this work, but also technology - about innovation and about thinking through how we can really, you know, get a hole on some things that are plaguing our recipients and our residents. I'm excited. I can't wait to get this started and expanded.  And thank you all for being here. Thank you. 

Blue Door Neighborhood Center Unveils ‘Dream Vault’

January 10, 2024

We are happy partner with Dion’s Chicago Dream to improve health outcomes and address food insecurity. The Dream Vault will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to 25 families daily in the Morgan Park community. Recipients will be able to pick up five days’ worth of groceries at a time. 

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  Maurice Smith (00:03):

  We are here today to recognize what the power of collective action, community involvement and intentional support can do for the good of this neighborhood and all of its surrounding communities. Today, we celebrate the completion of our multipurpose center here in Morgan Park.

  Steve Hamman (00:23):

  The space itself has two large atriums that let in a lot of natural light, 130,000 square feet of beautiful office space housing up to 550 employees along with a Blue Door Neighborhood Center, our second, as a resource to the community where all are welcome, not just Blue Cross members, but everybody in the community can come and experience and take advantage of those resources.

  Gov. J.B. Pritzker (00:50):

  The kind of building that's been built here will bring hundreds of jobs, health and wellness classes, insurance education programming, more neighborhood resources into what was an abandoned lot.

  Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (01:07):

  What this collaboration shows is the power that public and private sector partnerships have to uplift communities, giving everyone the tools they need to stay safe, stay healthy and stay afloat.

  Gov. J.B. Pritzker (01:20):

  This project would be monumental in normal times, but it's especially vital right now when this community has carried an enormous burden of the health and economic effects of COVID-19.

  Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (01:34):

  This now once-empty site is going to give Morgan Park residents and surrounding communities, long overdue access to high-quality, affordable health care and wellness resources and create 550 jobs that place a critical focus on recruiting directly from the surrounding community and working with community leaders and creating candidate engagement events.

  Steve Hamman (01:58):

  What will be the difference maker and greatest impact will be the great team of people inside. One of those newly hired Blue Door team members is a Aquea Wynn. Aquea grew up in Morgan Park and lives just six blocks from here in a three-generation household.

  Aquea Wynn (02:16):

  For those of us that live in this community, to be able to see a future and giving back and, you know, working in the community that we live in. And so I think with this institution of Blue Cross planting themselves here in Morgan Park is definitely a game changer. I'm excited to be a new member of this company and also serving as a resident of this community, which is just the perfect marriage.

  Maurice Smith (02:43):

  Today's celebration is not just about this building. It's about what this building can create. I look forward to continuing to work together toward a common goal, being a part of the lives of all of the communities and helping others get to the highest expression of themselves. Thank you.

We’re ready to make an impact in Morgan Park!

August 10, 2020

We cut the ribbon at our new Morgan Park location, joined by many special guests such as U.S. Representative Bobby Rush, Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. The location is the embodiment of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ commitment to invest in and offer opportunities to people on Chicago’s South Side.

The Morgan Park Blue Door Neighborhood Center^® (BDNC) has already started offering virtual programming. Please check out the BDNC’s online offerings until we are able  to welcome neighbors and guests in-person through our blue door!

We Broke Ground on Our South Side Expansion

November 06, 2019

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) broke ground on a new center that will bring up to 550 jobs to Chicago’s South Side. Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot attended the event, which kicked off the rehab of nearly 130,000 square feet at the Marshfield Plaza in the Morgan Park neighborhood.

“Today we’re deepening our commitment to the people on Chicago’s South Side,” said Maurice Smith, president of Health Care Service Corporation. “When we needed to expand our operations, we looked to areas where we could make the most impact - for our members, our employees and the entire community.” 

The new site will eventually house up to 550 employees. New positions will include customer service support for members and health care providers in the BCBSIL network. Those interested in applying for positions should go to our career site  to learn more.

The location will also house our second Blue Door Neighborhood Center®, which will aim to make a positive impact on the health of people beyond the walls of hospitals and doctor offices. It will offer no-cost health and wellness classes, connections to community resources, education on how to better use health insurance and more. In April 2019, BCBSIL opened the first Blue Door Neighborhood Center in Pullman. The second center will serve a similar mission, but it will be customized for the new location.