Our newest mural features Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS) with beautiful artwork inspired by the rich and diverse communities that keep Chicago going and growing. The mural depicts a group of people holding hands in front of Chicago's skyline and Little India on the Northside, and incorporates Asian cultural themes as May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month.

MAFS is a multicultural and multi-ethnic organization with nine branch locations throughout Chicagoland. The organization is committed to educating, assisting, and empowering the immigrant community to adjust to life in the United States and become independently productive.

Since 1993, MAFS has touched the lives of Illinois’ most in-need immigrant communities through a variety of programs, including:

• Congregate Meals
• Golden Diners
• Public Benefits Assistance
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
• Adult English Literacy
• Health Research Programs
• Senior Counseling
• Immigration and Citizenship Assistance
• Translation and Interpretation
• Computer Literacy
• Transportation

Wintrust’s connection
Wintrust has been proud to provide financial support to MAFS for over 10 years. During the pandemic, Wintrust and MAFS worked together to ensure MAFS’s vital community services could remain stable and available through funding from the government Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Upcoming events and programs

There are several ongoing programs and ways to connect with MAFS. These include:

• “Break the Stigma” Mental Health Campaign: The mental health of older adults needs continued attention to bring about improvement. This campaign is seeking to break the taboo and fear surrounding mental health through professional screenings and mental health talk sessions at places like libraries and temples where seniors gather to take services.
  
  
• South Asians Active Together (SAATH): This program is a Multilevel Physical Activity Intervention for improving the cardiovascular health of South Asian Women and adolescent girls. In collaboration with Northwestern University's Fienberg School of Medicine, it is an 18-week intervention for South Asian mothers and their daughters aged of 11 to 16 who have sedentary lifestyles.
  
  
• “Take Charge of Your Diabetes” Health Promotion: MAFS is conducting in-person workshops in Niles and Schaumburg to help seniors build skills and gain confidence in managing their diabetes for an active fulfilling life. A total of three workshops (each 6-week sessions) are being conducted with 35 senior participants in Hindi and Gujarati languages.

MAFS hopes the mural helps viewers see the important role community and diversity play in making Chicago an amazing place to live, as well as how the MAFS team has contributed to this role through hard work and dedication for the last 30 years. This mural is a tribute to their efforts.

For more information on Metropolitan Asian Family Services, and how you can support their mission, please visit them in person or online.