Wintrust Financial executive and Mercy Housing Lakefront resident join 16-member board supporting Mercy’s mission of providing affordable, service-enriched housing to more than 8,000 residents.

CHICAGO – Mercy Housing Lakefront, a nonprofit that owns and operates 52 affordable housing properties in the Chicagoland area, Southern Illinois, Southeastern Wisconsin and Central Indiana, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the appointment of two new board members, Henry Crumpton and Matthew Gambs. Their terms begin immediately.

“I look forward to working in partnership with Henry and Matthew to drive our mission forward. The diversity of thought and expertise reflected on our Board of Directors is so critical to achieving our goals and solving the affordable housing crisis. Henry and Matthew will add valuable perspectives on how we can continue to press toward achieving our mission,” said Mark Angelini, President of Mercy Housing Lakefront.

Gambs serves as Senior Vice President at Wintrust, a long-time supporter and partner of Mercy Housing Lakefront. His role is focused on leading the Wintrust Community Impact team, creating valuable relationships with local businesses, business stakeholders and nonprofits. Gambs also serves on the boards of numerous business and professional organizations, including the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Intersect Illinois, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, and Regis University in Denver. He has also served on various boards in the past, including his roles as the Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Heritage YMCA and All Saints Catholic Academy.

“Mercy Housing Lakefront and Wintrust have a shared mission,” said Gambs. “Both organizations are working to build strong communities and strengthen local economies. I’m proud to serve on Mercy Housing Lakefront’s Board of Directors and look forward to identifying more ways we can work together to achieve our goals.”

“Mercy Housing Lakefront has provided a sanctuary for me,” said Crumpton. “I’m honored to be chosen as the next resident representative to serve on the Board of Directors and help make the important decisions that impact residents. I have Mercy Housing Lakefront to thank for helping me gain control of my health. I’m proud to do the same for others and be someone they can relate to through my role as a community health worker.”

Crumpton is a 12-year resident of Mercy Housing Lakefront’s South Loop Apartments. He is one of the organization’s first community health workers, Mercy Housing Lakefront’s newly hired team of part-time staff that help residents with chronic health conditions improve their health. The community health workers currently serve residents living at three of Mercy Housing Lakefront’s supportive housing properties and all have past experiences similar to those they serve. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and the Washington Square Health Foundation partnered with Mercy Housing Lakefront to fund the pilot program in 2018. Crumpton provided input on the program’s development and, along with his fellow community health workers, received training from Sinai Urban Health Institute and Near North Health Service Corporation to deliver evidence-based services.

Crumpton and Gambs replace two former Mercy Housing Lakefront Board members. Gambs steps in for Teresa Handley, a long-time board member and fellow Wintrust executive, and Crumpton replaces Kurt Rogers, a former Mercy Housing resident who now lives in a place of his own. Mercy Housing Lakefront Board members may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.

About Mercy Housing Lakefront

Mercy Housing Lakefront (MHL), the Great Lakes Region’s largest nonprofit provider of service-enriched housing, is committed to creating affordable homes and inspiring dreams as we work with residents and partners to establish engaged, strong and inclusive communities. MHL owns and operates 52 properties in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, serving more than 8,000 people annually. MHL is a regional branch of Mercy Housing, Inc. (MHI), a leading national affordable housing nonprofit headquartered in Denver.