ASIS International, the world's largest membership organization for security management professionals, will be staging its fourth annual Security Cares program at the Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2019, to be held Sept. 8-12 in Chicago. A multi-faceted community-based program, Security Cares provides leaders of Chicago area community organizations and small-to-medium-sized businesses with free access to valuable security education, networking, funding opportunities and resources. The 2019 Security Cares education program will examine current issues surrounding workplace and community safety and security.

“All organizations, regardless of size or complexity, need access to tools and resources to manage and mitigate risk across their enterprise,” said Christina Duffey, 2019 ASIS president. “Security Cares was developed to meet pressing safety and security needs of GSX host communities, providing small businesses and community institutions — such as places of worship, nonprofits and schools — with unprecedented access to information via specialized programming and our global network of security thought leaders and solutions providers they can’t get anywhere else.”

Expanded for 2019, Security Cares’ goal is to empower and impact the local community through education, networking, public health and school safety. With more than 30 informative sessions included in the education line up at GSX 2019, Security Cares learning sessions will address the challenges and needs associated with workplace and community safety and security. In addition to the learning sessions, Security Cares registrants will have access to various networking events, the exhibits and cutting-edge programming on the expo floor (featuring the latest innovations and experts in the security profession) and Thursday’s keynote from cyber security expert Tarah Wheeler.

The Security Cares program at GSX 2019 also includes ASIS International’s School Security Grant Competition. First launched in 2003 as a means of giving back to the communities where GSX is hosted, the program helps fund the purchase and installation of security equipment at a local school building and/or campus. Additionally, in-kind donations are often sourced from the local chapter to supplement the grant. This year, the grant is being awarded to Chicago’s DeWitt Clinton Elementary School at an event attended by school and local government officials on Friday, Sept. 6 before GSX officially opens. Home to more than 1,200 students, DeWitt Clinton Elementary will receive a $20,000 grant sponsored by Axis Communications in cooperation with ASIS.

“Our school serves a resilient population, more than 50 percent of whom are immigrants and refugees,” said Maureen Delgado, DeWitt’s principal. “Providing a safe school and learning environment is of paramount importance to us. This grant will allow us to upgrade the school’s security camera system to add another level of security for our school community.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Security Cares will roll up its sleeves to help save lives as the organization partners with the American Red Cross for a blood drive. The GSX 2019 blood drive will be located at booth #5513. Attendees can sign up in advance to participate in the blood drive, though walk-ups will be accepted as well.

For more details on Security Cares program offerings, or to register for a free pass, visit www.gsx.org/highlights-events/security-cares/.