Participants learn strategies to better manage COPD at Respiratory Health Association's 8th Annual Conferece.

James Raspanti, Lisa Sun Gresham, Danielle Nelson & Savannah Jackson at the Living Better Together COPD Conference.

Heart disease and cancer may be the top two leading causes of death in the United States, but did you know that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third?  COPD affects an estimated 24 million Americans, yet it is not well known. COPD is caused by a combination of mucus buildup and damage to the lungs, which cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath that can make everyday activities difficult. Chicago Health Corps member Danielle Nelson serves at Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago working on their COPD Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness, provide education and host events for people living with COPD.

Respiratory Health Association’s 8^th annual Living Better Together COPD Conference was held on November 15, 2011. More than 350 Chicagoland residents living with COPD came together to learn more about the disease and manage their symptoms, and attendees also enjoyed meeting with other people who have COPD. Danielle played a key role in organizing the conference, recruiting volunteers, and making sure all went well the day of the event. 

                The day began with two keynote speakers. The first discussed the causes of COPD exacerbations and how they can be prevented. The second speaker discussed COPD testing and taught attendees how to understand pulmonary function tests. After the keynote speakers, there were two breakout sessions of three presentations each. The morning presentations included how to get the most out of a visit with a healthcare provider, how to properly use COPD medications, and how to advocate for COPD. After a sit-down lunch, participants attended afternoon presentations about leaving home with their oxygen, the benefits of laughter on health, and how to reduce cough incontinence. 

                A day-long outing is often challenging for people living with COPD, so Respiratory Health Association provides resources to meet the specific needs of the attendees. Concerns over transportation can limit participation in events, so Respiratory Health Association provides buses to get larger groups to and from the conference. Another barrier is the need for portable oxygen, which many of the participants use every day. Because portable oxygen supplies need to be refilled frequently throughout the day, many participants are concerned about running out of oxygen and become anxious. To resolve this issue, Respiratory Health Association recruits respiratory therapists to volunteer to make additional oxygen available for participants.

                At the end of the day, participants left with more knowledge about their disease and how to live and breathe better. Being surrounded by other people living with COPD meant conference-goers got to feel like part of a larger community, and they left the conference feeling hopeful, knowing that they are not alone.

                Respiratory Health Association has hosted CHC members for several years, but this is the first year a member has served with the Lung Health Initiatives and COPD Team. In addition to providing COPD outreach and programming, Danielle Nelson facilitates tobacco cessation classes and conducts outreach on radon.  

“The addition of a Chicago Health Corps member, and Danielle specifically, has enriched our capacity to provide events, outreach and programs,” said Eileen Lowery, Director, Lung Health Initiatives.

Savannah, Neerja, Sydney,Jessica and Matt at the Andersonville Howard Brown Elephant Store.

Chicago Health Corps and The Department of Public Health at Cta Blue Line Lake station.

Lilly, Maggie, Danielle, Lisa Sun, James, Shermaine and Alina at the Lakeview Howard Brown Elephant Store

Chicago Health Corps and The Department of Public Health at Cta Green Line Austin station.

 December 1, 2011 was World Aids Day and 2011 marks the 30th year that HIV has been a part of our lives. World AIDS day is dedicated to educating and motivating people around the world about HIV and AIDS. Chicago Health Corps member spent the day partnering with organizations across Chicago to spread awareness and commemorate the global events.CHC members spent the morning with the Chicago Department of Public Health at CTA El train stations passing out Worlds AIDS Day packets. A total of 20,000 free condom packets were passed out during the morning commute (7am- 10am) at five El stops: Howard Red line, 95^th Red line, Lake and Thompson Center Blue line and Austin Green line. Travelers at the El locations were receptive and open to receiving the information, some even asked for more to be able to share with friends and loved ones.

On the West Side, Chicago Health Corps members partnered up with Circle Family Health Center Network at the West Chicago Avenue, Chicago Public Library to offer HIV testing.  Circle Family Health Center Network focuses on bringing high-quality primary and preventive health care and behavioral health services to the medically underserved residents of Chicago’s West Side, and its surrounding communities. Michelle Williams, a case manager for Circle, was very appreciative to having CHC members there. “Due to CHC members being able to pass out flyers and being open to answering questions, it really made this event move manageably. The CHC members definitely were awesome and were able to help me bring Circle’s numbers up!

Also on the West Side CHC members serving with Erie Family Health Center in Humboldt Park supported a Lending Hands for Life event. LHL is an award-winning HIV/AIDS program and an extension of Erie Health’s mission to provide comprehensive, community based quality health care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.CHC members registered and distributed Worlds AIDS Day information, buttons, and pins.

Last but not least, CHC members linked up with Howard Brown Health Center, to provide support at two of the Center’s Brown Elephant resale shops. Howard Brown exists to eliminate the disparities in health care experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness. The proceeds from the Brown Elephant resale shops go directly to the Howard Brown Health Centers.  Howard Brown distributed awareness materials, lubricants and condoms as a part of World AIDS Day.CHC members assisted with organizing merchandise and customer assistance to the shoppers at the Andersonville and Lakeview locations. The store contains everyday items from things like furniture and clothes to jewelry and kitchen ware. Customers poured in the store and all seemed very eager to shop for the cause!

The Chicago Health Corps was proud to have been able to serve with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Circle Family Health Center Network, Erie Humboldt Park and the Howard Brown Health Center!

 --Submitted by Antionette Renee Fisher, CHC Member

Chicago Health Corps members serving in the 2011-12 program year.

 

Saying goodbye to the summer and welcoming the fall implies transitions, the closing of cycles and new beginnings. Some people return to or finish school, some people return to work after vacation. At PHIMC, along with the summer, we say goodbye to the first members to complete their term of service since PHIMC is administering the Chicago Health Corps.

Their performance was stellar:

§  6,425 community residents participated in health education workshops, classes and other activities led and offered by CHC members, far exceeding the goal of 2,000,

§  809 community residents were screened, tested or immunized, exceeding the goal of 500,

§  830 community residents received information on health insurance, health care access and health benefits programs, exceeding the goal of 250,

§  Hundreds of youth were reached through the Youth Nutrition and Youth Fitness Programs

The impact of the member’s work at their host sites goes beyond numbers. Let’s review their experiences:

Food desserts, or areas within urban settings where healthy foods are difficult to obtain, are not uncommon in Chicago. Limited access to healthy food combined with poor nutrition habits result in life-threatening diseases. As part of an innovative effort to address this issue, CHC member Shari Brown, while at service at Seven Generations Ahead, partnered with Green Sugar Press to bring Truck Farm to Chicago. Started in New York by Ian Cheney and organized by local agencies in many cities, Truck Farm is a traveling exhibit showcasing a mini-farm planted on the bed of a biodiesel truck. From April 22, 2011 to October 2011, it toured schools, community groups and farmer markets at underserved communities. Participants were engaged through interactive programs that include gardening exercises and cooking demonstrations. Through these hands-on experiences, they learned that is possible to grow food and eat healthy at any setting. Through Shari’s work, more than 50 groups enjoyed a gardening experience and learned health nutrition options.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease affecting more than 17 million people in the United States. With treatment including diet, regular exercise and medications, it is possible to live a longer and comfortable life. CHC Member Julissa Flores, while at service at Erie Community Health Center not only reengaged diabetes patients in health services through Erie’s diabetes program, but was able to maintain a good retention rate, resulting in improved health outcomes for program participants. Great projects were implemented by other members as well: Lily Bevis helped in establishing a new gardening program at Henson Elementary, Alison Garza spearheaded a mom’s soccer team in Pilsen, Molly Brewster and Maya George initiated one time smoking cessation classes with the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago across Cook County and Eliot Carney implemented HIV testing and outreach services across numerous Heartland Health Center sites.

New year, new members

Along with the fall, PHIMC welcomes the new Chicago Health Corps members. Equipped with diverse education and backgrounds, members from across the United States have converged in Chicago to lend their talents to service benefitting communities that need them the most. They are highly qualified young people with the ability to educate audiences on various health-related topics, and charged with implementing innovative programs at their host sites.

The new members include (from L to R and Top to Bottom in image above):

Shermaine Brown-Wade from Flint, MI serving as a Health Coordinator at PHIMC, Lily Camp from St. Louis, MO serving as a Health Educator at Erie – West Town, Matthew Dudley from Pittsford, NY serving as a Health Educator at Erie – Amundsen, Antionette Fisher from Chicago, IL serving as a Health Coordinator at Perspectives Middle Academy/Elev8-GADC, Lisa-Sun Gresham from Wilton, CT serving as a Health Educator at Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Maggie Grinnell serving as a Health Educator at Erie – West Town, Savannah Jackson from Colorado Springs, CO serving as a Health Educator at Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Neerja Joshi from Racine, WI serving as a Patient Liaison at American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, Ayla Karamustafa from St. Louis, MO serving as a Health Educator at Erie – Lakeview, Nina Litton from Arlington, MA serving as a Health Educator at Erie – Humboldt Park, Rebecca Maddrell from La Grange, IL serving as a Health Educator at Erie – Humboldt Park, Danielle Nelson from Birmingham, MI serving as a Health Educator at Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Alina Nuth from Chicago, IL serving as a Health Educator at Heartland Health Centers, Devin Payne from Gravette, AR serving as a Health Educator at Erie – Teen Center, James Raspanti from Shorewood, WI serving as a Health Educator at Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Sana Syal from Chicago, IL serving as a Program Specialist at Westside Health Authority, Jessica Torres from Chicago, IL serving as a Health Coordinator at Orozco Academy/Elev8-Resurrection Project, and Sydney Weydemeyer from Santa Fe, NM serving as a Fresh from the Farm Associate at Seven Generations Ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shari Brown helped launch Truck Farm Chicago while serving at Seven Generations Ahead.

Shari Brown, AmeriCorps Member at Seven Generations Ahead, has blended her program’s farm-to-school education and school gardening missions to found a new project: Truck Farm Chicago.

Truck Farm Chicago is a biodiesel pickup truck with a mini-farm planted in the truck bed. This traveling,edible exhibit, is designed to engage communities in exploring where healthy food comes from, empower young people to lead active and healthy lifestyles, and show that good food can be grown anywhere there's sun, space, and creativity.

The idea originated on the streets of Brooklyn, NY, conceived by Curt and Ian, the producers of the documentary King Corn.  Shari had been studying the food desert challenges Chicago, among countless other cities, faces.  When Shari heard their call for leaders to start Truck Farms all over the city, she knew that she had to find a way to bring Truck Farm to the children of Chicago and its underserved communities.

She partnered with Tim Magner, from Green Sugar Press, to devise the strategy for and launch the project.

Truck Farm's spring/summer tour kicked off on Earth Day, April 22, 2011 and will run through October, 2011. Truck Farm visits schools, farmers markets, and community groups, prioritizing food deserts and Chicago's underserved communities.  Programming optoins include tours of the truck, gardening activities, cooking demonstrations, and Fresh from the Farm curriculum.

 

So far, Truck Farm has visited over 50 groups and has had considerable media coverage on NBC, ABC, WGN, WCPT radio, Edible Chicago, and Time Out Chicago. The kids have enjoyed tasting seasonal produce freshly harvested from the truck, digging their hands into fresh compost, and exploring how their breakfast, lunch, and dinner connect to the natural world around them.

Visit www.truckfarmchicago.org for more information, to schedule a visit, and to see Truck Farm in the news!

Over the past year, Chicago Health Corps (CHC) members have been teaching comprehensive sexual health education to teens and young people throughout the city.  In classes and individual conferences, health educators talk with teens about birth control options, making healthy choices, and protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections.  This spring brought a unique opportunity for a couple of CHC members to further reach out to teens at CPS schools and in the community.  April is National STI Awareness and Prevention Month, and also marks a big annual push by MTV to publicize their GYT (Get Yourself Talking, Get Yourself Tested) campaign.  Two CHC members, Lily Bevis and Devin Payne, played a key role in developing materials and promoting events surrounding the campaign.

Lily, serving at Erie’s school-based health center at Clemente High School, and Devin, serving at Erie’s Teen Center, were in perfect locations to make a big difference to Erie’s teen and young adult patients.  Together, they were instrumental in publicizing the campaign throughout Erie’s network of health centers—designing and ordering staff t-shirts, making flyers, educating providers about the campaign, and talking to teens about STI prevention and Erie’s free HIV and STI testing.

In addition to encouraging young people to protect themselves and get tested regularly, the campaign also focuses on teaching teens how to talk to their boyfriends and girlfriends about sex.  Teenagers need to know that talking with their partner ahead of time about what options and choices they have is a way of showing that they care about their partners and themselves, and unfortunately, this sometimes gets left behind during quick clinic visits.  Talking about STIs can be an embarrassing topic for a lot of people, but there are tools to make STI testing easier to talk about.  By the age of 25, fully one half of all sexually active young people will have had an STI—and most won’t even know it.  There is clearly a need for education and action surrounding this topic, and CHC members are happy to help.  The hope is that this campaign will de-stigmatize the act of getting tested, and educate sexually active young people on how to protect themselves from STIs.

For more info, go to www.gytnow.org and www.itsyoursexlife.com. 

Chicago Health Corps Members gather in Lake Geneva, WI for a two-day retreat.

          In late April, the Chicago Health Corps members took a two-day retreat from the city to Covenant Harbor Retreat Center in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to reflect, set goals, and team build. A committee worked with Program Director, Karen Berg, to make sure the retreat would be a time for members to both reenergize, and focus  on making their experience as Corps members as rewarding as possible.   

          The members were able to participate in a low ropes course that was both physically and mentally challenging. During this time members were able to take turns as leaders, giving ideas and encouraging fellow Corps members through each event. Members also spent time self-reflecting during “The Calling,” an individual activity that helped each member determine their own strengths and passions. One of the retreat highlights was a campfire, complete with s’mores and music provided by several members who brought their guitars and musical talents.

Before returning to the city members were able to spend time in small groups hiking through the camp and setting goals for themselves, their sites, and the Chicago Health Corps as a whole. To remember these goals, as well as the strengths and passions they discovered earlier in the retreat, members made both t-shirts and posters to bring back to Chicago for continued inspiration. Despite rain and chilly weather, members enjoyed their time with one another, and returned to their host sites focused on meeting their goals, and making the most out of their last six months of service.

Marquette Elementary's after-school soccer program gives students a healthy option to build a sense of community.

During one of our recent in-service trainings, the Chicago Health Corps had the privilege of hearing from leaders involved with Chicago’s Ceasefire organization. Ceasefire is an initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention seeking to reduce crime and gang-related violence in many of the neighborhoods in the city.

Many of our members serve in communities where gang violence is a relevant and challenging issue, and time with Ceasefire leader Rafi Peterson helped clarify many conditions these students work within. Rafi was able to provide information regarding different gangs located in Chicago, their history, and the reasons why many individuals join. Many times individuals pursue gang membership with the intention of seeking leadership and community, and street violence ensues to maintain honor and protect one’s “family".

Currently serving as the health coordinator at Marquette Elementary with the Elev8 program and Southwest Organizing Project, member Carlos Cordova took much of Rafi’s message to heart. Working within a team of dedicated faculty from Marquette and leaders from the surrounding communities, Carlos has been able to find ways to involve students in activities outside of regular school hours. They have been able to initiate an after-school soccer and running club, engaging students in team-building activities that are physically, emotionally, and socially beneficial and provide a sense of community students may otherwise seek elsewhere. Within these contexts, Carlos provides a safe environment for many of these kids to be part of a team and to work towards a common purpose, while being supported by school staff and each other.

As Rafi emphasized during our discussion together, “You can’t turn kids away from something if you don’t turn them towards something,” a message and model Carlos has been actively striving to fulfill.

 Written by CHC Member Maya George. 

Member Antionette Fisher links students to health services as a health coordinator with Elev8.

Nearly half of the thirteen Chicago Health Corps (CHC) members are completing their term of service with a school-based health center. Responsibilities at each site vary from registering students for a community dental van, to teen pregnancy prevention and education, to after school gardening programs. Through their efforts at these sites members help increase access to and quality of care for underserved communities. CHC members are currently serving at school-based health centers affiliated with Erie Family Health, Heartland International Health Care and Elev8 partner centers sponsored by Near North Health Services, Access Community Health Network and Alivio Medical Center.  According to Divya Mohan Little, Project Director for Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers, the number of school-based health centers in Illinois has nearly doubled in the last decade to 59 centers statewide. Due to the increasing need for this piece of health care for the many uninsured children and adolescents and low-income families the need for school based health centers will also grow, potentially creating opportunities for new CHC members.

 

It wasn’t until CHC Member Antionette Fisher started her term of service with Perspectives Charter schools that she realized just how much students value the school-based health center. Over 900 students enrolled in Perspectives Calumet Middle School, High School and High School of Technology are all able to use the health center that is managed by Access Community Health Network based in Chicago.   Students are relieved that all that is required for them to use the health center is a consent form signed by their parents.

 

Part of Antoinette’s responsibilities are scheduling the student’s appointments, and sometimes accompanying them for support. Through the health center she is able to help the students prepare for other things, such as completing physicals for their transitions to high school and college.  The relationships she builds with students makes her feel like the glue that holds students and the health center together. She works hard to be approachable and create a comfort zone to introduce students to the health center. Some students venture in on their own and others go because they are in need of immunizations or a physical exam to meet school requirements.  Many walk through the doors because of Antionette’s gentle encouragement to explore the services the health center offers.  Once they are over the anxiety of the first appointment, and realize what a safe environment it is, they continue to go. Antoinette hopes the increase in the number of school based health centers will lead to more opportunities for CHC members to have a similar, rewarding experience. 

 

Written by CHC Members Molly Brewster and Antionette Fisher.