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Our Work
Our initiatives include wellness events, developing educational resources, community health research as well as community outreach that supports chronic disease prevention and scholarly research through collaboration with local organizations, churches, schools and community centers. Our mission to inspire healthier living, promote wellness, and health equity has guided us through numerous partnerships, programs, and research endeavors.
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Wellness Events
We partner with local community organizations and businesses to organize and promote events that offer resources and education about wellness to the community.
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Educational Wellness Programming and Resources
We create workshops for women, men, youth and seniors as well as educational materials focused on wellness and healthy lifestyle strategies to prevent chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease. According to the CDC, these chronic illnesses are the number one cause of death and diasbility in the United States and affect more than half of all Americans, disproportionately affecting underserved communities.
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Community Outreach
We work with local community organizations, businesses and institutions such as churches and schools to offer our educational resources and wellness workshops.
Youth Wellness Programs
Our Youth Wellness Programming such as our collaboration with the University of Illinois Carle College of Medicine to develop a community health worker training has given youth the tools to promote physical and mental health, prevent violence and provide health resources in their communities.
Coming Soon: Kids Cooking Class provides youth with the essential tools and skills to improve their well-being and become healthier adults. Interested in learning more and sponsoring our initiatives? Download a sponsorship packet here.
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Research
In collaboration with research institutions like the University of Illinois Carle College of Medicine, we have conducted research on youth wellness initiatives and published peer-reviewed articles co-authored by our Executive Director, Dr. Tramayne Butler DeLong, PhD. We helped to develop a youth Community Health Worker training with Deans at the University of Illinois Carle College of Medicine and conducted researdh on the training as a wellness intervention for youth in underserved communities.
The study was published in the Journal of Community Medicine and Health Solutions, and the article co-authored with the Dean at the College of Medicine and Associate Professor of Sociology showcasing the positive impact of CHW interventions on youth engagement and health outcomes.
Urban Agriculture:
We aim to increase access to healthy, sustainable food in neighborhoods that few resources and available options. In order to effect this change and help combat food deserts, we educate local residents about gardening in urban spaces and connect them to local community gardens. We are planning a community garden project in the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville.
