Chicagoans Reach Out to Bring Neighbors Health and Healing

Each of our physical, mental and spiritual health affects how we interact with those around us, and shapes the dynamics of our communities. Improving access to care is a concern that touches us all—from those seeking health care, to the concerned caregivers and families who support them.

We are proud to celebrate and support five Acting Up award winners who work to improve health access and services throughout Chicago, to help make a stronger community:

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Feeding the Soul, Feeding the Body

ALSO and the Logan Square Ecumenical Alliance are working together to address the need for a more holistic perspective on the healing of mind, body and spirit. Their proposal provides a spiritual approach to healing, as they will be using their award to provide a safe sanctuary where people can heal in communion with others in their neighborhood.

Honest, Open, Proud

The stigma relating to mental health is often the biggest barrier to seeking out treatment. Honest, Open, Proud is a proposal to expand NAMI Chicago’s pilot program, already in practice at Cook County Jail’s Mental Health Transition Center, which focuses on contact-based strategies.

La Brocha – The Paintbrush

La Brocha – The Paintbrush is a proposal to bring art therapy for people with Alzheimer’s in the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods, where many currently do not have access to these programs. This grant will fund two workshops to help patients and their caregivers take advantage of a therapy that has been shown to improve attention, social behavior and self-esteem.

Never Go Without

An essential for health and full civic participation for women is reliable access to feminine hygiene products. The program proposed by Never Go Without provides “mobile pad pop-ups” in underserved areas, as well as advertising to make women in these communities aware of the availability of pads, tampons and incontinence supplies products in their neighborhoods.

Roots to Wellness – Support the Continuation of Mental Health Training

Inspired by an On the Table discussion revealing that leaders often do not know all the available mental health services and other social supports that they can offer to residents in their communities, the Roots to Wellness Network will continue their mental health trainings, teaching community residents and leaders about mental health resources in Southwest Chicago.

Each of these projects received $1,000 from the Acting Up awards to make their great idea possible. The Trust and Goodcity Chicago are so honored to be a part of each piece of the puzzle that makes our neighborhoods better, one idea at a time.