. The West Side of Chicago suffers from high rates of chronic disease, mental illness and other health problems. A collaboration aims to address this problem by providing much needed resources for healthcare in 10 zip codes.
This program is available in English. Wellness WestThe Healthcare Transformation Collaborative of Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is funding the project. This collaborative consists of hospitals and health systems, as well as community-based organizations, all working towards the same goal: eliminating deficiencies in social and health services.
Misty Drake is the executive director of Wellness West. She said, “We have about 40 health care providers who are working together to address how we can reduce disparities in health on the West Side of Chicago.”
Louise Williams is a Wellness West community health worker who first encountered a resident while he was undergoing a training program for a new job at North Lawndale Employment Network. This partner of Wellness West.
William has assessed Deangelo and over 400 West Side residents with the same form. Mack was in need of rental assistance, mental health counseling and other services.
Williams stated that he had already been seeing a mental health professional, but not on a consistent basis.
I was the Type [of] Mack said, “I never felt comfortable opening up to anyone.”
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Mack’s anger and anxiety has improved since he started regular therapy.
Mack stated, “There are a lot more guys like me, and I pray they will seek out help. Once they do, then they’ll be able to make some changes.”
Wellness West provides resources to its clients and patients.
The idea behind the program is to be able to screen and identify patients’ needs and then provide access to them. Dr. Claudia Fegan said this in an interview with Cook County Health. She was one of 40 hospitals, health systems and other organizations that have staff who are trained to recognize qualified people.
Fegan explained that “you’re talking to someone in their community and finding out where they live, what their specific needs are.”
Mack sees his future as brighter because of the support he has received. Mack wants to be a case manager so he can help other people.
He said, “I would like to work directly with youths and, just to let them know that there’s more to life than being on the street and getting into trouble.”
Williams, a West Sider herself, couldn’t have been more proud of Mack.
When you give back to the community you are helping yourself. Williams stated, “I feel good, because, like Deangelo is moving forward.”