World AIDS Day: December 1, 2011

post by CHC member, Antionette Fisher



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



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



     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.



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



     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!

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

     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!

Meet the Members: Alina

Name: Alina Khek Nuth

Hometown: Chicago, IL

College attended and major: 
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Molecular and Cellular Biology

Fun fact:
My middle name is actually the result of my mom wanting to see her maiden name somewhere on my birth certificate. I didn't used to like that, but now I think it is a fun fact.


Favorite quote: "undocumented and unafraid" -my friends, peers, and classmates.

What you did before AmeriCorps?
I got my bachelors :)
I had fun side jobs during college summers working promotions in Chicago.
I spent (2009/2010) living in England.

Did your past work experience/school apply to your year of service?
School involved learning about dynamic structures and mechanisms that occur inside/outside/between cells. Not directly applicable to my service year. However,  I firmly believe that this type of study has equipped me with valuable critical thinking skills that will allow me navigate and contextualize my year of service.

Why did you choose to do AmeriCorps?
I wanted to understand better (through direct service) the intersections of medicine, public health, and social justice in urban communities.

What are you doing as an AmeriCorps member?
I am a Health Educator for Heartland International Health Centers. It is an agency that operates many health clinics on Chicago's north side. I am currently placed at two clinics in the Uptown neighborhood. The first is a school based health center at Uplift High School and the seceond site is at the Wilson Clinic. My objectives are wide ranging due to the diverse patient population that these two clinics serve. But currently, I am involved in the start up of nutrition programming at Wilson and reproductive health/sex education in the classrooms at Uplift.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps, and how does your year of service apply to your future plans?I am not sure what my plans are after AmeriCorps. I'm trying to play by ear. So far the possibilities include but are not limited to combinations of:
Continuing work as a health educator in Chicago, emphasizing more on refugee/immigrant health. or adolescent health. or both.
Become a master of the arts. (specifically in knitting, dancing, sewing, cooking, and poetry.)
Explore other cites of America or move out of the country. Most likely move to Cambodia & live.
Apply to medical school and really learn how to integrate science&service (this ultimately has been/still is the main goal)

Favorite part of CHC so far?
Being back in Chicago and not just being a consumer of services in my community. Through CHC, I am proud to say that I can provide them too. And it's education.. the best type of service from my perspective.

Deep thoughts by the Chicago Health Corps: If you had an extra room in your apartment what would you use it for?
a darkroom.

November 19th, 2011: Chicago Health Corps Share-A-Meal (SAM) Event at Interfaith House

Post by CHC member, Neerja Joshi

After much coordination, much soliciting of donations, and much potato-boiling, the Chicago Health Corps was finally ready on Saturday, November 19^th to prepare and serve a three-course Thanksgiving-themed dinner to the sixty-four residents of Interfaith House, a facility that provides residential care for homeless men and women in medical recovery. Upon arriving at the facility, the CHC Members dove into preparing the following dishes for the residents:

Appetizer: Green bean casserole

Entrée: Split pea soup with ham and mashed potatoes

Dessert: Pumpkin pie

Accompanied by a refreshing bottle of mango juice



James and Lisa-Sun worked tirelessly to cook a massive amount of split pea soup while Farmer Sydney and Jessica showed the potatoes who was boss





Thankfully, after having prepared the soup, pumpkin pies, and boiling forty pounds of potatoes the night before, the CHC members mainly had to focus on preparing the casserole and potatoes. 

Or so they thought. 

It turned out that some of the residents had dietary restrictions, and would not be able to eat the pre-set menu items. Nevertheless, the CHC Members rose to the occasion and prepared separate dishes to accommodate these residents. Jessica even made an entire pot of delicious vegetable soup! 

While all of the cooking was happening in the kitchen some of the CHC Members relaxed with the residents in the dining area:

Matt, Robert, Sana, and Shermaine played a spirited game of Uno in the dining room while the dinner was being prepared

At 4:45, it was finally time to serve the meal to the residents. After all of our hard work, it was encouraging to see residents return for second helpings of casserole, soup, and pie. When we had finally finished cleaning the kitchen and were ready to depart for the evening, we were rewarded by a sincere chorus of thanks from the residents.  The CHC not only got this service project done, but we got it done extremely well. 

But wait! 

The CHC members would NEVER have been able to pull off such a successful dinner without the generous support of the following organizations: