Martin Luther King Jr. Day

post by CHC member, Carly K.

Throughout my high school English classes, my teachers emphasized using attention-grabbers at the beginning of an essay. One of the attention-grabbers they often suggested using was a quote.  Quotes have the power to add a familiarity for the reader, and usually sum up the point of an essay better than the words of any young high schooler could (or at least better than I could).  Therefore, I want to use the following quote to not only grab your attention, but to sum up how Chicago Health Corps spent January 16, 2012 remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

As you might have guessed, MLK himself spoke those words to grab the attention of thousands of people and sum up the essay of his of life. On MLK day, CHC had the opportunity to remind people of the meaning of this quote by pairing up with hundreds of volunteers to paint murals and quotes of those people who were at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement. The event was hosted by City Year Chicago, an AmeriCorps program, and aimed to transform and uplift three community centers in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood.

 

CHC spent the day at Henry Ford Academy: Power House High painting quotes similar to the one previously mentioned. While our arms were a little sore throughout the day, the fatigue was alleviated by the energy that came with serving side by side with hundreds of other people and by the new sense of inspiration that the quotes brought to the school and the community. At the end of the day, our group left with a new mission to not only remember MLK’s legacy, but to continue to speak out “about the things that matter” (…I was also taught that quotes are a good closer  to any quality essayJ).


Gathering at Henry Ford Powerhouse High in North Lawndale




Make it a day on, not a day off.




They had music. And so there was dancing.




Oodles of volunteers.


 

Neerja getting Winston's name up there.

 

A quote about rage, or something :) Jessica and Sana.





Matt and Sydney


 

CHCer Devin (right) with our City Year group leader, Ariel (left).





Lily, painting above the door.

 

James holding liquid sunshine, with Lisa-Sun and Ralph Waldo Emerson



Meet the Members: Sana

Name: Sana Syal

Hometown: Akron, OH

College attended:
Ohio State University
B.S. Environmental Policy and Management
Minor: Public Health

Fun fact: I have played six different instruments, but the only one I really stuck with for more than 3 years was piano

Favorite quote: "If you’ve come here to help me, you’re wasting your time. But if you’ve come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." - Lila Watson

What you did before AmeriCorps?
I had a previous AmeriCorps position with Public Allies Chicago, which provided weekly leadership development trainings and placed its members in non-profits across Chicago. Through Public Allies, I was a Project Coordinator for Uptown United's "Litter Free Uptown" program, where I mainly coordinated with schools in Uptown to improve recycling programs and general environmental education. At the same time, I was continuing to help with a current research project at Ohio State University; the project sought to identify the range of existing programmatic activity to address climate change adaptation and mitigation in U.S. Environmental Health Departments.

Did your past work and school experience apply to your year of service?
Yes. I decided to continue with another year of AmeriCorps, but this time with a position that had more of a
focus on public health, which was my minor in undergrad.

Why did you choose to do AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is giving me the hands on service experience I have been looking for, and this experience was
something I wanted to do before I go back to school for my Masters.

What are you doing as an AmeriCorps member?
I am serving as a Program Specialist with the Westside Health Authority (WHA), a non-profit whose mission
is to use the capacity of community residents to improve the health and well-being of the community. At WHA, I provide support to families seeking healthier lifestyles around nutrition, physical activity, and disease
management. I also help lead health education and promotion activities, outreach, and other supportive
services intended to assist adults and youth in accessing health care.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps, and how does your year of service apply to your future plans?
After my term of service, I plan to go to graduate school to receive my Masters in Public Health. My time
with AmeriCorps directly applies because it has not only given me the experience that many public health
schools require before applying, but it has also allowed me to further confirm my passion for working with
communities to improve public health.

Favorite part of CHC so far?
Being amongst the other Chicago Health Corps members - we all share a common passion, and it is so refreshing and inspiring to be supported by a group of people who are also committed to improving public health within Chicago's communities.

Deep Thoughts by Chicago Health Corps: If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
My theme song is constantly changing, but for today it's "Shake it Out" by Florence + The Machine

Meet the Members: Danielle

in Italy :)



Name: Danielle Nelson

Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan (suburb of Detroit)

College attended and major: University of Michigan. Public Policy with a focus in
Health Policy

Fun fact: Studied abroad in Florence, Italy




Favorite quote: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream." -Eleanor
Roosevelt.

What you did before AmeriCorps? Research Assistant at the Center for Local State and Urban Policy. Intern at the Office of Senator Carl Levin. Sales Associate at Ann Taylor Loft

Why did you choose to do AmeriCorps? After graduating from UofM, I wanted to pursue a career in public health. When I came across the Chicago Health Corps, it seemed like the perfect fit. Through this program, I am able to gain real, hands on experience in the field, do good for others, and learn throughout the entire process.

What are you doing as an AmeriCorps member? Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Position: Lung Health Educator. I am working with the COPD Initiative and tobacco programs.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps? I am planning on pursuing a Masters of Public Health in Health Management and Policy.

Favorite part of CHC so far? My favorite part about CHC thus far has been getting to know all of the other members. We have such an interesting, diverse group, and everyone adds something very different and valuable to the group dynamic.

Deep Thoughts by the Chicago Health Corps: If you had to be stuck in a TV show for a month, what show would you pick? And what character would you be? I would choose to be in Modern Family as an additional kid in the Dunphy family. Who wouldn't want Phil as dad?

Chicago Health Corps Retreat

post by CHC member, Ayla K.

January 5^th, 2012 marked nearly 4 months of our Chicago Health Corps term of service, making it an appropriate point in time for the day-long CHC member retreat. Through a combination of regular weekly meetings and continuous Gmail-powered communication, the team-building committee successfully planned an 8-hour day designed for extended member reflection, as well as mental and physical stress relief and relaxation. The distinct, alliterated theme of the retreat, “Revitalize and Refresh,” intentionally fell in step with the start of the New Year, just as many members returned from their holiday breaks, well-rested and (almost) ready to resume service at their respective host sites.



James and Lisa-Sun looking especially revitalized and refreshed.

                  The first half of the meticulously planned day was hosted by the staff of Catalyst Ranch, who kindly granted CHC a spacious room completely free of charge. The distinguished “Jitterbug Room” of the ranch was painted in bright colors, decorated with whacky art, and packed to the brim with all of the successful retreat essentials (i.e. free snacks/beverages, couches, white-boards, stress-balls, and much more!) Many thanks to member Sydney Weydemeyer and her supervisor at Seven Generations Ahead, Lindsey Arenberg, for reserving this unbeatable location to start off our day!

Chef Lindsey, our sushi coach.



The retreat kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with an extended group check-in, utilizing a collectively constructed diagram activity that allowed each member to share one outstanding challenge and success with the group.

Immediately after check-in, members split into smaller groups of 4-5 to engage in several self-reflection activities, led by members Nina Litton and Matthew Dudley. The first activity involved reading a handout with service-related quotes, followed by a group discussion about which quotes resonated and why. The second activity required members to submit a “best” and “worst” question (i.e. “where was your best vacation?” or “what is your worst roommate story?”) into a hat before going around the circle and responding to each question with a story. The first activity aimed to encourage critical thinking and provoke conversation, while the second was geared primarily toward member bonding.

             Following a short break, members sat in cozy circle on the floor to partake in a mysteriously titled “Astrology Activity,” facilitated by member Ayla Karamustafa. Everyone then received a copy of their individual Natal Birth Chart, along with multiple disclaimers that this extensive astrological break-down of their personalities was not a true indicator of their character. Shortly thereafter, two short poems by 14^th century mystic Rumi were circulated to the group, and a brief discussion on the formation and conceptualization of self ensued.



Matt, Lily, James, and Sana doing sushi prep work





Carly and Danielle making sushi art.











           


       Immediately after the discussion, Lindsey Arenberg of Seven Generations Ahead  and her co-worker and former CHC member Shari Brown arrived to lead the group in a sushi-making lesson. Members split into groups of two, and were instructed in the art of properly dicing vegetables, arranging rice, and rolling seaweed to produce a delectable lunch of sweet and savory sushi. The heaping trays of sushi were then set out for CHC members to gorge on during their lunch break!

Alina, Ayla, and Sydney making sushi magic happen.



Heaping trays of sushi. We made these!





 

If there is one thing we know how to do, it's utilize public transportation. Waiting for our bus to take us to Eckhart Park.

             Lunch concluded around 2:00 pm, signaling a location change from the Ranch to the Eckhart Park multi-purpose room in Noble Square. Shifting gears a bit, members divided into teams- Team “Evil Death” versus Team “Jitterbug”- for a friendly game of kickball, headed by member Sana Syal. After several innings of neck-to-neck competition, the victory went to Team “Evil Death” with a final score of 6-5. Special thanks to West Side Health Authority for donating the kickball.

 


"Jitterbug," huddling up for the start of a vicious game of kickball.





Pitcher, Nina, looking confident.



"Evil Death", creating a game strategy



Wanting to steal a base.





Outfielders. We're just a bunch of kids.




We had forgotten how GREAT this game is! Someone may have just gotten out. Oops! 

                 Having exerted some physical energy, the group moved from the gym to a quiet room upstairs for member show and tell. The team-building committee had asked members ahead of time to select an object- or a favorite t-shirt- to share with the group. Shared items ranged from photographs and books to a notable Michael Jackson figurine. Members were able to share an element of their past with the group at whatever level they felt comfortable disclosing.


Cupcakes to celebrate the December birthdays.



Nina shares a book about her family.



 


Matt and Devin during sharing time.

 

            Show and tell was followed by an art therapy session facilitated by Amy Smethurt of the Illinois Art Therapy Association at Methodist Hospital in Andersonville, who graciously volunteered to lead a session for CHC at no cost; special thanks to member Jessica Torres for coordinating this activity! The session began with a 5-10 minute breathing exercise, followed by about half an hour of free-art expression; this meant members could draw, sketch, paint, or build a pipe-cleaner tower, depending on what tickled their fancy. Afterward, each member of the group- on the condition that she or he felt comfortable- shared their creation with the group along with a brief explanation.




Neerja with artwork.



Alina with artwork.









            For the last hour of the retreat, Program Director Karen Berg ordered pizza and led the group in a debriefing session about the day. Members shared their “highs” and “lows,” as well as any criticisms or suggestions for the next member retreat coming up in April. The team-building committee’s hope is that everyone left that evening with a full belly and plenty of food for thought, revitalized for the upcoming 7 months of service in 2012.



Meet the Members: Matt

Name: Matthew Dudley

Hometown: Pittsford, NY

College attended:
Emory University
Major: Chemistry
Minor: French

Fun fact:
Direct sunlight makes me sneeze.

Favorite quote:
May I have ten thousand marbles, please?

What you did before AmeriCorps?
I taught English in elementary schools in France for a year, and after that I worked as a Registration
Specialist at the Piedmont Heart Insitute in downtown Atlanta.

Did your past work/school experiences apply to your year of service?
My teaching experience will serve me well this year, as well as my knowledge of health insurance and
the workings of health clinics.

Why did you choose to do AmeriCorps?
I had heard very good things from friends who had participated in AmeriCorps in the past. I also relished
the opportunity to serve for a year in an exciting new city and follow my interest in public health.

What are you doing as an AmeriCorps member?
I am the Health Educator at the Erie Family Health Center located in Amundsen High School. I
provide a variety of services, from teen pregnancy prevention courses to rapid HIV testing.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps, and how does your year of service apply to your future
plans?
I applied to graduate programs in Public Health this past fall, to start in Fall 2012. My year of
service is helping me gain valuable insight into local health initiatives before learning about healthcare on
a grander scale.

Favorite part of CHC so far?
Our city-wide scavenger hunt during Pre-Service Orientation!

Deep thoughts from the Chicago Health Corps: If you were in a Rock n'Roll band, what would your job be?
An extremely versatile frontman who is always changing instruments. Gotta keep that crowd guessing!