CHC Service Day at Deborah's Place

post by CHC member, Savannah J.

     Last Friday the Chicago Health Corps shared in service at Deborah’s place, a non-profit committed to “breaking the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago.” Women in Chicago who are experiencing homelessness can apply to live in Deborah’s place. They sign a year lease and pay 30 percent of their income as rent, if they have any income. They commit to substance-free housing. And then they can come and go as they please, allowing a high level of freedom and independence for the residents. Deborah's Place also excels at connecting the residents with valuable resources including employment assistance, health services, and transportation.
      Deborah’s Place supports several housing units throughout the city. Our particular location included about 90 studio apartments for single women. In the morning hours we cleaned the two common-area kitchens on site, as well as detail work in the hallways. The place was looking good by the end of the day and we appreciated all the “thank yous” we received from residents as we worked. 

     The highlight of the day was visiting with the residents after the deep cleaning. We collaborated on puzzles, made arts and crafts, played scrabble and discussed philosophy. We were also the recipients of some wonderful advice: to stay in school, to not let anyone talk us down, and to keep our brains open. We were touched by these caring, inspirational, intelligent, and talented women. I left with a better sense of and admiration for those in our community who experience homelessness. I am grateful that some of Chicago's homeless women are able to find such supportive and inviting housing. By the end of the day it had become clear that Deborah's Place is more than a temporary respite from the cold streets of Chicago. It's a real home, with a community of caring people and exceptional resources.


Carefully moving the refridgerators to get to the tile behind.



Neerja owning the cabinet cleaning task.

Sana and Jessica sprucing up the community lounge.



Matt asking for supplies through the kitchen gap.





Scrubbing those pasta sauce splatters.



James and Alina share a tender moment while cleaning.

So much love.

Meet the Members: Lily

Name: Lily Camp

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

College attended: Grinnell College ‘10, Sociology and Spanish

Fun fact: I sneeze every time I eat dark chocolate!

Favorite quote: “Would I rather be feared or loved? Um... Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me” –Michael Scott, The Office

What you did before AmeriCorps? Last year I also served as an AmeriCorps member in Washington, DC. I was a legal assistant at Our Place DC, an organization that provides social and legal services to presently and formerly incarcerated DC women. I also volunteered extensively at the organization HIPS (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive) on their night outreach van. We distributed safer sex supplies, information, and new syringes to individuals engaging in sex work and/or hormone/drug injection around the city.

Did your past work experience apply to your year of service? Yes! My past work experiences inspired me to think about health more critically and certainly exposed me to a different side of public health. I came in contact with individuals who are often made to feel that access to adequate health care services is not something that they deserve. I was inspired to gain more experience in health education and empower patients to speak up and be able to advocate for their own health.

What are you doing as an AmeriCorps member? I’m serving as a Health Educator at Erie Family Health Center-West Town. I’m primarily involved in developing and implementing Teen Pregnancy Prevention classes in Chicago Public Schools, but I also assist with several diabetes management classes, a wellness program for women, and a breast cancer support group.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps, and how does your year of service apply to your future plans? Next year I will be starting my Master's in Social Work at the University of Chicago! I am fairly confident that my long-term career goals will include case management, counseling, and advocacy around issues like mass incarceration, women’s health, and sexual health.

Deep Thoughts from the Chicago Health Corps: What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self? Have more FUN...and don't care so much what other people think!

CHC Service: Vital Bridges

written by CHC member, James R.

Sorting food donations at Vital Bridges. Jessica, Danielle, Lisa-Sun, Carly, Matt, Sydney, and Sana.

Always willing to lend a hand, CHC was there for Vital Bridges on February 17.  As a Chicago-land non-profit, Vital Bridges provides resources and support to people throughout the city who are impacted by HIV and AIDS.  Among these services are groceries, nutritional counseling, housing help, case management, and education.  Our mission for the day was simple: organize, inventory, and clean the Vital Bridges food warehouse.

CHC emerged from its’ clown car (calm down, we all had seatbelts) and set right to the task.  The canned goods, mountainous pallets, and recyclables were no match for our sorting and counting skills.  Even after counting the inventory, the day was not complete.  We devoted some discussion time to the issue that brought CHC to Vital Bridges: HIV and its’ impact on individual lives.

Led by our artist in residence, Lisa-Sun, CHC took part in an exercise aimed at plumbing the emotions and circumstances of an HIV diagnosis.  Through transitional imaging and sculpting, these thoughts were expressed as drawings and enactments of the HIV virus personified.  Though challenging, the activity was cathartic.

Last, but not least.  This was the final day of service for fellow corps member, friend, and inspiration: Devin Payne.

Good luck.  We will miss you, Devin!

For more information about Vital Bridges, click their logo here.

Neerja and Becca on the frozen fish team.

James re-enacts counting, all for the sake of a picture.
Thanks James!

Shelves looking super organized. We got to add our names to the wall when we finished!

Matt. Because all good service starts with a good DJ.

Couch at maximum capacity.

Creating packages of condoms for clients at Vital Bridges.

KB and the Sunshine Band

Program Director, Karen Berg, and the 16 members of the Chicago Health Corps

A simple request: think of ONE WORD that best describes your service term.

Lest you think we were unduly hasty in our word choice, be assured that the democratic process was employed. Several thought-provoking words were proposed: access, wellness, determination, empowerment. But one resonated with the group more than the others: sunshine. It might be one of those "you-had-to-be-there" sort of things, but that's our word and we're sticking to it.