A Letter From the CHC Program Director to the Members

Dear CHC Members,

This past Friday, we finished our Pre-Service Orientation, marking the beginning of Chicago Health Corps' 20th year of service to Chicago Communities! As an inaugural AmeriCorps program, we are excited to share this important milestone with the larger AmeriCorps community!

As the 21 of you embark on this ten and a half month journey, I would like to share three takeaways from my own AmeriCorps service many years ago:

Rely on strengths and assets that you already have at your disposal: It is no secret that addressing the stark inequalities and health disparities that exist throughout Chicago is no small task. Sometimes the problems and needs can seem overwhelming. When faced with challenges, do not forget to recognize and mobilize the immense talents, skills, and assets that already exist in the people and communities you serve. In this way, you have a unique opportunity to learn from those who you seek to serve, while also acting as catalysts of change. When you face your own struggles and frustrations the same principle holds true - remember CHC, no matter what challenges you face, you have amazing talents and strengths to get you through. When you do need a little extra support, you also have a lot of people on your team to help!

Don't forget to celebrate the small successes along the way while dreaming big:  Our mission to improve access to health services is a big dream! In the months ahead, I hope that in the day to day (particularly on the more difficult days), you can keep this lofty mission in sight, while celebrating the small victories along the way - from the patient who was connected to a cancer screening to the third grader who correctly uses her inhaler for the first time!  While there is always more work to be done, together, the small victories of all of the members, their host sites, and the communities and individuals you serve, can make a big impact.

Don't lose sight of the broader context: CHC is just one part of a much larger effort. You all will witness firsthand that many people don't have the same opportunities to be as healthy as others, in large part because of circumstances out of their control like where they were born and how much money they make. Each and every day, you do your part - in ways both big and small- to break down barriers and bring a culture of health to communities throughout Chicago.

As for me, while I have many of my own personal goals for service, my most important goal is to ensure that our program provides the support you need to achieve yours!

Have a great year CHC! I am excited to share this journey with you!

Cheers, 

Katie