ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY WELLNESS
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Mission Statement
The mission of Advocates for Community Wellness (A4CW) is to reduce barriers to health equity, decrease health disparities, and increase health literacy in underserved populations. By offering wholistic services for the mind, body, and spirit, we provide supportive resources to help families identify risk factors and manage chronic illnesses through the education of healthy lifestyles, fitness, and proper nutrition. Advocates for Community Wellness is a faith-based non-denominational, health promotion, and disease prevention ministry without walls. We are a tight niche group of health professionals such as nutritionists, culinary arts enthusiasts, health educators, fitness trainers, nurses, healthcare providers, and individuals genuinely interested in improving their health and wellbeing. Everything that we do and work towards is to help people live longer and healthier lives through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, healthy eating, and fitness for vulnerable populations such as cancer patients and survivors, single-parent families, low-income individuals and families living in food desserts and low resource communities and seniors. Advocates for Community Wellness is dedicated to fostering holistic well-being and health equity in our communities. Through our programs, including the Adsol-Delicious Eat Well for Better Health (ADEW) initiative, Along the Journey Cancer Awareness and Survivorship Support Program, and the Well Woman Wellness Promotion Program, we strive to empower individuals of all ages to lead healthier lives. Absol-Delicious Eat Well for Better Health (ADEW) embodies our commitment to promoting nutritious eating habits and enhancing health outcomes. By offering educational resources, cooking classes, and access to fresh, affordable foods, ADEW empowers community members to make informed decisions about their diet and overall health. Along the Journey is a beacon of support and education for those affected by cancer. We provide a range of support linking to services, including counseling, support groups, and informational sessions, to ensure that no one faces their cancer journey alone. Through this program, we aim to improve the quality of life and survivorship rates among cancer patients and survivors. We help people to live longer and healthier lives regardless of the their diagnosis. Our Well Woman Wellness Promotion Program focuses on the importance of preventive care for young women. By encouraging regular well-woman exams starting at age 13, we aim to instill a lifelong commitment to health and wellness. Through education and advocacy, we seek to reduce health disparities and empower young women to prioritize their well-being. This is an area if we encourage young and adult women to get their annual exams we could increase health equity and link the underinsured and uninsured to healthcare systems (Federal Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and other services. Early screenings and tests save lives. At Advocates for Community Wellness, we believe that everyone deserves access to resources and support for a healthy life. Through our programs, we strive to create a culture of health in which individuals are empowered to make positive choices for themselves and their communities. Together, we can build a healthier, more vibrant future for all.
About This Cause
Advocates for Community Wellness (A4CW) is a faith-based, grassroots health advocacy organization dedicated to reducing health disparities and promoting wellness in underserved communities across the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area. Since 2003, we have been working tirelessly to address two of the most pressing issues facing our city: food insecurity and health disparities of vulnerable populations. The Urgent Need: Food Insecurity in Chicago The challenge of food insecurity in Chicago is both widespread and deeply concerning. Recent data paints a stark picture of the situation: • One in five households in the Chicago area faces food insecurity, with the situation even more dire for families with children. • An estimated 18 million households in the US experienced food insecurity in 2023, a significant increase from previous years • An estimated 120,084 Black households, 77,000 Latinx households, and 35,775 white households with children experienced food deficits in Chicago • Black households with children account for 33% of food-insecure families in Chicago • 26% of Chicagoans are at risk for food insecurity These statistics reveal a harsh reality: food insecurity in Chicago is not just a matter of hunger, but a complex issue intertwined with poverty, racial inequity, and systemic barriers to health and wellness. And these social determinants of health leads to health disparities in vulnerable populations. The Impact of Food Insecurity Food insecurity has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond immediate hunger: • It is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher odds of chronic illness • Adults with a mental health disability are up to five times more likely to live in a food-insecure household • Among low-income families with young children, food insecurity is more likely to occur if the mother experiences depression or a psychosis spectrum disorder • Food insecurity can be a predictor of higher rates of children's behavioral problem • Among college students, food insecurity has been linked to poor mental health and lower academic performance • Adults with serious mental illness (SMI) experiencing very low food security are less likely to be able to afford mental health care and use mental health services Our Approach: Holistic Solutions for Lasting Change At Advocates for Community Wellness, we believe that addressing food insecurity requires more than just providing meals. Our comprehensive approach focuses on education, empowerment, and community-based solutions: 1. Nutrition Education and Cooking Classes Our "Absol-delicious Eat Well For Better Health" program offers hands-on and virtual cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes led by professional chefs and nutritionists. These classes: • Teach participants how to prepare nutritious, affordable meals, maximizing the value of available resources • Promote plant-based diets, which can be more economical and healthier • Increase nutrition knowledge and culinary skills • Encourage participants to make lasting changes in their daily eating habits 2. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Our programs address chronic conditions prevalent in underserved communities, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. We provide education on how proper nutrition can prevent and manage these conditions, recognizing the cyclical relationship between food insecurity and poor health. 3. Community Resource Navigation We connect individuals and families with valuable resources such as SNAP benefits, local food pantries, and other support services. This includes: • Helping families navigate and access federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC • Connecting families to local food banks and other community resources • Providing referrals for fitness activities in safe community environments 4. Well-Woman Wellness Promotion Program This initiative focuses on the unique health needs of women in underserved communities, providing education on preventive care and annual health screenings. 5. Mental Health Awareness Education Recognizing the link between food insecurity and mental health, we offer education and connect community members with local mental health resources. 6. Urban Farming Initiatives We work to eliminate barriers to urban farming, promoting local food production and increasing access to fresh produce in food deserts. The Culture of WELLTH Initiative Our Culture of WELLTH Initiative takes a wholistic approach to wellness, addressing all 8 aspects of wellness: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, occupational, financial, and environmental. This comprehensive strategy is crucial because: • Food insecurity is often intertwined with other social and economic factors • Addressing multiple aspects of wellness can create more sustainable solutions to food insecurity • It helps families build resilience and resources to overcome food insecurity in the long term The Impact of Your Donation By supporting Advocates for Community Wellness, you're not just providing a meal – you're investing in a healthier, more equitable future for Chicago. Your donation will help us: • Expand our nutrition education and cooking classes to reach more families • Provide fresh, nutritious food to vulnerable households • Support local BIPOC growers and food businesses, creating a more resilient local food system • Develop and implement innovative programs to address the root causes of food insecurity Here's how your donations can be used to support our food insecurity initiatives: 1. Providing meals to those in need 2. Supporting food banks and pantries 3. Funding advocacy efforts for long-term solutions to food insecurity 4. Supplying groceries for families (e.g., providing a $25 weekly donation per participant (household) can provide groceries for a family of four) 5. Covering transportation costs for food delivery to hard-to-reach community residents 6. Supporting school feeding programs for children (weekend food and snack backpacks) who may not have access to nutritious meals 7. Expanding nutrition education and cooking classes 8. Supplying fresh, nutritious food to vulnerable households 9. Supporting local BIPOC growers and food businesses to create a more resilient local food system Join Us in Creating a Culture of "WELLTH" Our vision is to create a “Culture of "WELLTH" – where wellness and health are accessible to all, regardless of zip code or socioeconomic status. We believe that by addressing food insecurity, we can unlock the potential for healthier, more prosperous communities across Chicago. Your support is crucial in making this vision a reality. Every dollar donated goes directly towards our programs, helping us reach more families, provide more resources, and create lasting change in our communities. A Track Record of Success Since 2003, Advocates for Community Wellness has been a trusted partner in the fight against food insecurity and health disparities in Chicago. Our grassroots approach, combined with our deep understanding of the communities we serve, has allowed us to make a significant impact: • We've served over 20,000 food-insecure individuals and vulnerable low-income residents across 4 communities and the surrounding neighborhoods in Cook County • Our nutrition education and cooking classes have helped participants lose weight, manage chronic conditions, and gain confidence in their ability to lead healthier lives • We've fostered partnerships with local healthcare providers, community organizations, and food resources to create a comprehensive support network for vulnerable populations The Time to Act is Now The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity in Chicago, with the number of food-insecure households rising significantly. As we continue to grapple with the long-term effects of the pandemic, inflation, and job losses, the need for our services has never been greater. Your donation to Advocates for Community Wellness is an investment in a healthier, more equitable Chicago. Together, we can create a city where no one has to worry about where their next meal will come from, and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. How A4CW Makes a Powerful Impact Advocates for Community Wellness (A4CW) makes a powerful impact in reducing food insecurity through its comprehensive programs that address multiple aspects of this complex issue: Nutrition Education and Cooking Classes Our "Absol-delicious Eat Well For Better Health" program is particularly impactful for food-insecure families. By empowering families with culinary skills and nutrition knowledge, A4CW helps them maximize their limited food resources and improve their overall nutrition. Wholistic Wellness Approach Our Culture of WELLTH Initiative takes a wholistic approach to wellness, addressing all 8 aspects of wellness. This comprehensive strategy is crucial because food insecurity is often intertwined with other social and economic factors. By addressing multiple aspects of wellness, we can create more sustainable solutions to food insecurity and help families build resilience. Community-Based Solutions A4CW's grassroots approach and deep understanding of the communities we serve allow us to: • Tailor programs to the specific needs of underserved populations • Address cultural and systemic barriers to food security • Create a supportive network within the community By focusing on health promotion and disease prevention, A4CW addresses the cyclical relationship between food insecurity and poor health: • Educating families about the link between nutrition and chronic diseases • Providing resources for managing health conditions through diet • Potentially reducing healthcare costs for families, freeing up resources for food Connecting Families to Resources A4CW significantly impacts food insecurity by helping families navigate and access federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC and connecting families to local food banks and other community resources. Join us in the fight against food insecurity it's a basic need for survival and your support is crucial.