CHICAGO WOMENS HEALTH CENTER INC
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Mission Statement
Chicago Women’s Health Center (CWHC) envisions a world in which all people have access to comprehensive, affordable, and sensitive health care. CWHC’s mission is to facilitate the empowerment of women and trans people by providing access to health care and health education in a respectful environment where people pay what they can afford. The organization’s non-judgmental approach, combined with its emphasis on cultural competence, creates an environment in which individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences are able to access quality, affordable health care services and education.
About This Cause
Background Born out of the Women’s Health Movement, CWHC was founded in 1975 to provide an alternative to the traditional model of care, and to help make culturally competent, compassionate health care a reality for underserved populations. A pioneer in the field of health care, CWHC continues to adapt to meet the needs of its communities. CWHC now offers primary care, gynecological care, trans health care, alternative insemination, counseling, health education classes, and acupuncture and massage. Program Descriptions CWHC’s current programs are comprised of Clinical Services, Counseling, Outreach & Education, Alternative Insemination, and Integrative Health. All of CWHC’s services are provided on a sliding scale, ensuring that all clients are able to access a respectful and dignified health care experience, regardless of ability to pay. The Clinical Services Program provides sensitive, comprehensive, and collaborative health care with an emphasis on health education. Formerly the Gynecology Program, in 2014 the program was newly named the Clinical Services Program with CWHC’s expansion to integrate primary care into its existing reproductive health care services. The longest standing and largest program at CWHC, its services now include primary care and gynecology care, as well as care for trans individuals. This more comprehensive care now includes routine physicals, care for asthma, diabetes, hypertension, allergies and gastrointestinal disorders, annual gynecological exams, birth control consultations, STI testing, testing for urinary and yeast infections, and abnormal Pap smear follow-up, as well as hormone administration and primary care for trans clients. Clients are encouraged to be active participants throughout their exam and are empowered to engage in their own health care. The Counseling Program offers mental health services from a feminist and person-centered perspective. Services include individual counseling, options counseling, crisis counseling, and group therapy. Counselors provide support and insight into a client’s experiences, while maintaining an open environment that enables them to be seen, heard, and understood in their full complexity. CWHC staff members provide sensitive and intentional care, and do not make assumptions about the gender, sexuality, and/or sexual history of clients. The Outreach & Education (OE) Program provides workshops, and single and multi-session classes in a variety of settings, including schools and community organizations. CWHC’s health educators present on a wide range of topics including STIs, safer sex, sexuality, pregnancy prevention, anatomy, puberty, gender identity, body image, and healthy relationships, empowering young people throughout Chicago to lead healthier lives by providing them with valuable sexual health knowledge and life skills. The Alternative Insemination Program assists women and trans* people on their path to pregnancy in a comfortable, respectful environment. The program offers clients sensitive health care and emotional support throughout this process. The program also provides clients with access to numerous resources, helping clients make their own informed decisions about their health care and family. The Integrative Health Program offers alternative, holistic care including acupuncture and various forms of bodywork and massage. Initiated through a partnership with Pacific College of Oriental Medicine to provide Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, the program has grown to include massage and bodywork, offering clients an alternative treatment method for conditions such as menstrual cycle irregularities, PMS, stress and anxiety, and chronic pain, as well as a means to overall well-being. Client Quotes While quantitative evaluation of programming is critical for the continued success and evolution of CWHC’s services, the voices of its clients are powerful indicators of CWHC’s impact: “I loved everything about my visit today. I am so relieved and grateful to have wound up here.” Primary Care client “Thank you so much for existing. I felt cared for and loved upon entering.” Gynecology Client “The sliding scale saved the day! I have often left therapy because I could not afford it. I appreciate the flexibility given to me without guilt or shame.” Counseling Client