Salaam Community Wellness Center to Kick Off Monthly “Peace of Mind” Health and Wellness Pop Up Events


Salaam Community Wellness Center to Kick Off Monthly “Peace of Mind”  Health and Wellness Pop Up Events

Free events to help provide mental and physical healing from COVID-19 pandemic  


CHICAGO (May 30, 2024) – After four years, most of us have tried our best to get back to normal because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, its residue continues to linger for millions of Americans. According to a Household Pulse Survey posted by the Centers for Disease Control, more than 40% of adults in the United States reported having COVID-19 in the past, and nearly one in five of those (19%) currently are still having symptoms of “long COVID.”

Dr. Constance Shabazz, founder and CEO of Salaam Community Wellness Center (SCWC), observed that this phenomenon was particularly prevalent in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood and decided to do something to help. “We started this organization because of what we saw happen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities that bore the brunt of this catastrophe were once again the poorest and least resourced,” explains Shabazz. Salaam Community Wellness Center, 613 E. 67th Street, is a health and wellness center offering a unique, innovative model of holistic healthcare that utilizes both western and non-western practices such as individual and group therapies, deep breathing, meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture, Reiki and sound therapy, tai chi, qigong, and others.

“After COVID-19 subsided, I saw that for many residents in these communities, their health took second, third, and fourth place to their basic everyday needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Making a doctor’s appointment was way down on the list. Following through on an appointment was an even lower priority,” laments Shabazz.

 To help combat this health epidemic, Salaam Community Wellness Center will host a series of free monthly Peace of Mind Health and Wellness Pop-Up events at different locations within the Woodlawn community. The reason for this rotation is to help ensure that as many individuals and families as possible have access to the services and resources that will be provided. Many local  

residents are without adequate transportation to travel outside of their immediate area. Shabazz also is aware there are numerous individuals who have disabilities that limit their mobility. Additionally, concerns around safety are another important barrier as the area has a high crime rate and a very active gang presence.

The inaugural free Peace of Mind Health and Wellness Pop-Up event will be held on Thursday, June 20, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Salaam Community Wellness Center, 613 E. 67th Street. It will offer physical and mental health, as well as substance use disorder, screenings. Attendees also will have access to a variety of resource providers specializing in access to affordable housing, healthy foods, and job skills training. Several organizations will provide other health screenings, including mammography, dental services, and HIV testing. Healthy foods and snacks along with personal care items will be distributed at each health and wellness pop-up. Quantities are limited, and first come first served.

Area residents also will have a chance to enroll for follow-up care from SCWC and other local healthcare, mental health, and substance disorder treatment providers. The launch event will include on-site lab services that screen for blood sugar and prostate cancer. Operating within the concept of “mind, body and soil” and the principle of “food as medicine,” visitors also can see firsthand SCWC’s award-winning therapeutic Paradise Garden, which is a holistic healing space where individuals and groups can learn about gardening and conduct or participate in mindfulness activities such as deep breathing and meditation, yoga, tai chi, and chi gong.

Visit www.salaamcwc.org or contact us by email at info@salaamcwc.org or phone at 773-435-9493 for more information.

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