May 22, 2024
Dr. Ahmed DJangi - BEW CEO; Kerri Brown - C4 CEO; Jason Ervin - 28th Ward Alderman; Patrick Dombrowski - Collaborative Bridges Executive Director; Donald Dew - HSI CEO; Dr. Chris Singh - Humboldt Park Health Director of Grants and Special Programs; Danny Davis - Federal Congressman; Kristin Hartsaw - HFS Special Assistant to the Director; Carol Kilgallon - UHS Hospitals Group Director of Business Relationships; Devanshi Pandya-Bangera - Humboldt Park Health VP of Behavioral Health Services; unnamed person
Stories this photo appears in:
COLLABORATIVE BRIDGES BREAKS GROUND FOR WELLNESS CENTER
The West Side of Chicago has a 17-year lifespan gap compared to downtown, widening to 25 years for those with chronic mental illness. Historical disinvestment in the communities of the West Side of Chicago has long had a significant impact on community wellness and the behavioral health needs of its residents, particularly among Black and Latinx communities. Due to these many disparities, behavioral health organizations across the city have joined together to fill the gap and provide a continuum of services, for both mental and physical health needs. One of these new partnerships is Collaborative Bridges. The West Side organization recently held a groundbreaking celebration for a new Wellness Center in West Garfield Park at 4223 W. Lake Street. Over 80 people including elected leaders, collaboratives, community members and local partners attended the event. The 17,000 square foot facility, when complete, will bring mental health resources to the community and will serve as a beacon of hope for people who are living with mental health conditions and their families.